Financial Analyst - Cost Subject Matter Expert

Financial Analyst - Cost SME

Location: Budapest, Hungary
Reports to: Cost Manager, Budapest

Hybrid working

Shape Financial Decisions. Drive Operational Excellence.

Are you an analytical finance professional with a passion for turning complex data into meaningful business insights? We are looking for a Financial Analyst - Cost Subject Matter Expert (SME) to play a pivotal role in cost planning, reporting, controlling, and business performance management within a dynamic international environment.

In this highly visible role, you will partner with Finance, Operations, Shared Service Centers, and corporate stakeholders to ensure accurate cost accounting, support key business decisions, and continuously improve financial processes. You will serve as a trusted advisor, delivering actionable analysis while helping drive efficiency, compliance, and operational excellence.

What You'll Do

As a Financial Analyst - Cost SME, you will:

• Own and manage key Cost Planning and Reporting processes, including COGS and OCOGS activities.
• Provide functional guidance to Cost Analysts and support the delivery of high-quality financial processes.
• Act as a trusted business partner, delivering value-added insights and analysis to support informed decision-making.
• Manage assigned Profit & Loss and Balance Sheet areas from an accounting, controlling, and reporting perspective.
• Perform detailed variance analysis and explain financial performance drivers through data-driven storytelling.
• Partner with Finance and Operations teams during planning cycles, validating bottom-up forecasts against top-down expectations.
• Drive process harmonization, automation, and simplification initiatives to enhance efficiency and consistency.
• Support a strong financial control environment while ensuring compliance with global accounting policies and reporting standards.
• Collaborate with Shared Service Center and Corporate Finance teams to ensure accurate and timely period-end closing activities.
• Maintain robust process documentation and ensure knowledge continuity.
• Champion continuous improvement by identifying opportunities to optimize processes and increase business value.

What We're Looking For

Education & Experience

• Bachelor's or master's degree in finance, Accounting, Economics, or a related field.
• Minimum 8 years of professional experience in accounting, financial planning, controlling, or financial analysis within an international business environment.
• Previous experience leading, coaching, or supervising team members is considered an advantage.
• Strong understanding of financial reporting, accounting principles, and business performance management.

Skills & Competencies

• Fluent English, both written and spoken.
• Strong analytical mindset with exceptional attention to detail.
• Advanced Excel and Microsoft Office skills with the ability to work effectively with large datasets.
• Strong SAP and Business Intelligence (BI) system knowledge.
• Excellent communication and stakeholder management skills.
• Ability to understand and navigate complex business and accounting process flows.
• Proactive, self-driven, and solution-oriented approach.
• Strong organizational skills with the ability to manage multiple priorities and deadlines.
• Adaptability and resilience in a fast-paced, evolving environment.
• High level of integrity, accountability, and professional judgment.

Why Join Us?

• Be part of a collaborative and international finance organization.
• Influence key business decisions through meaningful financial insights.
• Work closely with senior stakeholders across Finance and Operations.
• Lead process improvement and automation initiatives that create measurable impact.
• Develop your expertise while contributing to a culture of continuous improvement and operational excellence.

If you are a results-driven finance professional looking to make a tangible impact on business performance while growing your career in a global environment, we'd love to hear from you.

Apply today and help shape the future of financial excellence.