Financial AnalystAt — BJ's Restaurants

Responsibilities

• Work cross-functionally to identify growth opportunities in support of the company's key initiatives
• Conduct financial analyses to determine the impact of various companywide initiatives including the introduction of new menus, menu items, limited time promotions, and more
• Present findings and strategic recommendations to stakeholders and executive teams, clearly communicating complex data in an understandable way for informed decision-making.
• Identify areas for improving processes and reducing costs across the chain
• Analyze industry trends, competitive landscape, growth opportunities and internal performance
• Partner with department leaders on ad-hoc requests and sales driving initiatives
• Quantify the ROI of various sales driving initiatives and programs
• Prepare financial analysis for quarterly earnings calls and Board of Directors meetings
• Develop and/or improve company processes and financial reporting

Financial Analysis and Modeling: Assist in developing financial models and forecasts, performing variance analysis, and contributing to budget preparations, providing insights into financial performance.

Data Management and Reporting: Gather, organize, and analyze financial data to produce periodic reports, dashboards, and presentations that summarize key financial metrics for senior management.

Market and Competitor Research: Conduct market and competitor research to support strategic planning and evaluate industry trends, using findings to assist in the creation of financial projections and business cases.

Assisting in Month-End and Quarter-End Closures: Participate in month-end and quarter-end closing activities, including reconciliation of accounts, preparing journal entries, and reviewing financial statements.

Cost Analysis: Support cost analysis projects to identify potential efficiencies and areas for cost-saving initiatives across different departments or projects.

Cross-Functional Collaboration: Work with other departments (e.g., marketing, operations) to gather necessary financial information, promoting a deeper understanding of how finance supports business functions.

Ad-Hoc Projects: Engage in ad-hoc projects as directed by finance team members, allowing exposure to various aspects of corporate finance and strategic financial planning.

Process Improvement Initiatives: Participate in process improvement initiatives by analyzing current financial workflows and identifying opportunities for increased efficiency.

Training:

During this internship in the finance department, students will receive a comprehensive range of training and development opportunities designed to facilitate learning outcomes and build essential skills. The training structure includes:

Weekly One-on-One Mentor Meetings: Students will have regular, scheduled meetings with their assigned mentor to discuss progress, clarify any questions, and receive feedback on their work. These meetings are aimed at providing personalized guidance and support throughout the internship.

Job Shadowing: Interns will have the opportunity to observe and learn from experienced professionals by shadowing colleagues in the finance department. This hands-on experience will help them understand real-world finance operations and decision-making processes.

Workshops/Skills Training: The internship will include participation in various workshops and skills training sessions. These will focus on areas such as financial analysis, accounting software, Excel proficiency, and industry-specific best practices. The workshops will be designed to build technical and analytical skills necessary for a career in finance.

Learning Outcomes:

1. Learn how to build a financial model
2. Understand how to analyze a discount/promotion offer
3. Learn to build financial reports
4. Learn how to build an executive level presentation