Business Analyst

Financial Business Analyst – Capital Markets W2 Location: McLean, VA (Hybrid) Employment Type: W2 Contract Industry: Financial Services / Capital Markets About the Role Our financial services client is seeking a Financial Business Analyst to bridge business needs and technology solutions within the Finance organization. This role requires a strong understanding of Capital Markets, financial reporting, business analysis, and data-driven decision-making. The ideal candidate will possess excellent communication skills, hands-on experience gathering business requirements, and basic SQL querying skills to support financial analysis and reporting initiatives. Key Responsibilities Business Analysis & Requirements Management • Partner with Finance, Accounting, Risk Management, and Technology teams to gather, analyze, and document business requirements. • Translate business needs into functional specifications, user stories, and process flows. • Conduct gap analysis and identify opportunities for process improvements and operational efficiencies. • Facilitate workshops, stakeholder interviews, and requirements gathering sessions. • Maintain requirements traceability throughout the project lifecycle. Financial Analysis & Reporting • Analyze financial data to support strategic business decisions and initiatives. • Support budgeting, forecasting, and financial planning processes. • Develop reports, dashboards, and KPIs to measure business performance. • Assist with month-end and quarter-end reporting activities. • Validate financial data accuracy and integrity across multiple systems. Data Analysis & Process Improvement • Utilize SQL, Excel, and reporting tools to analyze and validate data. • Identify trends, risks, and business opportunities through data interpretation. • Recommend process enhancements to improve efficiency and control effectiveness. • Support automation and digital transformation initiatives. Project & Stakeholder Support • Participate in Agile and Waterfall project environments. • Collaborate with project managers, developers, testers, and business stakeholders. • Support UAT, defect management, and solution validation activities. • Assist with implementation and post-production support. Regulatory & Risk Compliance • Ensure compliance with financial regulations, internal controls, and corporate policies. • Support audit requests and regulatory reporting initiatives. • Document business processes, controls, and procedures. Required Qualifications • Bachelor's degree in Finance, Accounting, Economics, Business Administration, Information Systems, or a related field. • 3–7+ years of experience as a Business Analyst, Financial Analyst, or Financial Business Analyst. • Capital Markets experience is required. • Strong understanding of financial reporting, budgeting, forecasting, and financial processes. • Experience gathering and documenting business and functional requirements. • Basic to intermediate SQL skills for data analysis and validation. • Advanced Microsoft Excel skills. • Excellent communication, analytical, and problem-solving skills. • Ability to effectively collaborate with both business and technical stakeholders. Preferred Qualifications • Experience within financial services, banking, mortgage, or capital markets environments. • Knowledge of Fannie Mae, GSE operations, or related financial institutions. • Experience with Agile methodologies and tools such as Jira and Confluence. • Experience with Power BI, Tableau, or other BI/reporting tools. • Understanding of data governance and data quality practices. • CBAP, PMI-PBA, CFA, CPA, or similar certifications are a plus. Technical Skills • SQL (Basic Querying) • Advanced Microsoft Excel • Power BI / Tableau • Jira & Confluence • Visio • SharePoint Top Required Skills • Capital Markets Experience (Required) • Financial Business Analysis • SQL (Basic Querying & Data Validation) • Financial Reporting & Forecasting • Strong Communication & Stakeholder Management Skills