Principal Analyst/Associate Director

Job Title:Senior/Principal Analyst/Associate Director: Financial Planning & Analysis (FP&A) and Enterprise Performance Management (EPM)Location: Pune (India), Work from OfficeAbout QKS GroupQKS Group is a global research and advisory firm known for its SPARK Matrix, a globally recognized framework for vendor evaluation and competitive intelligence. We work with leading technology providers and enterprise buyers to deliver deep insights, technology research, and strategic advisory across various domains.Role OverviewWe are seeking an Analyst to join our Financial Planning & Analysis (FP&A) and Enterprise Performance Management (EPM) practice. The analyst will research and evaluate technology vendors, platforms, and best practices related to FP&A, EPM, financial consolidation, planning, budgeting, forecasting, and performance analytics.This role combines financial technology research, vendor evaluation, and thought leadership, providing a unique opportunity to influence enterprise finance transformation initiatives and digital decision-making globally.Key ResponsibilitiesConduct detailed market and vendor research across the FP&A, EPM, and finance transformation ecosystem.Evaluate vendor capabilities in financial planning, budgeting, forecasting, reporting, consolidation, and performance management.Assess platforms on dimensions such as usability, integration, AI/ML capabilities, scenario modeling, and automation maturity through primary and secondary research.Evaluate vendors through SPARK Matrix, SPARK Plus, and other QKS research methodologies.Build deep understanding of enterprise finance functions, including controllership, FP&A, treasury, and strategic finance operations.Interact with technology vendors, consulting partners, and finance leaders for briefings, demos, and validation.Collaborate with senior analysts to identify emerging trends (e.g., AI-driven FP&A, xP&A, predictive planning) and develop thought leadership content.Support client advisory sessions with insights on vendor selection, architecture alignment, and finance modernization strategies.Key Skills & Experience10–15 years of core industry experience in FP&A, EPM, finance transformation consulting, or financial systems implementation/product management.Strong understanding of financial planning, budgeting, consolidation, and performance management processes.Experience with leading FP&A/EPM platforms such as Anaplan, Workday Adaptive Planning, Oracle EPM Cloud, SAP SAC, IBM Planning Analytics, OneStream, or Board.Familiarity with financial modeling, scenario analysis, KPI tracking, and data integration frameworks.Understanding of SaaS architectures, cloud ecosystems (AWS, Azure, GCP), and data analytics integration.Excellent analytical, writing, and presentation skills with the ability to convert complex topics into actionable insights.Proven ability to manage multiple research projects, comparative assessments, and client deliverables under tight deadlines.Exposure to benchmarking frameworks, SPARK Matrix, or finance maturity models is a plus.What We OfferOpportunity to work on globally recognized research frameworks like SPARK Matrix.Direct exposure to leading technology vendors (CXOs) and global markets.Fast-paced, intellectually stimulating environment with growth opportunities.Preferred SkillsFinancial Planning & Analysis (FP&A)Enterprise Performance Management (EPM)Financial Consolidation & CloseBudgeting & Forecasting AutomationScenario Modeling & Predictive PlanningxP&A (Extended Planning & Analysis)Financial Systems & Data IntegrationFinance TransformationCloud FP&A Platforms (Anaplan, Workday, Oracle, SAP, IBM, OneStream)AI in Finance & Decision Intelligence