Cloud Computing Cost Analyst

Peraton is seeking a Cloud Computing Cost Analyst to join our team of qualified, diverse professionals. This 100% remote position focuses on cloud financial management and reporting, including cost estimation, optimization strategies, and chargeback processes. The Cloud Computing Cost Analyst will work as part of an enterprise Cloud Business Office team, supporting efficient, reliable, and scalable financial operations across cloud environments. The selected candidate will collaborate closely with a team of financial analysts to drive cost transparency, accountability, and informed decision-making.

Detailed responsibilities:

• Architectural Reviews & Cost Estimation: Participate in cloud architectural reviews to provide financial insights and prepare accurate cost estimates for cloud resources, ensuring alignment with budgetary constraints and business objectives.
• Detailed Monthly Reporting: Develop and deliver comprehensive monthly financial reports, detailing cloud expenditure, usage trends, and cost optimization opportunities.
• Chargeback Models: Design and implement chargeback models to allocate cloud costs to appropriate business units, ensuring transparency and accountability.
• Fiscal Year Projections & Burndown: Create detailed fiscal year financial projections for cloud spending and maintain burndown charts to track budget utilization and forecast future needs.
• Cost Optimization: Identify opportunities for cost savings, recommend optimization strategies, and collaborate with engineering teams to implement cost-effective solutions.
• Financial Analysis: Conduct in-depth financial analysis of cloud spending patterns, providing insights to support strategic decision-making.
• Stakeholder Collaboration: Work closely with finance, IT, and engineering teams to align cloud financial strategies with organizational goals.
• Policy & Compliance: Ensure compliance with financial policies, cloud governance frameworks, and industry best practices.
• Tool Utilization: Leverage cloud cost management tools (e.g., AWS Cost Explorer, Azure Cost Management, Google Cloud Billing) and Microsoft Excel to monitor, analyze, and report on cloud expenditures.

Experience and Qualifications:

• BS/BA with 8 years of experience in financial analysis, with at least 3 years focused on cloud cost management. 
• Proven experience in preparing cost estimates for cloud resources and participating in architectural reviews.
• Demonstrated ability to create chargeback models and fiscal year projections.
• Strong understanding of application architecture, design, and networking related to cloud hosted applications.
• Experience building and modifying complex Excel workbooks and formulas (experience with VBA is not required but understanding of scripting and object-oriented programming encouraged)
• Must be a US Citizen with the ability to obtain a Public Trust clearance.

Technical Skills:

• Proficiency with cloud cost management tools (e.g., AWS Cost Explorer, Azure Cost Management, Google Cloud Billing).
• Strong knowledge of cloud platforms (AWS, Azure, Google Cloud) and their pricing models.
• Advanced Excel skills and experience with financial modeling tools.
• Familiarity with data visualization tools (e.g., Tableau, Power BI) for reporting purposes.
• Analytical Skills: Exceptional ability to analyze complex financial data, identify trends, and provide actionable recommendations.
• Communication: Excellent verbal and written communication skills, with the ability to gather and present complex financial and technical information to technical and non-technical stakeholders.
• Collaboration: Strong interpersonal skills with a proven ability to work cross-functionally with finance, IT, and engineering teams.
• Attention to Detail: High level of accuracy in financial reporting and forecasting.

 Preferred Qualifications:

• Experience with FinOps practices and certifications (e.g., FinOps Certified Practitioner).
• Knowledge of cloud governance frameworks and compliance standards.
• Familiarity with scripting languages (e.g., Python) for automating cost analysis tasks.
• Experience in a fast-paced, technology-driven environment.