Financial Operations Strategist

At Gracie Barra, organization, discipline, and structure are fundamental to everything we do. Across the AZ Schools, strong financial operations aren't just about clean records — they're about giving leadership the clarity to make confident, timely decisions.

We're looking for a Financial Operations Strategist to take ownership of the financial reporting that supports the AZ Schools' board and leadership. This is not a "produce the spreadsheet and move on" role. We need someone who can build the reports, understand what's inside them, and translate the numbers into a clear point of view — flagging risks, spotting trends, and recommending a course of action.

This role is ideal for someone who is highly skilled with spreadsheets and financial data, but who also thinks like a business partner: organized and precise on the details, while comfortable stepping back to ask "so what does this mean for the business, and what should we do about it?"

Your Mission

Own the financial reporting and analysis that supports the AZ Schools' operations, ensuring records are accurate and reports are delivered on time — and go further, turning that data into insight that guides leadership and board decisions. Your work is the bridge between the numbers and the next move.

Key Responsibilities

Reporting & Financial Operations

• Maintain accurate, organized financial documentation and records
• Prepare monthly financial reports (P&L and cash flow) for the AZ Schools
• Track invoices, payments, expenses, and accounts payable/receivable with consistency
• Perform bank transaction reconciliation and monitor expense categorization
• Maintain structured digital filing of financial records

Analysis & Strategic Input

• Analyze monthly and quarterly results to identify trends, risks, and opportunities across the AZ Schools
• Translate raw financial data into clear, business-relevant insights — not just numbers, but what they mean
• Prepare board-ready summaries and recommendations that support leadership decision-making
• Monitor KPIs and performance benchmarks across schools, highlighting outliers and areas needing attention
• Support budgeting, forecasting, and unit-level profitability analysis
• Partner with leadership to help shape the course of action based on reporting results

What We're Looking For

Required

• Fluent in English and Portuguese
• 2–4 years of experience in financial operations, analysis, accounting, or a related field
• Advanced proficiency in Google Sheets or Microsoft Excel (comfortable building models, not just entering data)
• Strong analytical skills — able to move from raw data to a clear takeaway
• Experience with monthly close support, reconciliations, and financial reporting
• Clear written and verbal communication skills — able to present findings to non-financial stakeholders
• High level of responsibility, reliability, and ownership over deliverables
• Ability to work U.S.-aligned hours (MST – Phoenix time zone)

Preferred

• Background in accounting, finance, or business analytics (degree or coursework)
• Experience with ERP or BI tools (e.g., QuickBooks, Power BI, NetSuite)
• Experience in franchise, multi-unit, or recurring-revenue businesses
• Interest in sports, martial arts, or fitness industries

Ideal Candidate

You're precise with data and comfortable owning a full reporting cycle end-to-end — but you don't stop at "here's the report." You ask what it means, you notice when something looks off, and you're not afraid to bring a recommendation to leadership. You're dependable, detail-oriented, and motivated by being a real asset to the decisions the business makes, not just a processor of numbers.

How Your Success Will Be Measured

• On-time, accurate monthly financial reporting for the AZ Schools
• Quality and clarity of financial insights and recommendations delivered to leadership/board
• Reliability of reconciliations and financial documentation
• Demonstrated impact on decisions made using your analysis
  

Why Join Gracie Barra?

• Be a trusted financial voice for the AZ Schools' leadership and board
• Work with a globally respected, mission-driven martial arts organization
• Grow from operational reporting into strategic business partnership
• Collaborative, values-driven culture grounded in excellence and integrity

Resume, cover letter, and application questions must be submitted in English.