Open Position: Associate

Note: If you are interested in applying for this position, the application can be found at the bottom of this post or here.

ABOUT YOU

You are a finance professional who wants more than a job that runs on autopilot. You’ve built a solid foundation in FP&A, accounting, or finance, and now you’re looking for an environment where you can accelerate your development with intention. You’re drawn to the idea of learning how things work, and then making them work better.

You’re coachable and curious. You ask questions not just to complete a task, but to understand why it’s done that way and whether there’s a smarter approach. You’re energized by new tools, new methods, and the challenge of applying what you learn to real client situations. You want to earn immediate impact, and you’re willing to put in the work to get there quickly.

You recognize that growth doesn’t happen by accident. You want a clear path forward, not just in title, but in capability. You’re looking for a team that invests in your development and gives you ownership over your own progression. You’re not content to stay in your lane; you want to understand the full picture and contribute to how things are built, not just maintain what already exists.

You understand that the purpose of data is dialogue, and you’re motivated to develop the skills to lead that dialogue over time. You’re ready to start by mastering the fundamentals and proving you can deliver, and you’re excited about where that foundation can take you.

ABOUT FIRST WATER FINANCE

First Water Finance is The Relational Finance Platform: embedded Finance partners leading sustained execution and delivering better growth, financing, and transaction outcomes for emerging and mid-market businesses.

Relational Finance is the integration of data, FP&A, and corporate finance expertise and solutions that strengthen dialogues and relationships through Finance. We believe Finance is and remains a people sport, and First Water is here to help you win it.

Through work with over 100 management teams and capital partners, including support for $5B+ in financing and M&A transactions, we have developed proprietary process methodologies refined over 10+ years of recurring FP&A execution. Our clients range from founder-led growth companies to private equity-backed platforms, spanning industries from healthcare and manufacturing to technology and professional services. We deliver institutional-grade processes and expertise access that scale while preserving flexibility for data, growth, capital, and transaction roadmaps.

We meet clients where they are across four solution areas:

The Roadmap: 21-Day FP&A Capability & Data Maturity Roadmap, illuminating the path for data maturity, FP&A, and AI readiness
The FP&A Function: Managed FP&A BPO and stand-up initiatives, designing, building, and sustaining scalable FP&A processes
The Initiative: Customized project-based work, tapping expertise to execute on critical Finance initiatives
The Deal: Sell-side preparation, deal support, and capital introductions, streamlining processes and maximizing transaction outcomes

The First Water difference: greater capabilities, speed, and stability versus internal FP&A hires, with more flexibility and ROI than software or traditional consultants.

Our strength lies in a “mutt culture” formed through experience across finance disciplines and perspectives from both sides of the table. Team backgrounds include financial planning & analysis (FP&A), private equity, investment banking, commercial lending, consulting, and small business leadership.

PERSONAL & PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT

At First Water, professional growth is intentional and structured. We have defined two progression pathways that provide visibility into where you’re headed and what it takes to get there. As an Associate, you’ll begin at the foundation of each pathway and progress based on demonstrated capability and expanding responsibility.

Technical Execution Pathway

This pathway reflects your growing ability to deliver and shape FP&A solutions:

Run & Maintain Processes – Execute recurring deliverables: reporting updates, cash flow refreshes, and forecast cycles. Master the mechanics of our standardized processes.
Build to Spec – Construct models, widgets, and modules based on documented design specifications. Translate requirements into functional work products.
Design Influence – Contribute to the design process itself. Help shape specifications, identify better approaches, and inform how solutions are architected.
Impact the First Water Way – Drive process improvements and standardization that elevate how the entire team operates. Innovations you develop become part of our institutional methodology.

Client Engagement Pathway

This pathway reflects your growing ability to engage with clients and influence outcomes:

Produce Deliverables – Generate the outputs: reports, forecasts, and analyses that form the backbone of client engagements.
Synthesize the Numbers – Move beyond production to interpretation. Identify what the data is saying, what matters, and what needs to be discussed.
Present & Socialize – Engage directly with client teams. Communicate findings, facilitate dialogue, and manage the back-and-forth of ongoing relationships.
Impact Decision Making & Strategy – Participate in strategic conversations. Influence client decisions and contribute to the “what’s next” at the executive level.

As an Associate, you will focus primarily on the foundational levels of each pathway. Your progression through these stages will be shaped by your initiative, your skill development, and the opportunities you earn through demonstrated performance.

JOB DESCRIPTION

The Associate is a core member of First Water’s FP&A execution team, responsible for delivering high-quality client work while building the technical and professional skills required for long-term growth. Associates work closely with senior team members on recurring client engagements, gaining exposure to diverse industries, financial structures, and FP&A challenges.

This role is designed for rapid development. With documented processes and structured onboarding, Associates are expected to contribute meaningfully to client deliverables within weeks of joining, and to take on increasing responsibility as they demonstrate capability.

Process Execution & Delivery

Execute recurring update processes including stakeholder reporting packages, 13-week cash flow forecasts, and driver-based operating models.
Run data refresh and transformation workflows using Power Query and established data connection methodologies.
Prepare and quality-check deliverables before handoff to senior team members for client distribution.
Maintain accuracy and timeliness across multiple concurrent client engagements.

Model & Widget Development

Build financial models, reporting templates, and analytical widgets based on documented design specifications.
Support senior team members during design and development phases of new engagements, contributing to build execution under guidance.
Implement enhancements and modifications to existing client solutions as requirements evolve.

Documentation & Process Improvement

Maintain and improve process documentation for assigned client engagements, ensuring work products are replicable by other team members.
Identify opportunities to streamline processes or improve quality, contributing ideas through established continuous improvement channels.
Participate in internal knowledge sharing, including documentation of lessons learned and innovative solutions developed on engagements.

Training & Development

Complete required training in First Water’s technical stack, including Excel data models, Power Query, and Microsoft Fabric fundamentals.
Actively participate in internal development sessions and team meetings focused on process improvement and skill building.
Seek feedback and coaching from senior team members, taking ownership of your professional development trajectory.

QUALIFICATIONS

3-5 years of experience in FP&A, corporate finance, public accounting, consulting, investment banking, or related finance disciplines.
Strong foundational understanding of financial statements, accounting principles, and how P&L, balance sheet, and cash flow interconnect.
Demonstrated ability to manage multiple workstreams and meet deadlines in a fast-paced environment.
Intellectual curiosity and a genuine interest in understanding how things work, and how to make them better.
Coachable mindset with strong receptivity to feedback and commitment to continuous improvement.
Clear and professional communication skills, both written and verbal.
Bachelor’s degree in Finance, Accounting, Economics, or related field.

TECHNICAL COMPETENCIES

We recognize that candidates will arrive with varying levels of technical proficiency. For skills where gaps exist, First Water provides structured training as part of onboarding and ongoing development. What matters most is your ability and willingness to learn.

Required Proficiency

Excel & Modeling: Strong Excel skills including structured tables, formulas, and financial modeling fundamentals; ability to build and audit workbooks with confidence.
Finance & Accounting: Solid understanding of financial statement relationships, working capital dynamics, and core accounting concepts.
Analytical Thinking: Ability to interpret data, identify patterns, and translate numbers into meaningful observations.

Developed Through Training

The following skills will be developed through First Water’s onboarding and training programs. Prior exposure is a plus but not required:

Power Query: Data transformation and connection methodologies for automated reporting workflows.
Excel Data Models & Cube Formulas: Advanced Excel capabilities for scalable, connected reporting.
Microsoft Fabric & Dataflows: Cloud-based data integration and transformation within the Microsoft ecosystem.
First Water Methodologies: Our standardized approaches to 13-week cash flow, stakeholder reporting, driver-based models, and engagement delivery.

NOTE ON REMOTE WORK

We are headquartered in Houston, TX, though we serve partner companies across the United States and Canada.
We value face-to-face collaboration for process design, troubleshooting, onboarding/training, and team camaraderie; however, we currently have fully remote team members and are open to flexible work setups for the right candidates.
Occasional travel to client sites and team gatherings should be expected.

SUCCESS IN THIS ROLE

Success as an Associate is measured through a combination of execution quality, skill development velocity, and contribution to team effectiveness. Key indicators include: delivering accurate, timely work products; progressing through training milestones; earning increased responsibility on client engagements; and contributing to process documentation and improvement initiatives. Associates who thrive here demonstrate ownership, ask good questions, and consistently look for ways to add value beyond their immediate assignments.

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