Senior Account Specialist

About the Department

We are the Metropolitan Council, the regional government for the seven-county Twin Cities metropolitan area. We plan 30 years ahead for the future of the metropolitan area and provide regional transportation, wastewater, and housing services. More information about us on our website. 

Our Regional Administration Division has a vacancy for a Senior Account Specialist in the Finance and Operations Department.
 
Finance and Operations provides agency-wide financial, administrative, and operational services supporting the Metropolitan Council as a whole and its individual divisions. These services include accounting, financial reporting and payroll; the Council's operating and capital budgets; contracts and procurement; computerized systems for financial and personnel information; risk management; treasury functions; and services supporting the Council's headquarters facilities.
  
We are committed to supporting a diverse workforce that reflects the communities we serve.  
 
How your work would contribute to our organization and the Twin Cities Region: 
 
As a Senior Account Specialist, you will perform some transactional accounting, have knowledge of/experience with GAAP and/or governmental accounting, research and identify resolution of problems and provide training, as needed.

Note: This position is eligible for a hybrid (remote and onsite) telework arrangement. The candidate's permanent residence must be in Minnesota or Wisconsin.

Position Duties

• Audit bills, claims and related documents by recalculating and reviewing them to ensure accuracy of transactions and conformance with relevant payment conditions.  
• Process accounts payable transactions and review monthly vendor statements for accuracy.  
• Prepare payment documents such as accounts payable forms, claims, and similar items to initiate payments.  
• Validate vendor invoices with purchase orders and receiving.  
• Reconcile account discrepancies by identifying errors, tracing errors to their sources, obtaining correct data, and entering corrections.   
• Prepare periodic reports to document transactions.  
• Scan all verified accounts payables transactions for other Council staff to view online.  
• Assist in printing checks and employee expenses. 
• Enter relevant transaction data into PeopleSoft Financial system with precise calculations reflecting the transaction.  
• Perform routine clerical work such as route mail, receive and sort incoming mail, and deliver outgoing mail. 
• Use substantial knowledge of accounting procedures/coding; processes, reviews, approves, and posts payments.
• Develop, improve, and install work instructions and forms by applying knowledge of accounting procedures and policies and recommending procedural revision in response to new systems or identified needs.
• Review and assist with issues brought forward by Account Specialists.
• Ensure accuracy of 1099 data and issue 1099s to vendors.
• Remain current with State and Federal tax laws.
• Submit State and Federal tax documents as required.
• Maintain established department P-card payment process.

Minimum Qualifications

Any of the following combinations of work experience in accounting and completed education with a field of study in accounting, finance, or closely related field:

• High School diploma or GED; AND at least five (5) years of related work experience
• Associate degree in accounting or finance AND at least three (3) years of related work experience
• Bachelor’s degree or higher in accounting or finance AND at least one (1) year of related work experience

What additional skills and experience would be helpful in this job (Desired qualifications):

• Experience performing account reconciliation, auditing payment discrepancies, processing accounts payable payment transactions, and preparing electronic fund transfers. 
• Experience using business accounting software (preferably PeopleSoft Financials). 
• Experience using an electronic document management system (preferably ApplicationXtender). 
• Experience using Microsoft Office software (Word, Excel, and Outlook). 
• Experience working with governmental accounting.
• Experience with tax reporting.
• Specific experience working with Accounts Payable in a large, complex organization.
• Associate degree or higher.

What knowledge, skills and abilities you should have within the first six months on the job: 

• Proficient computer skills using Microsoft Word, Excel and Outlook. 
• Knowledge of general office methods, procedures, and equipment. 
• Knowledge of document scanning practices and systems. 
• Knowledge of alpha/numeric filing systems and record keeping. 
• Ability to make arithmetical computations rapidly and accurately. 
• Ability to meet short/critical deadlines and manage multiple tasks concurrently with a high degree of accuracy. 
• Ability to interpret and apply basic accounting principles of Generally Accepted Accounting Procedures (GAAP). 
• Ability to operate a variety of standard office equipment including computer equipment and 10-key calculator. 
• Ability to follow verbal and written directions. 
• Ability to write routine reports and correspondence. 
• Ability to adhere to internal controls, Council policies and procedures. 
• Ability to follow detailed instructions required to maintenance of accurate accounting records.
• Use of a variety of office equipment and calculators.
• Provide courteous and efficient service; communicate effectively with internal and external customers; and politely handle clients/customers who may be confused, agitated, or hostile.

Additional Knowledge, Skills and Abilities for Senior Accounts Payable Specialist.

• Knowledge of Accounting procedures sufficient to code, process and post accounting documents related to business function (e.g. AP, AR, Contracts, PT, or Fixed Assets).
• Knowledge of basic accounting and business principles sufficient to monitor, collect and analyze data and implement minor procedural and transactional changes in fiscal operations.
• Knowledge of office procedures, methods, equipment, a variety of office/financial software products, sufficient to input and access information in computer systems.
• Knowledge of Council policies and procedures, and legal requirements for handling and reporting state and federal taxes.
• Knowledge of State and Federal tax laws, 1099 reporting accuracy, and P-card process.
• Ability to read and comprehend a variety of materials and follow detailed instructions.
• Ability to use a variety of office equipment such as calculators, personal computers and scanners.

Other Qualifications

Union/Grade: AFSCME/Grade E
FLSA Status:  Non-Exempt
Safety Sensitive: No

What your work environment would be: 
 You would perform your work in a standard office setting. Work may sometimes require travel between your primary work site and other sites.
    
What steps the recruitment process involves: 

1. We review your minimum qualifications. 
2. We rate your education and experience. 
3. We conduct a structured panel interview. 
4. We conduct a selection interview. 

Once you have successfully completed the steps above, then:
    
If you are new to the Metropolitan Council, you must pass a drug test and a background check, which verifies education and employment, covers driving record (if applicable to the job) and any criminal record. If you have a criminal conviction, you do not automatically fail. The Metropolitan Council considers felony, gross misdemeanor and misdemeanor convictions on a case-by-case basis, based on whether they are related to the job and whether the candidate has demonstrated adequate rehabilitation.
    
If you are already an employee of the Metropolitan Council, you must pass a criminal background check if the job you're applying for is safety sensitive, is a supervisory or management job, is in the Finance, Information Services or Human Resources departments, or has access to financial records, files/databases, cash, vouchers or transit fare cards.
    
  IMPORTANT: If you make a false statement or withhold information, you may be barred from job consideration.
 
The Metropolitan Council is an Equal Opportunity, Affirmative Action, and veteran-friendly employer. The Council is committed to a workforce that reflects the diversity of the region and strongly encourages persons of color, members of the LGBTQ community, individuals with disabilities, women, and veterans to apply. If you have a disability that requires accommodation during the selection process, please email [email protected]. 

Benefits

We believe our employees are a key to our agency's success!   In order to attract and retain high quality employees, the Council provides a highly competitive benefits package both in choice and coverage levels.   Some highlights about our benefits are listed below:
 

• Guaranteed monthly retirement income through Minnesota State Retirement System pension fund
• Opportunity to save additional funds for retirement on a tax-deferred basis through a voluntary deferred compensation (457) plan
• Two or more medical plans from which to choose, with employer contribution towards premiums over 80%
• Dental insurance, life insurance and vision insurance

The following benefits are provided to all employees as part of working for the Council.  You will have access to free:

• Well@Work clinic
• bus/rail pass valued at over $1200 per year
• parking at many job locations
• fitness centers at many job locations
• Employee Assistance Program
• extensive health and wellness programs and resources

Supplemental Questions

Required Question

Agency Information

EmployerMetropolitan CouncilAddress 390 Robert St. N.

St. Paul, Minnesota, 55101 Website https://metrocouncil.org