Financial Analyst

JOB DESCRIPTION
Key Responsibilities
Manage the full lifecycle of purchase orders, including creation, validation, modifications, and cancellations.
Review and reconcile invoices against approved purchase orders and contracts.
Track and report on Capital and Operations & Maintenance (O&M) spending to ensure accurate financial allocation.
Support invoice management activities and resolve discrepancies with vendors and internal stakeholders.
Monitor PO funding levels and proactively identify funding gaps or overspending risks.
Manage accrual processes and ensure expenses are accurately reflected in financial reporting periods.
Utilize Vendor Invoice Management (VIM) tools to process and track invoices.
Perform service entry activities and support invoice approvals within enterprise systems.
Develop and improve financial workflows and processes related to funding controls, purchase order management, and budget tracking.
Partner with accounting, finance, procurement, and operational teams to ensure compliance with company financial policies.
Generate reports and provide insights on spending trends, budget performance, and financial outcomes.
Required Qualifications
Bachelor's degree in Accounting, Finance, Business Administration, or related field, or equivalent experience.
3+ years of experience in accounting, finance operations, accounts payable, procurement, or related financial support functions.
Experience managing purchase orders, invoice processing, accruals, and budget reconciliation.
Strong understanding of financial reporting and expense management.
Experience reconciling Capital and O&M expenditures.
Proficiency with Microsoft Excel, financial systems, and SAP.
Strong attention to detail and organizational skills.
Ability to manage multiple priorities in a deadline-driven environment.
Preferred Qualifications
Experience with SAP, Vendor Invoice Management (VIM), or other enterprise financial systems.
Utility industry experience, preferably supporting operational or field-based organizations.
Experience creating or improving financial processes and controls.
Knowledge of procurement, vendor management, and contract administration practices.


1. Explain what the scope of the work/project is? Project Overview, deliverables (what is this person responsible for).
a. This individual will support the Vegetation Management department by managing vendor invoice processes, purchase orders, purchase requisitions, accrual preparation and tracking, contractor financial activities, and vendor invoice-related issues. They will act as the primary liaison between Xcel Energy and vendors, resolving invoice, purchase order, and requisition issues. The role includes monitoring financial data, managing accrual processes, preparing and reviewing accruals, resolving RCA-related accrual issues, pulling SAP reports, validating data, and ensuring accurate financial tracking across vendors operating in eight states. The position is comparable to a Contract Administrator role with a stronger financial focus and ownership of vendor financial processes.
2. What does a typical day look like?
Daily responsibilities include:
a. Verifying purchase orders are released and assigned appropriately.
b. Responding to vendor inquiries regarding late payments, billing issues, and corrections.
c. Managing invoice and purchase order issues.
d. Coordinating with multiple teams to resolve financial process concerns.
e. Working extensively in Excel and SAP.
f. Reviewing reports, validating financial data, and communicating with vendors.
g. Handling emails and phone calls related to vendor financial matters.
Monthly responsibilities include:
h. Producing and processing accruals.
i. Sending accrual notifications to vendors.
j. Reviewing accrual documentation for errors.
k. Performing data cleanup.
l. Validating accrual values against forecasts.
m. Investigating anomalies and managing accrual-related RCAs.
3. Describe work environment / team culture (supportive/collaborative, teamwork or individual contributor)?
a. Collaborative team environment with significant interaction across multiple teams and external vendors. The role requires independent ownership of financial processes while working closely with stakeholders to resolve issues and maintain vendor relationships.
4. Can you elaborate on any potential risks or safety considerations associated with this role, particularly if the responsibilities extend beyond a standard desk or office environment?*
a. Standard office environment. No special safety concerns identified.
5. What are the work hours/shift (standard, evening, full time/part time, OT required, on call for 24/7 operation)? *
a. Full-time position. Flexible schedule with start times between approximately 6:30 AM and 8:00 AM and corresponding end times between approximately 2:30 PM and 4:30 PM. No planned overtime and no on-call requirements.
6. What are the top 3-5 skills and qualifications (technology/application/software, etc.) required?
a. Intermediate to advanced Excel skills.
b. Experience working with billing or invoicing processes.
c. Strong organizational and documentation skills.
d. bility to multitask across multiple vendors and projects.
e. Familiarity with accounting terminology such as capital and O&M.
7. What non-technical skills are necessary (i.e., such as communication, problem solving, team player)?
a. Strong communication skills.
b. Customer service mindset.
c. Relationship-building abilities.
d. ttention to detail.
e. Problem-solving skills.
f. bility to translate complex financial concepts into easily understood information.
g. Professionalism and responsiveness.
8. Ideal candidate background and how many years required?
a. Minimum three years of experience in:
b. ccounting
c. Finance
d. Operations
e. ccounts Payable
f. Procurement
g. Financial support functions
h. Related experience in billing, vendor management, retail sales involving budget tracking, analytics, and customer-facing financial support is also valued.
9. re there any certifications/education that the candidate must possess?
a. No
10. re there any preferred or "nice to have" skills?
a. SAP experience.
b. Knowledge of accounting principles.
c. Understanding of capital and O&M accounting.
d. Experience managing vendor invoicing processes.
e. Financial reporting and accrual experience.
11. What is the location of the contract assignment (Full time onsite, hybrid - percent of time on site/home or, are you open to fully remote)? If the resource is expected to be onsite, can you confirm if the resource can park on Xcel property/in the ramp?
a. Hybrid. Initial onsite training preferred at the St. Paul Service Center. After training, remote flexibility is available. Standard hybrid expectation discussed as Tuesday through Thursday onsite.


EEO:


"Mindlance is an Equal Opportunity Employer and does not discriminate in employment on the basis of - Minority/Gender/Disability/Religion/LGBTQI/Age/Veterans."