Senior Account Specialist

Senior Account Specialist

The Metropolitan Council, the regional government for the seven-county Twin Cities metropolitan area, 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. This posting will create a six-month eligibility list for current and future openings.

What You Would Do In This Job

• 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.

What Education And Experience Are Required For This Job (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.

Additional Information

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 View email address on click.appcast.io.