Senior Account Specialist

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.

We are committed to supporting a diverse workforce that reflects the communities we serve.

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.

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.

Anticipated Starting Salary Range: $75,560 - $86,000
Full Salary Range: $70,117 - $113,797
*The starting salary will depend on the selected candidate's experience, skills, education, and internal salary equity.

This position is eligible for a hybrid (both remote and onsite) telework arrangement. Candidate's permanent residence must be in Minnesota or Wisconsin. This position will create a six-month eligibility list for current and future openings.

• 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.
• Identify 1099 reportable payments, review vendor information, reconcile payment data, and prepare and file annual 1099 forms.
• 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.
• Other related duties as assigned.

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

• High school diploma/GED with at least five years of experience
• Associate degree with at least three years of experience
• Bachelor's degree or higher with at least one year of experience

• 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 Application Xtender).
• Experience using Microsoft Office software (Word, Excel, and Outlook).
• Experience working with governmental accounting.
• Experience with tax reporting.
• Experience working with Accounts Payable in a large, complex organization.
• Associate degree or higher.
• Experience working with diverse populations of internal and external customers.

• 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.
• Knowledge of document scanning practices and systems.
• Knowledge of alpha/numeric filing systems and record keeping.
• Proficient computer skills using Microsoft Word, Excel and Outlook.
• 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 read and comprehend a variety of materials and follow detailed instructions.
• 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 use a variety of office equipment such as calculators, personal computers and scanners.
• Provide courteous and efficient service; communicate effectively with internal and external customers; and politely handle clients/customers who may be confused, agitated, or hostile.

• We offer the opportunity to make a difference and positively influence the Twin Cities metropolitan area.
• We encourage our employees to develop their skills through on-site training and tuition reimbursement.
• We provide a competitive salary, excellent benefits and a good work/life balance.

More about why you should join us!

Union/Grade: AFSCME / Grade E
FLSA Status: Non-Exempt
Safety Sensitive: No
Anticipated Starting Salary Range: $75,560 - $86,000
Full Salary Range: $70,117 - $113,797

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 background check which verifies education, employment, and criminal history. A driving record check and/or physical may be conducted if applicable to the job. 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, Audit, or Human Resources departments, or has access to financial records, files/databases, cash, vouchers or transit fare cards. A driving record check and/or physical may be conducted if applicable to the position.

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 HR-OCCHealth@metc.state.mn.us.