Financial Compliance Specialist (03860)

State of Montana•Helena, MT

About The Position

The Montana Public Employee Retirement Administration (MPERA) is seeking an individual with a balance of solid accounting/auditing expertise and soft skills to work with a wide variety of participating members, providing retirement benefit information on ten separate retirement plans in our highly driven Fiscal Services Bureau. This position verifies and performs an audit of benefit calculations, service purchases and final payments to our members and retirees. Communicates differing retirement plan provisions to participants to the diverse population of plan participants who are employees from state, university system, school district and local government employers. Given the work we do is largely regulatory in nature, we would prefer if you had a strong foundation in auditing or accounting.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree with coursework emphasis in accounting, finance, economics or closely related fields.
Demonstrated professional experience performing accounting or auditing work with at least 3 years of experience.
Strong aptitude for using moderate to advanced functions of Excel.
Knowledge of, or ability to quickly learn: State retirement statues, administrative rules, regulations and policies.
Knowledge of, or ability to quickly learn: Actuarial principles related to the calculation of retirement benefits.
Problem-solving: ability to effectively look at a problem and break it down using critical thinking skills.
Operate comfortably with moderate to advanced Excel functions.
Analyze and interpret data effectively as well as identify errors.
Communicate effectively and diplomatically, both verbally and in writing with staff members, agencies, and members of the public.
Research and analyze employment data and apply critical thinking to problem solve.
Effectively work both in a team environment and independently to achieve business objectives and timelines.
Maintain high attention to detail: ability to pay attention to the little details.
Manage workload and juggle multiple tasks while identifying order of priority.
Adapt to changing conditions and work responsibilities.

Nice To Haves

Strong foundation in auditing or accounting.

Responsibilities

Verifies and performs an audit of benefit calculations, service purchases and final payments to members and retirees.
Communicates differing retirement plan provisions to participants.
Advise and train benefit specialists in their calculation role.
Recommend actions to address violations, corrections, or new requirements in rules/regulations.
Analyze and interpret data effectively as well as identify errors.
Provide effective and professional customer service.
Communicate effectively and diplomatically, both verbally and in writing with staff members, agencies, and members of the public.
Research and analyze employment data and apply critical thinking to problem solve.
Communicate complex plan provisions and resolve member questions, with courtesy, respect and without influence.
Effectively work both in a team environment and independently to achieve business objectives and timelines.
Maintain high attention to detail.
Manage workload and juggle multiple tasks while identifying order of priority.
Adapt to changing conditions and work responsibilities.