Financial Compliance Specialist (03820)

State of Montana•Helena, MT

23h

About The Position

The Montana Public Employee Retirement Administration (MPERA) is committed to providing secure and sustainable retirement benefits to nearly 60,000 members and retirees. The agency administers ten retirement plans and is dedicated to customer service, member education, and operational efficiency. We are 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. It also communicates differing retirement plan provisions to participants from state, university system, school district and local government employers. Given the work is largely regulatory in nature, a strong foundation in auditing or accounting is preferred.

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

Nice To Haves

Strong foundation in auditing or accounting

Responsibilities

Verify and perform an audit of benefit calculations, service purchases and final payments to members and retirees
Communicate differing retirement plan provisions to participants from state, university system, school district and local government employers
Advise and train benefit specialists in their calculation role
Recommend actions to address violations, corrections, or new requirements in rules/regulations
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
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