Senior Account Specialist

Metropolitan Council•390 Robert St. N St. Paul, MN

6d•Hybrid

About The Position

The Metropolitan Council, the regional government for the seven-county Twin Cities metropolitan area, is seeking a Senior Account Specialist for its Finance and Operations Department within the Regional Administration Division. This department provides agency-wide financial, administrative, and operational services, including accounting, financial reporting, payroll, budgeting, contracts, procurement, and treasury functions. The Senior Account Specialist will perform transactional accounting, utilize knowledge of GAAP and/or governmental accounting, research and resolve problems, and provide training. This position is eligible for a hybrid telework arrangement, with the candidate's permanent residence required to be in Minnesota or Wisconsin. This posting will create a six-month eligibility list for current and future openings.

Requirements

High School diploma or GED; AND at least five (5) years of related work experience in accounting, finance, or closely related field.
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.
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.
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.

Nice To Haves

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 working with governmental accounting.
Experience with tax reporting.
Specific experience working with Accounts Payable in a large, complex organization.
Associate degree or higher.

Responsibilities

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.