Principal Financial Analyst

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.

Metro Transit Division is one of the country's largest transit systems, employs more than 3,000 people, and provides ridership through an integrated network of buses, light rail and commuter trains, as well as resources for those who carpool, vanpool, walk or bike in the Twin Cities.

How your work would contribute to our organization and the Twin Cities region. The Financial Analyst performs fund and project accounting and financial management analysis. The fundamental reason this classification exists is to coordinate the ACFR, Council-wide/division-wide financial management and project management support specific divisions within Metro Transit. Responsibilities include producing regular and ad-hoc financial reports and ensuring compliance with accounting standards.

This position is eligible for a hybrid (both remote and onsite) telework arrangement. The candidate's permanent residence must be in Minnesota or Wisconsin.

• Run reports in the financial systems, reconcile account balances and prepare journal entries for assigned funds and accounts to ensure transactions are accurately recorded in the financial systems.
• Prepare journal entries to record monthly accruals, correct posting errors, etc. Monitors journal entries to properly account for Council activities
• Coordinate all activities of a specialized unit within a divisional department or major functional area to maintain proper control and uniformity and to ensure procedures are established and maintained by evaluating actual to budget activities and expenditures.
• Reconcile department records with accounting reports; analyze and monitor changes in operational trends and make recommendations based on those trends, maintain a set of control accounts to verify accuracy of transaction records.
• Monitor financial control over expenditures and receipts, review monthly reports with management and make adjusting journal entries if necessary.
• Develop, recommend and implement internal procedures; review and research expenditures for accuracy and timeliness, and advise program and activity managers of concerns and/or problems.
• Assist in monitoring, reconciliation, and reporting of activity (monthly, quarterly, yearly) of operating and capital accounts and funds or other project related reporting, to ensure sufficient funds are available to meet department and activity needs by reviewing requests for compliance with federal and state laws, department policies and internal controls; analyze and interpret fiscal data; develop and implement new procedures to solve problems; and monitor cash flows.
• Ad-hoc reporting and internal controls related to the timeliness and accuracy of financial reporting. Prepares financial analysis for customers with varying degrees of financial understanding
• Responds to internal, Federal, and State Audit questions accordingly
• Maintains data within relevant systems including PeopleSoft (Financial and HRMS), Hyperion, TXBase and will be responsible for monitoring all sub-systems and departments with the general ledger to ensure accurate financial reporting
• Helping department managers and project managers understand their budget to actual reports is a daily duty for Metro Transit analysts; this position will deal mostly with department managers and project managers
• Train co-workers, as directed, in specific task and job practices and procedures to improve and maintain performance levels by communicating timetables and quality standards for tasks; and provide instruction on policies and procedures as needed.
• Monitors financial, operational reporting and prepares variance to budget analysis. Coordinates and inputs operating and capital data into Metro Transit financial systems to generate monthly financial statement
• Prepares special administrative management studies, analyzes budget expenditure estimates and accounts, fund and project balances to ensure compliance with federal and funding policies and procedures
• Monitors ongoing Financial and operational results for deviations from plan and recommends corrective actions to decision makers
• Identifies system modifications for improved financial controls and evaluates programs effectiveness and recommends changes
• Other duties assigned or apparent

Distinguishing Characteristics addition to responsibilities at Financial Analyst level, the Principal Financial Analyst has greater breadth: Council-wide/Division-wide financial management, project management, Annual Comprehensive Financial Reporting (ACFR)coordination, Government-wide financial statements. Key characteristics of Principal Financial Analyst work include.

• Complex analysis, modeling, leadership/project management
• Council-wide or Division-wide focus and responsibility, lead roles
• Emphasis on business process, big picture, how it fits together:
  • ACFR: government-wide financials, coordinating notes/tie out to financials
  • Financial/Budget/Treasury: quarterly financial report (responsibility for numbers and the story behind the numbers), budget documents, monthly division-wide reporting and analysis
  • Performance reporting: impact/results of actions managed.

Any of the following combinations of experience in an accounting or finance environment including the development and use of financial or budgeting systems and completed education in accounting, finance, business administration, or closely relatedfield:

• High school diploma/GED with eight (8) years of experience in an accounting or finance environment including the development and use of financial orbudgetingsystems
• Associate degree with six (6) years of experience in an accounting or finance environment including the development and use of financial and budgeting systems
• Bachelor's degree or higher with four (4) years of experience in an accounting or finance environment including the development and use of financial or budgeting systems

What additional skills and experience would be helpful in this job (desired qualifications):

• Practical experience using a financial system like PeopleSoft
• Experience delivering financial information to coworkers, division program staff and managers, and state/federal agencies
• Experience in accounting practices including problem solving skills to identify and reconcile account, project balances using reports, queries, spreadsheets and available tools and information
• Intermediate computer skills in word processing, spreadsheets, graphic presentations, and database management required ( Excel, and Access)
• Promotes an equitable, positive, and respectful work environment that values diversity among all employees

What knowledge, skills abilities you should have within the first six months on the job:

• Knowledge of Metro Transit, procurement concepts, financial analysis and federal and state laws regarding governmental accounting, budgeting and financial reporting
• Knowledge of government including governmental and proprietary and fund accounting
• Knowledge of financial systems (prefer PeopleSoft and Hyperion)
• Working knowledge of purchasing systems
• Analytical, reasonableness, practicality skills to identify issues, determine cause/effect, develop best practice business process.
• Mathematical skills sufficient to perform calculations of ratios, identify and reconcile variances, and allocates balances across several accounts
• Problem solving skills to identify and reconcile account balances using reports, queries, spreadsheets and available tools and information
• Communication skills to deliver financial information to coworkers, division program staff and managers, and state/federal agencies
• Intermediate computer skills in word processing, spreadsheets, graphic presentations and database management required (Excel and Access)
• Ability to read and interpret financial standards, laws, regulations, and reporting requirements
• Ability to write reports and financial analyses
• Ability to effectively work in a team structure and collaborate with team members and other teams
• Ability to promote an equitable, positive and respectful work environment that values diversity among all employees

What you can expect from us:

• 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.