Account Specialist or Senior Account Specialist - Accounts Payable

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 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.

Finance and Operations provide 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; treasury functions; and services supporting the Council's headquarters facilities

How your work would contribute to our organization and the Twin Cities region:
As an Account Specialist you will be responsible to audit and process bills and claims; post transactions; balance and reconcile accounts in order to issue and receive payments; maintain appropriate accounting and bookkeeping records, and other departmental accounting activities. You will also assist in the preparation of year-end IRS tax reporting; and maintain the accounts payable document management process.

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.

The salary range for an Account Specialist is $28.30 - $45.96 per hour with an annualized range of $58,864.00 - $95,596.80.

The salary range for a Senior Account Specialist is $32.73 - $53.12 per hour with an annualized range of $68,078.40 - $110,489.60.

Notes: This position is eligible for a hybrid (both remote and onsite) telework arrangement. The candidate's permanent residence must be in Minnesota or Wisconsin. This posting will establish a 6-month eligible list to fill future vacancies.

• Codes and prepares requisitions and processes purchase order documents (e.g., department or field purchase orders) to ensure proper documentation is available to support related transactions by reviewing for accuracy and conformity with procedure; by maintaining logs and/or files; and by monitoring balances and notifying supervisor of account shortages.
• Approves and prepares invoices for payment by matching incoming invoices, packing slips, and acknowledgements for verification of receipt; checks invoices for correct pricing and mathematical accuracy; determines amount/accuracy of discounts and resolves minor discrepancies; and codes and process invoices for payment with the proper appropriation, fund, object code and activity code.
• Obtains vendor numbers for new accounts to ensure accurate and timely payment of invoices; processes direct pay permit/tax exempt forms as necessary; and coordinates correspondence with vendors.
• Processes employee and Council member expense documents for payment by reviewing them for; completeness and accuracy, checking mathematical accuracy of totals and ensuring that proper procedures were followed.
• Inputs and /or accesses information in computer system as directed so that all accounting data (e.g., vendor number, account, amount, etc) are properly recorded in the system by inputting payments; by checking status of accounts at the request of supervisor; by retrieving stored data; and by verifying entries for accuracy.
• Prepares deposits of all monies received daily and ensures that the money is appropriately transmitted to the bank in a timely manner.
• Maintains fixed and consumable asset inventories.
• Maintain files in an efficient and accurate manner in the accounting filing system.
• Resolve vendor and customer issues and respond to inquiries through email and phone conversations, to provide timely customer service.

Accounts Specialist

• High school diploma or GED; AND three (3) years of related accounting/bookkeeping experience.
• Associate's degree in accounting or finance AND one (1) year of related accounting experience.

Senior Accounts Specialist

• High School diploma or GED; AND five (5) years of related accounting/bookkeeping experience.
• Associate's degree in accounting or finance AND three (3) years of related accounting experience.

What additional skills and experience would be helpful in this job (Desired Qualifications):

• Collaborative approach to problem solving.
• 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 Microsoft Office software (Word, Excel, and Outlook).
• Experience working with governmental accounting.
• Experience working in an equitable, positive and respectful work environment that values diversity among all employees.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

• Knowledge of Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP) and economic and accounting principles, practices, and procedures related to Accounts Payable and inventory
• Knowledge of invoice processing and discrepancy resolution
• Knowledge of PeopleSoft Financial system or similar
• Skilled in problem solving; the use of logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions, or approaches to problems
• Skilled at managing multiple tasks concurrently; prioritize without direct supervision and maintain a high degree of accuracy
• Skilled at providing basic client services to the public and other agencies within the organization; requires tact, courtesy and cooperation in dealings with others where the primary purpose is the exchange of information
• Skilled in Word processing, Excel, Access, and Outlook
• Ability to perform in-depth thorough account analysis and account reconciliation at the General Ledger and Accounts Payable level; assuring accuracy of financial statement information and of vendor account information
• Ability to calculate figures and amounts such as discounts, interest, and percentages
• Ability to apply concepts of basic algebra and geometry
• Ability to perform data key with high degree of accuracy
• Ability to read and interpret documents, administrative policies, computer software, application manuals, department guidelines, and operational procedures
• Ability to write routine reports and correspondence
• Ability to speak effectively with customers or clients

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.

More about why you should join us!

Account Specialist Union/Grade: AFSCME/Grade C

Senior Account Specialist Union/Grade: AFSCME/Grade E
FLSA Status: Non-Exempt
Safety Sensitive: No

What your work environment would be: You would perform your work in a standard office setting.

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 may 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 drug test (safety sensitive positions only), and 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 drug test (if moving from a non-safety sensitive position to a safety sensitive position) and 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.