Principal Financial Analyst-NR

WHO WE ARE

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.

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.

How your work would contribute to our organization and the Twin Cities region:

The Financial Analyst performs fund accounting and financial management functions. The fundamental reason this classification exists is to cost our Service Plan and support the preparation and administration of the Metro Transit’s annual operating and capital budgets. The 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.

What you would do in this job

• Responsible for costing out our annual Service Plan in a reliable and timely manner; the Metro Transit Service plan drives the annual operating budget. The Service Plan maps out our annual bus and rail service on the street.
• Serves as an information resource to the operating departments of the agency as related to budget preparation, resource planning and financial results based on our annual Service Plan
• Review and analyses of general ledger accounts
• Monitors journal entries to properly account for Council activities
• 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 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
• Assists with the preparation of annual budget plans in Oracle Hyperion and incorporates them into the Council’s Operating Unified Budget and six-year Capital Improvement Budget plan
• Monitor’s Capital Improvement Projects authorized dollar authority as approved by the council
• Monitor’s Regional Transit Capital balances
• Communicates budget information and issues to appropriate staff across the agency
• Designs and coordinates internal budgetary information gathering and reporting as requested by Finance staff
• Monitors financial, operational reporting and prepares variance to budget analysis
• Assigns project numbers to Capital Projects and updates the Capital Life to Date report with Council amended allocations
• Works with grants administration and accounting staff to complete Notice of Grant Awards and Notice of Funding Awards
• Coordinates and inputs budgetary data into Metro Transit financial systems to generate monthly financial statements
• Analyzes researches and recommends budgetary alternatives for operational capital and policy issues
• Prepares special administrative management studies, analyzes budget expenditure estimates and fund balances to ensures compliance with federal policies and procedures
• Assists Senior Staff to develop and evaluate models to accurately project future revenues and cost estimates
• 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

• In addition to responsibilities at Financial Analyst level, the Principal Financial Analyst has greater breadth: Council-wide/Division-wide financial management, project management, ACFR coordination, Government-wide financial statements.

• 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
• Complex analysis and modeling: capital financing (debt)/cash flow, cash management and investments, budget scenario modeling (operating, capital), labor parameters/cost modeling, Other Post Employment Benefits liability, budget and cash flows, converts data into information for decision making.
• Performance reporting: impact/results of actions managed.

• Coordinates the preparation of unified Council capital improvement program and annual capital program budget.
• Develops cost allocation procedures and monitors reports. Develops debt management procedures and debt monitoring reports.
• Coordinates Regional Administrator review of proposed operating and capital budgets.
• Coordinates operating and capital budget revisions.
• Develops budgeting and cost allocation procedures.
• Prepares public documents for operating and capital budgets.
• Prepares property tax levy limit estimates.
• Coordinates preparation of annual performance evaluation report.
• Prepares ad hoc analysis for management and for the preparation of fiscal notes for the legislature.

• Coordinate preparation of the Council’s Annual Operating/Capital Budgets for Metro Transit (Bus, LRT, BRT’s and Northstar) with Council Unified Budgets
• Prepare budget plans into Council Software Applications
• Maintain Operating Budget Main Model. Timely and Accurate budget Development.
• Develop and monitor the Capital Improvement Budget Model (Detailed and Consolidated)
• Communicate budget information across the agency – budget managers and capital project managers.
• Design and coordinate internal budgetary information and reporting
• Monitor financial, operational reporting and prepare variance to budget analysis.
• Prepare and assist with grant applications by analyzing grant requirements
• Develop NOGA Notice of Grant Award in compliance with FTA Grant terms
• Communicate NOGA to project managers. Discuss FTA Compliance
• Set up the Budgets in the Peoplesoft system within FTA expense compliance and report monitoring
• Monthly monitor Grant Expenditure Activity.
• Work with finance to coordinate close out of completed projects and grants
• Assist Senior Manager Budget/Grants with grant administration with FTA and MnDOT.

What education and experience are required for this job (minimum qualifications)

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 related field:

• High school diploma/GED with eight (8) years of experience in an accounting or finance environment including the development and use of financial or budgeting systems
• 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

• High school diploma/GED with nine (9) years of experience in an accounting or finance environment including the development and use of financial or budgeting systems
• Associate degree with seven () 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 five) 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 balances using reports, queries, spreadsheets and available tools and information
• Intermediate computer skills in word processing, spreadsheets, graphic presentations, and database management required (Word, Excel, and Access)
• Promotes an equitable, positive, and respectful work environment that values diversity among all employees

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

• Knowledge of Metro Transits Service Plan, procurement concepts, financial analysis and state laws regarding governmental accounting, budgeting and financial reporting
• Knowledge of governmental 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 allocate 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 (Word, 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.

Additional information

Financial Analyst
Union(s):Non-Represented Grade G
FLSA Status: Exempt
Safety Sensitive: No

• We review your minimum qualifications.
• We request your Work Record Evaluation (ATU employees only).
• We rate your education and experience.
• We conduct a structured panel interview.
• We conduct a selection interview.

We believe our employees are a key to our agency's success! In order to attract and retain high quality employees, the Council provides a highly competitive benefits package both in choice and coverage levels. Some highlights about our benefits are listed below:

• Guaranteed monthly retirement income through Minnesota State Retirement System pension fund
• Opportunity to save additional funds for retirement on a tax-deferred basis through a voluntary deferred compensation (457) plan
• Two or more medical plans from which to choose, with employer contribution towards premiums over 80%
• Dental insurance, life insurance and vision insurance

• Well@Work clinic
• bus/rail pass valued at over $1200 per year
• parking at many job locations
• fitness centers at many job locations
• Employee Assistance Program
• extensive health and wellness programs and resources