Principal Financial Analyst-NR

Metropolitan Council of the Twin Cities

Salary: $96k - $156k
Experience: 9+ yrs
Location: Minneapolis, Minnesota, United States
Job type: Full-time

Required skills

PeopleSoft
Hyperion
TxBase
Oracle Hyperion
Financial systems
Spreadsheets
Word Processing
Databases

About the role

About the Department

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.

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.

Position Duties

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.

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
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.

Budget and Evaluation:
•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.

Budgets and Grants Management
•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.

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:

Financial Analyst

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

Principal Financial Analyst

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.

More about why you should join us!

Other Qualifications

Financial Analyst
Union(s):Non-Represented Grade G
FLSA Status: Exempt
Safety Sensitive: No
Full Salary Range $41.34- $67.08 Hourly | $85,987.20- $139,526.40 Annually

Principal Financial Analyst
Union(s):Non-Represented Grade I
FLSA Status: Exempt
Safety Sensitive: No
Full Salary Range $46.40 - $75.30 Hourly-$96,512.00 - $156,624.00 Annually

What your work environment would be:
You would perform your work in a standard office setting. Work may sometimes require travel between your primary work site and other sites.

What steps the recruitment process involves:

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.

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 an accommodation during the selection process, please emailHR-OCCHealth@metc.state.mn.us

About Metropolitan Council of the Twin Cities

Provides regional planning and public infrastructure for the Twin Cities.

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