Financial Analyst (focus in IT/IS)

The Metropolitan Council is seeking a Financial Analyst focused on IT/IS, located in St Paul, MN. This hybrid role allows for both remote and onsite work, requiring candidates to reside in Minnesota or Wisconsin. The analyst will support the Information Services department's $50 million budget by developing financial operations, budgeting practices, and ensuring financial controls. The position offers a salary range of $76,107 to $86,362.
The posting close date has been changed to "Continuous" until filled. The first review of materials will begin on May 31st. This posting can close at anytime after May 31st without further notice.

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

The Metropolitan Council is the regional policy-making body, planning agency, and provider of essential services for the Twin Cities metropolitan region. The Council is made up of several operating divisions that service the Twin Cities Metropolitan area in several ways:
• Metropolitan Council Environmental Services (MCES) which manages seven wastewater treatment plants and the regional wastewater collection system for the seven-county metropolitan region,
• Metro Transit, providing bus and light rail public transportation for the greater metropolitan area,
• Community Development, responsible for helping the Council shape, its regional growth plan,
• HRA provides affordable housing programs in the region,
• Metropolitan Transportation Services (MTS) is responsible for the transportation planning functions as the Twin Cities metropolitan planning organization (MPO) for transportation, and
• Regional Administration, housing the support services for the Council.

Click here to read more information about us on our website.

We are committed to supporting a diverse workforce that reflects the communities we serve.

How your work would contribute to our organization and the Twin Cities region:
The primary purpose of the Financial Analyst is to provide financial support to our Information Services department. This department has a $50 million budget and provides technology services to all operating units of the Metropolitan Council, including hardware and software support for a variety of business services that are delivered throughout the Twin Cities region. The Council’s technology environment includes significant on-premises and cloud infrastructure and involves partnerships with many technology vendors. The department supports hundreds of custom-developed and off-the-shelf business solutions.

The primary purpose of the Financial Analyst is to provide financial support to our Information Services department by developing and administering the IS technology budget. This position integrates the IS financial program with the Council’s financial program by working with management and staff at all levels and in all departments to:
• develop, document, implement and understand technology financial operations,
• develop multiple views of the IS budget to effectively communicate the value of IS services,
• assist with developing budgeting practices for the new technology service management initiative,
• maintain and monitor general ledger functions to assure account appropriateness, and
• produce timely and accurate financial statements and information.

This position will also ensure proper financial controls are in place and preserve assets and comply with requirements and collaborate closely with the Council’s IS, budget and finance teams.

Anticipated Hiring Salary Range: $76,107 to $86,362

Full Salary Range: $76,107 to $114,858

Please note: The salary indicated in this posting is the anticipated starting salary range for the position. The final hiring salary will be determined based on the finalists' qualifications, our internal pay structure, and benefits. Please complete the education, work history, and the responses to the supplemental questions AND attach a resume.
• Responsible for the development of the Council’s Information Services technology operating and capital budgets.
• Coordinate the development of all technology budget needs for all operating and capital budgets for each Division, and ensure alignment with different federal, state and local requirements.
• Collaborate with staff at all levels, in all departments, in the development, documentation, implementation and understanding of the financial requirement to sustain technology initiatives that are necessary for the effective and efficient operation of the Council’s business systems.
• Manage technology vendor service and license agreements
• Monitor monthly expense accounts for significant variances from budget and coordinate with staff to ensure the proper financial controls are in place and followed
• Analyze daily, monthly, quarterly, and annual financial reporting/recording
• Prepare budget amendments when needed
• Prepare reconciliations and financial analysis of accounts (expenses) to assure integrity of financial information.
• Prepare GAAP financial statements, notes to the financial statements and information for the Council’s Comprehensive Annual Financial report.
• Research and implement new accounting standard to assure Council’s compliance with GAAP.
• Provide a high level of customer service to all staff and stakeholders.

Education/Experience:
Bachelor's degree in accounting, finance, business administration, or related field AND four (4) years of progressive experience in an accounting or banking/investments environment including the development and use of financial or budgeting systems.

Desired Qualifications:
• Experience in financial analysis with information technology disciplines, practices, and techniques
• Experience in managing technical vendor license agreements
• Experience developing complex and large budgets, for both operations and capital
• Experience with implementing and accounting for large ERP systems and expenses
• Experience in tracking staffs positions and payroll expenses
• Experience analyzing financial statements and performing budget to actual variance analysis.

What knowledge, skills, and abilities you should have within the first six months on the job:
• Knowledge of principles, practices, and procedures of budget development and administration.
• Knowledge of financial analysis, strategies, techniques, and tools.
• Knowledge of state laws regarding governmental accounting and budgeting, and financial reporting.
• Knowledge of software tools and their use.
• Knowledge of Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP), and requirements necessary for Certification of Achievement for Excellence in Financial Reporting.
• Ability to organize complex information and effectively report information to senior staff.
• Ability to provide appropriate, relevant, and timely identification and analysis of financially difficult issues and provide sound recommendations.
• Ability to read, analyze and interpret common technical journals, financial reports, and legal documents.
• Ability to develop and enforce established policy/procedures and internal controls.
• Ability to summarize and present clear and concise reports, both orally and in writing.
• Ability to effectively work in a team structure and collaborate with team members and other teams.
• Ability to provide a high level of customer service to all staff and stakeholders.
• Ability to work with minimal supervision and assistance.
• Advanced critical thinking, problem-solving, project management, and communication skills.
• Demonstrated ability to develop and foster collaborative working relationships within and outside of IS department and deliver great customer service.

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!

Union(s): AFSCME Grade H
FLSA Status: Exempt
Safety Sensitive: No

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:
1. We review your minimum qualifications.
2. We rate your education and experience.
3. We conduct a structured panel interview.
4. 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 checks 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.