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.

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

The Principal Financial Analyst position has council-wide breadth and is responsible for developing (working with operating divisions), monitoring, maintaining and publishing of the Council's annual operating budget and capital program. Responsibilities also include monthly, annual and biennial reporting and analysis for internal and federal cost allocation plans, contract administration for actuarial valuation of other Post Employment Benefits, and budget review of state revenues/appropriations and property tax levies. These positions must identify and research financial, legal and program issues, prepare appropriate analysis and recommend alternatives and resolutions. These positions will support the Council's budget process with the State of Minnesota and work with the State's budget and legislative staff as well as the Council's Office of Government Affairs.

The budget and finance department has 2 (two) vacancies for a Principle Financial Analyst.
Note: This position is eligible for a hybrid (remote and onsite) telework arrangement. The candidate's permanent residence must be in Minnesota or Wisconsin. This position will create a six-month eligibility list for current and future openings.

Finance Reporting:

• Develop and prepares financial reports comparing budget to actual expenses and cost-allocations for Regional Administration's departments.
• Supports the development and preparation of financial reports required by state statutes.

Fiscal Services:

• Plans, implements and maintains the accounting and budgeting aspects of new Financial and Budgeting systems.
• Analyzes daily financial reporting/recording.
• Reviews monthly revenues and expense accounts for significant deviations from budget.
• Coordinates with the operating division budget and financial staff on budgeting processes and timelines.

Budget and Evaluation:

• Coordinates the preparation of unified Council capital improvement program and annual capital program budget.
• Develops cost allocation procedures and monitors reports.
• Coordinates Regional Administration's review of proposed operating and capital budgets.
• Coordinates operating and capital budget amendments for Regional Administration and the operating divisions.
• Develop budgeting and cost allocation procedures.
• Prepare public documents for operating and capital budgets.
• Prepares property tax levy limit estimates.
• Supports the Council's efforts in preparing the budget request to the State of Minnesota and supporting those requests through the legislative process.
• Prepares ad hoc analysis for management and for the preparation of fiscal notes for the legislature.

Any of the following combinations of experience (in an accounting or banking/investments environment including the development and use of financial or budgeting systems) and completed education (degree field of study in accounting, finance, business administration or related field):

• High school diploma/GED with nine (9) years of experience.
• Associate degree with seven (7) years of experience.
• Bachelor's degree with five (5) years of experience.

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

• Experience developing complex or large budgets.
• Experience preparing reports, executive summaries, and preparing presentations.
• Experience analyzing financial statements and performing budget to actual variance analysis.
• Experience developing forecasting models to examine future financial performance.
• Demonstrated ability to promote and support an equitable, positive, and respectful work environment that values cultural diversity among all employees.
• Experience in project management, leading advanced ad hoc financial analysis, and addressing financial requests from the Legislature.
• Experience working with principles and practices of accounting and internal controls.
• Experience preparing spreadsheets and notes.
• Governmental Accounting Experience.
• Experience reading and interpreting State and Federal laws and FTA regulations.
• CPA certification.

What knowledge, skills, and abilities you need to have to be successful in this job:

• Knowledge of Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP), and requirements necessary for Certification of Achievement for Excellence in Financial Reporting.
• Knowledge of state laws and processes regarding governmental accounting and budgeting, and financial reporting.
• Knowledge of financial analysis strategies, techniques and tools.
• Knowledge of investments including investment instruments, trading, accounting, economics, risks, policies and procedures.
• Knowledge of banking processes, procedures, account structures and features, cash management, etc.
• Knowledge of financial systems (prefer PeopleSoft) of size and complexity of the Council's.
• Analytical, reasonableness, practicality skills to identify issues, determine cause/effect, develop best practice business process.
• Mathematical skills are 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.
• Ability to read, analyze and interpret common technical journals, financial reports and legal documents.
• Ability to write reports and financial analysis in a prescribed technique or style.
• Ability to effectively present information to top management, public groups or Council members.
• Ability to effectively work in a team structure and collaborate with team members and other teams.
• Ability to work with minimal supervision and assistance.

What you can expect from us:

• We offer the opportunity to make a difference and positively influence the Twin Cities metropolitan area.
• We encourage employees to develop skills through on-site training and tuition reimbursement.
• We provide a competitive salary, excellent benefits, and a good work/life balance. An organization committed to promoting and supporting an equitable, positive, and respectful work environment that values cultural diversity among all employees.

More about why you should join us!

Union(s): Non-Represented, Grade I
FLSA Status: Non-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 does the recruitment process involve:

• We review your minimum qualifications.
• We rate your education and experience.
• We conduct a structured panel interview.
• We conduct a selection interview.

Once you have completed the steps above, then:

If you are new to the Metropolitan Council, you must pass a background check, which verifies education and employment. 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 relate to the job and whether the candidate has demonstrated adequate rehabilitation.

As an existing employee of the Metropolitan Council, you are required to undergo a drug test when transitioning from a non-safety-sensitive position to one that is safety-sensitive. Additionally, a criminal background check is mandatory if the position applied for is safety-sensitive, involves supervisory or managerial responsibilities, is within the Finance, Information Services, or Human Resources departments, or entails access to financial records, databases, cash, vouchers, or transit fare cards.

IMPORTANT: If you make a false statement or withhold information, you may be barred from job consideration.