Financial Accounting Analyst

$76,886 - $92,263/Yr

State of Montana - Helena, MT

Full-time - Entry Level

Helena, MT

11-50 employees

Administration of Economic Programs

About the position

The Public Service Commission (PSC) is seeking a dedicated Financial Accounting Analyst to oversee the agency's accounting and fiscal activities. This role involves a comprehensive analysis of budget impacts and monthly financial assessments to ensure compliance with governmental accounting standards. The successful candidate will join a team of highly motivated professionals committed to delivering exceptional service to the citizens of Montana. The PSC is responsible for supervising monopolistic industries within the state, ensuring fair pricing and responsible business practices, while also playing a vital role in railway and pipeline safety. The agency is staffed by approximately 33 professionals and is led by five elected commissioners representing various regions of Montana. The PSC has a clear strategic plan aimed at enhancing operations and providing value to the public, making this an exciting opportunity for an accounting professional to contribute to meaningful work. In this position, the Financial Accounting Analyst will prepare accounting transactions, manage accounts receivable and payable, process travel reimbursements, and handle payroll using the Statewide Accounting, Budgeting and Human Resources System (SABHRS). The analyst will also analyze and maintain ledgers, journals, and registers, ensuring accurate reconciliation of statements with accounting records. Completing financial reports and performing fiscal year-end closing activities are essential responsibilities, along with providing financial information or testimony to legislative committees and other public forums as assigned. The analyst will monitor state and federal budgets, offering recommendations on budget proposals, cost analysis, fiscal allocation, and budget preparation. Additionally, the role involves analyzing financial activities and assisting in the design and implementation of internal controls, contributing to the agency's overall financial integrity and accountability.

Responsibilities

• Prepares accounting transactions, accounts receivable, accounts payable, travel reimbursements, and payroll utilizing Statewide Accounting, Budgeting and Human Resources System (SABHRS).
• Analyzes and maintains ledgers, journals, registers, and reconciles statements with records and accounting transactions.
• Completes financial reports, reconciliations, and performs fiscal year end closing activities.
• Provides financial information or testimony to legislative committees, and/or other public forums as assigned.
• Monitors state and federal budget and provides recommendations on budget proposals, cost analysis, fiscal allocation, and budget preparation.
• Analyzes financial activities and assists with designing and implementing internal controls.

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in accounting or related field.
• Four years of state government financial accounting, budget, and reporting experience.
• Extensive experience with Statewide Accounting, Budgeting, and familiarity with SABHRS and IBARS is desirable.
• Highly preferred Certified Public Accountant (CPA) or ability to earn CPA.
• Knowledge of state governmental accounting systems, state and federal rules, departmental accounting needs, payroll process, and budget requirements.
• Knowledge of governmental Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP).
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills including public speaking.
• Strong analytical, investigative, and problem-solving skills.
• Excellent time management, organization, initiative, flexibility, impartiality, and attention to detail skills.
• Advanced Microsoft Excel spreadsheet skills and Microsoft Office proficiency.

Nice-to-haves

• Ability to recognize and resolve accounting and budget problems within legal limitations.
• Ability to interpret and analyze accounting records, rules, policies, and laws.
• Ability to establish and maintain good working relationships, work independently and within a team.
• Ability to maintain documentation to support internal control objectives.
• Ability to learn and apply governmental accounting and internal control concepts.
• Ability to provide verbal and written presentations of complex topics to non-expert audiences.

Benefits

• Health coverage with medical, dental, vision, and prescriptions including free health care provided by the Montana Health Care Center.
• Wellness programs.
• Life insurance.
• Retirement plan choices.
• Prorated 15 vacation days, 12 sick days, and paid holidays including a floating holiday.
• Flexible schedules may be considered to promote work/life balance.