Senior Account Specialist

Salary: See Position Description
Location : 390 Robert St. N St. Paul, MN
Job Type: Full-Time
Job Number:
Division: Regional Administration
Department: Accounts Payable
Opening Date: 10/27/2026
Closing Date: 11/9/2026 11:59 PM Central

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

As a Senior Account Specialist, you will perform some transactional accounting, have knowledge of/experience with GAAP and/or governmental accounting, research and identify resolution of problems and provide training, as needed.

Anticipated Starting Salary Range: $75,560 - $86,000
Full Salary Range: $70,117 - $113,797
*The starting salary will depend on the selected candidate's experience, skills, education, and internal salary equity.

This position is eligible for a hybrid (both remote and onsite) telework arrangement. Candidate's permanent residence must be in Minnesota or Wisconsin. This position will create a six-month eligibility list for current and future openings.
What you would do in this job

• Audit bills, claims and related documents by recalculating and reviewing them to ensure accuracy of transactions and conformance with relevant payment conditions.
• Process accounts payable transactions and review monthly vendor statements for accuracy.
• Prepare payment documents such as accounts payable forms, claims, and similar items to initiate payments.
• Validate vendor invoices with purchase orders and receiving.
• Reconcile account discrepancies by identifying errors, tracing errors to their sources, obtaining correct data, and entering corrections.
• Prepare periodic reports to document transactions.
• Scan all verified accounts payables transactions for other Council staff to view online.
• Assist in printing checks and employee expenses.
• Enter relevant transaction data into PeopleSoft Financial system with precise calculations reflecting the transaction.
• Perform routine clerical work such as route mail, receive and sort incoming mail, and deliver outgoing mail.
• Use substantial knowledge of accounting procedures/coding; processes, reviews, approves, and posts payments.
• Develop, improve, and install work instructions and forms by applying knowledge of accounting procedures and policies and recommending procedural revision in response to new systems or identified needs.
• Review and assist with issues brought forward by Account Specialists.
• Identify 1099 reportable payments, review vendor information, reconcile payment data, and prepare and file annual 1099 forms.
• Ensure accuracy of 1099 data and issue 1099s to vendors.
• Remain current with State and Federal tax laws.
• Submit State and Federal tax documents as required.
• Maintain established department P-card payment process.
• Other related duties as assigned.

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

Any of the following combinations of completed education in accounting, finance, or closely related field and experience in accounting:

• High school diploma/GED with at least five years of experience
• Associate degree with at least three years of experience
• Bachelor's degree or higher with at least one year of experience

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

• Experience performing account reconciliation, auditing payment discrepancies, processing accounts payable payment transactions, and preparing electronic fund transfers.
• Experience using business accounting software (preferably PeopleSoft Financials).
• Experience using an electronic document management system (preferably Application Xtender).
• Experience using Microsoft Office software (Word, Excel, and Outlook).
• Experience working with governmental accounting.
• Experience with tax reporting.
• Experience working with Accounts Payable in a large, complex organization.
• Associate degree or higher.
• Experience working with diverse populations of internal and external customers.

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

• Knowledge of Accounting procedures sufficient to code, process and post accounting documents related to business function (e.g. AP, AR, Contracts, PT, or Fixed Assets).
• Knowledge of basic accounting and business principles sufficient to monitor, collect and analyze data and implement minor procedural and transactional changes in fiscal operations.
• Knowledge of office procedures, methods, equipment, a variety of office/financial software products, sufficient to input and access information in computer systems.
• Knowledge of Council policies and procedures, and legal requirements for handling and reporting state and federal taxes.
• Knowledge of State and Federal tax laws, 1099 reporting accuracy, and P-card process.
• Knowledge of document scanning practices and systems.
• Knowledge of alpha/numeric filing systems and record keeping.
• Proficient computer skills using Microsoft Word, Excel and Outlook.
• Ability to make arithmetical computations rapidly and accurately.
• Ability to meet short/critical deadlines and manage multiple tasks concurrently with a high degree of accuracy.
• Ability to interpret and apply basic accounting principles of Generally Accepted Accounting Procedures (GAAP).
• Ability to read and comprehend a variety of materials and follow detailed instructions.
• Ability to follow verbal and written directions.
• Ability to write routine reports and correspondence.
• Ability to adhere to internal controls, Council policies and procedures.
• Ability to use a variety of office equipment such as calculators, personal computers and scanners.
• Provide courteous and efficient service; communicate effectively with internal and external customers; and politely handle clients/customers who may be confused, agitated, or hostile.

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

Union/Grade: AFSCME / Grade E
FLSA Status: Non-Exempt
Safety Sensitive: No
Anticipated Starting Salary Range: $75,560 - $86,000
Full Salary Range: $70,117 - $113,797

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 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 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.

01

Applicant Instructions: It is important that your application shows all relevant education and experience you possess. The supplemental questions listed below are to further evaluate your education and experience and to determine your eligibility for this position. Answer each question completely, and please do not type "see resume." Otherwise, your application will be considered incomplete, and you will not receive further consideration for this position. The experience you indicate in your responses should also be consistent with the Work History section of this application. If you attach a resume and/or cover letter to your application, it will be reviewed at the education and experience review step.I have read and understand the above instructions regarding my application and supplemental questions.

• Yes
• No

02

How did you first hear about this job opening?

• CareerForce Center
• Community Event/Organization
• Employee Referral
• Facebook
• Glassdoor
• Indeed
• Job Fair
• LinkedIn
• Metro Transit Bus Advertisement
• X (formerly known as Twitter)
• Website: governmentjobs.com
• Website: metrocouncil.org
• Website: metrotransit.org
• Website: minnesotajobnetwork.com
• Other

03

If you selected 'Other', please describe where you first heard about this job. If you selected 'Employee Referral' please enter the employee's first and last name, ID number (if known), and job title.Type N/A if not applicable.
04

The Metropolitan Council recognizes that Artificial Intelligence (AI) and generative tools are increasingly used in application processes. While the Council permits the use of AI to assist in the preparation of application materials, all applicants must certify the following statement:

• I affirm that all information provided in my application including any uploaded documentation is true and accurate. I further affirm that I have personally reviewed, verified, and approved all content, including any content generated with the assistance of AI. I will provide all interview responses directly and in real-time without unauthorized assistance. I will not use AI avatars, external assistance in answering including computer-generated suggestions, or any recording and transcription tools during the interview process unless I have received prior approval from Human Resources for a disability-related reasonable accommodation.

05

Please select the option that best indicates your completed education and experience level.

• High school diploma/GED AND at least five years of experience in accounting
• Associate degree in accounting, finance, or closely related field AND at least three years of experience in accounting
• Bachelor's degree or higher in accounting, finance, or closely related field AND at least one year of experience in accounting
• Some education in accounting, finance, or closely related field AND/OR some experience in accounting, but less than the options above
• None of the above

06

Please describe your experience in accounting. Include duties performed, where the experience took place, and the duration. If you do not have this experience, indicate 'N/A.'
07

Please describe your experience with IRS Form 1099 reporting requirements, including identifying reportable payments, reviewing vendor information, reconciling payment data, and preparing and filing annual 1099 forms. If you do not have this experience, indica