Finance Specialist

City of Fridley; Fridley (MN); On-site; USD 47,000 - 51,000; Full time

Job summary

The City of Fridley is seeking a Finance Specialist to ensure accuracy and integrity across its financial operations, including general accounting, utility billing, and special assessments. You will support budget processes and internal controls while delivering superior customer service to property owners, title companies, and utility customers.

Key duties include preparing journal entries, reconciling accounts, reviewing GASB pronouncements, and assisting with the City’s ACFR.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in finance, accounting or related field.
• Two years’ relevant work experience; or equivalent combination of education/training/experience.
• Proficient with Microsoft Office Suite and financial databases.

Responsibilities

• Prepares and enters journal entries; maintain chart of accounts and project codes.
• Performs account analysis and preparations reconciliations for multiple funds and departments.
• Reviews GASB pronouncements and supports financial reporting processes.
• Maintains special assessment records and manages related data and reports.
• Supports investment/bank reconciliations and assists with ACFR preparation.
• Performs payroll, accounts payable, utility billing and cashier back-up as needed.
• Provides front desk coverage and cross-training within the finance team.
• Monitors budgets for capital projects, fleet, and operations.

Skills

Microsoft Office

Financial databases

Education

Bachelor’s degree in finance, accounting or related field

Two years’ relevant work experience

Equivalent combination of education/training/experience

Job description

The Finance Specialist is responsible for ensuring the accuracy, efficiency, and integrity of the City’s financial operations. This position manages a broad range of financial activities, including special assessments, utility billing, general accounting, budget analysis, and financial reporting. The Finance Specialist prepares and reconciles financial data, supports capital and operating budget processes, and maintains internal controls and compliance with financial policies. Additionally, this role delivers high-quality customer service to property owners, title companies, attorneys, and utility billing customers, reviews and submits assessment rolls, resolves account issues, and processes billing and payment activities. The Finance Specialist also serves as a resource for other City departments, providing guidance on financial systems and supporting special projects to improve operational effectiveness.

Expected hiring range: $34.96 - $37.30

General Accounting

1. Prepares and enters journal entries; maintain chart of accounts and project codes.
2. Performs account analysis and prepares account reconciliations and journal entries for multiple departments and funds as assigned. Tasks includes reviewing all AP/AR/Payroll/GL entries are accurate.
3. Assists with reviewing and incorporating Governmental Accounting Standards Board (GASB) pronouncements.
4. Maintains the special assessment system; accepts payments, responds to requests for data, records changes, prepares correspondence; prepares reports, schedules and other information for the Annual Comprehensive Financial Report, City auditors and Anoka County.
5. Supports investment and bank reconciliations in coordination with the Assistant Finance Director.
6. Assists in preparation of financial statements, monthly council reports, sales tax reporting and ad-hoc budget analysis.
7. Contributes to and assists departments with the development and maintenance of the City’s Capital Investment Plan (CIP), capital equipment projects and annual operating budget.
8. Assists in Asset Management processes, reviewing, auditing, and maintaining Capital Asset records.
9. Prepares year-end reports and schedules for the City’s Annual Comprehensive Financial Report (ACFR).
10. Reviews, processes, and submits ACH files and other banking transactions.
11. Supports internal controls and financial processes through documentation and analysis.
12. Reviews and maintains City lease agreements.
13. Serves as a lead or support on special projects, including cross-training in payroll, accounts payable, utility billing and cashier functions.
14. Assists with monitoring budgets for capital improvement projects, fleet, and operations.

Utility Billing

1. Prepares various reports and spreadsheets.
2. Reviews system activity to ensure reconciliation between utility billing and financial system.
3. Reviews and approves various utility billing processes.
4. Processes annual delinquent utility certifications including producing reports for City Council and final certification to Anoka County.
5. Reviews and prepares analysis of sewer and utility rates.
6. Assists with review of complex industrial and commercial utility accounts.

Special Assessments

1. Manages and updates the special assessment records as required for the City.

1. Reviews assessment rolls prepared by the Engineering Staff.
2. Submits assessment rolls to the County each year.
3. Prepares delinquent utility assessment rolls for submissions to the County.
4. Reconciles all subsidiary assessments ledger with the County on an annual basis.
5. Reviews all deferred assessments on an annual basis.
6. Responds to inquiries from property owners, title companies, attorneys, realtors, and others regarding outstanding assessments and liens against parcels within the city.
7. Responds to inquiries to clarify and explain assessment process and information.
8. Provides interested parties with information regarding assessment procedures and calculations.

General Support

1. Participates in rotations for coverage of front desk reception area on an occasional basis.
2. Provides backup for other customer service and finance team functions, including accounts payable, utility billing and payroll.
3. Designs and maintains reports, forms and spreadsheets for improved efficiencies.
4. Trains and supports City staff in the use of financial systems.
5. Attends training, workshops, or conferences as needed.
6. Performs other duties as assigned or apparent.

Minimum Qualifications:

1. Bachelor’s degree in finance, accounting or related field; and
2. Two years’ relevant work experience; OR
3. Equivalent combination of education/training/experience.
4. Proficient with Microsoft Office Suite and financial databases.

Desired Qualifications:

1. Experience with governmental accounting practices and standards.
2. Experience working with government fund accounting.
3. Experience working with special assessments

1. Knowledge of government and generally accepted accounting principles, practices, procedures and financial reporting.
2. Knowledge of the principles, practices, methods and techniques used in accounting.
3. General knowledge of relevant IRS rules and Minnesota sales tax laws.
4. Ability to do administrative and accounting work of considerable difficulty, including composing memorandums, tables, spreadsheets, procedures, etc.
5. Ability to provide optimal customer service skills.
6. Ability to interpret a variety of instructions furnished in written or oral forms.
7. Ability to communicate effectively, orally and in writing.
8. Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with others.
9. Ability to work under limited supervision with general autonomy in determining how objectives are achieved.
10. Ability to apply a variety of procedures, policies and precedents using moderate analytical ability to adapt methods to fit facts and conditions.

EEO/ADAAA

The City of Fridley will not discriminate against or harass any employee or applicant for employment because of race, color, creed, religion, sex, national origin, marital status, status with regard to public assistance, disability, age, or sexual orientation.