Finance Specialist

City of Fridley; Minneapolis (MN); On-site; USD 48,000 - 51,000; Full time

Job summary

The City of Fridley is seeking a Finance Specialist to ensure accurate financial operations, including accounting, budgeting, utility billing, and special assessments. The role emphasizes internal controls, reporting, and support for city departments and capital projects.

Responsibilities cover journal entries, reconciliations, GASB compliance, and preparing ACFR schedules, while delivering high-quality customer service to property owners and utility customers.

Qualifications

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

Responsibilities

• Prepares and enters journal entries; maintain chart of accounts and project codes.
• Performs account analysis and prepares reconciliations and journal entries for multiple departments and funds.
• Reviews GASB pronouncements and maintains special assessment systems.
• Supports investment and bank reconciliations with the Assistant Finance Director.
• Assists in preparing financial statements, council reports, sales tax reporting, and ad-hoc budget analysis.
• Contributes to Capital Investment Plan (CIP) and annual operating budget; asset management and ACFR preparations.

Skills

Microsoft Office Suite

Financial databases

Education

Bachelor’s degree in finance, accounting or related field

Tools

Financial databases

Job description

POSITION OBJECTIVE

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

Essential Job Functions

General Accounting

• Prepares and enters journal entries; maintain chart of accounts and project codes.
• 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.
• Assists with reviewing and incorporating Governmental Accounting Standards Board (GASB) pronouncements.
• 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.
• Supports investment and bank reconciliations in coordination with the Assistant Finance Director.
• Assists in preparation of financial statements, monthly council reports, sales tax reporting and ad‑hoc budget analysis.
• 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.
• Assists in Asset Management processes, reviewing, auditing, and maintaining Capital Asset records.
• Prepares year‑end reports and schedules for the City’s Annual Comprehensive Financial Report (ACFR).
• Reviews, processes, and submits ACH files and other banking transactions.
• Supports internal controls and financial processes through documentation and analysis.
• Reviews and maintains City lease agreements.
• Serves as a lead or support on special projects, including cross‑training in payroll, accounts payable, utility billing and cashier functions.
• Assists with monitoring budgets for capital improvement projects, fleet, and operations.

Utility Billing

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

Special Assessments

• Manages and updates the special assessment records as required for the City.
• Reviews assessment rolls prepared by the Engineering Staff.
• Submits assessment rolls to the County each year.
• Prepares delinquent utility assessment rolls for submissions to the County.
• Reconciles all subsidiary assessments ledger with the County on an annual basis.
• Reviews all deferred assessments on an annual basis.
• Responds to inquiries from property owners, title companies, attorneys, realtors, and others regarding outstanding assessments and liens against parcels within the city.
• Responds to inquiries to clarify and explain assessment process and information.
• Provides interested parties with information regarding assessment procedures and calculations.

General Support

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

Qualifications

Minimum Qualifications:

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

Desired Qualifications

• Experience with governmental accounting practices and standards.
• Experience working with government fund accounting.
• Experience working with special assessments

Knowledge, Skills, And Abilities

• Knowledge of government and generally accepted accounting principles, practices, procedures and financial reporting.
• Knowledge of the principles, practices, methods and techniques used in accounting.
• General knowledge of relevant IRS rules and Minnesota sales tax laws.
• Ability to do administrative and accounting work of considerable