Financial Analyst-ORCA (Term Limited)

Salary range is $60k to $140k, with a midpoint of $95k. New hires typically receive between minimum and midpoint, however, we may go slightly higher based on experience, internal equity and market.

*This is a Term Limited Opportunity with a duration of 2 years*

Sound Transit also offers a competitive benefits package with a wide range of offerings, including:

• Health Benefits: We offer two choices of medical plans, a dental plan, and a vision plan all at no cost for employee coverage; comprehensive benefits for employees and eligible dependents, including a spouse or domestic partner.
• Long-Term Disability and Life Insurance.
• Employee Assistance Program.
• Retirement Plans: 401a - 10% of employee contribution with a 12% match by Sound Transit; 457b - up to IRS maximum (employee only contribution).
• Paid Time Off: Employees accrue 25 days of paid time off annually with increases at four, eight and twelve years of service. Employees at the director level and up accrue additional days. We also observe 12 paid holidays and provide up to 2 paid floating holidays and up to 2 paid volunteer days per year.
• Parental Leave: 12 weeks of parental leave for new parents.
• Pet Insurance.
• ORCA Card: All full-time employees will receive an ORCA card at no cost.
• Tuition Reimbursement: Sound Transit will pay up to $5,000 annually for approved tuition expenses.
• Inclusive Reproductive Health Support Services.
• Compensation Practices: We offer competitive salaries based on market rates and internal equity. In addition to compensation and benefits, you'll find that we provide work-life balance, opportunities for professional development and recognition from your colleagues.

GENERAL PURPOSE:

Under general direction, performs duties that contribute to the financial operations of the ORCA fare collection system, launched in 2022. This position will focus on day-to-day operations, including responsibilities related to revenue operations, customer refund processes, accounts receivable and accounts payable, reporting, and data analysis. Provides analytical expertise and technical transactional analysis for the ORCA fare system and acts as a technical resource to the ROOT and the participating ORCA agencies. Provides analysis support on various projects, assists in creating efficiencies through streamlining processes.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:

The following duties are a representative summary of the primary duties and responsibilities. Incumbent(s) may not be required to perform all duties listed and may be required to perform additional, position-specific duties.

• Monitors and maintains business analysis in support of regional ORCA financial transactions, as assigned. Responds to management and agency requests for data or data analysis available through the ORCA system and other sources as assigned. Serves as a subject matter expert for assigned processes and systems.
• Demonstrates working knowledge and experience in data management, project management, time management, customer-focused relationships, and continuous learning of new technologies.
• Understanding of the ORCA System's 400+ products and seven ORCA agencies' fare policies will be key to a candidate's success.
• Performs a variety of accounting duties and responsibilities involved in financial record keeping and analysis as assigned. Maintains a variety of accounting records, logs, and files. Validates, reconciles, and adjusts financial records as appropriate/necessary. Will require understanding the ORCA system integrations, complex system business rules, and additional agency policies from all seven of the participating agencies. These areas include:
  
  
  
  • Distribution of revenue settlement to participating agencies
  • Customer Refunds
  • Business Account Billing and AR Management
  • Regional Expense billing and allocation
  • Financial Reporting
  
  
  
  
• Performs a full range of duties in support of the accounts payable and accounts receivable functions; as assigned. Working with agency stakeholders on the timely resolution of past due and disputed items with customers, maintaining positive customer relationships.
• Displays proficiency in oral and written business communications and the ability to synthesize and articulate summary points from complex data and information.
• Provides strong customer service to internal employees/customers, outside vendors, and the public; communicates with customers/employees via phone, email or in person to solve issues/problems or respond to inquires; set up meeting to help educate/inform others on ORCA financial processes; services on various committees as assigned; attends and participates in professional group meetings.
• Support the annual audit process.
• Participate in cross-training activities and serve as a back-up for other ORCA financial functions, as needed.
• Provide ad hoc reporting and analysis, as needed.
• Assists in development, maintain, and continuously evaluate policies, processes, internal controls, and best practices to support business and maximize efficiencies.
• Actively participate in monthly and quarterly close activities including preparing journal entries, collaborating closely with external teams to obtain applicable month-end reporting, and preforming analysis and certain reconciliations as needed.
• Bring to the attention of management instances when data indicates trends or situations requiring action to be taken beyond the scope of responsibilities, including making recommendations.
• Support departmental projects and resources appropriately to ensure that projects are successfully implemented while working collaboratively across the organization to ensure previously agreed upon project deliveries are met.
• Appropriately escalate issues to leadership so issues are resolved in a timely manner.
• Provides training to staff, partner agencies, and others as appropriate.
• Provides support to the participating ORCA agencies and management or their delegates on matters as directed.
• Champions and models Sound Transit's core values and demonstrates values-based behaviors in everyday interactions across the agency.
• Contributes to a culture of diversity, equity and inclusion in alignment with Sound Transit's Equity & Inclusion Policy.
• It is the responsibility of all employees to follow the Agency safety rules, regulations, and procedures pertaining to their assigned duties and responsibilities, which could include systems, operations, and/or other employees.
• It is the responsibility of all employees to integrate sustainability into everyday business practices.
• Other duties as assigned.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:

Education and Experience: Bachelor's degree in Accounting, Finance, Economics, Business, or other related field; minimum of four years of experience with managing large data sets, performing financial analysis, and business analysis; Or an equivalent combination of education and experience. Experience with data management and query tools such as Access or Crystal Reports and large financial and accounting systems preferred.

Preferred Licenses or Certifications:

• CPA Certificate or equivalent.

Required Knowledge and Skills:

• Generally accepted accounting principles and practices including GAAP, GAS, FASB, and GASB.
• Accounting processes, procedures, and internal controls.
• Automated enterprise-wide accounting systems and software for processing and analysis of financial transactions.
• Experience with (or with equivalent products to) Microsoft SQL Server, Microsoft PowerBI, Microsoft Azure, SharePoint Online, Oracle, Crystal Reports, and Integration Services.
• Business intelligence, data management, data modeling, data warehousing, analysis, and related activities.
• Methods and techniques for evaluating business requirements and developing information systems solutions.
• Industry principles and practices of assigned area.
• Ability to work in a self-guided manner, demonstrating good personal judgement.
• Ability to apply effective interpersonal skills in sensitive and confidential financial transactions requiring demonstrated poise, tact, diplomacy, and the ability to interact with individuals at all levels of the organization.
• Report preparation and presentation, working with reports parameters, queries, and data extraction.
• Principles and procedures of financial record keeping, storage, and document management.
• Analytical review techniques over transactions, account balances, reconciliations, and reports.
• Advanced Microsoft Excel.
• Mathematical principles.
• Pertinent local, state, and federal laws, regulations, and ordinances.
• Office procedures, methods, and equipment including computers and applicable software applications such as word processing, spreadsheets, and databases.
• Customer service methods and techniques.
• Operating automated financial management systems as well as word processing, spreadsheet, and databases applications.
• Working with complex chart of account structures and subsidiary ledgers and preparing a variety of financial and administrative reports.
• Understanding technical accounting and industry concepts and directions and perform professional accounting functions.
• Identifying and researching moderately complex accounting issues/problems and make recommendations to resolve them.
• Written and oral communication, including ability to summarize and document analysis, conclusions, policies, and procedures in a concise and readable manner by others.
• Establishing and maintaining effective working relationships and other department staff, management, vendors, outside agencies, community groups, and the general public.
• Performing complicated mathematical calculations and analysis.
• Planning and organizing work to meet changing priorities and deadlines.
• Identifying and resolving general problems in a timely manner using sound judgement.

Physical Demands / Work Environment:

• Work is performed in a hybrid office environment.
• The Agency promotes a safe and healthy work environment and provides appropriate safety and equipment training for all personnel as required.

Sound Transit is an equal employment opportunity employer. No person is unlawfully excluded from employment action based on race, color, religion, national origin, sex (including gender identity, sexual orientation and pregnancy), age, genetic information, disability, veteran status or other protected class.