GENERAL PURPOSE:  

As a part of the ORCA Finance staff, this job contributes to the regional ORCA program by playing a key role in the implementation of the next gen ORCA fare collection system, scheduled to launch in 2022. This position will focus on leading and administering analysis and accounting functions related to revenue operations on a day-to-day basis, including responsibilities related to accounts receivable and accounts payable. The regional ORCA team manages the operations of the ORCA fare collection system on behalf of seven participating Agencies. In 2019, the ORCA program processed over $275 million in fare revenue annually.

This position requires a highly motivated self-starter who is a quick learner, customer focused and able to earn trust quickly. The candidate should be comfortable with technology and enterprise systems. The candidate should be a problem solver, curious to understand the how and why of the ORCA system, with the ability to think strategically, while paying attention to details and diving deep when needed. This position will allow the candidate the ability to be both hands on, dealing with daily revenue functions, but also the opportunity to evaluate and improve on processes and work on new initiatives. The successful candidate should be comfortable with ambiguity and balancing multiple competing priorities.

Under general direction, performs duties that contributes to the regional ORCA program by playing a key role in the implementation of the next gen ORCA fare collection system, scheduled to launch in 2022. This position will focus on leading and administering analysis and accounting functions related to revenue operations on a day-to-day basis, including responsibilities related to accounts receivable and accounts payable.

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.

Analysis

• Support and participate in the business account advisory committees including employer benefit pricing using historical system data. Able to review, modify and improve complex data pricing models, as needed.

• Develop analysis, reports and reconciliation tools for Business Account program to ensure compliance with regional policies and procedures.

• Develop and maintain cash flow forecasts for Business Account program to inform regional apportionment schedules.

• Develop and maintain dashboards and reporting tools for senior management including trend analysis of ORCA revenues.

• Develop ad hoc financial reporting and analysis as needed.

Accounts Receivable

• Collaborate with ORCA regional agencies’ Business Account and Finance teams, actively seek to understand their needs, strategies, initiatives, opportunities, and challenges. Help ensuring transparency, collaboration, and remove obstacles as needed.

• Lead the Accounts Receivable process development for the regional ORCA Business Account Program which includes over 1800 employer and institutional accounts, working with 5 participating Lead Agencies.

• Oversee daily processing of system generated invoicing created through integrations to Salesforce, review reports and reconcile any discrepancies.

• Oversee business account refunds, account adjustments, and write-offs in accordance with agency policies.

• Review AR Aging reports and work with agency stakeholders on the timely resolution of past due and disputed items with customers, maintaining positive customer relationships.

• Provide recommendations to improve quality of invoicing, and overall accounts receivable functions.

Accounts Payable

• Collaborate with agency contract managers in the management of vendor purchase orders, change orders, and regional cost allocations.

• Oversee the reporting and reconciliation of retail sales and payment of commissions.

• Oversee the timely payment of regional invoices.

Additional Duties and Responsibilities

• Develop, 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 and/or posting journal entries, working closely with external teams to obtain applicable month-end reporting, and performing certain reconciliations as needed.

• Bring to the attention of management instances when accounting data indicates trends or situations requiring action to be taken beyond scope of responsibilities, including making recommendations.

• Support/lead departmental projects and resources appropriately to ensure that projects are successfully implemented while working collaboratively across the organization to ensure previously agreed upon project deliverables are met.

• As subject matter expert, stay current on Fare-related topics, communicate significant changes to relevant parties, and cross-train other employees on revenue processes, products, and services; maintain awareness of federal, state, and local regulations and impact of changes on the Agency.

• Serve as a key back up to the other ORCA Finance functions.

• Appropriately escalate issues to management so issues are resolved in a timely manner.

• 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 data analysis, accounts receivable, and customer service tasks OR an equivalent combination of education and experience. Experience with large financial and accounting systems preferred.

Required Knowledge and Skills:

• Public finance related to financial asset management, cash management, and regulations; or ability to come up to speed on complex terms and processes quickly.

• Knowledge of cash flow forecasting, budget, financial analysis, and modeling skills.

• Accounting (generally accepted accounting principles) and finance theory, principles, and practices, financial systems and internal control design.

• Applications of electronic data processing and analysis. Report preparation and presentation, working with report parameters, queries and data extraction.

• Knowledge of Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) systems, and knowledge of financial management and accounting systems (e.g. Sage).

• Pertinent state and federal regulations.

• Computer applications such as word processing, spreadsheets, and statistical databases.

• Customer Relationship Management software knowledge.

• Establishing and maintaining effective working relationships with others.

• Interpreting and administering regulations, accounting and finance principles, policies and procedures sufficient to administer, discuss, resolve, and explain them to staff and other constituencies.

• Drafting, reviewing, and negotiating complex agreements and contracts.

• Keen attention to detail with advanced analytical and problem solving skills.

• Ability to work in a self-guided manner, demonstrating good personal judgment.

• 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.

• Demonstrated advanced Excel and financial modeling skills.

Physical Demands / Work Environment:  

• Work is performed in a standard office environment.

• Subject to standing, walking, bending, reaching, stooping, and lifting of objects up to 25 pounds.

• 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.

Equal Opportunity Employer/Protected Veterans/Individuals with Disabilities

The contractor will not discharge or in any other manner discriminate against employees or applicants because they have inquired about, discussed, or disclosed their own pay or the pay of another employee or applicant. However, employees who have access to the compensation information of other employees or applicants as a part of their essential job functions cannot disclose the pay of other employees or applicants to individuals who do not otherwise have access to compensation information, unless the disclosure is (a) in response to a formal complaint or charge, (b) in furtherance of an investigation, proceeding, hearing, or action, including an investigation conducted by the employer, or (c) consistent with the contractor’s legal duty to furnish information. 41 CFR 60-1.35(c)