Finance Technician (Temporary Position)

THIS IS A TEMPORARY POSITION WITH TIER 2 BENEFITS THROUGH DECEMBER 31, 2026

ABOUT MTC
The Metropolitan Transportation Commission (MTC) is the transportation planning, financing, and coordinating agency for the nine-county San Francisco Bay Area. MTC is the federally designated Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO) and the state designated Regional Transportation Planning Agency (RTPA) for the nine-county San Francisco Bay Area. For more information about MTC, visit www.mtc.ca.gov.

ABOUT THE ROLE
The Finance Technician will perform accounts payable and allocation purchase orders for MTC, ABAG, Bay Area Toll Authority (BATA), Service Authority for Freeways and Expressways (SAFE), Bay Area Infrastructure Financing Authority (BAIFA), and Bay Area Housing Authority (BAHA) in accordance with government regulations and MTC policies and procedures. The Finance Technician must possess sufficient working knowledge of basic aspects of accounting and/or auditing principles in addition to accounts payable functions to enable them to be proficient in the job following a brief introductory period. Initially, the incumbent will work under close supervision, performing the routine accounts payable and purchase orders duties.

This position prepares, processes, maintains and verifies a wide range of accounts payable and allocation purchase orders; develops and maintains partnerships with Vendors/Claimants, Commissioners/Committee members, Project Managers,  Employees, Auditors and other MTC departments (Purchasing, Accounts Receivable, Funding Policy and Programs); reviews invoices to ensure adherence to PO/Contract agreements; monitors PO/Contract balances and works with Purchasing and Project Managers to ensure sufficient balance to process payments; researches and addresses vendor inquiries; assists in resolution of disputed costs; maintains vendor invoice files; and supports the annual financial audit.

Accounts Payable 

• Prepare accounts payable data entries related to stipends payments, employees travel reimbursements, and corporate credit cards transactions into the financial accounting system.  
• Examine supporting documentation to verify proper authorization, mathematical accuracy and conformance with Purchase Order (PO). Notify the Procurement and Project Manager if insufficient funds remaining to process the invoice.
• Read, interpret, and apply various MOU’s and policies related to accounts payable processing.
• Review data input and submit batches to the Accounts Payable Manager for approval.
• Match check to vendor invoices and address any issues prior to release of payment to the vendor.
• Receive, research, and respond to Vendor, Employee, and Project Manager inquiries regarding payment status.
• Investigate and resolve problems associated with invoice processing and communicate resolution of discrepancies to appropriate personnel.
• Maintain files in accordance with MTC and Federal records retention policies.
• Perform month-end/year-end closing functions and support annual federal and financial audit.
• Make weekly deposits.

Allocations Purchase Order Processing

• Prepare and input advanced allocations into the Purchasing module.
• Attach approved documentation and send out via workflow for approval and encumber purchase orders.
• Compile approved allocation letters and send out completed package including letter, allocation instructions and approved Delegated Authority (DA) and Resolutions for approval, and mail out to claimants and county auditors.
• Provide technical support and communicate with the liaison and claimants to resolve allocations issues.
• Compile and prepare letters, and notify claimants regarding upcoming expired allocations on a yearly basis.
• Research and close-out allocations purchase orders at year-end.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, & ABILITIES

The ideal candidate will have the following knowledge, skills, and abilities:

• Basic general and governmental accounting and financial record keeping principles and practices.
• Knowledge of Federal, State and Local grants.
• Standard office practices and procedures including filing, and strong proficiency with Microsoft Word and Excel.
• Knowledge of automated financial accounting systems, in particular, accounts payable and purchasing modules.
• Ability to work with Vendors, Employees, Project Managers, and other non-financial departments.
• Make involved and varied arithmetic computations quickly and accurately.  
• Use initiative and sound judgement to make decisions within established agency guidelines and regulations.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

Any combination of training and experience that would provide the required knowledge, skills, and abilities listed. A typical way to obtain the required qualifications would be:

Education and Experience:  Equivalent to completion of the twelfth (12^th) grade and two (2) years of increasingly responsible clerical and/or technical accounting experience.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS
Associate degree in finance, accounting, business or public administration, or related field is preferred. Applicants with additional years of relevant professional experience is desirable.

THIS TEMPORARY FULL-TIME POSITION IS ELIGIBLE FOR SPECIFIC TIER 2 BENEFITS AS FOLLOWS:

1. Enrollment in CalPERS pension which requires a contribution from both the employer and you.  Your contribution rate will be determined by CalPERS.  The current contribution rate for PEPRA members is 7.25% and for Classic members the contribution rate is 7.004% of eligible earnings (as a pre-tax deduction). 
2. Enrollment in CalPERS medical insurance with MTC covering 95% of the premium and you contributing 5% (as a pre-tax deduction) or you may waive medical insurance enrollment with proof of alternative medical coverage.
3. MTC provided public transit subsidy of up to $340 per month in accordance with MTC’s public transit program.  
4. Accrual of 8 hours of sick leave per month.
5. Holidays off with pay when MTC officially closes for an observed holiday.  You will also receive one floating holiday to be used for a culturally significant event in recognition that “official” holidays are not fully inclusive of various cultures and traditions.
6. No vacation hours will be accrued while you are filling this temporary assignment.

The above is the full extent of benefits provided while in this Temporary Tier 2 employment status.

EMPLOYMENT REQUIREMENTS
Successful completion of a background check, professional references and the Employment Eligibility Verification Form I-9.  

DISABILITY
The Human Resources Department will make reasonable efforts in the recruitment or skills assessment process to accommodate applicants with disabilities. If selected for an interview or testing, and you require accommodation, please notify the Human Resources Department when confirming your interview or test.

All MTC employees are designated Disaster Service Workers through state and local law (California Government Code Section 3100-3109). Employees are required to complete all Disaster Service Worker-related training as assigned, and to return to work as ordered in the event of an emergency.