Accounting Specialist

Job Description:  Location: Minneapolis, MN 55402 Pay rate: $21/hrHybrid –3 days a week in office. Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday.Location: MN-U.S. Bank Plaza Minneapolis 220 S 6th St Minneapolis Minnesota 55402Hours: 7: 30am to 4: 30pm with some flexibility. CSTParking –Paid parking available. There are some less expensive options in walking distance of the building, also with a fee.Interviews -- Teams interview, there may be more than one interview due to candidate pool.Role Overview This contractor role provides hands-on operational support for complex reconciliations, financial reporting research, settlement validation, exception investigation, and controls support across Bankcard Reconciliation processes. The contractor independently manages assigned reconciliations, performs financial reporting research and variance analysis, and supports audit and control activities in a high-volume, regulated environment. Key Responsibilities Reconciliation & Settlement Processing: 

• Perform daily, monthly, and ad-hoc reconciliations for assigned accounts. 
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• Validate settlement activity, balances, conversions, and totals across multiple source systems. 
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• Ensure assigned accounts are balanced, supported, and cleared within required timelines. 
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• Capture balances from source systems and update reconciliation accounts and documentation. 
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• Identify reconciling items, age differences appropriately, and document root cause and resolution. 
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Financial Reporting Support & Research: 

• Run and prepare routine financial reports and analyses supporting reconciliations and management reporting. 
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• Perform financial reporting research by investigating and explaining variances between reports and supporting data. 
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• Reconcile reporting outputs back to source workpapers and document variance resolution steps. 
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• Partner with internal teams to resolve reporting discrepancies in a timely manner. 
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Exception Research, Controls & Audit Support: 

• Research reconciling items, breaks, and discrepancies, including aged and high-risk items. 
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• Analyze exception reports and implement corrective actions within established timeframes. 
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• Maintain documentation that meets control and audit standards. 
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• Provide reconciliation support, evidence, and explanations for audit and SOX activities. 
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Required Experience 

• 3–5+ years of prior reconciliation processing experience in financial operations. 
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• Demonstrated experience independently researching and resolving reconciling items. 
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• Hands-on experience supporting financial reporting, variance analysis, and reporting tie-outs. 
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• Experience working in audit, controls, or SOX-regulated environments. 
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• Ability to manage multiple priorities and deadlines concurrently. 
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Required Skills & Technical Expertise 

• Advanced Microsoft Excel skills (formulas, lookups, data comparisons, large-file analysis). 
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• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills. 
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• High attention to detail and accuracy. 
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• Strong documentation and written communication skills. 
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• Ability to work effectively across multiple systems and data sources. 
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Engagement Expectations 

• Operate as an independent contributor within established procedures and controls. 
• Follow defined escalation paths and documentation standards. 
• Meet strict accuracy, timeliness, and quality expectations. 
• Collaborate effectively with operations leadership and peer analysts.