Zoo Financial Analyst

Hello, we’re Metro! Metro is dedicated to shaping a better future for the greater Portland region. The work the people of Metro do every day benefits the lives of the people who live here, today, and tomorrow. 

Are you an individual with a strong finance and accounting background that is looking for an opportunity to apply your experience and knowledge to help better the Oregon Zoo and the overall community it serves?  Are you proactive and a strategic thinker with a strong financial background who would like to make a substantive contribution to the economic recovery and rebuilding efforts occurring at the Oregon Zoo? 

As the Zoo Financial Analyst, you will perform a wide variety of financial, budgetary and business operations analysis for the Oregon Zoo, including day to day management of program responsibilities, database and records management, policy and procedure formulation and recommendation, and manage various processes related to grants and grant funding sources.  This position reports to the Zoo Finance Manager and will assist in leading the work of the zoo finance team. 

The Oregon Zoo inspires visitors to learn about protecting endangered species and restoring native habitats and is the state's most popular paid attraction. The zoo’s roughly 320 employees welcome almost 1.4 million visitors each year. Our zoo is home to more than 200 different animal species. Our mission is to create a better future for wildlife, with a focus on fighting extinction locally in the Pacific Northwest. The zoo is widely recognized for its commitment to animal welfare, conservation, and research. 

Based on the business needs of the Oregon Zoo, the Financial Analyst selected for this position will have the expectation of primarily working on-site at the Zoo 400 SW Canyon RD, Portland, OR 97221.  

As the Zoo Financial Analyst you will:

Financial Management and Analysis

• Provide technical accounting support at the Zoo, including day to day management of program responsibilities, overseeing the month end and year-end financial close process, balance sheet reconciliations, financial statement preparation, and regular and ad-hoc budgetary and financial analysis.
• Maintain user-friendly chart of accounts and coordinate changes with Metro Accounting; train and assist Zoo staff with the appropriate coding of accounting transactions.
• Prepare revenue, attendance, and profit & loss reports on a monthly, quarterly, annually and ad hoc basis.
• Provide financial analysis and budget management support for the zoo’s capital programs and projects. 
• Provide organizational support as needed, including budget development, needs assessment, research, analysis, materials and report formulation, projections and policy recommendations.
• Develop and document processes related to management of federal grants and other grant funding sources; reconcile, report, and maintain financial information for grant related funding for various programs.

Financial Systems Support

• Oversee the reporting module of the Zoo point of sale system ensuring daily recording into Metro’s financial system and supporting zoo finance staff; support the Guest Services managers in software administration and act as an active member in Guest Services software implementation/integration projects.
• Serve as the Zoo’s PeopleSoft power user and support staff in the usage of Metro financial software packages, including Questica.
• Use multiple software programs to run reports and perform reconciliations including budget, financial and payroll. Learn tools of each software and be able to prepare reports and at times, customize reports as needed.
• Work with other zoo finance staff in advising and developing new reports from improved reporting tools.

Other Responsibilities and Process Support

• Monitor and analyze internal controls and process, with a focus on efficiency enhancements.
• Coordinate fiscal year end processes and management and reconciliation of financial/personnel related information.
• Gain strong understanding of the programs and projects within the zoo to be able to provide financial support across all areas and help develop outcome and performance measurements.
• Remain current on legal requirements, regulations and bills impacting program area; reports legal and regulatory changes and market trends to management; monitors programs and procedures that assure compliance with laws, rules, regulations, policies and procedures.
• Assist Finance Manager with related finance tasks and overseeing work of the zoo finance team.

Attributes for Success

• A self-starter who is not afraid to roll up their sleeves and do the work that needs to get done.
• Ability to succeed in a work environment where ambiguity exists.
• Demonstrated ability to develop impact measurement and/or evaluation tools.
• Advanced organizational skills with a proven ability to multi-task in an efficient and effective manner.
• Systems thinker with critical thinking and problem-solving ability. 
• Ability to coordinate and provide quality support to internal and external stakeholders.
• Interested in finding areas for improvement, development processes and using financial analysis to drive operational decisions.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with other employees and the public.
• Ability to communicate effectively verbally and in writing with people of all ages and from a variety of cultural, economic, and ethnic background.

Minimum qualifications

• A bachelor’s degree in finance, Accounting, Business Administration or a related field; AND
• Two years of comparable budgeting, accounting or grant management experience; OR
• We will consider any combination of education and experience that provides the necessary knowledge, skills, and abilities to perform the position duties and responsibilities.
• Position will be required to be primarily on site/in person.

Required Qualification

The candidate selected for this position will need to pass a criminal background check prior to being hired. Criminal convictions do not necessarily preclude employment and will be evaluated on a case-by-case basis. 

Like to have qualifications

You do not need to have the following preferred qualifications/transferable skills to qualify. However, keep in mind we may consider them when identifying the most qualified candidates. Your transferable skills are any skills you have gained through education, work experience, including the military, or life experience that are relevant for this position.

• Experience at a governmental or non-profit organizations
• Federal grant management
• Project management fundamentals
• Prior experience at a visitor attraction venue
• Experience using financial and ERP software/systems