Financial & Contract Controls Specialist (15542)

The Lottery is more than Scratch tickets and million-dollar jackpots. Staffed by Montanans, your Lottery supports local economies and important state programs. Created by referendum in 1986, we have been making winners happen ever since! We have paid over $1.06 billion in prizes and returned over $386.5 million back to the State of Montana and $104.5 million in sales agent commissions.

What is this career opportunity?

The Montana Lottery is seeking a detail‑oriented, analytically minded professional to support internal financial controls and contract compliance across Lottery operations. This role helps ensure that reconciliations, accounting records, and key contracts are accurate, well‑documented, and aligned with GAAP and state policies.

The position provides ongoing review and monitoring of financial documentation and contract activity-working closely with the Finance Director and Lottery leadership to identify issues, support strong internal controls, and keep information organized and reliable. The ideal candidate brings strong skills in data review, internal controls, contract tracking, and clear communication, and is comfortable working with spreadsheets and state systems to maintain accurate records.

Key responsibilities include:

• Reviewing reconciliations, financial reports, and accounting records to verify accuracy, support internal controls, and ensure alignment with GAAP and state policies.
• Conducting routine reviews of financial and contract documentation to identify data inconsistencies, control gaps, or compliance issues and sharing recommended follow‑up actions with the Finance Director.
• Maintaining organized records of key Lottery contracts, tracking financial terms, renewal dates, deliverables, and service expectations, and documenting issues and resolutions.

Monitoring contract activity, raising potential non‑compliance concerns to leadership, and keeping Lottery leadership informed of upcoming renewals, expirations, and contract‑related changes that may require action.

What are we looking for?

Education and Experience:

• Associate's degree in accounting, finance, business, public administration, or a related field.

• Approximately two year's experience reviewing financial records, reconciliations, contracts, or compliance-related documentation (or comparable experience).

• Ability to work comfortably with moderate to advanced Excel functions (e.g., formulas, lookups, filters, pivot tables).

• Experience using State of Montana systems such as SABHRS and eMACs is highly desirable but can be learned.

• Other combinations of education and experience that demonstrate the required skills may be considered on a case‑by‑case basis.

Competencies:

Knowledge of:

• Basic accounting principles, reconciliations, internal controls, and financial record review.

• Contract tracking and documentation practices.

Ability to:

• Review financial and contract information for accuracy, completeness, and consistency.

• Identify discrepancies, control gaps, or follow-up needs and communicate them verbally and in writing.

• Organize records, monitor deadlines, and maintain documentation.

• Interpret and apply policies, procedures, and written agreements.

• Maintain confidentiality and use sound judgment

• Effectively use AI tools to enhance productivity, support decision‑making, and streamline daily tasks.

Skill in:

• Written and verbal communication.

• Using office software, spreadsheets, financial systems, and document management tools.

Only online applications are accepted. By applying online, you are able to receive updates and monitor the status of your application.

Does this sound like you?

Please tell us how and why by submitting your resume and cover letter. (Please Note: You do not need to complete the "work experience" or the "education & certifications" portion of the application process in our recruiting system. You only need to upload the requested documentation.)

What can you expect from us in return for your work with our agency?

Ø Look here to see the additional benefits! They include:

o Work/life Balance

o Health Coverage

o Retirement plans

o Paid Vacation and Sick Leave and Holidays

o And more…

Ø Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) - Employment with the State of Montana may qualify you to receive student loan forgiveness under the PSLF.

This position requires the successful completion of a background investigation and credit check. This investigation may continue into the time period after you have begun your employment. If the results of the investigation are, in the opinion of the Montana Lottery, not favorable, employment will not continue.

The Department of Administration participates in E-Verify to confirm employment eligibility. After accepting a job offer and completing form I-9, your information will be submitted to the Department of Homeland Security and Social Security Administration for verification. For more information about E-Verify, please visit the E-Verify website found here, https://www.e-verify.gov/.