Staff Accountant

General Definition of Work Performs intermediate technical work administering, maintaining, and preparing financial records and reports, which includes the administration and maintenance of the integrated financial system. This position is responsible for performing various accounting functions. Work is performed under the limited supervision of the Accounting Manager. Hiring pay range is $29.34/hr. - $32.86/hr. depending on qualifications and direct work experience. Essential Functions To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential function satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable an individual with disabilities to perform the essential functions. Administers the integrated financial system including performing training, setting up accounts, setting up user security, performing month-end and year-end closing procedures, prepares various financial reports, oversees assigned modules, system testing, prepares user menus’ and communicates the impact of new system updates to end users. Performs accounting entries, transactions, and reconciliations to provide accurate and timely financial records for department operations and reporting using various mediums such as spreadsheets and databases. Monitors and reconcile cash balances. Performs review and analysis of transaction for trends, compliance, and irregularities. Review receipt and disbursement listing for coding errors and other discrepancies. Monitors contracts, audit invoicing and tracks bills to various agencies to account for accurate documentation and follow-up. Performs review and analysis of transaction for trends, compliance, and irregularities. Assists with year-end audit preparation, including preparing year-end audit workpapers. Works directly with software vendors to identify and/or seek solutions to software or user problems. Works closely with other department on their accounting and financial software questions. Assists in administering and monitoring department financial operations, which includes serving as liaison in financial/accounting and provides general accounting assistance to all County Departments. Maintain County gravel operator database, comply with reporting requirements to MN Department of Revenue and the collection of aggregate tax. Perform other duties and activities as assigned. Education And Experience Minimum Qualifications & Knowledge, Skills and Abilities Bachelor’s degree in accounting, or related field or equivalent combination of education and one year of experience in accounting, banking, auditing, or related financial field. Payroll, budgetary, and/or audit support experience is preferred. Special Requirements May require possession of, or ability to obtain, specific licenses and/or certifications depending on departmental assignment. A valid driver’s license or evidence of equivalent mobility is required upon hire. Knowledge, Skills And Abilities Knowledge of government accounting methods, principles and practices; knowledge of County government work flows and processes; knowledge of financial and accounting systems and programs used to support departmental financial functions; knowledge of payroll programs and funding sources; knowledge of methods, procedures and principals of public and business administration; knowledge of local, State, and Federal laws, regulations, and coding to finance; knowledge of computer systems used to administer accounting and payroll systems; skill in the use of standard office equipment, including computer and software programs; verbal and written communication skills sufficient to effectively present information and respond to questions from a wide variety of audiences; reading comprehension skills sufficient to read and interpret technical financial documents; interpersonal skills sufficient to exchange and/or convey information, receive work direction, and maintain effective working relationships; ability to perform data entry into various databases; ability to analyze department budget and financial reports; ability to effectively organize time and anticipate, plan and successfully respond to changing circumstances; ability to pay attention to detail and exercise strong organizational skills; ability to perform all job duties in compliance with safety guidelines and with an ongoing awareness of safety practices; ability to communicate courteously and professionally while maintaining positive working relationships with others when carrying out all job functions. Physical Requirements This work requires the occasional exertion of up to 10 pounds of force; work regularly requires sitting, speaking or hearing and using hands to finger, handle or feel, frequently requires repetitive motions and occasionally requires standing, walking, reaching with hands and arms and lifting; work has standard vision requirements; vocal communication is required for expressing or exchanging ideas by means of the spoken word; hearing is required to perceive information at normal spoken word levels and to receive detailed information through oral communications and/or to make fine distinctions in sound; work requires preparing and analyzing written or computer data, visual inspection involving small defects and/or small parts, operating machines, operating motor vehicles or equipment and observing general surroundings and activities; work has no exposure to environmental conditions; work is generally in a quiet location (e.g. library, private offices). Wright County offers an exceptional benefit package including vacation, sick leave and holiday pay. Also included in this benefit package is health, preventative dental and life insurance; medical and dependent care reimbursement accounts (Section 125 Plan); deferred compensation plan and Public Employees Retirement (pension). For a more detailed overview of our benefit package, Click Here. 01 I understand that in order for my application to receive every consideration in the selection process, I must complete all the following supplemental questions. I understand that I will only receive credit to responses that are supported in the information I provide in my employment application and that a resume will not be accepted in lieu of an application. Please check the "yes" button if you have read and understand this. Yes No 02 This position requires a bachelor's degree in accounting, or related field or equivalent combination of education and one year of experience in accounting, banking, auditing, or related financial field. Do you meet the minimum requirements for this position? Yes No 03 Describe your education and experience that indicates you fulfill the listed minimum qualifications. 04 Do you possess a valid driver's license or can you provide evidence of equivalent mobility? Yes No 05 Which best describes your level of education? (Education noted must also be reflected in your online application) High school diploma or equivalent Some post secondary training in accounting or closely related field Two year degree in accounting or closely related field Four year degree in accounting or closely related field 06 How many years of full-time, paid experience do you have in collaborative ideation, analysis, and driving improvements to resolve accounting challenges? I do not have this experience Less than 1 year of relevant work experience 1 year to less than 3 years of relevant work experience 3 years to less than 5 years of relevant work experience 5 or more years of relevant work experience 07 Describe your experience in collaborative ideation, analysis, and driving improvements to resolve accounting challenges, including employer, the length of time and the duties performed. If no experience, type “none”. 08 How many years of experience in a full-time, paid capacity do you have completing financial reports, analyzing financial data, and audit processes? (Experience must be reflected in your online application.) I do not have this experience Less than 1 year of relevant work experience 1 year to less than 3 years of relevant work experience 3 years to less than 5 years of relevant work experience 5 or more years of relevant work experience 09 Describe your experience completing financial reports, analyzing financial data and the audit process, including the employer, length of time and duties performed. If no experience, type "none." 10 How many years of experience in full-time, paid capacity do you have in partnering with non-finance departments? I do not have this experience Less than 1 year of relevant work experience 1 year to less than 3 years of relevant work experience 3 years to less than 5 years of relevant work experience 5 or more years of relevant work experience 11 Describe your experience in partnering with non-finance departments, including employer, the length of time and the duties performed. If no experience, type “none”. 12 How many years of governmental accounting do you have? I do not have this experience Less than 1 year of relevant work experience 1 year to less than 3 years of relevant work experience 3 years to less than 5 years of relevant work experience 5 or more years of relevant work experience 13 Describe your work experience with governmental accounting or non-profit fund accounting. Include the employer, the length of time and specific duties performed. If no experience, type "none." 14 Veterans preference points are awarded to qualified veterans and spouses of deceased or disabled veterans and are added to competitive exam results. Qualified veterans are eligible to receive 10 or 15 preference points subject to the provisions of MN Statutes 197.455. YOU MUST SUPPLY A COPY OF YOUR DD214 (Member Copy 4). Disabled veterans must also supply a letter from the USDVA verifying active duty disability. Spouses applying for preference points must supply their marriage certificate, the veteran's DD214 and a letter from the USDVA verifying the veteran's disability or death certificate. Veterans applying for promotional exams may only claim veterans preference points if they have a service connected disability of 50% or more. The five points preference is only available when applying for the first promotion after securing employment with Wright County. All required documents must be received no later than the closing deadline for accepting your application. Are you applying for Veterans Preference points? No Yes • Veteran who served on active duty 181 or more consecutive days and received an honorable discharge • see MN Statute 197.447 Yes • Veteran who served on active duty 181 or more consecutive days and received an honorable discharge and has a service connect disability of 10% or more Yes • Spouse of a veteran who served on active duty 181 or more consecutive days and received an honorable discharge and has a service connected disability of 10% or more (the Veteran must also be qualified to apply for the position but their service connected disability restricts them from applying for or performing the job duties) Yes • Spouse of a deceased veteran who served on active duty 181 or more days, received an honorable discharge, had a service connected disability of 10% or more and was disabled at the time of death. You are ineligible if you have remarried or were divorced from the veteran. Yes • Spouse of a deceased veteran. You are ineligible if you have remarried. Yes • Current employee with a 50% or more service connected disability rating applying for the first promotion after securing employment with Wright County. 15 I understand that any falsified information, omissions of important facts, or misrepresentation of my job education or experience on either the application or during my interview may disqualify me from further consideration for employment and may be considered justification for dismissal, if hired. Yes No Required Question