Accounting Technician, Senior

POSTING TYPE: Open-Competitive
DEPARTMENT: Finance
HOURS: Full-Time
HIRING RANGE: $50,194-62,742 /year (Grade 105)
SALARY RANGE: $50,194-78,428 /year
LOCATION: Hastings
UNION: None
CLOSE DATE: 4:30 p.m. on 2/4/2025

Perform advanced accounting tasks such as preparing forms and documents, reviewing employee payroll entries, maintaining accounting records, responding to accounting inquiries and serving as a lead worker; perform related duties as assigned. Provide advanced services for projects or assistance to lower positions in the job family. May serve as a lead worker or project leader providing support and direction to others, and perform related work as assigned.

Who We Are

Dakota County is Minnesota's third largest county and home to more than 400,000 residents. Our motto is "Be More" and we strive every day to achieve excellence in public service, with a focus on four values: Service, Integrity, People and Innovation.

Dakota County aims to create an environment that is welcoming and inclusive of diverse people, backgrounds and experiences. Our goal is to have a workforce that is reflective of the communities and individuals we serve. We promote an equitable and culturally aware work environment where everyone can be their authentic selves.

* High School diploma or G.E.D AND
* Two years of specialized education in accounting AND
* Minimal one year as an Accounting Technician or equivalent with a sustained exceeding standards performance level AND
* Experience and training with Microsoft Office, including Access and Excel

OR
* High School diploma or G.E.D AND
* Three or more years as an Accounting Technician or equivalent with a sustained exceeding standards performance level.

OR
* An equivalent combination of education and experience.

PREFERRED EDUCATION BEYOND MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:
* Associates degree or equivalent in business, accounting, finance or equivalent in a related curriculum

PREFERRED EXPERIENCE BEYOND MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:
* Two years as an Accounting Technician or equivalent with a sustained exceeding standards performance level.

Required license(s): None

Typing ability: None

These examples do not include all possible tasks in this work and do not limit the assignment of related tasks in any position of this classification. Regular attendance according to the position's management approved work schedule is required for all positions.

1. Perform a wide range of difficult and complex accounting transactions such as monitoring and maintaining various agency accounts, preparing payroll, producing tax reports, generating payments to clients and vendors, manages client billing information, preparing bank deposits, and auditing incoming claims and payments according to Federal, State, and County Regulations.
2. Prepare, assemble and verify necessary forms, documentation and approvals for accounting transactions. Approve financial transactions without regular review.
3. Assemble, generate and distribute moderately complex financial reports, summaries and trial balances from accounting records.
4. Develop, access and update accounting records including files, spreadsheets and databases of moderate complexity
5. Active in the implementation of new procedures and accounting systems.
6. Field calls and inquiries from clients, vendors and agency employees and provide information via phone or written correspondence.
7. Serve as a technical resource to other staff, work independently with other departments to complete transactions or to re-engineer work flows.
8. Manage special accounting projects requiring broad understanding, analytical skills and computer spreadsheet skills, provide customer training.
9. Recommend policies and procedures to management, assist in development of new programs, and may establish or revise existing program guidelines.
10. Assist case aides, Public Health Nursing, Social Workers, and Case Managers in the case set-up and verification of eligibility using various state and federal and County on line systems.
11. Research and compile information from a variety of sources and prepare statistical data on various programs.
12. Assist Public Health Nurses, Case Managers, Social Workers, and other clients with billing and various program questions.
13. Examine client records to ensure the proper documentation is on file to comply with billing regulations.
14. Develop training material and assist in the training.
15. Serve as a floater, covering all accounting specialist duties or high workload areas.
16. Perform other accounting and clerical tasks as assigned

ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS: Duties 1 through 14 are essential functions. The amount of time per duty can vary by position within the department.

* Demonstrated considerable knowledge of governmental accounting principles, procedures and record keeping.
* Demonstrated knowledge of analytical methods, moderately complex math principles and English grammar.
- Knowledge of payroll processes and familiarity with auditing payroll documents, timecards, and information.
* Knowledge of State laws and rules, county policy and applicable guidelines and mandates related to community resources, programs, and service delivery.
* Knowledge of data privacy regulations.
* Considerable skills and ability to operate databases and spreadsheet software efficiently and to develop basic systems.
* Ability to develop professional level training curriculum and deliver effective training sessions.
* Ability to communicate effectively both verbally and in writing and ability to adapt communication style to audience.
* Ability to verify and ensure the accuracy of payroll entries, deductions, payments, taxes and employee status changes.
* Demonstrated ability to work effectively with the public, department and County associates in a professional manner.
* Ability to work under stress handling multiple tasks.
* Demonstrated skill in organization, detail orientation and logical thinking.
* Demonstrated ability to work under minimal supervision.
* Demonstrated ability to provide work direction to others.
* Ability to maintain consistently high levels of productivity, accuracy and organization.
* Demonstrated considerable breath of knowledge of Dakota County financial systems or demonstrated expertise of a major system, able to function independently as a system administrator.

WORK ENVIRONMENT: The work is primarily stationary, although there is some movement and transporting of lightweight items such as briefcases, notebooks, and work papers. The work is typically performed in an adequately lighted and climate controlled office. Occasional travel may be required.

SELECTION PROCESS: The examination/selection process for this classification will consist of a rating of your training and experience from the application materials submitted. The top scoring candidates will be forwarded to the hiring department for further consideration.

Qualified candidates must pass a criminal history background check.