What are the responsibilities and job description for the Accountant position at Ramsey County, MN?
Basic Function
If you are looking for an interesting and meaningful new role, Ramsey County is currently hiring for multiple Accountants!
The current vacancies are in the below departments. The eligibility list created by these vacancies may be used to hire other vacancies in the department or County.
Economic Growth and Community Investment (EGCI) Accounting Department (2)
- Finance Department (1)
EGCI ACCOUNTANT:
There are two positions available, one in the Workforce Solutions Department (WFS) and the other in the Housing Stability Department (HSD). Similar duties across both positions include: Journal entries; Account reconciliations; invoicing and A/P; budgeting and forecasting; grant setup and monitoring.
The WFS position requires previous Grant experience
The HSD position requires the accountant to perform all finance duties for the department.
FINANCE DEPARTMENT ACCOUNTANT:
This position will be housed in the Finance Department, specifically as a member of the budget team. The position is one of two accountants that partner to review and process contractual, budgetary and financial transactions from departments county-wide including journal entries, budget adjustments and grant agreements. Accountants on the budget team lead on several state and federally mandated projects such as the annual escheatment of unspent funds to the state and the preparation and reporting of 1099s to suppliers and the Internal Revenue Service. This position provides help-desk support to end users of the county’s financial systems and supports county-wide financial transactions such as pay cycles and payment uploads.
Basic Function:
To review and analyze accounting transactions, prepare financial reports, maintain records of the financial activity of the department or units to which assigned and ensure compliance with legal guidelines and generally accepted accounting principles; and to perform related duties as assigned.
Flexible Workplace
This position is identified under the designation of ‘flex work eligible’, meaning that the employee can formally opt to be in-office full-time or work a flex schedule in which at least two-days per week are performed in office and other days can be performed in a remote-first environment. Regardless of selection, the position carries expectations regarding on-site responsibilities and will require schedule flexibility beyond the minimum expectations set forth in the county’s flexible workplace policy. To view Ramsey County’s Flexible Workplace policy, go to: Flexible Workplace policy.
Examples of Work Performed
- Prepare financial reports, operating statements, accounts payable statements, accounts receivable statements and similar periodic reports for management by reviewing, analyzing and compiling financial information in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles.
- Assemble and prepare budget information by analyzing accounting records and reports and estimating revenues and expenses.
- Review and approve claims, invoices, purchase orders, accounts payables and other documents relating to receipts, expenditures, transfers and other transactions to ensure that transactions are accurate and in conformance with established policies, contracts, appropriate accounting practices, and that adequate funds are available, initiate corrective actions as necessary.
- Maintain ledger, journals and other financial control records by classifying and recording transactions in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles; establish internal controls, reconcile subsidiary ledgers and recommend corrective actions as necessary.
- Conduct financial analyses of purchase of service contracts or other financial programs by reviewing and evaluating financial records, reports, contracts, proposals or similar source documents in order to provide accurate and timely information for decision making by management.
- Participate in contract development by conducting preliminary audits on new outside contractors, provide technical accounting assistance to contractors and perform financial evaluations on proposed contracts.
- Prepare grant budgets and the necessary budget adjustments in order to properly fund and control grant awards; prepare the necessary monthly/quarterly report of financial or statistical data to funding agencies.
- Respond to requests for information from auditors or other external funding sources concerning the financial activities of a county program.
- Operate computer equipment; produce, obtain or analyze computer-generated information in performing the accounting duties assigned.
- Provide training or direction to other accounting support staff.
(The work assigned to a position in this classification may not include all possible tasks in this work and does not limit the assignment of any additional tasks in this classification. Regular attendance according to the position’s management approved work schedule is required.)
ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 8, 10.
Minimum Qualifications
Education: Bachelor's Degree in Accounting, Business Administration, Public Administration or a related field.
Experience: One year of accounting or related experience.
Substitution: Equivalent combination of education and experience.
Certifications/Licensure: None.
Exam/Screening Process Information
The examination process will consist of the following sections with each section weighted as indicated:
Step 1. Minimum Qualifications Screening
Step 2. Training and Experience Rating = 100%
The examination for the Accountant position will consist of a training and experience rating, comprised of the questions in the attached supplemental questionnaire. Not all applicants who meet the minimum qualifications will pass the training and experience rating. The rating on this supplemental questionnaire will depend on your answers to the questions - do not mark "see resume" or "see work history" as a response. Please answer all your questions clearly and completely. Failure to respond could affect your score and final rank on this examination.
Eligible List: The names of all applicants who filed a properly completed application and passed the examination/screening process shall be placed on the eligible list for an employment opportunity as an Accountant. This list will be certified to the appointing authority which may use this list to conduct interviews to fill a vacancy. Candidates will remain on the list for 30 days or until hired, whichever occurs first. A notice will be sent to applicants at the time the eligible list is posted, informing them that the list has been certified and of their status.
All applicants who pass the examination with a score of 75 or higher will be forwarded to the department for further consideration.
Veteran's Preference: This is a classified position requiring an open, competitive selection process. Veteran's Preference points will be applied after a candidate passes the examination process. Applicants who are eligible for veteran's preference should update their veteran's DD214, and other supporting documents, and submit them as an attachment at the time of application.
Criminal Background Checks: All employment offers are conditioned upon the applicant passing a criminal background check. Convictions are not an automatic bar to employment. Each case is considered on its individual merits and the type of work sought. However, making false statements or withholding information will cause you to be barred from employment, or removed from employment.
E-Verify Participation: Ramsey County participates in the federal E-Verify program. This means that Ramsey County will provide the Social Security Administration (SSA) and, if necessary, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), with information from each new employee's Form I-9 to confirm work authorization. If the Government cannot confirm that you are authorized to work, Ramsey County is required to give you written instructions and an opportunity to contact DHS and/or the SSA before taking adverse action against you, including terminating your employment. Employers may not use E-Verify to pre-screen job applicants and may not limit or influence the choice of documents you present for use on the Form I-9.
Equal Opportunity Employer: Ramsey County provides equal access to employment, programs and services without regard to race, color, creed, religion, age, sex (except when sex is a Bona Fide Occupational Qualification), disability, marital status, sexual orientation or gender identity, public assistance or national origin.
Ramsey County is deeply committed to advancing racial equity and promoting diversity and inclusion within all areas of its workforce. The county strives being equitable, inclusive, transparent, respectful, and impactful in how we serve and engage with residents, as well as Ramsey County employees. Advancing racial equity ensures all people who need access to opportunities and services we provide, will receive them. Racial equity is achieved when race can no longer be used to predict life outcomes, and outcomes for all are improved.
It is preferred that you apply online. If you are unable to apply online, you can print a paper application for this posting by clicking Paper Application . To apply with a paper application, you will need to print this posting AND answer the supplemental questions associated with this exam and submit them with your completed paper application.For further information regarding this posting, please contact lindsey.hunter@co.ramsey.mn.us or crystal.diaz@co.ramsey.mn.us
Ramsey County provides a wide range of employee benefits to support health, well-being, and work/life balance. Benefits eligibility can vary depending on union status/contract language. A summary of benefits is provided below. Detailed information is available for review at https://www.ramseycounty.us/employees/employee-open-enrollment-2025-benefits
- Medical, dental and vision insurance
- The County contributes a bargained percentage to the medical and dental monthly premium
- Employees choose from four enrollment tiers: Single, Employee legally married spouse, Employee Child(ren), Family
- Blue Cross Blue Shield Medical insurance – three plan options including a High Deductible Plan with a Health Saving Account offered. Earn up to $20/month in electronic gift cards for each enrolled employee or spouse for wellness activity
- MetLife Dental Insurance – two plan options offered
- VSP Vision Insurance – Advantage Plan offered
- Pre-tax Benefit Program
- Pre-tax medical, dental, vision monthly premium deduction option
- Dependent and Health Care Flexible Spending Accounts
- County monthly contribution to a Health Savings Account for employees who elect the High Deductible medical plan
- Paid time off
- Vacation hours, accrued based on years of service, ranging from 12 to 25 days per year (pro-rated for part-time employees)
- 11 scheduled holidays and two floating holidays
- Up to eight weeks of 100% paid parental leave, plus additional use of sick time as noted below
- Sick hours accrued at a rate of three weeks per year, which can be used for medical and dental care; injury or illness for you, your spouse or children; the birth or adoption of a child (up to 80 hours) or the death of a family member (up to 40 hours)
- Wellness incentive allows conversion of unused sick time to vacation or pay
- Retirement benefits
- Pension - The county contributes at least 7.5% of your salary to your pension, depending on bargaining unit. Unlike other retirement investments, pension payments are a lifetime benefit once you start collecting payments
- New employees become vested after three years. For the Police and Fire union, employees are vested after 10 years
- Deferred compensation - 457(b) account with employer match
- Health Care Savings Plan - all benefits-eligible employees contribute 1% of gross regular salary to a Health Care Savings Plan account for eligible health care expenses after retirement. Interest accrues tax free. County provides a scheduled contribution after five years of participation
- Transit and parking
- Fully funded Metropass.
- Transportation/parking expenses reimbursement account
- Employee well-being
- Employee assistance program, including telephone counseling, financial counseling, rideshare benefits, etc.
- Wellness programming
- Flexible work policy with hybrid work options for eligible positions
- Life Insurance and Disability leave
- County provided Basic Life coverage - 1x annual salary, minimum $10,000 up to a maximum of $50,000. Optional supplemental coverage available
- Long-term Disability – County provided coverage replaces 40% of the employee’s lost income after six months of disability, subject to a $5,000 monthly maximum. Option to purchase an additional 20% income replacement up to $7,500 monthly maximum
- Short-term Disability – option to purchase 60% income replacement coverage with 30, 60 or 90-day waiting period
- Career development
- Tuition reimbursement, up to $4,000 per year
- Online professional development opportunities through the Learning & Development Center
- County employment qualifies as a public service organization for the Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program
- Employee resource groups – help employees build connections through common bonds with colleagues
For information about Ramsey County's 2025 benefits, visit: https://www.ramseycounty.us/employees/employee-open-enrollment-2025-benefits
Salary : $4,000
