Job Description
Job description
Salary : $53,+25.00 - $84,258.00 Annually
Location : Hastings, MN
Job Type: Full-Time
Job Number: 2124.24.002
Department: Finance
Opening Date: 07/31/2026
Closing Date: 8/15/2026 4:30 PM Central
General Description
POSTING TYPE: Open Competitive
DEPARTMENT: Finance
HOURS: Full-time
PREFERRED HIRING RANGE: $53,+25- $67,406 /year
LOCATION: Administration Center, Hastings
UNION: None
CLOSE DATE: 4:30 p.m. on 8/15/2026
This position will perform broad or complex accounting activities, involving a moderate level of decision-making and responsibility within the Dakota County accounting system under relatively minimal supervision. Compiles financial information for internal review.
Responsible for auditing, reconciling and balancing accounts. Evaluates and makes decisions in the analysis of daily financial transactions and information under minimal supervision. Responsible for the preparation of financial reports used internally and externally. Manage data and documents, with independent authority to accept, modify or reject in accordance with State statutes and County policies.
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 excellent 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.
Minimum Qualifications
• Bachelor's Degree in Accounting, Finance, Business or a closely related field.
OR
• Associate's Degree in Accounting AND Two years accounting work experience.
OR
• Combination of education AND Accounting work experience to equal four years.
Duties & Responsibilities
General Accounting Duties:1. Maintain accounting and reporting systems using various methods such as Enterprise Resource Planning systems (ERP), spreadsheets, databases, etc.
2. Develop and prepare various financial reconciliations, statements, and reports as needed for internal management and external reporting purposes.
3. Establish and maintain moderately complex cash management/accounting procedures and processes.
4. Complete other duties as assigned.
ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS: Duties 1-3 are essential functions.
Audit Team Specific Duties:
• Prepares financial reports including Journal Entries and Trial Balance that account for all county revenues and disbursements.
• Prepare journal entries for regular reporting periods.
• Follow up with appropriate staff when information is missing.
• Assist with the preparation of the County's annual financial statement (ACFR).
• Complete other duties as assigned.
ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS: Duties 1-4 are essential functions.
Knowledge, Skills & Abilities and Work Environment
• Knowledge of generally accepted accounting principles and audit standards and practices.
• Knowledge of banking and investment practices.
• Knowledge of governmental accounting principles, procedures and record keeping.
• Considerable knowledge of analytical methods and problem solving.
• Knowledge of accounting systems, personal computers and related Microsoft Office Software including ability to create complex spreadsheets.
• Strong oral and written communication skills.
• Ability to analyze and interpret workflow and processes.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with customers and co-workers.
• Ability to prioritize work and meet deadlines with minimum supervision
• Ability to work 10-key pad and keyboard.
• Ability to perform several tasks at once.
• Ability to adapt to changing work situations.
WORK ENVIRONMENT: Work is performed in a County office building. Some travel is required. Lifting requirement of up to 20 pounds on an occasional basis. Equipment used may include, but is not limited to, computer, printer, telephone, calculator, copy and fax machines.
LOCATION & SCHEDULE: This is a hybrid position that offers a mix of telework and in-person work at our Administration Center in Hastings, MN. Work is performed Monday through Friday during regular business hours (8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.)
BENEFITS:
• Comprehensive and affordable medical, dental, vision, and other benefits
• Excellent work-life balance
• Generous paid time off (accrual rate starts at four weeks per year)
• Eleven paid holidays each year
• Pension with a generous employer contribution
Selection Process
• You submit an online application that includes supplemental questions
• We assign you a score based on your qualifications
• Top scoring candidates are referred to the hiring manager for interview consideration
• We conduct interviews and reference checks before extending an offer
• We extend an offer and conduct background checks
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 working environment where everyone can be their authentic selves.
Visit our Benefits site for more information.
01
• Applicants for this recruitment will be rated based on their answers to the supplemental questions listed below and application materials. It is IMPERATIVE that information provided on the application and resume are detailed and clearly outline your work experience & skills. They must also support and/or match answers to the supplemental questions.Please initial the box below to CONFIRM that the information provided is accurate and true to the best of your knowledge. Falsification may result in disqualification from consideration for this and subsequent recruitments with Dakota County for up to three years.
02
Please identify how you qualify for this position.
• Bachelor's Degree in Accounting, Finance, Business or a closely related field.
• Associate's Degree in Accounting AND Two years accounting and/or taxation work experience.
• A combination of related education AND accounting and/or taxation work experience to total 4 years.
• None of the above, I do not qualify for this position
03
If you have a completed degree, select your area of study from the list below.
• Accounting
• Finance
• Business or Business Administration
• Unrelated Degree
• No completed degree
04
Identify your total years of full-time Accounting work experience. Convert any part-time experience to full years (i.e. 20 hours week for 2 years equals 1 year full-time). Do not round up years of experience (i.e. 2.5 years would equal 2 years).
• Less than 1 year
• 1 year
• 2 years
• 3 years
• 4 years
• 5 years
• 6 years
• 7 years
• 8 years
• + years
• 10+ years
• No experience, but willing to gain related work experience.
05
Identify the industry(s) where you gained the Accounting work experience. (Check all that apply)
• City/ Local Government
• County Government
• State Government
• Federal Government
• Non-profit Agency
• School District
• Private Company/ Organization
• Other
• None of the Above
06
Indicate whether you have experience in the following areas? (Check all that apply)
• Develop and prepare financial reports for internal management and external reporting purposes
• Present financial information to non-financial staff and/or customers
• Facilitate group discussions and/or meetings
• Cost allocation
• No experience in the following areas.
07
Your response to this question will help Dakota County evaluate the effectiveness of recruitment sources for this specific position. You may have been asked this question in the Agency Wide Questions but we would ask you to please complete this question here as well. Please select the one source that most closely describes how you first learned about this opportunity.
• Dakota County Website
• Job Interest e-mails from Dakota County
• Careerbuilder
• College Website, Instructor, Career Services
• JobsInMinneapolis/StPaul
• League of Minnesota Cities
• MN Association of Counties
• Minnesota Council of Non-Profits
• Minnesota Works Website
• Monster
• InDeed
• Social Media (LinkedIn, Mad Mimi)
• Job Fair or Dakota County Event
• Professional Association Website
• I am a former employee of Dakota County
• Referred by A Dakota County Employee
• Friend, Family or Colleague
• Other
08
If you selected Other, please list the resource from which you heard about this job opening.
Required Question
Salary : $53,+25.00 - $84,258.00 Annually
Location : Hastings, MN
Job Type: Full-Time
Job Number: 2124.24.002
Department: Finance
Opening Date: 07/31/2026
Closing Date: 8/15/2026 4:30 PM Central
General Description
POSTING TYPE: Open Competitive
DEPARTMENT: Finance
HOURS: Full-time
PREFERRED HIRING RANGE: $53,+25- $67,406 /year
LOCATION: Administration Center, Hastings
UNION: None
CLOSE DATE: 4:30 p.m. on 8/15/2026
This position will perform broad or complex accounting activities, involving a moderate level of decision-making and responsibility within the Dakota County accounting system under relatively minimal supervision. Compiles financial information for internal review.
Responsible for auditing, reconciling and balancing accounts. Evaluates and makes decisions in the analysis of daily financial transactions and information under minimal supervision. Responsible for the preparation of financial reports used internally and externally. Manage data and documents, with independent authority to accept, modify or reject in accordance with State statutes and County policies.
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 excellent 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.
Minimum Qualifications
• Bachelor's Degree in Accounting, Finance, Business or a closely related field.
OR
• Associate's Degree in Accounting AND Two years accounting work experience.
OR
• Combination of education AND Accounting work experience to equal four years.
Duties & Responsibilities
General Accounting Duties:1. Maintain accounting and reporting systems using various methods such as Enterprise Resource Planning systems (ERP), spreadsheets, databases, etc.
2. Develop and prepare various financial reconciliations, statements, and reports as needed for internal management and external reporting purposes.
3. Establish and maintain moderately complex cash management/accounting procedures and processes.
4. Complete other duties as assigned.
ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS: Duties 1-3 are essential functions.
Audit Team Specific Duties:
• Prepares financial reports including Journal Entries and Trial Balance that account for all county revenues and disbursements.
• Prepare journal entries for regular reporting periods.
• Follow up with appropriate staff when information is missing.
• Assist with the preparation of the County's annual financial statement (ACFR).
• Complete other duties as assigned.
ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS: Duties 1-4 are essential functions.
Knowledge, Skills & Abilities and Work Environment
• Knowledge of generally accepted accounting principles and audit standards and practices.
• Knowledge of banking and investment practices.
• Knowledge of governmental accounting principles, procedures and record keeping.
• Considerable knowledge of analytical methods and problem solving.
• Knowledge of accounting systems, personal computers and related Microsoft Office Software including ability to create complex spreadsheets.
• Strong oral and written communication skills.
• Ability to analyze and interpret workflow and processes.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with customers and co-workers.
• Ability to prioritize work and meet deadlines with minimum supervision
• Ability to work 10-key pad and keyboard.
• Ability to perform several tasks at once.
• Ability to adapt to changing work situations.
WORK ENVIRONMENT: Work is performed in a County office building. Some travel is required. Lifting requirement of up to 20 pounds on an occasional basis. Equipment used may include, but is not limited to, computer, printer, telephone, calculator, copy and fax machines.
LOCATION & SCHEDULE: This is a hybrid position that offers a mix of telework and in-person work at our Administration Center in Hastings, MN. Work is performed Monday through Friday during regular business hours (8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.)
BENEFITS:
• Comprehensive and affordable medical, dental, vision, and other benefits
• Excellent work-life balance
• Generous paid time off (accrual rate starts at four weeks per year)
• Eleven paid holidays each year
• Pension with a generous employer contribution
Selection Process
• You submit an online application that includes supplemental questions
• We assign you a score based on your qualifications
• Top scoring candidates are referred to the hiring manager for interview consideration
• We conduct interviews and reference checks before extending an offer
• We extend an offer and conduct background checks
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 working environment where everyone can be their authentic selves.
Visit our Benefits site for more information.
01
• Applicants for this recruitment will be rated based on their answers to the supplemental questions listed below and application materials. It is IMPERATIVE that information provided on the application and resume are detailed and clearly outline your work experience & skills. They must also support and/or match answers to the supplemental questions.Please initial the box below to CONFIRM that the information provided is accurate and true to the best of your knowledge. Falsification may result in disqualification from consideration for this and subsequent recruitments with Dakota County for up to three years.
02
Please identify how you qualify for this position.
• Bachelor's Degree in Accounting, Finance, Business or a closely related field.
• Associate's Degree in Accounting AND Two years accounting and/or taxation work experience.
• A combination of related education AND accounting and/or taxation work experience to total 4 years.
• None of the above, I do not qualify for this position
03
If you have a completed degree, select your area of study from the list below.
• Accounting
• Finance
• Business or Business Administration
• Unrelated Degree
• No completed degree
04
Identify your total years of full-time Accounting work experience. Convert any part-time experience to full years (i.e. 20 hours week for 2 years equals 1 year full-time). Do not round up years of experience (i.e. 2.5 years would equal 2 years).
• Less than 1 year
• 1 year
• 2 years
• 3 years
• 4 years
• 5 years
• 6 years
• 7 years
• 8 years
• + years
• 10+ years
• No experience, but willing to gain related work experience.
05
Identify the industry(s) where you gained the Accounting work experience. (Check all that apply)
• City/ Local Government
• County Government
• State Government
• Federal Government
• Non-profit Agency
• School District
• Private Company/ Organization
• Other
• None of the Above
06
Indicate whether you have experience in the following areas? (Check all that apply)
• Develop and prepare financial reports for internal management and external reporting purposes
• Present financial information to non-financial staff and/or customers
• Facilitate group discussions and/or meetings
• Cost allocation
• No experience in the following areas.
07
Your response to this question will help Dakota County evaluate the effectiveness of recruitment sources for this specific position. You may have been asked this question in the Agency Wide Questions but we would ask you to please complete this question here as well. Please select the one source that most closely describes how you first learned about this opportunity.
• Dakota County Website
• Job Interest e-mails from Dakota County
• Careerbuilder
• College Website, Instructor, Career Services
• JobsInMinneapolis/StPaul
• League of Minnesota Cities
• MN Association of Counties
• Minnesota Council of Non-Profits
• Minnesota Works Website
• Monster
• InDeed
• Social Media (LinkedIn, Mad Mimi)
• Job Fair or Dakota County Event
• Professional Association Website
• I am a former employee of Dakota County
• Referred by A Dakota County Employee
• Friend, Family or Colleague
• Other
08
If you selected Other, please list the resource from which you heard about this job opening.
Required Question
💡 Quick Summary
Seeking a career-building opportunity? The Accountant position is now open for candidates interested in the Accountant Jobs sector. This role in Hastings offers a professional environment and growth potential.
Requirement Snapshot: Candidates should possess basic communication skills, a proactive attitude, and the ability to work in a team. Experience in Accountant Jobs is a plus.
