Accounting Officer Principal - Principal Financial Advisor

About the Role

This position exists to provide in-depth budget and financial analysis for MN Department of Agriculture (MDA) funds, so agency leadership/management/staff are able make informed financial decisions and take action. This position helps ensure that the agency meets its obligations in managing federal, state, and other funds in a manner that is consistent with all applicable federal and state laws, regulations, and policies.

This position is required to develop expert level knowledge of the agency's budget to provide high-level analysis and expert advice on fiscal questions, review and monitor budgets for all MDA funds, prepare and interpret budget related reports, advise agency personnel on procedures, and coordinate fiscal year end closing requirements as it relates to all assigned agency funding.

This position also exists to prepare and maintain annual agency spending plans to ensure the most appropriate and efficient utilization of resources available to the agency, to assist agency staff in biennial budget preparation, coordinate fiscal year close, and reconcile agency revenue and expenditures. This position provides advanced level financial analysis and performs long range strategic planning.

Responsibilities

• Provide in-depth budget and financial analysis for MDA funds
• Develop expert level knowledge of the agency's budget
• Provide high-level analysis and expert advice on fiscal questions
• Review and monitor budgets for all MDA funds
• Prepare and interpret budget related reports
• Advise agency personnel on procedures
• Coordinate fiscal year end closing requirements as it relates to all assigned agency funding
• Prepare and maintain annual agency spending plans to ensure the most appropriate and efficient utilization of resources
• Assist agency staff in biennial budget preparation
• Reconcile agency revenue and expenditures
• Perform long range strategic planning

Minimum Qualifications

Three years of combined government finance or accounting experience in at least three of the following areas:

• Managing expenditure and revenue budgets
• Prepare and present budget documents
• Federal accounting, budgeting and reporting requirements
• Financial analysis
• Prepare complex financial reports

A degree in Accounting, Business, Finance or a Finance-related field may be substituted as follows: associate's degree – six months, bachelor's degree – one year, master's degree – 18 months.

Additional required experience includes:

• Skilled in presenting financial information using a variety of methods and other means of communicating policies and procedures
• Ability to interpret laws, rules and regulations, and direct staff to implement appropriate accounting procedures
• Organizational skills and the ability to identify and solve problems, advise others, handle multiple priorities, meet deadlines, and apply innovative approaches and opportunities for streamlining existing processes
• Skilled in interpersonal relationships to establish and maintain effective working relationships with staff, other state agencies, customers, public vendors and with officials of other governmental agencies
• Writing skills sufficient to prepare clear and comprehensive reports and procedures
• Highly proficient in Excel and strong experience with the Microsoft suite of products

Preferred Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Accounting, Business, Finance
• Knowledge of MDA's accounting structure
• Advanced knowledge of establishing and managing appropriations and budgets in various funds including Federal Funds
• Advanced ability to recognize complex accounting problems and design appropriate accounting solutions and to provide leadership and direction to program managers to deal with budget problems
• Experience with the state legislative process; MDA relevant state laws, statutes, rules, regulations and policies governing the use of state and federal funds
• Experience working with enterprise database systems such as the Statewide Integrated Financial Tools (SWIFT), Statewide Employee Management System (SEMA4) and OBIEE data warehouse
• Ability to instill continuous improvement ideas/practices

Benefits

As an employee, you'll have access to one of the most affordable health insurance plans in Minnesota, along with other benefits to help you and your family be well. Your benefits may include:

• Paid vacation and sick leave
• 12 paid holidays each year
• Low-cost medical, dental, vision, and prescription drug plans
• Fertility care, including IVF
• Diabetes care
• Dental and orthodontic care for adults and children
• 6 weeks paid leave for parents of newborn or newly adopted children
• Pension plan that provides income when you retire (after working at least three years)
• Employer paid life insurance to provide support for your family in the event of death
• Short-term and long-term disability insurance that can provide income if you are unable to work due to illness or injury
• Tax-free expense accounts for health, dental, and dependent care
• Resources that provide support and promote physical, emotional, social, and financial well-being
• Support to help you reach your career goals: Training, classes, and professional development
• Federal Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program (Some positions may qualify)
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP) for work/life support: A voluntary confidential program that helps employees and their families with life challenges that may impact overall health, personal well-being, or job performance
• Daily Living/Convenience Services: Chore services, home repair, trip planning, child/elder care

Programs, resources and benefits eligibility varies based on type of employment, agency, funding availability, union/collective bargaining agreement, location, and length of service with the State of Minnesota.