Financial Analyst

Posting Type: Open competitive
Department: Finance
Hours: Full-time
Preferred Hiring Range: $62,963-$78,704
Salary Range: $62,963 - $98,380 (107 salary grade)
Location: Western Service Center, Apple Valley
Union: None
Close Date: 4:30 p.m. on May 21, 2025

The Financial Analyst position performs complex accounting and budget activities including cost accounting, maintenance of records, internal and external reporting, related to the development and delivery of projects within the Division's Capital Improvement Program by closely supporting program and project managers with financial elements of projects providing guidance and assistance for financial tracking, budgeting and other financial aspects of project management within the County ERP system. This involves a high level of decision making under minimal supervision.

The position will report to the Capital and Projects Manager in Finance, while working closely with the Physical Development Division.

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 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.

* Bachelor's Degree in Finance, Accounting, Business or a closely related field
OR
* Associates Degree AND Two years' experience working in financial, operation or procedural analysis, business or governmental accounting
OR
* An equivalent combination of education and experience to equal or exceed 4 years.

PREFERRED EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE BEYOND MINIMUM REQUIRED:
* Master's Degree in Accounting or in a related field
* Experience working in business, transit, transportation or governmental administration and financial analysis.

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. Assist, review and analyze current and proposed departmental budgets.
2. Prepare departmental budget and status reports including creating worksheets and graphs, for Divisional purposes.
3. Assist in analyzing various financial statements and reports as needed for internal management and external reporting purposes.
4. Enter and maintain information into Financial Systems and other databases; and is expected to assist in conducting complex fiscal, operational and management studies and analyses of various programs, operations and policies; assists various departments with efforts to reduce costs, increase efficiency and improve internal controls; and assist as may be needed with the preparation of the annual operating budget and any quarterly projections or spending updates.
5. Claim State and Federal funding aid reimbursement
6. Assist in the budget process through coordination with departments and implementation of budget assumptions and themes.
7. Assist Program and Project Managers through the tracking and management of budgets, including generating Budget to Actual reports and budget adjustments
8. Assist with the development and administration of project budgets in cooperation with the Division staff and other funding partners.
9. Assist in the preparation and review of financial documents and presentation materials for the County Board, Regional Railroad Authority, and other governmental units.
10. Work with Finance to calculate Fund Balances and future projections.
11. Provide technical assistance in areas of expertise; data exports, uploads and analysis, data filtering, report design, data cleansing and historical data merges
12. Assists in maintaining contacts throughout County government and external agencies to efficiently and effectively carry out the responsibilities of the position.
13. Project costs and revenues for assigned funds or accounts.
14. Assists in implementation of new software, upgrades, or interface designs.
15. Drafts software procedural documentation for the accounting system and sub modules currently in use, process descriptions, including internal control assessments and segregation of duties issues for role-based security, working with technical guidance provided from Finance.
16. Periodically reviews and updates appropriate sections of departmental policies and procedures, including creating forms and templates, as needed.

17. Performs other duties as assigned.

Essential Functions: 1-16

• Knowledge of current governmental fund accounting and report standards.
• Knowledge and understandings of various County Government Funding Sources (County-State Aid, Federal Highway Administration, Other Sources)
• Skill and ability to continuously upgrade usage of Microsoft Office Products, with fluency in Microsoft Excel.
• Knowledge of data management and project management methods and techniques.
• Knowledge of automated accounting systems particularly cloud-based ERP, such as Oracle ERP, and Ceridian Day Force and WFM.
• Basic knowledge of governmental accounting and the principles promulgated by the Government Accounting Standards Board (GASB), as applicable, as well as Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP).
• Ability to work independently with minimal direction while keeping others informed of project status and key concerns.
• Ability to lead meetings with departments and others.
• Ability to prioritize and perform multiple tasks based on deadlines and importance.
• Ability to adapt to changing work situations and requirements.
• Ability to interact well with all personal styles and motive others.
• Ability to communicate effectively both orally and in writing.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with others.
• Ability to maintain consistently high levels of productivity, accuracy, and organization.
• Ability to recognize and recommend needed process improvements.

Work Environment
The work is primarily stationary, although there is some movement and transporting 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.

Location & Schedule
This is a hybrid position that offers a mix of telework and in-person work at our Western Service Center. Work is performed Monday through Friday during regular business hours (8:00 a.m. to 5:00 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 and one floating holiday
• Pension with a generous employer contribution
• Ability to work from home some of the time

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 background and reference checks before hiring