Financial Analyst

Dakota County, Minnesota; Hastings (MN); On-site; USD 66,000 - 103,000; Full time

Job summary

Dakota County in Hastings, MN seeks a Financial Analyst to prepare, analyze, and maintain financial information, supporting internal and external reporting and contributing to financial systems and policies. The role requires accounting/financial analysis skills and collaboration across departments.

The position entails complex accounting work, budgetary analysis, and ensuring compliance with GASB standards, with opportunities to influence financial processes and controls in a county-wide

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree as listed and 1 year of professional experience in auditing, governmental accounting, or financial analysis
• Equivalent combination of education and experience to total 5 years
• Knowledge of current governmental fund accounting and reporting standards
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office and ability to expand software skills
• Strong communication and financial analysis skills

Responsibilities

• Analyze financial performance and trends for assigned departments or funds.
• Meet with departments to discuss fiscal matters and provide recommendations.
• Research financial information related to departmental operations or programs.
• Develop financial statements and reports for internal management and external reporting.
• Prepare and process accounting transactions, including input preparation, approvals, and output review.
• Develop and maintain accounting systems, including chart of accounts and internal controls.
• Project costs and revenues for assigned funds or accounts.
• Perform other accounting and financial analysis tasks as assigned.
• Support internal audit activities and identify potential control or compliance issues.
• Assist with external compliance reviews.
• Prepare year-end reconciliations, calculations, and journal entries with minimal supervision.
• Prepare assigned worksheets annually and identify process improvements.
• Prepare backup information to support annual financial statement work and explain to auditors.
• Communicate with audit unit staff and county auditors during the audit process.
• Attend trainings and stay current with GASB standards and single audit requirements.

Skills

Strong communication

Financial analysis

Lead meetings

Multitask management

Education

Bachelor's degree in accounting/finance/business administration/public administration or related field

5 years total experience (education + experience)

Tools

Microsoft Office

Job description

POSITION TYPE: Open Competitive

DEPARTMENT: Finance

HOURS: Full-time

LOCATION: Hastings, MN

UNION: None

ANTICIPATED HIRING RANGE: $65,638- $82,048 (Grade 107)

FULL SALARY RANGE: $65,638-$102,560

CLOSE DATE: 4:30 pm on 11/23/2026

The Financial Analyst is responsible for preparing, analyzing, and maintaining a variety of financial information and reports. This role supports internal and external reporting requirements, serves as a fiscal liaison with departments across the organization, and contributes to the development and improvement of financial systems and policies. The position performs complex accounting work and financial analysis requiring a high level of decision-making under minimal supervision.

Who We Are

Dakota County is Minnesota’s third largest county and home to more than 400,000 residents. 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.

• Bachelor’s degree in accounting, finance, business administration, public administration, or a closely related field AND one year of professional experience in auditing, governmental accounting, or financial analysis

OR

An equivalent combination of education and experience to total 5 years.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS BEYOND MINIMUM REQUIRED

• External or internal audit experience
• CPA License or CPA candidate
• Masters degree

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.

Financial Analyst General Responsibilities

1. Analyze financial performance and trends for assigned departments or funds.
2. Meet with departments to discuss fiscal matters and provide recommendations.
3. Research financial information related to departmental operations or programs.
4. Develop financial statements and reports for internal management and external reporting.
5. Prepare and process accounting transactions, including input preparation, approvals, and output review.
6. Develop and maintain accounting systems, including chart of accounts and internal controls.
7. Project costs and revenues for assigned funds or accounts.
8. Perform other accounting and financial analysis tasks as assigned.

Audit Unit Specific Responsibilities

1. Support internal audit activities, including being able to independently identify potential control or compliance issues.
2. Assist with external compliance reviews.
3. Assist with the development and maintenance of the general ledger module, including the chart of accounts and the related internal controls, policies, and procedures.
4. Prepare certain year-end reconciliations, calculations, and journal entries with minimal supervision required.
5. Assist in preparing assigned audit areas, reconciliations, and financial statement schedules and notes as part of the Annual Comprehensive Financial Report according to Governmental Accounting Standards Board (GASB) standards and timelines.
   1. Assist the audit unit team with developing year-end transactions such as receivables, payables, deferrals, and carryovers and ensure that they are completed on time according to the established timeline.
   2. Prepare assigned worksheets annually according to department standards to ensure accuracy and completeness as well as to identify and make recommendations for enhancing the process or products - articulate the recommendations to other staff for implementation.
   3. Prepare back-up information to support all annual financial statement work within your area of responsibility and be prepared to independently explain to the County's auditors accurately and efficiently.
   4. Communicate with other audit unit staff, departments, and the County's auditors during the audit process to fulfil auditor requests and questions while utilizing appropriate customer service skills.
6. Prepare and analyze certain grant reports and grant audits.
7. Complete the initial review and post general ledger journal entries for the audit unit manager or lead to review and approve.
8. Attend trainings and review updated guidance to maintain knowledge of current Governmental Accounting Standards Board (GASB) accounting and reporting standards as well as MN Office of the State Auditor’s County Audit Guide and Single Audit requirements.

• Knowledge of current governmental fund accounting and report standards.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office products and ability to expand software skills.
• Strong communication skills, both oral and written.
• Strong financial analysis skills, including the ability to interpret complex financial data and identify trends, variances, and potential risks.
• Ability to independently perform analytical reviews, reconciliations, and evaluations of financial information with minimal supervision.
• Ability to lead meetings and collaborate with departments.
• Ability to manage multiple tasks and meet deadlines.
• Ability to adapt to changing work environments and requirements.
• Ability to establish effective working relationships.

WORK ENVIRONMENT

The work is primarily sedentary, although there is some walking, travel, and carrying of lightweight items such as briefcases, notebooks, and work papers. The work is typically performed in an adequately lighted and climate-controlled office. May require occasional travel.

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.