Local Government Auditor Staff Specialist

State of Minnesota; Duluth (MN); Hybrid; USD 73,000 - 109,000; Full time

Job summary

State of Minnesota seeks a Local Government Auditor Staff Specialist in Duluth to support external audits of local governments, supervise staff, and ensure compliance with GAAP/GASB standards. The role emphasizes planning, reporting, and applying professional audit guidelines in a dynamic state setting.

The position requires leading audit projects, coaching staff, and coordinating with the Audit Practice Division, with travels up to 25% and a start mid-November 2026.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in accounting or master’s degree with accounting concentration.
• At least 2 years of lead worker or supervisory experience guiding professional audit staff.
• At least 2 years planning and performing audits of federal programs under Uniform Guidance.
• At least 2 years preparing audit reports, financial statements, and management letters.
• Knowledge of GAAP/GASB for local governments.
• Knowledge of GAAS/GAGAS for local governments.
• Knowledge of audits of federal awards (Uniform Guidance and OMB Compliance).

Responsibilities

• Leading in planning and reporting for external audits of local governments.
• Independently completing complex audit areas, including federal programs audits.
• Directing junior staff and reviewing audit documentation.

Skills

Leadership

GAAP knowledge

GAAS/GAGAS knowledge

Written communication

Uniform Guidance experience

Education

Bachelor’s degree in accounting or master’s degree with accounting concentration

Tools

Checkpoint

PPC

Job description

Working Title: Local Government Auditor Staff Specialist

Job Class: Local Government Auditor Staff Specialist

Agency: State Auditor

• Job ID : 97270

• Location : Duluth

• Telework Eligible : Yes

• Full/Part Time : Full-Time

• Regular/Temporary : Unlimited

• Who May Apply : Open to all qualified job seekers

• Date Posted : 9/28/2026

• Closing Date : 10/19/2026

• Hiring Agency/Seniority Unit : State Auditor / State Auditor-MAPE

• Division/Unit : Payroll Processing Unit / Audit Practice

• Work Shift/Work Hours : Day Shift

• Days of Work : Monday - Thursday or Monday - Friday

• Travel Required : Yes - Up to 25% of the time

• Salary Range: $35.30 - $52.35 / hourly; $73,706 - $109,306 / annually

• Classified Status : Classified

• Bargaining Unit/Union : 214 - MN Assoc of Professional Empl/MAPE

• FLSA Status : Exempt - Professional

• Designated in Connect 700 Program for Applicants with Disabilities (https://mn.gov/mmb/careers/diverse-workforce/people-with-disabilities/connect700/) : Yes

The work you'll do is more than just a job.

At the State of Minnesota, employees play a critical role in developing policies, providing essential services, and working to improve the well-being and quality of life for all Minnesotans. The State of Minnesota is committed to equity and inclusion, and invests in employees by providing benefits, support resources, and training and development opportunities.

The Office of the State Auditor (OSA) Audit Practice Division performs independent, external financial

and compliance audits of local governments.

This position is responsible for assisting in the audits of local governments by ensuring that

appropriate procedures are performed that are necessary to determine the reliability of clients’

financial statements and compliance with legal and regulatory requirements. The Local Government

Auditor Staff Specialist has primary responsibility for:

• Leading in the planning and reporting (including financial statements, note disclosures, andmanagement letters) for external audits of large, complex, and/or specialized localgovernments in accordance with professional standards;

• Independently and efficiently completing audit areas that are difficult or complex in nature,including audits of federal programs; and

• Directing less experienced auditors by providing guidance and coaching, as well as assigningaudit areas to staff and the subsequent review of audit documentation.

Interviews may be held in person in St. Paul or Duluth area.

Start date of approximately November 16, 2026, or after.

After an initial training period in the office, the LGA Staff Specialist is expected to report to the OSA's Duluth

office or an assigned client location a minimum of one day per week. Additional days in office may

be required during the training periods of future new hires in the auditing division.

Minimum Qualifications

To be considered, a candidate must have and Identify the number of years of experience listed in minimum qualifications and the specifics regarding your qualifications in your

application materials.

• A bachelor’s degree in accounting, or master’s degree with an accounting concentration,from an accredited institution;

• A minimum of two (2) years of progressively responsible lead worker and/or supervisoryexperience guiding professional audit staff, including reviewing audit documentationofother professional audit staff performing external financial and compliance audits of localgovernments;

• A minimum of two (2) years of experience planning and performing audits of federalprograms in accordance with Uniform Guidance;

• A minimum of two (2) years of experience preparing audit reports, financial statementdisclosures, and management letters in accordance with applicable standards;

• Knowledge of Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP/GASB Statements) for localgovernments;

• Knowledge of professional audit requirements (GAAS/GAGAS) for audits of localgovernments; and

• Knowledge of audit requirements for federal awards (including Uniform Guidance and OMBCompliance Supplement.

Preferred Qualifications

• Knowledge in the application of audit tools such as or similar to Checkpoint and PPC;

• Knowledge of Minnesota laws, court decisions, and attorney general opinions relating to local governmental agencies;

• Certified Public Accountant (CPA) with an active licensure;

• Two years of experience in external audits of large, complex, and /or specialized local governments;

• Considerable knowledge of GAAP/GASB Standards, GAAS, GAGAS, OMB Compliance Supplement, Uniform Guidance, and Legal Compliance Audit Guides relating to local governmental agencies; and

• Strong written communication skills.

Physical Requirements

Requires occasional transport of less than 10 pounds, along with the ability to move through work space and maintain a stationary position throughout the work day.

Additional Requirements

• Job offer is contingent upon candidate passing a job-related background check that mayinclude the following: reference checks to verify job-related credentials, a criminalbackground check and driver’s history check prior to appointment.

• Must be legally authorized to work in country of employment without sponsorship foremployment visa status (e.g. H1B status).

AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER

Minnesota State Colleges and Universities is an Equal Opportunity employer/educator committed to the principles of diversity. We prohibit discrimination against qualified individuals based on their race, sex, color, creed, religion, age, national origin, disability, protected veteran status, marital status, status with regard to public assistance, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, or membership in a local commission as defined by law. As an affirmative action employer, we actively seek and encourage applications from women, minorities, persons with disabilities, and individuals with protected veteran status.

Reasonable accommodations will be made to all qualified applicants with disabilities. If you are an individual with a disability who needs assistance or cannot access the online job application system, please contact the job information line at 651-259-3637 or email [e-mail] . Please indicate what assistance is needed.