Highway Accountant; Office Manager), Highway Department

Accounting And Budgeting Manager

Step into a key leadership role where your expertise in accounting and budgeting truly makes an impact. As the financial driving force of the County Highway Department, you'll guide a dedicated team, oversee essential fiscal operations, and shape the policies that keep our infrastructure projects moving forward. If you're a detail‑oriented problem‑solver who thrives on accountability and is committed to serving the public, apply to join our team today!

Stearns County derives strength from its workforce and provides a welcoming environment where all are respected and valued. County employees are provided a comprehensive benefit package, contributions to a Pension Plan, and generous time off. Please refer to our Benefits Overview.

Position Objective To provide leadership for and management of the accounting and administrative support staff. This position is responsible for developing and performing the accounting and budgeting functions, process payroll and maintain all financial records, accounts and fiscal transactions for the department.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities These examples do not include all possible responsibilities in this position and do not limit the assignment of related duties to this classification.

1. Directs and maintains the department's financial and cost accounting systems.

2. Directs employees involved with the input of expenditures and receipts into the Highway Department cost accounting system, County Finance system and the preparation of payroll for the department.

3. Develops, recommends, administers, and updates departmental policies and procedures affecting fiscal matters.

4. Monitors expenditures and revenues to accurately process all payments, receipts and payroll.

5. Insures proper processing of accounts payable and allocation of expenditures to the appropriate cost accounts.

6. Compiles infrastructure values and performs GASB-34 reporting.

7. Assists with preparation of the department budget, monitors budget performance, and recommends budget adjustments as necessary.

8. Supervises the overall contract management process, including tracking costs and receivables by funding source and processing payments to contractors.

9. Processes Federal and State contract grant requests and monitors/reconciles receivables of grants.

10. Oversees all financial reporting for the County Highway Department and governmental, contractual, and regulatory authorities.

11. Participates in employee selection, orientation, training, performance management and disciplinary actions.

12. Responsible for training and cross training staff on administrative/accounting functions.

13. Assists general public with obtaining permits.

14. Prepares invoices to municipalities for local participation on construction and/or maintenance projects including proper documentation for the charges.

15. Maintains effective working relationships with all applicable governmental, contracting and regulatory authorities.

16. Oversees inventories of materials and supplies in the department cost accounting system, reconciling all inventories with the financial system.

17. Reviews, reports and files fuel tax refund requests.

18. Implements the Department's p-Card program, ensuring all procedures are followed, purchases are authorized and proper support is obtained.

19. Oversees Department's IT needs in collaboration with Information Services and serves as the first-line troubleshooter for computer-related issues.

20. Ensures that all Department software is up-to-date, oversees the upgrade process for the Department with outside vendors and/or Information Services.

21. Attends work in a regular and timely manner.

22. Performs other duties as assigned or apparent.

Minimum Qualifications In order to be considered for this position, applicants must possess the following:

• Bachelor's Degree in accounting or related business field with accounting emphasis AND four years of accounting experience including one year supervising employees
• OR Associate's Degree in accounting or related business field with accounting emphasis AND eight years of experience including one year of supervising employees
• Experience using Microsoft Office Applications
• Reliable means of transportation to travel to multiple locations around Stearns County, some of which may not be accessible by public transportation

Desirable Knowledge,

Skills and Abilities

1. Knowledge of accounting theory, principles and practices.
2. Knowledge of principles of governmental accounting, including budget preparation and control measures.
3. Knowledge of principles of office management, including conflict resolution.
4. Knowledge of fiscal analysis methods.
5. Knowledge of State and Federal governmental fund accounting, auditing and reporting requirements.
6. Knowledge of automated accounting and internal audit trail procedures.
7. Ability to implement audit procedures.
8. Ability to perform difficult and complex accounting calculations and entries.
9. Ability to analyze, plan,…