Basic Function

The current vacancy are in the Finance department. The eligibility list created by this vacancy may be used to hire other vacancies in the department or County.
To audit and process bills and claims, post transactions, and balance and reconcile accounts in order to issue and receive payments and maintain appropriate accounting and bookkeeping records relating to county-wide or departmental accounting activities; to assist in assembling and analyzing data and budget information; to process personnel and payroll transactions; and to perform related duties as assigned. (This is the journey-level in this class series. It differs from Account Specialist 1 in that previous account specialist experience enables employees to perform complex tasks and requires more independent actions.)
Flexible Workplace
This position is identified under the designation of ‘flex work eligible’, meaning that the employee can formally opt to be in-office full-time or work a flex schedule in which at least two-days per week are performed in office and other days can be performed in a remote-first environment. Regardless of selection, the position carries expectations regarding on-site responsibilities and will require schedule flexibility beyond the minimum expectations set forth in the county’s flexible workplace policy. To view Ramsey County’s Flexible Workplace policy, go to: Flexible Workplace policy.
If an internal candidate is selected, salary will be set in accordance with the personnel rules (i.e., promotion, transfer, or voluntary reduction).

Examples of Work Performed

• Audit bills, claims and related documents by recalculating and reviewing them to ensure accuracy of transactions and conformance with relevant payment conditions.
• Maintain general, control and subsidiary books of account by posting and monitoring transactions, distributing charges and calculating encumbrances.
• Balance accounts by computing totals and comparing results to external controls in order to ensure accuracy of accounts and to identify discrepancies.
• Reconcile account discrepancies by identifying errors, tracing errors to their sources, obtaining correct data and entering corrections.
• Prepare payment documents such as accounts payable forms, purchase orders, requisitions, claims, and similar items to initiate payments.
• Create accounts receivable documents for billable items by calculating rates, collecting and compiling data and preparing invoices.
• Prepare periodic reports to document transactions and budget conditions.
• Assemble information to assist in making cost projections and summarizing financial and statistical activity for use in budget preparation and other reports.
• Research costs for planned purchases by contacting potential vendors and analyzing information in terms of best cost/benefit outcome.
• Prepare documents as needed for personnel and payroll transactions affecting departmental staff; assist in the coordination of insurance benefits for department employees.
• Maintain supplies of frequently used documents by monitoring their use and arranging for orders.
• Operate a computer in a Microsoft Office environment or other related equipment, scanner, copier, calculator and telephone equipment in connection with account maintenance activities.
• Compose correspondence such as emails, letters, reports and certifications in response to requests from the public and other county employees.
• Provide requested account information as appropriate.

Minimum Qualifications

Education: High school graduation or equivalent.
Experience: Three years of accounting/bookkeeping experience.
Substitution: Graduation from a recognized 2-year Accounting /Bookkeeping program may substitute for two of the three years of experience required. A Bachelor's Degree in Accounting/Bookkeeping or a related field may substitute for the three-year experience requirement. However, a minimum of six months in the Account Specialist 1 classification or the equivalent will be required prior to being able to career develop to the Account Specialist 2 classification.
Certifications/Licensure: None.

Exam/Screening Process Information

The examination process will consist of the following section with each section weighted as indicated:

• Training and Experience Rating = 100%

Ramsey County provides a wide range of employee benefits to support health, well-being, and work/life balance. Benefits eligibility can vary depending on union status/contract language. A summary of benefits is provided below. Detailed information is available for review at https://www.ramseycounty.us/employees/employee-open-enrollment-2024-benefits

• Medical, dental and vision insurance
  • The County contributes a bargained percentage to the medical and dental monthly premium
  • Employees choose from four enrollment tiers: Single, Employee legally married spouse, Employee Child(ren), Family
  • Blue Cross Blue Shield Medical insurance – three plan options including a High Deductible Plan with a Health Saving Account offered. Earn up to $20/month in electronic gift cards for each enrolled employee or spouse for wellness activity
  • MetLife Dental Insurance – two plan options offered
  • VSP Vision Insurance – Advantage Plan offered

• Pre-tax Benefit Program
  • Pre-tax medical, dental, vision monthly premium deduction option
  • Dependent and Health Care Flexible Spending Accounts
  • County monthly contribution to a Health Savings Account for employees who elect the High Deductible medical plan

• Paid time off
  • Vacation hours, accrued based on years of service, ranging from 12 to 25 days per year (pro-rated for part-time employees)
  • 11 scheduled holidays and one floating holiday
  • Up to three weeks of 100% paid parental leave, plus additional use of sick time as noted below
  • Sick hours accrued at a rate of three weeks per year, which can be used for medical and dental care; injury or illness for you, your spouse or children; the birth or adoption of a child (up to 80 hours) or the death of a family member (up to 40 hours)
  • Wellness incentive allows conversion of unused sick time to vacation or pay

• Retirement benefits
  • Pension - The county contributes at least 7.5% of your salary to your pension, depending on bargaining unit. Unlike other retirement investments, pension payments are a lifetime benefit once you start collecting payments
  • New employees become vested after five years. For the Police and Fire union, employees are vested after 10 years
  • Deferred compensation - 457(b) account with employer match
  • Health Care Savings Plan - all benefits-eligible employees contribute 1% of gross regular salary to a Health Care Savings Plan account for eligible health care expenses after retirement. Interest accrues tax free. County provides a scheduled contribution after five years of participation

• Transit and parking
  • Fully funded Metropass.
  • Transportation/parking expenses reimbursement account

• Employee well-being
  • Employee assistance program, including telephone counseling, financial counseling, rideshare benefits, etc.
  • Wellness programming
  • Flexible work policy with hybrid work options for eligible positions

• Life Insurance and Disability leave
  • County provided Basic Life coverage - 1x annual salary, minimum $10,000 up to a maximum of $50,000. Optional supplemental coverage available
  • Long-term Disability – County provided coverage replaces 40% of the employee’s lost income after six months of disability, subject to a $5,000 monthly maximum. Option to purchase an additional 20% income replacement up to $7,500 monthly maximum
  • Short-term Disability – option to purchase 60% income replacement coverage with 30, 60 or 90-day waiting period

• Career development
  • Tuition reimbursement, up to $4,000 per year
  • Online professional development opportunities through the Learning & Development Center
  • County employment qualifies as a public service organization for the Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program
  • Employee resource groups – help employees build connections through common bonds with colleagues