What are the responsibilities and job description for the Accounting Technician - Freeborn County position at Minnesota Merit System?
Freeborn County Accounting Technician: The DHS Accounting Specialist Sr. performs a variety of accounting procedures and bookkeeping duties under the DHS Accounting Supervisor and Finance Manager. This position maintains the Social Welfare Fund, Agency Collection System, and Revenue Recapture information for auditing purposes. In addition, this position performs accounts payable, billing, and accounts receivable functions for all Human Services areas.• Completes reports to the state, including reports required for federal and state administrative reimbursement.
• Designs, prepares and maintains spreadsheets using basic arithmetic calculations.
• Responds to questions from vendors.
• Provides information to other employees and/or the general public. Investigates errors or problems in the processing of fiscal transactions and recommends changes in procedures.
• Inputs, updates and/or retrieves accounting data from computer systems.
• Performs data entry for billings and vouchers according to specific instructions.
• Proofreads and corrects accounts, bills, checks, vouchers or charges for accuracy and completeness of information and prepares entries to correct errors found.
• Reads, understands and applies current accounting guidelines, system updates and revisions, and policy changes.
• Posts financial data to appropriate accounts.
• Reconciles monthly statements from vendors and issues warrants to vendors.
• Codes and records all receipts and disbursements of various funds. Monitors expenditures according to state, federal, and county regulations and guidelines.
• Compiles monthly summaries of abstract, statistical reports and other monthly or quarterly reports.
• Monitors agency employee time sheets and prepares payroll abstract.
• Maintains employee attendance records.
• Reconciles payment records between states and for affidavits.
• Maintains agency personnel files.
• Issues new and replacement benefit cards.
• Work with other departments in collection of debts owed to the county.
• Manually files and/or removes records and reports according to instructions.
• Operates standard office equipment.
• Provides assistance to supervisor in the preparation of the budget.
• Serves as a liaison with the county's data processing department.
Merit System Minimum Qualifications
High school degree, or the equivalent, and in addition, either:
1) two (2) years of experience involving clerical work and accounting/bookkeeping;
or
2) completion of (2) two years of accredited college coursework, vocational school, or business school training in accounting or related fields may substitute on a year-for-year basis for the experience involving a combination of clerical and bookkeeping responsibilities.
Education and Experience
• Requires a four-year post high school degree in related field.
• Three years of relevant work experience.
• Or an equivalent combination of education, training and experience.
Licenses/Certifications
This position will require the acquisition and maintenance of the following additional licenses/certificates:
• Data Practices and Security Training.
• DHS Accounting Training.
• MEC2 Training
ONLINE EXAM PROCESS
In order to be considered for this job, you must take and pass an examination, which is offered online. The examination consists of five (5) sections measuring math and accounting skills. After your Merit System application has been submitted, you will be sent an e mail with a unique link to access the examination sections. Set aside enough time (over an hour) to take this examination in its entirety (in one sitting). If you click out of a section before completing it - it will score the unanswered questions as "0s" zeros and you will not be given credit.
IMPORTANT INFORMATION:
You will have a limited number of days from the date you submitted your application to complete the exam. However, please note that you are applying for a specific county vacancy and you do need to test by Monday August 3rd, 2026 (midnight).
Please allow at least one hour in order to take the exam and all 5 sections in its entirety as required.
If a passing score is obtained, your score will remain on the eligible list up to one year (or until you are hired into a permanent position). You will not need to re-take this online examination if you have obtained a passing score of at least 70. If you have any changes to your application, such as updating your availability, please notify the Merit System directly.
NOTE: There are two (2) steps to this application process:
1) Apply at this link here: 662-Online - Accounting Technician - Online Exam
AND ALSO
2) Complete an online Freeborn County application by the July 31st 2026 closing date.
Equal Opportunity and Affirmative Action Employer
Salary : $4,663 - $6,217