Accounting Officer Principal - Principal Financial Advisor

Overview

Working Title: Principal Financial Advisor

Job Class: Accounting Officer Principal

Agency: Minnesota Department of Agriculture

• Job
• Location:
  
  St. Paul
• Telework Eligible:
  Yes
• Full/Part Time:
  Full-Time
• Regular/Temporary:
  Unlimited

• Who May Apply:
  This vacancy is open to bidders and to all qualified job seekers. Bidders will be considered through 01/20/2026.
• Date Posted: 01/13/2026
• Closing Date: 01/27/2026
• Hiring Agency/Seniority Unit:
  Minnesota Department of Agriculture
• Division/Unit:
  Finance and Budget Division / Accounting Unit
• Work Shift/
  
  Work Hours:
  
  8:00 - 4:30
• Days of Work:
  Monday - Friday
• Travel Required:
  
  No
• Salary Range: $32.40 - $47.76 hourly; $67,651 - $99,722 annually
• Classified Status:
  Classified
• Bargaining Unit/Union: 214 - Minnesota Association of Professional Employees (MAPE)
• FLSA Status:
  Exempt - Administrative

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 improving the well-being and quality of life for all Minnesotans. The State is committed to equity and inclusion, and invests in employees by providing benefits, support resources, and training and development opportunities.

This position exists to provide in-depth budget and financial analysis for MN Department of Agriculture (MDA) funds, so agency leadership/management/staff can make informed financial decisions and take action. The role helps ensure that the agency meets its obligations in managing federal, state, and other funds in a manner consistent with all applicable federal and state laws, regulations, and policies.

The position is expected to develop expert level knowledge of the agency’s budget to provide high-level analysis and expert advice on fiscal questions, review and monitor budgets for all MDA funds, prepare and interpret budget-related reports, advise agency personnel on procedures, and coordinate fiscal year end closing requirements as they relate to all assigned agency funding.

It also exists to prepare and maintain annual agency spending plans to ensure the most appropriate and efficient utilization of resources, assist agency staff in biennial budget preparation, coordinate fiscal year close, and reconcile agency revenue and expenditures. This role provides advanced level financial analysis and performs long-range strategic planning.

This position is located in St. Paul and may be eligible to telework up to 50% of scheduled work hours.

To facilitate proper years of service crediting, please ensure that your resume clearly describes your experience in the areas listed and indicates the beginning and ending month and year for each job held.

Three years of combined government finance or accounting experience in at least three of the following areas:

• Managing expenditure and revenue budgets
• Preparing and presenting budget documents
• Federal accounting, budgeting and reporting requirements
• Financial analysis
• Preparing complex financial reports

A degree in Accounting, Business, Finance or a Finance-related field may be substituted as follows: associate’s degree – six months, bachelor’s degree – one year, master’s degree – 18 months.

Additional required experience includes:

• Skilled in presenting financial information using a variety of methods and other means of communicating policies and procedures.
• Ability to interpret laws, rules and regulations, and direct staff to implement appropriate accounting procedures.
• Organizational skills and the ability to identify and solve problems, advise others, handle multiple priorities, meet deadlines, and apply innovative approaches and opportunities for streamlining existing processes.
• Skilled in interpersonal relationships to establish and maintain effective working relationships with staff, other state agencies, customers, public vendors and officials of other governmental agencies.
• Writing skills sufficient to prepare clear and comprehensive reports and procedures.
• Highly proficient in Excel and strong experience with the Microsoft suite of products.

• Bachelor’s degree in Accounting, Business, Finance.
• Knowledge of MDA’s…