Chief Financial Officer

CLOSING DATE: 8/22/25

Interview Dates: Wednesday September 24th and Thursday September 25th, 2025. Subject to change to just 1 of those dates. 

Location: Carlton County Historic Court House

Healthcare Benefits:

• Family Health Insurance - Monthly Premium of $320.16
• Single Health Insurance – Premium paid in Full by Employer
• HEALTH INSURANCE DEDUCTIBLES COVERED IN FULL WITH A VEBA ACCOUNT FUNDED BY EMPLOYER

BASIC FUNCTIONS:

• Function as Chief Financial Officer and acting Auditor/Treasurer in his/her absence, with all authorities and responsibilities of the Auditor/Treasurer. Administer County Auditor/Treasurer functions as delegated. Supervise and direct professional staff in carrying out the duties and responsibilities of the Auditor/Treasurer and License Center departments. Oversee and execute departmental property tax, investment and cash management processes. Supervise all other departmental responsibilities. Perform special projects as assigned.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:
Auditor/Treasurer

• Function as acting Auditor/Treasurer or Chief Deputy Auditor/Treasurer in his/her absence, with all authorities and responsibilities described under Minnesota Statutes § 384-385.
• Assume Auditor/Treasurer responsibilities as delegated by Auditor/Treasurer, including statutory obligations of the department and county and special projects.
• Assist Auditor/Treasurer in the development of the department’s short-, mid- and long-term goals to include services, products and staffing.
• Act as Chief Elections Administrator for the County.

Supervision

• Provide direction and supervision to assigned Auditor/Treasurer department staff in accordance with Carlton County Personnel Policy and provisions of any applicable collective bargaining agreement(s).
• Assign and review work. Support, advise and provide guidance for departmental staff, especially in non-routine or complex transactions. Identify and resolve departmental issues and obstacles.
• Administer human resource policies and procedures in the Auditor/Treasurer and License Center departments, including position evaluation, hiring, staff evaluation, performance development, staff discipline and grievance resolution. Manage staff coverage, succession planning and organizational development.
• Direct the development, integration and implementation of departmental and countywide policies, procedures, standards and controls required by statute and regulation affecting property tax, accounting and payroll. Review, analyze and determine accuracy of existing departmental policies and procedures; ensure department is compliant with governing laws and regulations. Serve as Auditor/Treasurer’s designee on county policy committee.
• Prepare and review departmental instructions, directives, manuals and modifications of existing documents. Ensure departmental training and continuing education for policies, software applications, and legislation remains current.

Financial Management and Compliance

• Manage county investment portfolio, including analysis of cash flow and appropriate investments, purchasing, reconciliation and monthly and annual reporting.
• Supervise and evaluate cash management procedures, including electronic transfers, ensuring compliance with best practices and statutes.
• Prepare investment reports, banking confirmations and other requested information for annual countywide audit. Examine and confirm policies and procedures are in accordance with law and generally accepted accounting principles.
• Assist Auditor/Treasurer with annual county financial audit, including preparing and reviewing reports and documentation, providing requested information, and attending entrance, planning and exit conferences as directed.
• Provide fiscal oversight for various county grant programs by providing grant accounting expertise, IASB standards application, specialized reporting capability, and reconciliation services to grant administrators.
• Authorize contracts and approve payment of invoices for the Auditor/Treasurer department. Audit vouchers and payrolls, checking work of staff for accuracy and passing upon legality of payment.
• Assist Auditor/Treasurer with negotiation, implementation, and performance of departmental contracts for goods and services; review departmental Requests for Proposal (RFP) for goods and services as requested.
• Serve as Extension liaison and attend meetings.
• Provide the County Board and Administrator with detailed financial analysis to aid in development of county policy.
• Coordinates the completion of the annual audit with the Office of the State Auditor and/or contracted audit firm.
• Provides support and financial knowledge to department heads.
• Oversees the process for payment of purchases made in all county departments and ensures that all legal policies and regulations have been followed and that all purchases are charged to the proper account.
• Manages the fixed asset inventory system and depreciation to meet all GASB requirements.
• Provides the overall administration and management direction for the daily financial affairs of the County.
• Serves as the Minnesota Government Data Practices Act, Auditor’s Office, Responsible Authority designee. Appropriately responds to requests for government data. Maintains department data in accordance with records retention schedules.

Property Tax

• Supervise, coordinate and trouble-shoot Auditor/Treasurer functions of electronic property tax system. Act as liaison for property tax software provider. Coordinate ongoing staff training.
• Administers processes for foreclosures, land sales, repurchases, leases, timber sales, conveyances and compliance on a variety of court orders, rulings, and subpoenas related to taxation.
• Collaborates with Land Commissioner to analyze tax-forfeited properties to determine proper treatment of sales proceeds in accordance with applicable Minnesota statutes and current case law.

Elections

• Administer, direct and oversee all aspects of federal, state and local election activities for all registered voters with Carlton County in accordance with Minnesota Statutes § 200-212, including: statutory and MN Department of State compliance; planning and execution; directing staff in the maintenance and operation of data systems, use of materials and equipment, training, absentee and mail ballot processes, post-election and recount processes, and interactions with the public.
• Serve as election judge, including responding to voter questions, registration and verification.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:
Education and Experience:

• Four (4) year degree in accounting, business administration, economics, or related field.
• Seven (7) years full-time work experience in a related field, with five (5) years full-time supervisory experience. Governmental accounting experience preferred.
• Or an equivalent combination of education and experience sufficient to perform the essential functions of the job.

Training Required:

• State of Minnesota election administration and election judge training completed within one (1) year from date of hire and maintained per State requirements. Complete Minnesota Government Finance Officers Association (MnGFOA) Mentor Program.

Certificates/Licenses Required:

• Certified Public Accountant (CPA), Certified Management Accountant (CMA), or Certified Internal Auditor (CIA)
• Minnesota State tax calculation certificate obtained within one (1) year from date of hire.
• Must be bondable and insurable due to cash-handling.
• Must possess and maintain a valid driver’s license and proof of personal vehicle insurance.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES REQUIRED:

• Expert knowledge of principles and practices of general, fund and governmental accounting; GAAP; GASB standards and pronouncements; COFARS; financial reporting; auditing, budgeting, payroll, and fiscal management best practices and procedures.
• Knowledge of applicable computer software systems related to payroll, budgets, accounting, finance, elections, land records, and taxation.
• Expert knowledge of federal, state and local laws, codes and regulations governing the management of public funds, financial reporting, payroll, employee benefits, and county budget development and administration.
• Knowledge of state property tax and levy laws.
• Knowledge of federal and state election laws and activities.
• Knowledge of the political and organizational structure of Carlton County government.
• Knowledge of the mission, strategic direction, policies and procedures of Carlton County.
• Knowledge of county funding sources and revenue streams.
• Considerable skill in complex financial research, analysis, forecasting, and reporting.
• Strong public relations and customer service skills to deal with the public, resolve issues, effectively manage difficult customers, and to explain laws and departmental operations and rules.
• Strong computer skills, including Microsoft Office Suite, property tax systems, enterprise-wide accounting systems, and departmental software applications.
• Ability to interpret applicable rules, laws, policies and contracts and to apply them correctly in a variety of situations.
• Ability to develop creative alternative strategies and solutions to financial and managerial issues.
• Ability to administer complex financial computer systems, budgets and programs.
• Ability to maintain confidential information in accordance with legal standards and/or county regulations.
• Ability to complete multiple priority projects with strict, conflicting deadlines.
• Advanced ability to effectively supervise, motivate, evaluate and coach staff, including ability to prioritize, coordinate, delegate, and manage employees’ work; to identify, evaluate, problem solve, and give direction regarding assigned tasks; to establish and maintain specific work goals, objectives or work standards to be achieved by staff.
• Advanced ability to develop and maintain effective working relationships with elected officials and the County Coordinator, County Auditor/Treasurer, department heads and supervisors, financial officers from other jurisdictions, co-workers and the general public.
• Advanced ability to communicate effectively both orally and in writing, one-on-one or in a group setting, with people of varying levels of financial knowledge.
• Ability to resolve conflicts and respond appropriately to complaints in situations of extreme stress.
• Ability to research and prepare appropriate correspondence, as well as policies, procedures, memorandums, reports and presentation.
• Ability to interpret and apply collective bargaining agreements.