Accountant III

City of Saint Paul, MN

$80K — $115K *
Legal & Accounting
5 - 7 years of experience
Job Overview by Ladders

Qualifications

  • Bachelor's degree in accounting, business administration, public administration, or related field (with accounting coursework)
  • 5+ years of accounting experience, including 2+ years in a supervisory role
  • Deep knowledge of GAAP and GASB standards
  • Experience in capital asset management within a governmental or utility setting
  • Proven leadership and team management skills

Responsibilities

  • Lead Accounts Payable support staff, overseeing workflow and training
  • Ensure timely and accurate processing of invoices and vendor payments
  • Oversee accurate payroll processing and compliance with laws
  • Manage complex accounting tasks according to standards
  • Prepare and review journal entries and financial reconciliations
  • Support annual audits and financial reporting
  • Develop and implement accounting policies to improve efficiency

Benefits

  • Health insurance
  • Vacation and holiday leave
  • Sick leave
  • Life insurance
  • Subsidized Metro Bus Pass
  • Retirement contributions
  • Deferred compensation options
  • Optional dental and disability insurance
Full Job Description
Salary : $80,745.60 - $115,772.80 Annually
Location : Saint Paul, MN
Job Type: Full Time
Job Number: 26-UNSP-01765A
Department: Saint Paul Regional Water Services
Opening Date: 08/04/2026
Closing Date: 8/24/2026 11:59 PM Central

About the Position
The City of Saint Paul Regional Water Services is seeking a skilled and experienced Accountant III to join our Finance team. This position plays a key leadership role in overseeing core accounting operations, including Accounts Payable and Payroll functions, while ensuring accurate financial reporting, compliance with governmental accounting standards, and effective stewardship of public resources.
Here's what you can expect to do:
  • Provide leadership to Accounts Payable support staff, including workflow oversight, training, and performance guidance.
  • Oversee the Accounts Payable function to ensure timely, accurate processing of invoices, vendor payments, and compliance with internal controls and policies.
  • Support Payroll staff and payroll operations, ensuring accurate payroll processing, reporting, and compliance with applicable laws and labor agreements.
  • Perform and oversee complex accounting activities in accordance with GAAP and GASB standards.
  • Prepare and review journal entries, reconciliations, and financial schedules.
  • Support annual financial reporting, audits, and compliance requirements.
  • Participate in developing, updating, and implementing accounting policies and procedures, including capital asset policies.
  • Identify and implement process improvements to enhance efficiency, accuracy, and internal controls.
  • Support a collaborative, mission-driven environment supporting essential public services.
  • Opportunity for continued professional growth in governmental and utility accounting.

The ideal candidate for this position will possess the following:
  • Deep technical accounting expertise with strong leadership.
  • Background in capital asset management within a governmental or utility environment.
  • Supporting capital projects and maintaining strong internal controls across financial operations.

For more information and essential functions, see our

Our Benefits: We offer competitive wages, and a variety of , including health insurance, retirement contributions and paid vacation and sick time.

Position Requirements
Bachelor's degree in accounting, business administration, public administration, or a related field to include 24 quarter credits or equivalent semester credits in accounting courses and five years of experience in accounting, at least two years of which must have been as an or equivalent. (No substitution for education.)

How to Apply

  1. Submit a City of Saint Paul online application by the closing date.
  2. Upload or submit the following required documents via the online application system. (Zip files and web links will not be accepted. Each uploaded attachment is limited to 10MB.)
    • A resume
    • A legible copy of your transcript (unofficial is acceptable)

First time applying online? Read our

Need technical support? For help with the online application, please call 1-855-524-5627.

Learn more about our Hiring Process
Open Job Posting: This posting is open to anyone who meets the position requirements.

Selection Process: Applicants who meet the minimum job requirements will be placed on a hiring list for consideration. Hiring Managers may interview/hire anyone from the list. You will be notified if you are invited to participate in the final selection process which may include an interview, job simulation, work sample submission, or other evaluation method.



Benefits vary with each position and the collective bargaining agreement. Benefits may include:

City Paid Benefits
  • Health Insurance
  • Vacation/Holidays
  • Sick Leave
  • Life Insurance
  • Subsidized Metro Bus Pass
  • Deferred Compensation
  • Retirement Program

Optional Benefits
  • Dental
  • Flexible Spending Accounts
  • Disability Insurance
  • Accidental Death and Dismemberment Insurance
  • Long Term Care Insurance

For a detailed overview, visit
01

The thorough completion of the supplemental questions is very important in the screening process. Therefore, a lack of detail and explanation in the supplemental questions and in your application, may result in failure or disqualification for this position. In addition, documentation of work experience referred to in the supplemental questions must be included in the application. Your education, training, and experience are subject to verification.I understand that giving false information, failure to accurately represent myself, or not providing required documentation as listed on the job announcement will result in disqualification from this position.
  • Yes

02

Do you possess a Bachelor's Degree or other advanced degree in accounting, business administration, public administration, or a related field (including 24 quarter credits or 16 semester credits in accounting courses)?
  • Yes
  • No

03

How many years of professional accounting experience do you possess?
  • One year but less than two years
  • Two years but less than three years
  • Three years but less than four years
  • Four years but less than five years
  • Five years or more
  • None of the above

04

In detail, describe your experience in governmental accounting, including fund accounting, GASB compliance, and financial reporting responsibilities.
05

In detail, describe a complex capital project you were responsible for capitalizing, including how costs were tracked, challenges encountered, and how the asset was placed into service.
06

In detail, describe your experience leading a team of accounting or support staff, including how you assigned work, monitored performance, and developed team members.
07

Which Microsoft Excel skills do you have professional experience using. (Check all that apply)
  • PivotTables & PivotCharts
  • Advanced formulas (INDEX/MATCH/XLOOKUP, SUMIFS, IFERROR)
  • Data validation and conditional formatting
  • Power Query / Get & Transform
  • Macros / VBA (basic automation)
  • What-If analysis (scenarios, data tables)
  • None of the above

08

RECRUITMENT: How did you first find your way to our website to apply for this position? (check all that apply)
  • City of Saint Paul website
  • City of Saint Paul employee
  • City of Saint Paul job interest card
  • City of Saint Paul walk-in
  • City of Saint Paul Posted! newsletter
  • City of Saint Paul Gov.Delivery notifications
  • Friend or family member
  • League of Minnesota Cities website
  • Governmentjobs.com website
  • LinkedIn
  • Facebook
  • X (formerly known as Twitter)
  • Indeed.com website
  • ZipRecruiter
  • Pollen website
  • MinnesotaWorks.net
  • College or University
  • Community organization
  • Job fair
  • Professional association
  • Saint Paul Elevate Session
  • People of Color Career Fair
  • Other

09

RECRUITMENT: If not indicated above, please specify where you heard about the position (e.g., specific organization/website name, City of Saint Paul employee name).
10

I am currently a Right Track Worker or have been employed by the City of Saint Paul as a Right Track Worker in the past.
  • Yes
  • No

Required Question

Similar Jobs

More Jobs at City of Saint Paul, MN

More Legal & Accounting Jobs

Find similar Accountant III jobs: