Salary : $74,430.00 - $104,118.00 Annually
Location : Willmar, MN
Job Type: Full-Time
Job Number:Department: Public Works
Opening Date: 11/13/2026
Closing Date: 11/27/2026 4:30 PM Central
Description The hiring range for this position is $74,430 - $83,242. The full range for this position is $74,430 - $104,118.
The Highway Accountant is responsible for overseeing the financial operations, payroll administration, accounting functions, and personnel recordkeeping for the Public Works Department. This position provides financial analysis and reporting, maintains governmental accounting records, coordinates payroll and employee benefit administration, manages inventory and cost accounting systems, and serves as a resource for departmental financial systems and technology. The Highway Accountant ensures compliance with governmental accounting standards, MnDOT State Aid requirements, County policies, and applicable federal and state regulations while supporting the efficient operation of the Public Works Department.
Job Duties - Prepares, processes, audits, and verifies biweekly payroll for Public Works employees while ensuring accurate payroll records, deductions, and compliance with applicable laws and policies.
- Maintains labor, equipment, payroll, and financial accounting records by posting, reconciling, balancing, and verifying transactions within computerized accounting systems.
- Maintains and reconciles the highway cost accounting system and ensures accurate integration with the County's financial management system.
- Maintains the General Ledger, Accounts Receivable Ledger, subsidiary ledgers, and other financial records while processing receipts, invoices, disbursements, and payments.
- Develops, maintains, and monitors inventory control systems, including establishing unit costs, reconciling physical inventories, and analyzing inventory activity.
- Prepare contract payment calculations, and construction cost accounting records.
- Compiles, analyzes, and prepares financial, statistical, tax, and annual reports for County, State, auditing, and regulatory agencies.
- Provides technical assistance and training to department staff regarding accounting procedures, financial systems, payroll processes, and computerized applications.
- Serves as a resource to other county highway departments and software vendors by providing technical guidance and assisting with system improvements and program enhancements.
- Processes workers' compensation injury reports, unemployment documentation, and maintains related confidential records.
- Develops, implements, and improves departmental accounting procedures, office processes, financial controls, inventory systems, and recordkeeping practices.
- Reviews financial documentation for accuracy and completeness prior to posting approved disbursements and other accounting transactions.
- Provides direction, guidance, and support to clerical staff performing delegated accounting and financial functions.
- Greets visitors, answer phone providing standard information or transfer calls to appropriate department.
- Performs other duties as assigned.
Qualifications - Bachelor's degree in Accounting or a closely related field;
- Two years of accounting experience;
- Experience with computerized accounting systems and financial software;
- Or an equivalent combination of education and experience sufficient to perform the essential functions of the position.
Supplemental Information Knowledge and Skills- Governmental and general accounting principles and practices, including financial reporting, payroll, budgeting, accounts payable and receivable, general ledger, cost accounting, inventory control, and internal controls.
- Applicable public sector accounting requirements, including MnDOT State Aid requirements, payroll taxes, employee benefits, workers' compensation, unemployment reporting, and County policies and procedures.
- Proficiency in computerized accounting systems, financial software, spreadsheets, and Microsoft Office applications.
- Skill in preparing, analyzing, reconciling, and maintaining accurate financial, payroll, and accounting records and reports.
- Ability to interpret and apply accounting principles, laws, regulations, policies, and procedures and to develop or improve accounting processes and controls.
- Strong analytical, problem-solving, organizational, and time-management skills, including the ability to manage multiple priorities and meet established deadlines.
- Ability to provide technical guidance and training to staff and effectively communicate financial and accounting information.
- Effective verbal and written communication and customer service skills when working with employees, vendors, auditors, government agencies, other departments, and the public.
Physical Requirements- Work is primarily performed in an office environment.
- Regular use of computers, calculators, telephones, printers, copiers, and other office equipment.
- Ability to sit for extended periods while performing computer and accounting work.
- Ability to frequently perform repetitive hand movements, keyboarding, and data entry.
- Ability to occasionally stand, walk, bend, reach, twist, and lift or carry materials weighing up to 50 pounds.
- Ability to read electronic and printed documents.
- Ability to communicate effectively with employees, vendors, auditors, government agencies, and the public.
- Regular working hours are typically Monday through Friday during normal County business hours, with occasional flexibility required to meet payroll, reporting, audit, or departmental deadlines.
Additional Information- Must possess a valid Minnesota Driver's License and maintain a clean driving record.
- Must pass a background check.
- Must be a U.S. citizen or legally authorized to work in the United States.
Kandiyohi County offers a complete benefits package to full-time employees including health, dental, vision, PERA retirement, 457(b) deferred compensation plan, flexible spending accounts, life insurance, long-term disability, holidays, vacation, and sick/ESST leave.
Part-time employees who work an average of 20 hours per week over the course of a year, receive benefits on a pro-rated basis.
01
Do you have a bachelor's degree (or higher) in accounting or a closely related field?
02
How many years of professional accounting experience do you have?
- 5+ years of experience
- 3 - 5 years of experience
- 1 - 3 years of experience
- Less than 1 year of experience
- No experience
03
How many years of experience do you have processing, reviewing, or reconciling payroll?
- 5+ years of experience
- 3 - 5 years of experience
- 1 - 3 years of experience
- Less than 1 year of experience
- No experience
04
How many years of experience do you have maintaining or reconciling general ledger, accounts payable, accounts receivable, or other financial accounting records?
- 5+ years of experience
- 3 - 5 years of experience
- 1 - 3 years of experience
- Less than 1 year of experience
- No experience
05
Do you have experience with governmental, public sector, fund, or cost accounting?
- 5+ years of experience
- 3 - 5 years of experience
- 1 - 3 years of experience
- Less than 1 year of experience
- No experirence
06
If you answered "Yes" to being a Veteran, please indicate whether you would like to claim Veteran's Preference Points:
- Yes - I am a qualified veteran who served during a qualifying wartime period.
- Yes - I am a disabled veteran with a 10% or higher disability rating.
- Yes - I am the spouse of a deceased veteran or the spouse of a disabled veteran who is unable to work due to their disability.
- No - I do not wish to claim Veteran's Preference Points.
07
If you selected "Yes" to the question above, please upload a copy of your DD214 as an attachment to this application. By initialing below, you confirm that you have uploaded this document.
Required Question
