Accounting Assistant

Accounting Assistant

The Dane County Highway and Transportation Department is recruiting for a full-time (1.0 FTE) Accounting Assistant position. This position is fully in-person at their 2302 Fish Hatchery Road location in Madison, Wisconsin. Office hours are 6:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., Monday through Thursday, from April through October; and 7:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m., Monday through Friday, from November through March. The Eligibility List created from this posting may be used for future vacancies within the next six (6) months. Note to applicants – for the 2026 budget year, there is a 1% reduction in wages (this is already reflected in the hourly wage above), an additional 21 holiday hours, and continued earning of longevity and merit steps.

Commitment to Equity and Inclusion

As an employer, we strive to provide a work environment where diversity and differing opinions are valued, creativity is encouraged, continuous learning and improvement are fostered, teamwork and open/honest communication are encouraged, and meeting customer needs through quality service is a shared goal. All employees must be able to demonstrate multicultural competence – the awareness, knowledge, and skills needed to work with others who are culturally different from self in meaningful, relevant, and productive ways. Applicants from traditionally underrepresented populations including women, racial and ethnic minorities, and persons with disabilities are especially encouraged to apply.

Definition

Under general supervision, performs paraprofessional accounting and lead work duties and other work as assigned.

Examples of Duties

Performs lead paraprofessional accounting work. May be responsible for lead work functions over Account Clerk support personnel. Monitors workflow and work assignment. Performs work requiring initiative and judgment in the application of generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP). Applies initiative and judgment in the application of management information techniques and handles both specific and significant accounting functions. Assists in the development of data and data gathering systems used in program evaluation, budgets and related reports. Assists in the maintenance of complex financial and statistical records. Analyzes for administrative review, specific program expenditures and revenues and prepares related reports. Serves as a resource to other staff in analyzing different applications for financial assistance. May review and assist in the preparation of agency financial and statistical records. May perform the routine aspects of program and contract audits. May attend meetings with state and county staff. May provide assistance to other members of the unit. May complete paraprofessional accounting necessary to maintain the accuracy and integrity of financial and accounting records. May be responsible for the general ledger, account reconciliation and preparation of financial statements. Performs related work as required.

Alliant Energy Center (AEC): In addition to the above-mentioned examples, the Alliant Energy Center maintains an accrual based, detailed general ledger with accounts receivable and deposit software modules. Dane County maintains a control account on a cash basis. These two accounting systems are reconciled monthly. This position also prepares job costing for events.

Badger Prairie Health Care Center (BPHCC): In addition to the above-mentioned examples, coordinates the billing process and serves as the facility resource for Medicare, Medicaid and other commercial insurance eligibility.

Dane County Sheriff's Office (DCSO) Security Services: In addition to the above-mentioned examples, provides maintenance and support of the resident tablet and phone software systems, as well as provides procedural documentation and training for staff, law enforcement agencies and other professionals.

Highway & Transportation: In addition to the above-mentioned examples, the Highway Department is required to follow the Wisconsin Department of Transportation Uniform Cost Accounting System. The position processes a high volume of cost accounting transactions and supports multiple systems of high value inventories, equipment, capital projects and contract payments.

Education, Training and Experience

Any combination of education, training and/or experience equivalent to an Associate's degree in accounting from an accredited college and one (1) year of experience with GAAP financial accounting and electronic data processing applications (e.g., Microsoft Office products like Excel, Access, and other proprietary multi-user software). Experience in electronic data processing applications (Microsoft Office, Excel, Access) and demonstrated ability to learn proprietary multi-user software. Badger Prairie Health Care Center (BPHCC) positions require experience with, or ability to learn within 6 months, Medicare and Medicaid eligibility and billing.

Special Requirements

Must have a valid driver's license, or access to reliable personal transportation, or equivalent. Some positions may require work on nights, weekends and holidays.

Additional Dane County Sheriff's Office (DCSO) Security Services Special Requirements: Experience working with user support, network systems, hardware installation, and/or application design.

Background Check Statement: Some positions may require a criminal background check which can include fingerprinting due to the nature of the job's responsibilities. Wisconsin's Fair Employment Law, s. 111.31 – 111.395, Wis. Stats., prohibits discrimination because of an arrest or conviction record. However, Dane County may disqualify an applicant if the position's responsibilities are substantially related to the applicant's criminal history (e.g., the nature of the crime and its relationship to the position, whether hiring, transferring or promoting an applicant would pose an unreasonable risk to the business, its employees, customers and vendors, etc.) Management reserves the right to make employment contingent upon successful completion of the background check.

For Bilingual Positions: Provide services in both English and the required foreign language (e.g., Spanish, Arabic, Hmong, etc.). Applicants being considered for bilingual positions will be tested during the recruitment process prior to employment. This will primarily consist of passing an oral language proficiency assessment from English to foreign language and foreign language to English, but may require additional language testing, such as written translation, if it is an essential function of the job.

*If applicable, individuals may confirm with the Employee Relations Division whether results of bilingual language certifications/examinations they currently hold qualify them for the position's bilingual designation.

Physical and Environmental Work Requirements: Ability to operate a personal computer for prolonged periods. Ability to see and hear within normal ranges with or without adaptive devices. Ability to use finger, wrist and hand motions.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

Knowledge of the principles and practices of bookkeeping and accounting. Knowledge of standard office practices and procedures. Knowledge of data processing, personal computer and network functions. Knowledge of basic statistical methods and applications. Knowledge of both cash-based and accrual-based accounting. May require knowledge of laws and regulations governing payroll processing and record keeping. Ability to interpret and follow complex written and oral instructions. Ability to prepare neat, concise and accurate reports. Ability to identify problems and recognize their component parts. Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships. BPHCC positions require working knowledge of Medicare and Medicaid eligibility and billing.