Chief Financial Officer

Chief Financial Officer (CFO)

The Office of Attorney General Keith Ellison has a clear mission: we help Minnesotans afford their lives and live with dignity, safety, and respect. We are a dynamic group of dedicated professionals who choose public service as a calling, and we are actively and intentionally committed to supporting an internal culture that affirms that calling. The Office is one of Minnesota's largest public law offices and as of 2025, has been recognized as a Star Tribune Top Workplace Minnesota for six years in a row and Top Workplace USA for five years in a row.

The Office is seeking a Chief Financial Officer (CFO) to serve as the strategic leader overseeing financial operations of the Office of the Attorney General (AGO), ensuring effective stewardship of public resources, and compliance with policies and laws. The CFO serves as a trusted member of the AGO's leadership team and provides strategic financial guidance to support organizational priorities, legislative initiatives, and long-term planning. The CFO supports the division's supervisory staff in evaluating, coaching, mentoring finance and accounting staff to ensure professional development and alignment with performance expectations. The CFO works closely with division managers on financial management of grants, high-profile contracts, and special funds to ensure compliance with program requirements and legislative intent.

A successful candidate in this position will be able to:

• Provide strategic leadership and oversight for all financial operations
• Advise leadership on financial strategy and organizational priorities
• Ensure supervision of the finance team aligns with agency goals, procedures, and effective performance management
• Lead the development, implementation, and monitoring of the AGO's annual operating budget while recommending and implementing corrective actions to address variances
• Coordinate biennial budget preparation with assistance from the AGO's legislative affairs team ensuring consistency with organizational goals and financial projections
• Ensure fiscal compliance with state and federal laws, rules, and financial policies through internal control procedures and review of financial reports, including those prepared for external stakeholders
• Analyze and interpret financial data to guide executive decisions and evaluate impacts of alternative goals, budgetary conflicts, and legislative changes
• Serve as primary liaison on financial matters with MMB, auditors, and/or other state or regulatory agencies
• Coordinate the financial impacts of legislative proposals, budget initiatives, and policy changes, including fiscal analyses and budget forecasting
• Evaluate, coach, and mentor finance staff, ensuring professional development and alignment with performance expectations
• Align fiscal operations with executive decisions, legislative proposals, and office goals to optimize resource allocation

This position is eligible for a hybrid work environment (combination of in-office work and telework).

Minimum Qualifications:

• A minimum of five (5) years of supervisory or managerial experience leading a financial unit of a Minnesota agency, board, or commission
• Bachelor's degree in Finance, Accounting, Business Administration, or closely related field AND six (6) or more years of related financial/accounting work experience or eight (8) or more years of related financial/accounting work experience
• Experience providing expert financial advice, recommendations, and consultation to executive leadership regarding resource allocation, fiscal risk management, and operational strategies
• Advanced knowledge of generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP), Government Accounting Standards Board (GASB) standards, risk management and internal control principles, budgeting, financial reporting, and strategic financial planning
• Experience developing and implementing financial policies, procedures, and internal controls
• Experience working with Statewide Integrated Financial Tools (SWIFT) or other PeopleSoft financial reporting system
• Strong writing and communication skills sufficient to prepare agency financial reports, presentations, and communications for executive leadership and other stakeholders
• Advanced proficiency in Microsoft Excel and financial analysis tools
• Ability to:
• Clearly communicate complex financial concepts and information to both technical and non-technical audiences
• Build collaborative relationships across divisions and with external partners while demonstrating professionalism, diplomacy, and excellent customer service
• Project manage competing, complex priorities and provide accurate, timely, and responsive service to leadership and stakeholders
• Exercise sound judgment, discretion, integrity, and a strong commitment to public service
• Lead and work effectively with individuals from a wide variety of backgrounds, experiences, and perspectives in a collaborative environment

Preferred Qualifications:

• Advanced degree to include MBA, MSF, or MAcc
• Professional certification such as Certified Public Accountant (CPA), Certified Government Financial Manager (CGFM), Certified Public Finance Officer (CPFO), Certified Management Accountant (CMA), or similar credential
• Experience with budget planning, forecasting, and financial analytics tools such as BPAS, Power BI, or similar systems
• Experience with contract administration, procurement oversight, and vendor management
• Experience managing and reconciling grants, including federally funded grants and cooperative agreements
• Experience preparing fiscal notes, budget requests, legislative analyses, or advising leadership on legislative proposals affecting agency finances
• Ability to motivate and lead teams through collaboration, consensus building, and shared accountability while reinforcing a culture of service, innovation, and continued improvement
• Experience working in state government or other public sector organizations with complex funding structures and regulatory requirements

How to Apply:

Interested applicants must apply online through the State of Minnesota Careers website, which is the State's official application and hiring site. The deadline for applications is Wednesday, August 5, 2026.

1. Go to

2. Apply for posting number 95719

OR: Direct Link

If you have any questions about the application process, please contact Brooke Seekins at View email address on click.appcast.io or View phone number on click.appcast.io.

Why Work For Us:

Working together to improve the state we love. What do Minnesota's State employees have in common?

• A sense of purpose in their work

• Connection with their coworkers and communities

• Opportunities for personal and professional growth

An Equal Opportunity Employer

Minnesota state agencies are equal opportunity, affirmative action, and veteran-friendly employers. State agencies are committed to creating a workforce that reflects the diversity of the state and strongly encourages persons of color and Indigenous communities, members of the LGBTQIA2S+ community, individuals with disabilities, women, and veterans to apply. The varied experiences and perspectives of employees strengthen the work we do together and our ability to best serve Minnesotans.

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, creed, religion, national origin, sex (including pregnancy, childbirth, and disabilities related to pregnancy or childbirth), gender identity, gender expression, marital status, familial status, age, sexual orientation, status regarding public assistance, disability, veteran status or activity in a local Human Rights Commission or any other characteristic protected by law.

Minnesota state agencies make reasonable accommodations to their employees and applicants with disabilities. If you have a disability and need assistance in searching or applying for jobs with the State of Minnesota, call the Careers Help Desk at View phone number on click.appcast.io or email View email address on click.appcast.io and let us know the support you need.