Principal Financial Advisor - Accounting Officer Principal

Working Title: Principal Financial Advisor

Job Class: Accounting Officer Principal

Agency: Minnesota Department of Agriculture

• Job ID : 93666

• Location : St. Paul

• Telework Eligible : Yes

• Full/Part Time : Full-Time

• Regular/Temporary : Unlimited

• Who May Apply : This vacancy is open to all qualified job seekers.

• Date Posted : 06/01/2026

• Closing Date : 06/15/2026

• Hiring Agency/Seniority Unit : Minnesota Department of Agriculture

• Division/Unit : Finance and Budget Division / Accounting Unit

• Work Shift/Work Hours : 8:00 - 4:30

• Days of Work : Monday - Friday

• Travel Required : No

• Salary Range: $32.40 - $47.76 / hourly; $67,651 - $99,722 / annually

• Classified Status : Classified

• Bargaining Unit/Union : 214 - Minnesota Association of Professional Employees (MAPE)

• FLSA Status : Exempt - Administrative

• Designated in Connect 700 Program for Applicants with Disabilities ( : Yes

The work you'll do is more than just a job.

At the State of Minnesota, employees play a critical role in developing policies, providing essential services, and working to improve the well-being and quality of life for all Minnesotans. The State of Minnesota is committed to equity and inclusion, and invests in employees by providing benefits, support resources, and training and development opportunities.

This position was previously announced 04/21/2026 through 05/04/2026. If you applied during that period, you do not need to reapply. Your application is still under consideration.

This position exists to provide in-depth budget and financial analysis for MN Department of Agriculture (MDA) funds, so agency leadership/management/staff are able make informed financial decisions and take action. This position helps ensure that the agency meets its obligations in managing federal, state, and other funds in a manner that is consistent with all applicable federal and state laws, regulations, and policies.

This position is required to develop expert level knowledge of the agency’s budget to provide high-level analysis and expert advice on fiscal questions, review and monitor budgets for all MDA funds, prepare and interpret budget related reports, advise agency personnel on procedures, and coordinate fiscal year end closing requirements as it relates to all assigned agency funding.

This position also exists to prepare and maintain annual agency spending plans to ensure the most appropriate and efficient utilization of resources available to the agency, to assist agency staff in biennial budget preparation, coordinate fiscal year close, and reconcile agency revenue and expenditures. This position provides advanced level financial analysis and performs long range strategic planning.

This position is located in St. Paul and may be eligible to telework up to 50% of their scheduled work hours.

Minimum Qualifications

To facilitate proper years of service crediting, please ensure that your resume clearly describes your experience in the areas listed and indicates the beginning and ending month and year for each job held.

Three years of combined government finance or accounting experience in at least three of the following areas.

• Managing expenditure and revenue budgets

• Prepare and present budget documents

• Federal accounting, budgeting and reporting requirements

• Financial analysis

• Prepare complex financial reports

A degree in Accounting, Business, Finance or a Finance-related field may be substituted as follows: associate’s degree – six months, bachelor’s degree – one year, master’s degree – 18 months.

Additional required experience includes:

• Skilled in presenting financial information using a variety of methods and other means of communicating policies and procedures.

• Ability to interpret laws, rules and regulations, and direct staff to implement appropriate accounting procedures.

• Organizational skills and the ability to identify and solve problems, advise others, handle multiple priorities, meet deadlines, and apply innovative approaches and opportunities for streamlining existing processes.

• Skilled in interpersonal relationships to establish and maintain effective working relationships with staff, other state agencies, customers, public vendors and with officials of other governmental agencies.

• Writing skills sufficient to prepare clear and comprehensive reports and procedures

• Highly proficient in Excel and strong experience with the Microsoft suite of products

• Ability to celebrate diversity and a strong commitment to a respectful and inclusive work environment

Preferred Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Accounting, Business, Finance.

• Knowledge of MDA’s accounting structure.

• Advanced knowledge of establishing and managing appropriations and budgets in various funds including Federal Funds.

• Advanced ability to recognize complex accounting problems and design appropriate accounting solutions and to provide leadership and direction to program managers to deal with budget problems.

• Experience with the state legislative process; MDA relevant state laws, statutes, rules, regulations and policies governing the use of state and federal funds.

• Experience working with enterprise database systems such as the Statewide Integrated Financial Tools (SWIFT), Statewide Employee Management System (SEMA4) and OBIEE data warehouse.

• Ability to instill continuous improvement ideas/practices.

Additional Requirements

A job offer will be contingent upon successfully passing a background check. It is the policy of the Minnesota Department of Agriculture, as part of its hiring procedures, to conduct background checks on the finalist(s) for positions within the agency. The background check may consist of the following components:

• SEMA4 Records Check (applies to current and former state employees only)

• Employment Reference Check

• Conflict of Interest Review

• Criminal History Check

The Minnesota Department of Agriculture will not sponsor applicants for work visas. All applicants must be legally authorized to work in the US.

AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER

Minnesota State Colleges and Universities is an Equal Opportunity employer/educator committed to the principles of diversity. We prohibit discrimination against qualified individuals based on their race, sex, color, creed, religion, age, national origin, disability, protected veteran status, marital status, status with regard to public assistance, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, or membership in a local commission as defined by law. As an affirmative action employer, we actively seek and encourage applications from women, minorities, persons with disabilities, and individuals with protected veteran status.

Reasonable accommodations will be made to all qualified applicants with disabilities. If you are an individual with a disability who needs assistance or cannot access the online job application system, please contact the job information line at View phone number on click.appcast.io or email View email address on click.appcast.io . Please indicate what assistance is needed.