Accounting Assistant

Salary: $33.41 - $36.29 Hourly
Location : Dane County Highway & Transportation, 2302 Fish Hatchery, Madison, WI
Job Type: Full time (1.0FTE)
Job Number: 2026-00188
Department: Highway & Transportation
Opening Date: 07/10/2026
Closing Date: 7/27/2026 11:59 PM Central
FLSA: Non-Exempt
Bargaining Unit: 720


Description


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.

Equity, Definition and Examples of Duties
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, Experience and Special Requirements
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:

1. Provide services in both English and the required foreign language (e.g., Spanish, Arabic, Hmong, etc.).
2. 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.
Become a part of the Dane County Team!


We offer a wide range of benefits including fully paid dental and HMO health insurance premiums for full time employees/pro rated for part time employees. The County will also provide contributions towards POS health insurance premiums and short/long term disability. Additional benefits available include long term care, vision coverage, flex spending account and deferred compensation programs paid in full by the employee and a wellness program. For further details on insurance benefits visit


Bilingual Pay: Employees who work in bilingual designated positions receive an additional $2.00 per hour.

Undesirable Hours Premium Pay: Employees may receive undesirable hours pay of $2.00 for anytime worked between 6:00 p.m. and 6:00 a.m and for anytime on Saturday and/or Sunday. (not applicable with all employee groups).


Paid Parental Leave: Dane County also provides 12 weeks of paid parental leave for birth or adoption of a child.


Caregiver Leave: Dane County offers 80 hours of paid leave to care for an ill family member.

Telecommuting: Telecommuting allows employees to work remotely for all or part of their work week. Dane County considers telecommuting to be a viable, flexible option when both the employee and the job are suited to such an arrangement. Dane County will permit telecommuting when it benefits the productivity of the employee and their department and if determined by employee's department that telecommuting is not detrimental to either the County or the employee.

Student Loan Forgiveness: If you are employed by a government or not-for-profit organization, you may be able to receive loan forgiveness under the Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) Program.

WI Retirement System: Employees hired after 7-1-11 must be expected to work a minimum of 1200 hours annually to be enrolled in the Wisconsin Retirement System when hired.


Like our Facebook page:


Dane County participates in E-Verify. For more information see the Notice of E-Verify Participation and Right to Work posters here" and then the 'here' links to this page:
01


Do you have any combination of education, training and/or experience equivalent to an associate's degree in accounting from an accredited college?

• Yes
• No

02


If you responded 'Yes' to Question One, please explain.
03


Do you have 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)?

• Yes
• No

04


If you responded 'Yes' to Question 3, please explain your 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). (Do not put, "See Resume.")
05


THIS QUESTION IS GRADEDThe Highway Department utilizes a cost accounting system that requires daily processing and reconciling of receipts and usage for high dollar inventory including parts, materials and fuels. This position is also responsible for assisting with physical inventory counts. Describe any experience you have had handling inventory receipts and use, inventory reconciliation and physical inventory counts. Include the types and volume of inventory and the software used.
06


THIS QUESTION IS GRADEDThis position implements and assists with solutions to accounting and procedures focusing primarily on accounts payable, purchasing and inventory management. This position will assist with resolving work process issues, cross training and working with multiple staff across various areas, including interacting with personnel working in a mechanic shop environment. Please describe your professional experience leading a team to accomplish varying tasks, quality control and ensuring deadlines are regularly met.
07


THIS QUESTION IS GRADEDThis position processes and reconciles all purchases and payments for the Highway Department including capital bid contracts, equipment, parts, materials, fuels, services and procurement cards. Describe your experience with purchasing, accounts payable, requisitions and working with capital budget accounts and outside vendors. Include the type of business and the volume and types of purchases.
08


THIS QUESTION IS GRADEDThe Highway Department utilizes several software applications for maintaining the general ledger, aging schedules and payment processing. Describe your experience in reconciling dual accounting systems including type of software systems and methodology used.
Required Question