Finance and Payroll Specialist
Apply NowCompany: City of Crystal, MN
Location: Lake Crystal, MN 56055
Description:
Salary : $73,465.60 - $99,195.20 Annually
Location : Crystal, MN
Job Type: Regular Full-time
Job Number: 2025 Finance & Payroll Spec
Department: Finance
Opening Date: 04/09/2025
Description
To perform general accounting functions with primary focus on payroll, benefit transactions, and accounts payable job responsibilities. To maintain necessary records, prepare financial and government reports, and to ensure effective processing in accordance with department policies and standard accounting practices. To provide excellent customer service and support other financial functions.
Examples of Duties
Typical Qualifications
MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS
Knowledge, Skills and Abilities
Communications: Must have the ability to actively listen to others for understanding of their needs and situations. Ability to read, speak and write English clearly. Ability to read and understand instructions and directives. Must have the ability to record names, facts, numbers, and information accurately. Must be able to assertively control conversations in order to quickly and accurately gather pertinent information and be able to communicate this information professionally and precisely to the proper recipient. Must be able to effectively represent the organization, department, and its operation, to the management and public. Competency in verbal and written communications.
Decision Making: Must act in a decisive manner using good judgment. Must be able to assess problems and situations, anticipate needs, and evaluate alternatives.
Interpersonal Relationships: Must be consistent in dealing with people. Must exclude personal biases from work performance. Must have the ability to accept criticism and/or discipline. Must have tact and diplomacy. Must strive to promote a cooperative atmosphere in the department. Must be willing to assist others and share information as needed.
Professional Attitude: Must have commitment to the organization. Willingness to take initiative and show dependability. Must exhibit maturity in relationships with others. Must exhibit a willingness to be trained in functions of the job. Must represent the organization to other agencies, staff, and citizens with a courteous, helpful, accurate and business-like attitude in all telephone and personal contact.
Quality of Work: Must be able to produce quality, accurate work as set forth in job standards/expectations. Must be able to detect and correct errors. Must be able to work independently and utilize work time properly and productively and handle multiple tasks confidently and with minimum error. Must be able to creatively adjust time use and structure to accommodate a changing workload or deadline. Ability to provide customers with accurate and timely information and telephone service.
Technical Knowledge: Must have accurate accounting and math skills. Must have a working knowledge of computers using Windows operating system, as well as basic office equipment (adding machine, copiers, fax, postage meter, etc.). Must be proficient with MS Word, Excel, and accounting software. Must have knowledge of Data Practices Act.
PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS
This work requires the occasional exertion of up to 25 pounds of force; work regularly requires sitting, speaking or hearing and using hands to finger, handle or feel, frequently requires repetitive motions and occasionally requires walking and lifting; work has standard vision requirements; vocal communication is required for expressing or exchanging ideas by means of the spoken word; hearing is required to perceive information at normal spoken word levels and to receive detailed information through oral communications and/or to make fine distinctions in sound; work requires preparing and analyzing written or computer data, operating machines and observing general surroundings and activities; work has no exposure to environmental conditions; work is generally in a moderately noisy location (e.g. business office, light traffic).
General Benefits
Health/Dental/Life Insurance Coverage - Health, dental, and life insurance coverage is available to all regular employees.
Long Term/Short Term Disability - Long term and short term disability insurance is available to all regular employees.
Retirement Health Savings Plan (RHS) - Regular full-time and regular part-time employees are eligible for the RHS Plan. The City will contribute a set dollar amount per month. Employees who have a minimum balance of hours in their sick leave banks will also contribute a set number of days into their individual accounts.
PERA (Public Employees Retirement Association) - PERA is mandatory for all government employees. The City contributes a set percentage and you contribute a set percentage of your gross income directly into PERA. For details on PERA, vesting and retirement, contact Finance or PERA at (651) 296-7460.
Vacation and Sick Leave - Upon your start date, you will accrue vacation and sick leave at the rate of 12 days per year (0-5 years of completed service). This is prorated for part-time employees according to hours worked. Each full time employee must expend a minimum of 80 hours of vacation each calendar year.
Holidays - The City has 13 paid holidays per year, two of which are personal/floating holiday.
Education Benefits - Employees may be eligible for a percentage of reimbursement of tuition up to a set amount on "work-related" courses, required fees and books upon completion and receipt of a grade of "C" or "satisfactory."
Deferred Compensation - This is a voluntary plan which allows employees to place a portion of their earnings into a 457 pretax deferred investment plan. This plan is subject to IRS Rulings.
Direct Deposit - The City requires direct deposit regarding payroll checks.
Flexible Benefit Plan(FSA) - This is a voluntary plan whereby a portion of your salary may be set aside to cover estimated health care costs and dependant daycare costs. This contribution is taken from gross wages and you must expend all the money you set aside or lose it. This plan is subject to IRS Rulings.
Employee Assistance Program - The City provides an employee assistance program for employees and their family members enrolled in the City's health insurance program.
Mileage Reimbursement - Personal automobile use for authorized trips, meetings, work, etc. will be reimbursed at the rate and consistent with IRS Regulations.
01
Do you have two years of formal education?
02
If you answered "yes" to the previous question, please describe your education.
03
Do you have at least 2 years of work experience directly related to accounting or payroll?
04
If you answered "yes" to the previous question, please describe your work experience in accounting.
05
Do you have at least two years of experience with Microsoft Word and Excel spreadsheet software?
06
Do you have at least two years of customer service experience?
07
If you answered "yes" to the previous question, please describe your customer service experience in detail.
08
Can you type at least 30 wpm and do you have at least six months experience in 10-key operation?
09
Do you have a bachelor's degree in accounting/finance/business or a related field?
10
Do you have more than two years of payroll processing experience?
11
If you answered "yes" to the previous question, please describe your work experience with payroll processing.
12
Do you have at least two years of experience with benefits administration?
13
Would you consider your knowledge of MS Excel and Word software to be at an advanced level?
14
Do you have work experience using the JD Edwards and/or CIS Infinity software?
15
Do you have municipal (government) accounting experience?
16
If you answered "yes" to the previous question, please describe your municipal accounting experience.
17
Do you have experience above the minimum requirements in accounting or related field?
18
If you answered "yes" to the previous question, please describe your experience above the minimum qualifications.
19
This question is used to determine your status as a veteran under the Minnesota Veteran's Preference Statute 43A.1. To be eligible for veteran's preference points, you must: Be separated under honorable conditions from any branch of the armed forces in the U.S. after having served on active duty for 181 consecutive days or by reason of disability rated at 50% or more, incurred while serving on active duty, and be a citizen of the U.S. or resident alien; or be the surviving spouse of a deceased veteran or the spouse of a disabled veteran who, because of the disability, is not able to qualify; or have active military service certified under US Public Law 95-202. You are not required to supply this information, but we cannot award veteran's points without it. Note that the city is not required to award veteran's preference points to eligible candidates applying for Department Head or seasonal/temporary positions. Are you applying for veteran's preference points? If Yes, you must attach the appropriate documentation form(s) to this application or provide the City Human Resources Office with a copy within 5 calendar days after the deadline date for this position.
20
If you answered "Yes" to the preceding question, please select the appropriate category that applies to you. Note that you must attach the appropriate documentation form(s) to this application or provide the City Human Resources Office with a copy within 5 calendar days after the deadline date for this position. Appropriate documentation is as follows: Veteran: You must attach your DD214 form to this application or provide the City Human Resources Office with a copy within 5 calendar days after the deadline date for this position. Disabled Veteran:You must attach your DD-214 form and FL-802 form (or equivalent letter from a service retirement board) to this application or provide the City Human Resources Office with a copy of all documents within 5 calendar days after the application deadline. Spouse of a disabled veteran who is unable to use the preference due to the disablity: You must attach your marriage certificate, spouse's form DD-214 and FL-802 form (or an equivalent letter from a service retirement board) to this application or provide the City Human Resources Office with a copy of all documents within 5 calendar days after the deadline date for this position. Widow of a deceased Veteran: You must attach your marriage certificate, spouse's form DD-214 and spouse's death certificate to this application or provide the City Human Resources Office with a copy of all documents within 5 calendar days after the deadline date for this position. Widow of deceased veteran who was disabled at time of death: You must attach your marriage certificate, spouse's form DD-214 and FL-802 and spouse's death certificate to this application or provide the City Human Resources Office with a copy of all documents within 5 calendar days after the deadline date for this position.
Required Question
Location : Crystal, MN
Job Type: Regular Full-time
Job Number: 2025 Finance & Payroll Spec
Department: Finance
Opening Date: 04/09/2025
Description
To perform general accounting functions with primary focus on payroll, benefit transactions, and accounts payable job responsibilities. To maintain necessary records, prepare financial and government reports, and to ensure effective processing in accordance with department policies and standard accounting practices. To provide excellent customer service and support other financial functions.
Examples of Duties
- Processes a bi-weekly payroll for all employees. Maintains accurate and complete payroll and benefit records on all employees, including maintenance of personal data, time worked, leave balances, PERA membership, ACH, deferred compensation, benefit deductions, and other miscellaneous deductions.
- Administers employee benefit transactions.
- Receive and processes information related to payables and maintains the integrity of the payable processes.
- Assists customers (utility, employees, and vendors) with a variety of questions over the telephone, in writing and in person.
- Calculates and appropriately documents necessary payroll transactions and adjustments (including retro pay, COLA increases, work comp adjustments, benefit changes and ACA regulations, etc.).
- Prepares quarterly and annual payroll tax returns for the IRS, Department of Revenue and MN Unemployment.
- Prepares annual Exclusion Report for MN PERA.
- Prepares reports for internal users and external agencies, including department heads and worker's compensation auditor including verifications of employment and workers compensation wages.
- Prepares schedules of payroll expense for monthly or quarterly submission of grant reimbursement requests (COPS, TZD, etc.)
- Responsible for reviewing and recording all payroll activity to the G/L including working with LOGIS to modify the year-end/reversing entries, as needed.
- Processes payroll liability payments in a bi-weekly basis.
- Keeps current on payroll and benefit related aspects of union contracts, new laws, and emerging issues.
- Set up and test online open enrollment software.
- Assists with workpapers and annual audit.
- Works with vendors and the communications coordinator on maintaining and updating payroll information on the internal intranet.
- Assists with processing daily cash receipts and reports.
- Acts as a backup to other personnel in the department and is expected to be cross-trained in their duties and responsibilities (utility billing and accounts payable) including processing utility billing periodically to remain fully cross-trained.
- Documents, and periodically updates, department procedures.
- Maintain accounting records and assists with archiving of department records in accordance with the Data Practices Act.
- Assists with election activities.
- Performs other duties as assigned.
Typical Qualifications
MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS
- Two years formal education
- Two years of work experience directly related to accounting or payroll
- Two years experience with Microsoft Word and Excel spreadsheet software.
- Two years customer service experience.
- Proficient data entry skills - must be able to type 30 WPM and have six months experience in 10-key operation.
- Four year bachelor degree in accounting/finance/business or related field.
- More than two years payroll processing experience.
- Two years experience with benefits administration.
- Experience above the minimum requirements in accounting or related field.
- Advanced knowledge of MS Excel and Word software.
- JD Edwards and/or CIS Infinity software experience.
- Municipal accounting experience.
Knowledge, Skills and Abilities
Communications: Must have the ability to actively listen to others for understanding of their needs and situations. Ability to read, speak and write English clearly. Ability to read and understand instructions and directives. Must have the ability to record names, facts, numbers, and information accurately. Must be able to assertively control conversations in order to quickly and accurately gather pertinent information and be able to communicate this information professionally and precisely to the proper recipient. Must be able to effectively represent the organization, department, and its operation, to the management and public. Competency in verbal and written communications.
Decision Making: Must act in a decisive manner using good judgment. Must be able to assess problems and situations, anticipate needs, and evaluate alternatives.
Interpersonal Relationships: Must be consistent in dealing with people. Must exclude personal biases from work performance. Must have the ability to accept criticism and/or discipline. Must have tact and diplomacy. Must strive to promote a cooperative atmosphere in the department. Must be willing to assist others and share information as needed.
Professional Attitude: Must have commitment to the organization. Willingness to take initiative and show dependability. Must exhibit maturity in relationships with others. Must exhibit a willingness to be trained in functions of the job. Must represent the organization to other agencies, staff, and citizens with a courteous, helpful, accurate and business-like attitude in all telephone and personal contact.
Quality of Work: Must be able to produce quality, accurate work as set forth in job standards/expectations. Must be able to detect and correct errors. Must be able to work independently and utilize work time properly and productively and handle multiple tasks confidently and with minimum error. Must be able to creatively adjust time use and structure to accommodate a changing workload or deadline. Ability to provide customers with accurate and timely information and telephone service.
Technical Knowledge: Must have accurate accounting and math skills. Must have a working knowledge of computers using Windows operating system, as well as basic office equipment (adding machine, copiers, fax, postage meter, etc.). Must be proficient with MS Word, Excel, and accounting software. Must have knowledge of Data Practices Act.
PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS
This work requires the occasional exertion of up to 25 pounds of force; work regularly requires sitting, speaking or hearing and using hands to finger, handle or feel, frequently requires repetitive motions and occasionally requires walking and lifting; work has standard vision requirements; vocal communication is required for expressing or exchanging ideas by means of the spoken word; hearing is required to perceive information at normal spoken word levels and to receive detailed information through oral communications and/or to make fine distinctions in sound; work requires preparing and analyzing written or computer data, operating machines and observing general surroundings and activities; work has no exposure to environmental conditions; work is generally in a moderately noisy location (e.g. business office, light traffic).
General Benefits
Health/Dental/Life Insurance Coverage - Health, dental, and life insurance coverage is available to all regular employees.
Long Term/Short Term Disability - Long term and short term disability insurance is available to all regular employees.
Retirement Health Savings Plan (RHS) - Regular full-time and regular part-time employees are eligible for the RHS Plan. The City will contribute a set dollar amount per month. Employees who have a minimum balance of hours in their sick leave banks will also contribute a set number of days into their individual accounts.
PERA (Public Employees Retirement Association) - PERA is mandatory for all government employees. The City contributes a set percentage and you contribute a set percentage of your gross income directly into PERA. For details on PERA, vesting and retirement, contact Finance or PERA at (651) 296-7460.
Vacation and Sick Leave - Upon your start date, you will accrue vacation and sick leave at the rate of 12 days per year (0-5 years of completed service). This is prorated for part-time employees according to hours worked. Each full time employee must expend a minimum of 80 hours of vacation each calendar year.
Holidays - The City has 13 paid holidays per year, two of which are personal/floating holiday.
Education Benefits - Employees may be eligible for a percentage of reimbursement of tuition up to a set amount on "work-related" courses, required fees and books upon completion and receipt of a grade of "C" or "satisfactory."
Deferred Compensation - This is a voluntary plan which allows employees to place a portion of their earnings into a 457 pretax deferred investment plan. This plan is subject to IRS Rulings.
Direct Deposit - The City requires direct deposit regarding payroll checks.
Flexible Benefit Plan(FSA) - This is a voluntary plan whereby a portion of your salary may be set aside to cover estimated health care costs and dependant daycare costs. This contribution is taken from gross wages and you must expend all the money you set aside or lose it. This plan is subject to IRS Rulings.
Employee Assistance Program - The City provides an employee assistance program for employees and their family members enrolled in the City's health insurance program.
Mileage Reimbursement - Personal automobile use for authorized trips, meetings, work, etc. will be reimbursed at the rate and consistent with IRS Regulations.
01
Do you have two years of formal education?
- Yes
- No
02
If you answered "yes" to the previous question, please describe your education.
03
Do you have at least 2 years of work experience directly related to accounting or payroll?
- Yes
- No
04
If you answered "yes" to the previous question, please describe your work experience in accounting.
05
Do you have at least two years of experience with Microsoft Word and Excel spreadsheet software?
- Yes
- No
06
Do you have at least two years of customer service experience?
- Yes
- No
07
If you answered "yes" to the previous question, please describe your customer service experience in detail.
08
Can you type at least 30 wpm and do you have at least six months experience in 10-key operation?
- Yes
- No
09
Do you have a bachelor's degree in accounting/finance/business or a related field?
- Yes
- No
10
Do you have more than two years of payroll processing experience?
- Yes
- No
11
If you answered "yes" to the previous question, please describe your work experience with payroll processing.
12
Do you have at least two years of experience with benefits administration?
- Yes
- No
13
Would you consider your knowledge of MS Excel and Word software to be at an advanced level?
- Yes
- No
14
Do you have work experience using the JD Edwards and/or CIS Infinity software?
- Yes
- No
15
Do you have municipal (government) accounting experience?
- Yes
- No
16
If you answered "yes" to the previous question, please describe your municipal accounting experience.
17
Do you have experience above the minimum requirements in accounting or related field?
- Yes
- No
18
If you answered "yes" to the previous question, please describe your experience above the minimum qualifications.
19
This question is used to determine your status as a veteran under the Minnesota Veteran's Preference Statute 43A.1. To be eligible for veteran's preference points, you must: Be separated under honorable conditions from any branch of the armed forces in the U.S. after having served on active duty for 181 consecutive days or by reason of disability rated at 50% or more, incurred while serving on active duty, and be a citizen of the U.S. or resident alien; or be the surviving spouse of a deceased veteran or the spouse of a disabled veteran who, because of the disability, is not able to qualify; or have active military service certified under US Public Law 95-202. You are not required to supply this information, but we cannot award veteran's points without it. Note that the city is not required to award veteran's preference points to eligible candidates applying for Department Head or seasonal/temporary positions. Are you applying for veteran's preference points? If Yes, you must attach the appropriate documentation form(s) to this application or provide the City Human Resources Office with a copy within 5 calendar days after the deadline date for this position.
- Yes
- No
20
If you answered "Yes" to the preceding question, please select the appropriate category that applies to you. Note that you must attach the appropriate documentation form(s) to this application or provide the City Human Resources Office with a copy within 5 calendar days after the deadline date for this position. Appropriate documentation is as follows: Veteran: You must attach your DD214 form to this application or provide the City Human Resources Office with a copy within 5 calendar days after the deadline date for this position. Disabled Veteran:You must attach your DD-214 form and FL-802 form (or equivalent letter from a service retirement board) to this application or provide the City Human Resources Office with a copy of all documents within 5 calendar days after the application deadline. Spouse of a disabled veteran who is unable to use the preference due to the disablity: You must attach your marriage certificate, spouse's form DD-214 and FL-802 form (or an equivalent letter from a service retirement board) to this application or provide the City Human Resources Office with a copy of all documents within 5 calendar days after the deadline date for this position. Widow of a deceased Veteran: You must attach your marriage certificate, spouse's form DD-214 and spouse's death certificate to this application or provide the City Human Resources Office with a copy of all documents within 5 calendar days after the deadline date for this position. Widow of deceased veteran who was disabled at time of death: You must attach your marriage certificate, spouse's form DD-214 and FL-802 and spouse's death certificate to this application or provide the City Human Resources Office with a copy of all documents within 5 calendar days after the deadline date for this position.
- Veteran
- Disabled Veteran
- Spouse of a Disabled Veteran
- Widow of a Deceased Veteran
- Widow of a Deceased Disabled Veteran
Required Question