Local Government Auditor

Job Description

Local Government Auditor | Minnesota State University, Mankato

The Tone:
This is an early career position at the Office of the State Auditor, located in St. Paul, MN, with hybrid telework eligibility. The Office of the State Auditor (OSA) performs independent, external financial and compliance audits for local governments across Minnesota. In this role, you will contribute to the essential public service of ensuring financial reliability and legal compliance for these critical local entities. Your work is fundamental to developing sound public policies, providing vital services, and enhancing the well-being of all Minnesotans by fostering transparency and accountability in local governance.

The TL;DR
• Role: Early Career
• Type: Full-Time
• Location: Hybrid – St. Paul, MN
• Pay: $54,538–$79,156 yearly
• Team: Audit Practice Division
• Mission: Assist in auditing Minnesota local governments to determine the reliability of financial statements and compliance with legal and federal requirements.
• Tech Stack: MS Office

What You’ll Actually Do
• Internal Control Evaluation: Document, test, and evaluate the effectiveness of internal controls within client financial systems.
• Compliance Testing: Perform comprehensive testing to ensure adherence to legal requirements and federal grant stipulations for local governments.
• Financial Activity Analysis: Analyze financial transactions and activities to identify patterns, discrepancies, and ensure proper classification.
• Data Reliability Assessment: Test the accuracy of financial data and determine its overall reliability for audit purposes.
• Audit Documentation and Reporting: Document all audit evidence thoroughly in work papers and contribute to the development of audit findings.

The Must-Haves
• Background: This is an entry-level auditor position requiring specific academic credentials. Candidates must possess either a bachelor’s degree in Accounting or Finance from an accredited college or university, with a crucial emphasis on accounting coursework, totaling at least 24 semester hours at the intermediate or advanced level. Alternatively, a master’s degree in Accountancy or Finance from an accredited institution is acceptable, provided it also includes at least 24 semester hours of intermediate or advanced accounting.
• Experience: This role is designed as an entry-level opportunity; no specific years of prior experience are strictly required. However, candidates demonstrating previous auditing or audit internship experience will be favorably considered, as this is a preferred qualification.
• Skills: Essential skills include the ability to meticulously document audit evidence, perform detailed legal and federal compliance testing, critically analyze financial transactions and activities, effectively evaluate internal control systems, and accurately assess data reliability. Additionally, strong written communication skills are vital for clear reporting and documentation.
• Bonus: Preferred qualifications include having successfully completed some or all parts of the Certified Public Accountant (CPA) exam, maintaining a GPA of 3.0 or higher in both accounting courses and overall academic performance, and demonstrating proficiency with MS Office applications.