Accountant (Highway) - Madison - Dane County, WI

Description

Salary: $ $50.63 Hourly
Location : Madison, WI
Job Type: Full time (1.0FTE)
Job Number:
Department: Highway & Transportation
Opening Date: 01/23/2026
Closing Date: 2/6/2026 11:59 PM Central
FLSA: Non-Exempt
Bargaining Unit: 1871
Description
The Highway and Transportation Department in Madison, WI has a full-time (1.0 FTE) vacancy for the Accountant position.
This is an on-site (not remote) position located at 2302 Fish Hatchery Road, Madison, WI 53713.
Office hours are 7:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. Monday through Friday, from November through March; and 6:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Monday through Thursday, from April through October.
The eligible list created from this recruitment may be used to fill future vacancies that occur within the next six (6) months.
Equity, Definition and Examples of Duties
COMMITMENT TO EQUITY & 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 and racial and ethnic minorities are especially encouraged to apply.
DEFINITION
Under general supervision, perform professional accounting work; administer contracts/department budget lines; maintain financial records; prepare fiscal reports, reconciliations and forecasts; develop, implement and maintain departmental accounting policies and procedures; assist in budget development and control; and perform related work as required.
EXAMPLES OF DUTIES
Maintain budget, accounting and financial control records. Prepare, analyze, and review estimates of revenue, reimbursement, expenditures, and other accounts. Analyze and verify financial reports and statements, accounts and records expenditures, revenues, and other financial transactions. Preparation of financial aspects of grantee contracts, contract modification, and fiscal contract administration/close-out. Perform grantee audit review and follow-up. Assist program staff with budget development and implementation, perform electronic fiscal management, develop and monitor financial tracking and reporting systems. Process approved vendor/consumer budget changes. Gather data for a variety of financial reports requiring the application of accounting principles and judgment. Post financial transactions to ledgers, prepare journal entries, reconcile accounts, prepare schedules and work papers for external auditors, and calculate trial balances. Compile financial reports; review and analyze accounts, records, financial statements, and fiscal procedures, and interpret need for appropriate changes. Assist in the development, implementation and maintenance of computerized accounting and management information systems. May supervise staff.
Human Services - additional credit may be given for knowledge of and experience working with administering and monitoring the financial terms of contracts, grant tracking and reporting, and Wisconsin Human Services and Federal programs including; CARS, Birth To Three and Medicare/Medicaid.
Airport - additional credit may be given for knowledge and experience working in an airport environment to include experience with Federal Aviation Administration programs and requirements including Passenger Facility Charges, the Airport Improvement Program, grant funding, etc.; familiarity with the Wisconsin Bureau of Aeronautics or similar agencies from other states; familiarity in working with airline and other provider tenants to include industry rate models, acronyms and language.
Highway Department - additional credit may be given for knowledge and experience working with the CHEMSPRO cost accounting software system with emphasis on journals, inventory and fixed asset management; familiarity with the Wisconsin Department of Transportation Uniform Cost Accounting Manual; experience managing and directing physical inventory counts of parts, fuel and materials.
Education, Experience and Special Requirements
Education, Training and Experience:
Any combination of training and experience equivalent to a Bachelor's Degree in Accounting (or related field) and two (2) years of professional accounting work experience. Additional credit will be awarded for supervisory or lead work experience.
Special Requirements:
Must have a valid driver's license, or access to reliable personal transportation, or equivalent.
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 , 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:

• Provide services in both English and the required foreign language (e.g., Spanish, Arabic, Hmong, etc.).
• 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, Skills and Abilities:
Knowledge of generally accepted accounting principles and practices including governmental internal service fund accounting; knowledge of personal computer applications involving word processing and spreadsheet software, and use of the internet; knowledge of electronic data processing accounting applications; knowledge of governmental practices, policies, and procedures; ability to compile, verify, and analyze financial records and reports; ability to analyze and follow written and oral instructions and procedures; ability to assign and monitor work for accuracy and completion; ability to set priorities and manage complex administrative tasks; ability to develop policies and procedures to meet accounting and administrative needs; ability to work independently and exercise judgement in the application of accounting principles.
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 workweek. 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 must be expected to work a minimum of 1200 hours annually to be enrolled in the Wisconsin Retirement System when hired.
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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 possess any combination of training and experience equivalent to a Bachelor's Degree in Accounting (or related field)?

• Yes
• No

02
How do you meet the requirement in Question 1? E.G. Associates Degree in Accounting and two (2) years of work experience related to accounting or four (4) years of work experience related to accounting.
03
Do you possess two (2) years of professional accounting work experience in addition to a combination of training and experience equivalent to a Bachelor's Degree in Accounting (or related field)?

• Yes
• No

04
How do you meet the requirement in Question 3? E.G. Two (2) years of work experience related to accounting
05
NOTE TO APPLICANT: Your responses to the following graded questions may also be evaluated based on: (1) Clarity of information, (2) Proper spelling and grammar usage; (3) Conciseness of material; and (4) Organization of narrative. Have you read this statement?

• Yes
• No

06
THIS QUESTION IS GRADED: Describe your training, experience and the type of work performed in governmental cost accounting including accounts payable, budgeting, inventory control, expenditure tracking, complex reconciliation, posting financial transactions to ledgers and financial reporting. Include name of organizations and job titles along with volume of work and types of software used.
07
THIS QUESTION IS GRADED: Describe your training and experience with fleet inventory financial management. Include work done recording, tracking and reconciling disposals and purchases, capitalization, asset depreciation and maintaining extensive fixed asset inventory depreciation schedules.
08
THIS QUESTION IS GRADED: Describe your experience in leading a team to accomplish varying tasks including devising and implementing solutions to accounting procedures including coordinating work assignments, resolving work process issues, cross training, quality control and ensuring deadlines are regularly met.
09
THIS QUESTION IS GRADED: Describe your expertise with MSOffice applications including but not limited to Word, Excel and Access. Also describe your knowledge, and cite the programs, with other professional electronic accounting applications and how you use them as part of your current and previous work experience.