Senior Research Analyst Jobs in Rochester, MN (NOW HIRING)

Salary: $92,267.00 - $135,688.00 Annually
Location : Rochester Public Utilities, 4000 East River Road NE, Rochester MN 55906, MN
Job Type: Limited Term - FT
Job Number: 20260538
Department: Rochester Public Utilities
Division: RPU Corporate Services
Opening Date: 08/27/2026
Closing Date: Continuous
POSITION DESCRIPTION
The City of Rochester invites applications for:
Senior Financial Analyst - Limited Term
Rochester Public Utilities
The City of Rochester is committed to a community where all members feel a sense of belonging. We commit to recognizing the diversity of our community members, listening to ALL voices and providing equitable services to create an inclusive place to live, play and work.
We believe EQUITY should be at the center of all our work. We strive to represent our community in our teammates, as we know that diverse and inclusive teams are more innovative, and have an empowering impact on the work, progress and culture of our community.
It takes us all working together.
Nature of Work
The Senior Financial Analyst performs complex budgeting and accounting functions; conducts financial, statistical, and analytical studies; prepares and assists in the preparation of financial and regulatory reports, statements, and claims for reimbursement according to prescribed guidelines; performs related duties as required. This position fulfills the financial analysis and information needs for all levels of management and serves as the financial, budget, cost and rate analyst for Rochester Public Utilities. The incumbent will design, create, and maintain systems used to effectively initiate, record, and report financial transactions and operational statistics.
Work Schedule - The regular work schedule is Monday through Friday from 8:00 am to 5:00 pm. This position may be eligible for remote work up to two days a week after the initial 6-month probationary period.
Limited Term:
This position is anticipated to last 12 - 18 months, and is contingent upon the availability of allocated funds, as well as favorable performance by the incumbent. When the need for additional staff ends, the position will be eliminated unless the City chooses ongoing continuation.
Pay - The salary range is $92,267 to $108,550, depending on qualifications, with advancement to $135,688.
Benefits -This position is eligible for benefits offered by the City of Rochester. Please check out the benefits tab at the top of the page for more details.
To have your application considered for the first round of interviews, please apply by Wednesday, September 10, 2026, at 11:59 PM CST.
Applications will be accepted until the position is filled.
The City of Rochester will not sponsor or transfer visas for this position including F1 OPT STEM.
DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
The work below is representative of the scope of work performed within this job classification. Individual job duties will vary based on work assignment.
*Budget Development/Monitoring

• Develop the annual schedule for RPU budget preparation.
• Coordinate the development of required budget model components by Finance staff.
• Provide technical expertise in creating or modifying budget collection/consolidation applications in budget software and create new budget coding.
• Offer information and assist/train staff and executive team in budget preparation, implementation, and control.
• Arrange, balance, compile and enter budget data; perform statistical analysis of cash flow and budgets.
• Prepare and execute quarterly budget reviews with each manager; monitor and evaluate budgets and cash flow for appropriateness to ensure fiscal solvency and accountability.
• Prepare the official budget document that is approved by the RPU Board of Directors.

*Accounting

• Perform complex accounting functions for internal departments.
• Maintain chart of accounts; audit and post general ledger proposed entries; review and reconcile account and fund balances; analyze and assign codes in accordance with state reporting and regulatory requirements.
• Review documents and claims for accuracy, completeness, and uniformity to rules, regulations and laws; coordinate, prepare and review year-end closing process.
• Lead work order closing/fixed asset unitization process while gathering information from various sources to determine what assets were installed and the appropriate value to capitalize.
• Monitor accounts receivable and accounts payable, performing periodic reviews of financial reports to verify accuracy and fiscal solvency.

*Research and Data Analysis

• Research and analyze financial data for internal and external customers.
• Create, organize, and maintain files using database and spreadsheet programs.
• Collect, retrieve and organize data into required reporting formats to identify financial discrepancies and resolve client inquiries.
• Recommend solutions ensuring that corrections or changes are implemented properly.

*Financial Forecasting

• Produce multi-year forecasts including retail sales and revenue forecasts using multiple statistical methods and econometric inputs to include forecasting major expenses such as purchased power and water treatment chemicals which are driven by retail sales volume, labor, capital, and cashflow.
• Prepare periodic cash forecasts and initiate deposits to or draws from the City Investment Pool as needed.

*Financial and Regulatory Reporting

• Prepare complex financial reports as required by City Charter and other regulatory agencies. Current agencies include but may not be limited to: the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC), Midcontinent Independent System Operator (MISO), the Energy Information Administration (EIA),and the MN Department of Commerce.
• Assist in compiling data and interpreting legal reporting requirements and regulations.
• Create and maintain statistical reports.
• Plan and monitor timelines to meet strict deadlines in reporting regulations.
• Review and verify statistical and financial information including independent audit reports and long-term debt documents.

Rates and Cost of Service Studies/Debt Management

• Compile and prepare data for the development of the cost of service studies and subsequent rate design.
• Create, organize and maintain files using databases and spreadsheets to determine revenue requirements and proper customer classifications.
• Develop rates/prices for non-retail/non-commodity services such as steam billing rates, billing fees, reconnect fees, and after-hour field services.
• Maintain rates in the billing system for commodity, demand, and customer charges, as well as miscellaneous fees and taxes.
• Calculate and communicate the Power Cost Adjustment (PCA) to be billed to customers on a monthly basis.
• Determine the proper accounting treatment for new and refunding bonds.
• Assist in the preparation of documents for official statements, continuing disclosure and arbitrage reporting.
• Be responsible for cash draws for construction funds and debt payments.

Perform other duties as assigned or necessary.
*ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS
Education and Experience
A Bachelors degree in Accounting, Finance or closely related field from an accredited four-year college or university AND three years of full-time employment experience.
OR
An equivalent combination of education and experience sufficient to successfully perform the essential duties of the job may also be considered.
If this work interests you but you are unsure if you meet all the job requirements listed above, please apply anyway! Your experience is likely more applicable to the role than you think, and the City is interested in candidates who can bring not only technical expertise but a variety of lived experience to the team.
Licenses and/or Certifications
Valid driver's license
Desirable Qualifications
Master's degree in Business, Accounting or Finance; Certified Public Accountant (CPA), Certified Management Accountant (CMA).
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
PHYSICAL AND ENVIRONMENTAL CRITERIA
In compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act, the following represents the physical and environmental demands for this position. The employee must be able to perform the essential functions with or without accommodation.
In consideration of the overall amount of physical effort required to perform this position, the work is best described as Sedentary Work: Exerting up to 10 pounds of force occasionally and/or a negligible amount of force frequently or constantly to lift, carry, push, pull or otherwise move objects, including the human body. Sedentary work involves sitting most of the time. Jobs are sedentary if walking and standing are required only occasionally and all other sedentary criteria are met.
Physical demands that may be required continuously (2/3 or more of the time), frequently (1/3 to 2/3 of the time), and occasionally (up to 1/3 of the time) are noted below:
Continuous demands: sitting, fine dexterity
Frequent demands: standing
Occasional demands: walking, bending, lifting, reaching, handling
Sensory requirements necessary in the performance of the essential functions of this position include: (options - sight, hearing, touch, taste, or smell).
Environmental conditions that may exist in the performance of the essential functions of this job include: NONE (not substantially exposed to environmental conditions)
As a City of Rochester teammate, we believe you are the most important resource for the delivery of high-quality services to our community. The City is committed to supporting the health and well-being of you and your family by offering a comprehensive and competitive benefits package.
The City provides certain core benefits that are at no cost to the employee, such as Base Life and AD&D Insurance and access to an employee assistance program. We also offer voluntary benefits which include medical, vision, and dental, a flexible spending account, long term and short team disability, supplemental life and AD&D insurance, and retirement savings plans.
Benefit summaries outline the City's benefit offerings for our various collective bargaining agreements.
Click on the link below that takes you to the webpage where these are found.
01
By completing your application and supplemental questions you are attesting all information is true, accurate, and verifies your relevant education and experience. Your submitted materials will be used to determine your employment eligibility. Do you understand and agree with this statement?

• Yes
• No

02
What is your preferred name?
03
Will you now or in the future require sponsorship for employment visa status (e.g., H-1B visa status)?

• Yes
• No

04
Do you have a valid driver's license?

• Yes
• No

05
Which of the following best describes your level of education?

• High school diploma or equivalent G.E.D.
• Less than 2 years post-secondary training
• Completion of a 2 year program or degree
• Completion of a 4 year program or degree
• Completion of a Master's degree
• Completion of a Doctorate degree
• None of the above

06
Other than your High School diploma/GED, which of the following best describes the field of study for your major/degree?

• Business Administration
• Accounting
• Finance
• Economics
• A field of study closely related to the above
• My degree is in an area NOT RELATED to any of the above
• N/A - I do not have a degree

07
Which of the following best describes your years of full-time employment experience in budgeting, fixed asset accounting, research and data analysis, financial forecasting, financial and regulatory reporting, rate development, debt management, audit and internal controls and general ledger accounting?

• No experience
• Less than 1 year
• More than 1 year, but less than 3
• More than 3 years, but less than 5
• More than 5 years, but less than 7
• More than 7 years, but less than 10
• 10 or more years

08
Tell us how your professional, educational and lived experiences would help you be successful in this role.
09
Which of the following accounting-related certifications/designations do you currently possess? (Select all that apply)

• Certified Public Accountant (CPA)
• Certified Management Accountant (CMA)
• Certified Financial Manager (CFM)
• Certified Fraud Examiner (CFE)
• Certified Internal Auditor (CIA)
• Certified Government Financial Manager (CGFM)
• Certified Public Finance Officer (CPFO)
• Other (List below)
• N/A - I do not possess any accounting-related certifications/designations

10
Which of the following best describes the size of the organization, in terms of total annual revenues where you obtained a majority of your years of fulltime accounting and/or finance experience?

• Less than $500,000
• More than $500,000, but less than $2,500,000
• More than $2,500,000, but less than $10,000,000
• More than $10,000,000, but less than $25,000,000
• More than $25,000,000, but less than $50,000,000
• More than $50,000,000, but less than $100,000,000
• More than $100,000,000
• N/A - None of the above

11