OSA Weekly Update - 10/16/2026

1. Message from Auditor Blaha

2. Available: Investment Report Cards

3. Avoiding Pitfall: Fight Payroll Direct Deposit Fraud

4. Job Openings

1. Message from Auditor Blaha

We’re hiring! The Office of the State Auditor (OSA) has several job postings, which you can see at the bottom of this newsletter. I’d like to call your attention to the Finance Director position. This is a leadership position. In this role you’ll lead a team, oversee agency finance, security, and operations. You’ll act on behalf of the State Auditor and represent the OSA in the legislative budget process.

The job posting closes on October 23. You can learn more about the position and how to apply on the OSA website.

2. Available: Investment Report Cards

The Office of the State Auditor (OSA) annually provides an “Investment Report Card” as an educational tool to each fire relief association. The report card provides one-year and multi-year rates of return calculated for the relief association as well as a custom benchmark rate of return. The report card is sent via email to each relief association and is also accessible through the Fire Relief Association Reporting Compliance Dashboard. On the dashboard, select a relief association and year, and a download link will be displayed above the list of submitted reporting forms if an Investment Report Card is available.

3. Avoiding Pitfall: Fight Payroll Direct Deposit Fraud

Fraudsters may attempt to re-route electronic payroll deposits to themselves through fraudulent requests to change the destination account. This could occur in an email purporting to be from an employee. They may also use a fraudulent direct depository change request form.

It is important to be aware of this threat. You can protect your payroll system with internal controls. Here are some specific controls to consider:

  • Verify each request by contacting the employee directly -- in person, or using a phone number you can rely on.

  • Require the employee to turn in an original signed ACH form. Do not accept electronic forms.

  • Remove ACH forms from the internet. Only send them to an internal or external address already on file.

  • On an ACH form, require that the employee to provide the previous bank routing and account number for verification.

  • Require multiple approvals for each change.

For additional information, see the League of Minnesota Cities Electronic Funds Transfer Fraud. You can also read the GFOA publication Bank Account Fraud Prevention.

The full Avoiding Pitfall is available on the OSA website.

4. Job Openings

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Local Government Auditors (Duluth)

The OSA is hiring a Local Government Auditor (Duluth). As a team member of the Audit Practice Division, this entry-level auditor position assists in the audits of Minnesota local governments by performing procedures necessary to determine the reliability of clients’ financial statements and compliance with legal and federal requirements.

The job posting will close on Oct. 19, 2026.

Local Government Auditor Staff Specialist (Duluth)

The OSA is hiring a Local Government Auditor Staff Specialist (Duluth). This position is responsible for assisting in the audits of local governments by ensuring that appropriate procedures are performed that are necessary to determine the reliability of clients’ financial statements and compliance with legal and regulatory requirements.

The job posting will close on Oct. 19, 2026.

Finance Director

The OSA is looking for a Finance Director. This position acts on behalf of the State Auditor in advocating for the OSA during the legislative budgeting process. It's also responsible for directing and supervising the budgeting process, fiscal management, purchasing, facilities management including security coordination and inventory management, and coordinating the phone pool response system for the OSA.

The position starts on Dec. 2, 2026.

The job posting closes on Oct. 23, 2026.

Local Government Auditor (Marshall)

The OSA is hiring a Local Government Auditor (Marshall). As a team member of the Audit Practice Division, this entry-level auditor position assists in the audits of Minnesota local governments by performing procedures necessary to determine the reliability of clients’ financial statements and compliance with legal and federal requirements.

The job posting will close on Oct. 26, 2026.

Local Government Auditor's (St. Paul)

The OSA is hiring two Local Government Auditors (St. Paul). As a team member of the Audit Practice Division, these entry-level auditor positions assists in the audits of Minnesota local governments by performing procedures necessary to determine the reliability of clients’ financial statements and compliance with legal and federal requirements.

The job posting will close on Oct. 26, 2026.

Investigator Specialist 1

The OSA is hiring a Investigator Specialist 1. This position exists to investigate matters involving financial irregularities and illegal acts within local government units. This position will investigate and respond to complaints and issues from citizens and local governments received by the OSA.

The job posting will close on Oct. 27, 2026.