The position of County Auditor is an elected position voted upon by the citizens of Barnes County in the off year, or non-presidential election years. The county auditor is by statute the chief financial officer of the county, the elections administrator, the property tax administrator, and the executive secretary to the board of county commissioners.

As Chief Financial Officer (CFO), the county auditor oversees all fiscal activities of the county. Some of the activities undertaken as CFO include administrating payment of bills, monthly and annual financial reporting, bonding for construction projects, and preparation of the annual county budget.

As Election Administrator, the county auditor administers all state and county elections held in the county. The county holds a primary election on the second Tuesday in June in every even numbered year. In conjunction with the primary election, the county auditor also administers the city and park district elections for all cities within the county. The county holds a general election on the first Tuesday after the first Monday in November of each even numbered year.

As Property Tax Administrator, the county auditor oversees the maintenance of the property tax system, computation of mill levies, preparation of property tax bills, distributing taxes collected to the various subdivisions of the county, and collection of delinquent taxes.

As the Executive Secretary to the board of county commissioners, the county auditor attests to official actions of the county commission and oversees the preparation of minutes of county commission meetings and other committee or appointed board meetings.