ALAMANCE-BURLINGTON SCHOOL SYSTEM

POSITION DESCRIPTION

GENERAL STATEMENT OF JOB

Under general supervision, performs supervisory and responsible professional accounting work in overseeing school system's general accounting programs and maintaining general accounts and the general ledger. Employee is responsible for compiling data for various reports required by oversight agencies and assisting outside auditors. This position is responsible for financial operations in the absence of the Senior Financial Officer. The Director of Finance directly supervises activities of program administrators for accounting, school accounting and accounts payable. Reports to the Senior Financial Officer.

MINIMUM TRAINING AND EXPERIENCE

Associates degree in accounting, auditing or a closely related field, and 4 to 6 years of responsible accounting and/or auditing experience, preferably in a North Carolina public school system; or any equivalent combination of training and experience which provides the required knowledge, skills and abilities.

CONTINUING PROFESSIONAL EDUCATION (CPE)

All certified finance officers must complete 24 contact hours of approved CPE credits during each fiscal year. This shall include at least two hours of conflict of interest training regarding the making and administering of contracts.

SPECIFIC DUTIES AND RESPONSIBLITIES

ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS

• Assigns, directs, and supervises a staff of accounting technicians in maintenance of general accounts and the general ledger; reconciliation and submission of payroll withholdings, sales tax reporting, payroll reporting, assistance in 1099 reporting, health insurance reconciliation, dental insurance reconciliation, life insurance reconciliation, bank reconciliation, benefits while on leave, accounts receivables; coordinates application of established policies and procedures to ensure compliance with applicable fiscal laws and regulations, and to foster efficient and accurate delivery of services; reviews subordinates' work, and assists and advises staff as necessary, resolving problems as non-routine situations arise.
• Administers or makes recommendations for routine personnel matters affecting subordinates, including recruiting, interviewing, hiring, training, assigning, scheduling, granting leave, appraising and disciplining, etc., submitting such records and reports as required by schools' management.
• Maintains general accounts and the general ledger system, reviewing records to ensure adherence to accepted standard accounting practices and principles and established School system policies and procedures; prepares trial balances and corrects errors and/or resolves discrepancies, as necessary.
• Monitors the cash needs of the accounts payable and payroll. Coordinates transfers of local funding with the State Treasurer Investment Fund and oversees ordering of cash from state and federal sources accordingly. Maintains compliance with state and federal cash management procedures and deadlines.
• Compiles various financial data and records for use in preparation of reports and records as required for submission to local, state and/or federal oversight agencies. Downloads and reviews monthly reports from the Department of Public Instruction.
• Monitors balance sheets for all funds throughout the year to ensure restricted funds are always accurately presented and appropriate balance sheet entries have been made so that assets less liabilities and equity equals the year-to-date results of operations.
• Performs transactions and system procedures related to fiscal year-end close and new fiscal year creation.
• Assists outside auditors in audits of school system programs and accounts, preparing reports and retrieving records as requested.
• Attends seminars, conferences, workshops, classes, lectures, etc., as appropriate, to enhance and maintain knowledge of trends and developments in the field of accounting and auditing; reviews professional journals, attends association and professional meetings, and otherwise maintains contacts with professionals to facilitate exchange of information.
• Coordinates and updates the publication of financial procedures and processes. 
• Performs periodic analysis of allotments of state and federal funds. Makes any refunds and adjustments necessary to insure proper expenditure of allotments.
• Oversees financial system security authorizations and manages onboarding process for new employees. 
• Serves as the Assistant Finance Officer and oversees financial operations in the absence of the Senior Financial Officer.

 ADDITIONAL JOB FUNCTIONS

• Performs other related work as required.

 KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES

• Thorough knowledge of the principles and practices of accounting and auditing. 
• Thorough knowledge of applied fiscal laws and regulations and school system policies and procedures concerning fiscal operations.
• Considerable knowledge of reports required by outside agencies and auditors. 
• Considerable knowledge of the procedures required to maintain the general ledger and prepare trial balances. 
• Considerable knowledge of the principles of supervision, organization and administration.
• General knowledge of the ethical guidelines applicable to the position as outlined by professional organizations and/or federal, state and local laws, rules and regulations.
• General knowledge of the current literature, trends, and developments in the field of accounting and auditing. 
• Ability to maintain standard accounting and control measures for the school system.
• Ability to maintain complete and accurate records and to develop meaningful reports from those records.
• Ability to operate standard office machines and popular computer driven word processing, spreadsheet and file maintenance programs.
• Ability to effectively express ideas orally and in writing.
• Ability to exercise considerable independent judgment and initiative in planning and directing an extensive fiscal control system.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships as necessitated by work assignments. 

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS OR STANDARDS REQUIRED TO PERFORM ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS

• Physical Requirements: Must be physically able to operate various equipment including computers, copiers, adding machines. Must be physically able to operate a motor vehicle. Must be able to exert up to 10 pounds of force occasionally and/or a negligible amount of force constantly to lift, carry, push, and pull or otherwise move objects, including the human body. Light work usually requires walking or standing to a significant degree.
• Data Conception: Requires the ability to compare and/or judge the readily observable, functional, structural, or composite characteristics (whether similar to or divergent from obvious standards) of data, people or things.
• Interpersonal Communications: Requires the ability to speak and/or signal people to convey or exchange information. Includes receiving instructions, assignments, and/or directions from supervisors. 
• Language Ability: Requires the ability to read correspondence, reports, forms, billing statements, invoices, financial statements, rosters, insurance forms, turnaround documents, etc. Requires the ability to prepare correspondence, forms, reports, billing statements, invoices, and financial statements using proper format. Requires the ability to speak to people with poise, voice control, and confidence.
• Intelligence: Requires the ability to apply rational systems to solve practical problems and deal with a variety of concrete variables in situations where only limited standardization exists; to interpret a variety of instructions furnished in oral, written, diagrammatic or schedule form.
• Verbal Aptitude: Requires the ability to record and deliver information, to explain procedures, to follow oral and written instructions. Must be able to communicate effectively and efficiently in standard English and government terminology. Include as necessary any professional languages, i.e. medical, accounting, personnel, and child nutrition.
• Numerical Aptitude: Requires the ability to utilize mathematical formulas; to add and subtract totals; to multiply and divide; to determine percentages and decimals; and to apply the theories of algebra/statistics.
• Form/Spatial Aptitude: Requires the ability to inspect items for proper length, width, and shape.
• Motor Coordination: Requires the ability to coordinate hands and eyes rapidly and accurately in using automated office equipment or tools of the position.
• Manual Dexterity: Requires the ability to handle a variety of items such as office equipment, etc. Must have minimal levels of eye/hand/foot coordination.
• Color Discrimination: Requires the ability to differentiate between colors and shades of color.
• Interpersonal Temperament: Requires the ability to deal with people beyond giving and receiving. Must be adaptable to performing under minimal levels of stress and when confronted with persons acting under stress.
• Physical Communication: Requires the ability to talk and hear: (Talking: expressing or exchanging ideas by means of spoken words. Hearing: perceiving nature of sounds by ear). Must be able to communicate via telephone.