Student Services Accounting Technician

PURPOSE STATEMENT:

Under the direction of the Director of Student Services, the Student Services Accounting Technician supports the planning, directing and integrating of the federal, state and other grant financial processes of the Great Falls Public Schools (GFPS) to ensure that GFPS derives maximum educational dividends from prudent management of federal, state and other grant funds. The Student Services Accounting Technician assists in planning, organizing, coordinating, managing, presenting and implementing activities related to the District's federal/grant budget, assets, accounting, payroll, and purchasing functions.

REQUIRED KNOWLEDGE OF:

a. A good understanding of Microsoft Excel, Microsoft Word, and ability to produce formulas inside these programs.

b. Operations, services and activities of a comprehensive school district student services program

c. Special education accounting policies and procedures

d. Title I accounting policies and procedures

e. State and federal grant procedures

f. Grant accounting and purchasing procedures

g. Bookkeeping procedures

h. Modern office procedures, methods and equipment, including computers

i. Data management software programs

REQUIRED ABILITY TO:

a. Work independently with minimum supervision; organize and prioritize oneself and others

b. Attend to detail and follow tasks through to completion

c. Work effectively under pressure and handle stressful situations appropriately

d. Establish and maintain effective working relationships with all stakeholders and outside agencies

e. Maintain accurate accounting records; reconcile account balances

f. Prepare detailed documents, memorandums, reports, and correspondence

g. Communicate clearly and concisely in both oral and written form

h. Maintain confidentiality when appropriate

i. Analyze problems, identify alternative solutions, project consequences of proposed actions and implement recommendations in support of goals

j. Interpret laws, rules, regulations and policies related to student services

k. Prepare clear and concise administrative and financial reports

l. Operate a computer and modern software standard to the position

m. Provide information and assistance to parents, the general public and staff members in a helpful, courteous, positive and timely manner

n. Understand and follow oral and written instructions

EDUCATION/ High school graduation or equivalent required.

EXPERIENCE: Advanced technical training or degree in accounting/bookkeeping preferred. General accounting background and three years of experience in budget

maintenance and accounting required.

Job related experience with increasing levels of responsibility desired.

Knowledge of school district programs preferred.

EMPLOYMENT: 12 Months, 8 Hours per Day

SALARY: $25.58/hr.-$26.50/hr. depending on qualifications and experience

CLOSING DATE: Open Until Filled

A current GFPS Classified application, cover letter, resume, transcripts of all education credits to date (if applicable) and three (3) letters of recommendation must be received in the A Frontline Application must be received in the Frontline Application program (available at www.gfps.k12.mt.us) by the closing date.

Applicants may also submit samples of their own work that exemplify the responsibilities and requirements of this position.

DIRECTOR

OF

STUDENT SERVICES

POSITION: Student Services Accounting Technician

TERMS: This shall be an hourly educational support position of twelve-month (260 days) duration with benefits cited in the current school district personnel policies.

Student Services

Accounting

Technician

FUNCTION

Under the direction of the Director of Student Services, the Student Services Accounting Technician supports the planning, directing and integrating of the federal, state and other grant financial processes of the Great Falls Public Schools (GFPS) to ensure that GFPS derives maximum educational dividends from prudent management of federal, state and other grant funds. The Student Services Accounting Technician assists in planning, organizing, coordinating, managing, presenting and implementing activities related to the District's federal/grant budget, assets, accounting, payroll, and purchasing function

RESPONSIBILITY

The Student Services Accounting Technician has the following duties and responsibilities:

General Responsibilities

a. Meets all statutory requirements for federal, state and grant functions.

b. Analyzes information on federal/grant funds for the purpose of identifying potential budget variances, compiling statistical information and conforming to established contemporary financial practices and regulatory requirements.

c. Assists auditors in providing requested information and supporting documentation for the purpose of ensuring accuracy and compliance with audit requirements.

d. Develops reporting processes, procedures and internal controls for the purpose of maintaining accurate records in the most cost effective manner.

e. Compiles statistical and financial data for the purpose of providing third-party and internal reporting, providing financial summaries to staff, and/or ensuring compliance with established guidelines.

f. Maintains fiscal information, files and records for the purpose of providing an up-to-date reference and audit trail for compliance.

g. Informs staff regarding a variety of procedures and program requirements for the purpose of administrating federal/grant business practices and ensuring compliance with established guidelines.

h. Prepares various documents, memorandums, reports, and correspondence for the purpose of providing written support and/or conveying information to district personnel and/or regulatory agencies.

i. Assists other personnel as may be required for the purpose of supporting them in the completion of their work activities and/or providing back-up as needed.

j. Processes documentation for requests as a timely and accurate response to the request.

k. Maintains an inventory of all federal/grant fixed assets (over $5000) and inventory (under $5000).

Budget Responsibilities

a. Manages accounting records for various federal and state grants.

b. Assists Director in preparing federal/grant budgets and revisions.

c. Processes approved grant documents.

d. Monitors expenditures against budget and/or a wide variety of account information for the purpose of ensuring the accuracy of reported information, availability of funds, and compliance with established financial guidelines and

program policies, practices and regulatory requirements.

e. Maintains running budget balances for each grant.

f. Prepares annual grant activity reports.

g. Maintains grant files

Accounting Responsibilities

a. Creates and maintains accurate recordings of federal/grant financial records.

b. Reconciles federal/grant fiscal information and account balances for the purpose of verifying accuracy of information, maintaining accurate balances and complying with accounting practice

Payroll Responsibilities

* Works with Human Resources and the Lead Payroll Technician to ensure the timely preparation and distribution of all federal/grant payrolls as per deadlines and established procedures.

Collaboration Responsibilities

a. Interprets federal/grant policies and procedures to school district personnel.

b. Works cooperatively and in consultation with Business Office, Human Resource and Data Department staff members.

c. Provides customer service to and works cooperatively with all District administrators and staff.

Training Responsibilities

a. Responsible for coordinating in-service training of Student Services staff that is necessary and desirable.

b. Responsible for coordinating the training of other related staff in federal/grant procedures.

Other Responsibilities and Duties

a. Will perform such other duties as required by the Superintendent of Schools and the Director of Student Services

QUALIFICATIONS

Knowledge of:

j. Operations, services and activities of a comprehensive school district student services program

k. Special education accounting policies and procedures

l. Title I accounting policies and procedures

m. State and federal grant procedures

n. Grant accounting and purchasing procedures

o. Bookkeeping procedures

p. Modern office procedures, methods and equipment, including computers

q. Data management software programs

Ability to:

o. Work independently with minimum supervision

p. Organize and prioritize oneself and others for efficiency and effectiveness

q. Attend to detail and follow tasks through to completion

r. Work effectively under pressure and handle stressful situations appropriately

s. Establish and maintain effective working relationships with all stakeholders and outside agencies

t. Maintain accurate accounting records

u. Reconcile account balances

v. Prepare detailed documents, memorandums, reports, and correspondence

w. Establish and maintain effective working relationships with students, staff and the community

x. Communicate clearly and concisely in both oral and written form

y. Maintain confidentiality when appropriate

z. Analyze problems, identify alternative solutions, project consequences of proposed actions and implement recommendations in support of goals

aa. Interpret laws, rules, regulations and policies related to student services

bb. Prepare clear and concise administrative and financial reports

cc. Operate a computer and modern software standard to the position

dd. Provide information and assistance to parents, the general public and staff members in a helpful, courteous, positive and timely manner

ee. Understand and follow oral and written instructions

Education and Experience

High school graduation or equivalent required.

Advanced technical training or degree in accounting/bookkeeping preferred.

General accounting background and three years of experience in budget maintenance and accounting required.

Job related experience with increasing levels of responsibility desired.

Knowledge of school district programs preferred.