Accountant, Senior Special Education Details

Job Title

Accountant, Senior ), Special Education
Requisition

Under general supervision, performs professional accounting, technical review, and budget support duties; reviews, verifies and reports financial and technical transactions; analyzes and researches financial records, and assures compliance with accounting standards and MPS policies and procedures.

• Performs and coordinates professional accounting functions for Finance Department or an assigned department; performs duties within scope of authority and training, and in compliance with MPS policies and quality standards; duties may vary according to job assignment.
• Reviews, verifies and analyzes financial information and technical transactions; summarizes data and develops reports that provide comprehensive, integrated and transparent financial information.
• Presents financial information, findings and recommendations to assist managers in decision-making.
• Reviews and approves reports and transactions regarding data tracking, financial reporting, transactional accounting, budget accounting, position control, purchasing and contracts.
• Assures the accounting activities and procedures are in compliance with state and Federal rules and regulations, and MPS policies and procedures.
• Monitors accounting work methods and processing procedures, and assures the quality of the financial controls, services and work products.
• Provides financial oversight of budgets, revenues, contracts, agreements and budget tie- out.
• Conducts special research, analysis and planning projects; coordinates budget planning and development process.
• Evaluates financial transactions for validity, and compliance with Federal and state technical requirements and District policies and practices; reports anomalies and discrepancies.
• Collects financial and administrative information and compiles data for reports; prepares and distributes monthly and special reports; identifies and researches accounting issues, and recommends solutions.
• Analyzes financial status and trends, and forecasts revenues and expenditures.
• Provides advice and customer service to MPS staff and clients; explains SAP methods and procedures, and accounting rules, policies and procedures; researches accounting issues and resolves problems.
• Trains staff in budgeting and accounting duties.
• Demonstrates courteous and cooperative behavior when interacting with students, clients, visitors, and MPS staff; acts in a manner that promotes a harmonious and effective workplace environment.
• Enthusiastically promotes the Superintendent’s goals and priorities in compliance with all policies and procedures.
• Maintains absolute confidentiality of work-related issues, records and MPS information.

Bachelor’s Degree in Accounting, Finance, or Business Administration; AND five (5) years of professional accounting experience, preferably in public education; OR an equivalent combination of education, training and experience as determined by Human Resources.

• Federal Direct Grants, Formula Grants, State, Local and Private Grants.
• Time and Effort Reporting, Maintenance of Effort Reporting, Comparability Reporting.
• Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP) and Generally Accepted Auditing Standards (GAAS) for Public Sector financial management, including cash management and debt management procedures.
• Government Accounting Standards Board (GASB), Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB), and Government Finance Officers Association (GFOA) standards, practices and policies.
• Federal and state accounting regulations, procedures, and accountability standards.
• Specialized MPS and state agency accounting software applications, including SAP, EDRS and State of Minnesota Uniform Financial Accounting and Reporting Standards (UFARS).
• Principles and practices of public sector administrative management, including strategic planning, budgeting, purchasing, contract management, customer service and employee supervision.
• Principles of record keeping and records management.

• Understanding ESEA/ESSA programs
• Interpreting and applying Uniform Grant Guidance
• Interpreting and applying budget and accounting standards and procedures, applicable federal rules and regulations, and MPS policies and procedures.
• Reviewing and interpreting financial documents and verifying compliance with all regulatory requirements governing public sector financial activities.
• Reviewing and analyzing accounting and technical transaction data and reports.
• Using initiative and independent judgment within established procedural guidelines.
• Performing analytical work requiring the use of independent judgment and initiative.
• Analyzing budget issues, evaluating alternatives, and developing recommendations and strategies.
• Preparing, reviewing and presenting management reports.
• Assessing and prioritizing multiple tasks, projects and demands.
• Maintaining accurate accounting records, and identifying and reconciling errors.
• Operating a personal computer utilizing…