Manager, Fiscal Services

General Description

Our ideal candidate

You are an innovative professional with excellent communication skills and a proven track record of establishing rapport and earning the trust of colleagues and end users through your demeanor and results. You are highly responsible and take ownership of all tasks and responsibilities of the position. You successfully set priorities, work accurately and efficiently, and meet deadlines. You conduct research, thoroughly analyze data, and summarize and express complex concepts concisely to others who have varying levels of understanding. You understand politically sensitive issues and handle them in a diplomatic and confidential manner. You take the initiative to solve problems, either independently or in collaboration with other managers. You mentor and train others, and give credit where it is due. You are solutions oriented, inspire others, and lead by example. You are committed to providing the best service available to the Santa Barbara County Education Office and the members of your team.

General description

Under administrative direction, plans, organizes, and directs financial accounting operations to ensure accurate and timely accounting reports, statements of financial condition, processing and payment of accounting transactions, and accounting for determining revenues and special funding. Facilitates development of, and compiles information for the annual budget process. Responsible for the efficient and effective operations of accounting and budget administration functions that include but are not limited to special accounts, accounts receivable and payable, payroll, budget administration, and general ledger.

Specific Duties and Responsibilities

Plan, organize, and direct the work of staff engaged in fiscal activities including budget control records, receipt and disbursement of funds, special funding, financial performance statements including general ledger, and other accounting activities. Train and supervise accounting staff to ensure that accurate and timely preparation of transactions and entries.

Provide technical expertise and direction regarding accounting issues and discrepancies.

Serve as the department’s team leader for developing and enhancing automated accounting and financial information systems, including those that are part of integrated data management programs.

Participate in development of accounting controls to ensure the validity and accuracy of financial information and statements.

Ensure separation of activities, access to and accounting of assets, and proper execution of transactions.

Audit financial data and documents to assure accuracy, completeness, and compliance with County Education Office policies and procedures and applicable government regulations.

Recommend changes to policies and procedures that improve internal controls; review financial record-keeping procedures and techniques and recommend and implement improvements, assuring efficiency and compliance with County Office policies and applicable regulations.

Participate in closing of the general ledger for year-end financial reporting which includes all special funding, current accounting expenditures, deferred balances, and employee-based accounts such as payroll and accruals.

Coordinate activities connected with independent audits by organizing documents, providing requested information, and preparing reports.

Facilitate the budget development process by researching and gathering information such as FTEs, projected overhead, and details for expenditures; provide support to departments in budget development and critique budget proposals.

Implement the approved budget and integrate it into the financial systems; serve as a resource for questions regarding budgets, accounts and related information.

Monitor and analyze the utilization of funds, including those from general, grant, capital, and other sources.

Prepare periodic reports of revenue and expense performance, account balances, and cash balances.

Develop and maintain management information and control processes to assist department leaders in understanding financial position with respect to program goals and objectives.

Produce accounting transactions including accounts payable, accounts receivable, and adjustments to general ledger or other areas, as required.

Perform other duties as assigned that support the overall objective of the position.

Requirements

Education: Possession of a bachelor’s degree in accounting, business administration, or a related field.

Experience: Four years of experience performing professional accounting duties, preferably in an educational setting. Two years of experience as a supervisor of accounting staff are also required (in addition to, or as part of, the professional accounting experience).

Knowledge of:

Principles, practices, and regulations pertaining to accounting, financial record-keeping, internal controls, and auditing for educational entities

Principles, procedures, and methods used in budget preparation and financial analysis and research

California School Accounting Manual

Generally Accepted Accounting Principles and Generally Accepted Auditing Standards

General accounting and business functions of an educational organization

Policies and laws relating to categorical programs

Financial management software applications

Practices and principles of management, supervision, and training

County Office organization, operations, policies, and objectives

Principles and practices of fixed asset management

Principles and practices of public budget preparation

Grant accounting

Arithmetic, including percentages and fractions, and advanced mathematics

Correct English usage, grammar, spelling, punctuation and vocabulary

Modern office practices, procedures, and equipment

Standard office productivity software applications

Ability to:

Interpret, explain, apply, and enforce laws, regulations, policies, rules, and procedures related to assignment

Analyze situations accurately and adopt an effective course of action

Prepare clear, complete, and concise financial records.

Analyze accounting data and prepare financial statements

Conduct technical accounting-related research

Learn and apply the sections of the California Education Code related to accounting, auditing, and reporting

Use a variety of computerized accounting, enterprise, and other software programs for data management and analysis

Evaluate historical data and use inferential methods to develop projections and formulate recommendations based on projections

Think critically and creatively

Prepare professional quantitative and narrative reports

Supervise, train, and manage the performance of assigned staff in a manner that encourages teamwork, high morale, and efficiency

Plan and organize work of self and others

Set and adjust priorities for self and others

Establish and maintain effective working relationships with individuals at all levels of the organization and districts served

Communicate effectively both orally and in writing

Develop and make effective oral presentations

Work independently and as member or leader of a team, as needed

Make accurate arithmetical computations and mathematical calculations

Work with speed and accuracy

Understand and follow oral and written directions

Meet schedules and deadlines

Maintain confidentiality of files and other sensitive material

Licenses and certificates

May require possession of a valid driver’s license.

Working conditions

Typical office environment; occasional travel to other sites and meetings is required.

Supplemental Information

Classified Management salary ranges have 9 steps (A-I). Initial salary placement for new hires may be at any step of the range, based on qualifications.

Click here for an Overview of Our Application & Selection Process.

RECRUITMENT INFORMATION:

• All applicants who meet the minimum qualifications will be invited to participate in the examination process for the position.

• The examination process may include one or more of the following: written, oral, and performance examination.

• Candidates must pass all parts of the examination process to be placed on the eligibility list. Final score will determine the candidate's rank on the eligibility list.

• A candidate in the top three ranks (including tie scores) on the eligibility list may be considered for hire; when there are multiple vacancies in the same job classification, additional ranks will be considered.

• This recruitment is Dual Certification, meaning it is open to all applicants, including current SBCEO employees and those from the general public. Dual certification results in one integrated eligibility list based on rank.

• Eligibility lists are generally valid for six months; promotional eligibility lists are valid for one year. Lists may be exhausted prior to the original expiration date, or they may be extended with the approval of the Personnel Commission.

• If you require an accommodation for any step of the application and selection process, please notify Human Resources by the application deadline date (or as soon as possible for an open continuous recruitment).

• Veterans' Preference Points: This recruitment is eligible for veterans' preference points for qualifying veterans.

Non-Discrimination Policy Statement

For purposes of this policy, employees include job applicants, interns, volunteers, and persons who contracted with SBCEO to provide services, as applicable.

No SBCEO employee shall be discriminated against or harassed by any coworker, supervisor, manager, or other person with whom the employee comes in contact in the course of employment, on the basis of the employee's actual or perceived race, color, ancestry, national origin, age, religious creed, marital status, pregnancy, physical or mental disability, medical condition, genetic information, veteran or military status, sex, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, gender expression, or association with a person or group with one or more of these actual or perceived characteristics.

SBCEO prohibits discrimination against employees on the basis of reproductive health decision making, defined as a person's decision to use or access a particular drug, device, product, or medical service for reproductive health.

SBCEO does not discriminate against employees on the basis of immigration status, unless there is clear and convincing evidence that SBCEO is required to do so in order to comply with federal immigration law.