Finance Analyst

Aspen Peaks School District Finance Analyst

250 Day Contract, Lanes E, F, G Hours a day: 8 Salary: $74,420 - $117,640 Depending on qualifications and experience.

The job of FINANCE ANALYST is done for the purpose of providing support to department and school activities with specific responsibilities for the financial activities of the District to ensure they meet the financial policies, practices, regulations, and other compliance requirements; assisting in the formulation, analysis and execution of the annual budget; identifying budget variances and recommending appropriate actions to comply with fiscal requirements and budget guidelines; analyzing revenues and expenditures against budget; assisting schools in maintaining accurate account balances; providing instruction and support to personnel in managing their financial operations; collaborating with state required agencies and providing analytical information, reports and recommendations as required by program personnel, District administration and/or regulatory agencies. This Job reports to the Senior Finance Analyst. The start date will be July 1, 2027.

Essential Functions:

• Advises administrative staff, school officials, and board members of the implications of funding alternatives, proposed program adjustments, and revenue options for the purpose of providing assistance to all levels of management in the resolution of budget variances and other financial issues.
• Analyzes school and District financial information (e.g. budget reports, expenditures, variances, projections; Special Education, Career Technology Education, etc.) for the purpose of identifying budget variances, compiling statistical information, identifying long-term budgetary goals, and/or conforming to established guidelines.
• Assists staff and administration with technical budgeting issues for the purpose of preparing the information and data required for developing budgets, controlling expenditures and/or preparing budget revisions.
• Assists external auditors for the purpose of providing supporting documentation and/or information on internal processes that are required for audit.
• Collaborates with program administrators in developing budgets for the purpose of providing budgetary information to administration, board members and public organizations in compliance with established regulatory guidelines.
• Communicates state legislation information to staff and administrators for the purpose of conveying appropriate use, allocation and tracking of funds.
• Compiles a wide variety of financial information related to work assignments for the purpose of providing required documentation, developing budget recommendations, processing information, providing summaries and/or ensuring compliance with established regulatory guidelines.
• Conducts financial audits of local school finance offices for the purpose of ensuring adherence to state and federal financial guidelines.
• Develops special and regular financial reports as requested for the purpose of summarizing budget and financial data for administrative staff use.
• Generates program reimbursement requests of federal funds for the purpose of assuring the sufficient funding for program operations.
• Interfaces with Tax Commission and County Treasurer/Auditor for property tax data, estimates and receipts for the purpose of providing data required for budget development.
• Maintains a wide variety of manual and electronic files, documents and records (e.g. account structure, current and historical budget data, financial records, etc.) for the purpose of providing up-to-date reference and audit trail support and ensuring the availability of documentation and compliance with established policies and regulatory guidelines.
• Assists with year-end budget processes for the purpose of closing and opening new budget years.
• Monitors account balances and related financial activity (e.g. categorical program funds, salary allocations, expenditures, revenues, carryovers, etc.) for the purpose of ensuring that allocations are accurate, related revenues are generated, expenses are within budget limits and/or fiscal practices are followed.
• Oversees the preparation of budget transfers, amendments, position control, files, etc. for the purpose of ensuring accuracy of data for decision making and/or complying with regulatory requirements.
• Participates in unit meetings, in-service training, workshops, etc. for the purpose of conveying and/or gathering information required to perform job functions.
• Prepares a wide variety of written materials and electronic routine financial and budget information (e.g. financial statements, grant fund status reports, program specific reports, state and federal reports, funding applications and renewals, budget variance and activity reports, employee compensation letters, general ledger maintenance, revenue and expense estimates, etc.) for the purpose of documenting activities, providing reference, conveying information, assisting auditors, and complying with established financial, legal and/or administrative requirements.
• Processes budget-related documents (e.g. journal entries, account and fund transfers, encumbrances, etc.) for the purpose of updating and distributing information, authorizing for action and/or complying with established accounting practices.
• Provides orientation, training and support to school and program personnel regarding program software, procedures and financial requirements for the purpose of ensuring the efficient processing of financial information in compliance with established guidelines and availability of program financial data for administrative decision-making.
• Recommends policies, procedures, best practices and/or actions on issues that relate to financial operations for the purpose of providing direction and/or making decisions for the District.
• Reconciles a wide variety of financial data for the purpose of maintaining accurate account balances and ensuring compliance with established accounting practices.
• Researches state and federal funding and accounting policies and procedures and discrepancies of financial information and/or documentation (e.g. purchase orders, invoices, etc.) for the purpose of ensuring compliance, accuracy, appropriate use of funds and adherence to established procedures prior to processing.
• Responds to inquiries from a wide variety of sources (e.g. District employees, government agencies, vendors, auditors, etc.) for the purpose of facilitating communication and/or providing guidance among several parties; providing information and/or appropriate referral.
• Assumes responsibility for a wide variety of accounting projects as assigned (e.g. reconciling investment accounts, development of district internal controls, reviewing expenditures of specific programs, navigating new or changing state requirements, creating new general ledger accounts, etc.) for the purpose of providing key support to other department staff and schools, and meeting department objectives.
• Compiles annual school budget reports for the purpose of addressing state reporting requirements.
• Develops reporting processes, procedures and internal controls for student fund accounting for the purpose of assuring the school financial processes are conducted in accordance with established standards, provide accurate information and efficiently managed.
• Maintains accounting and internal control policies and procedures for the purpose of assuring staff are complying with established procedures and maintaining accurate accounting records; and/or identifying corrective actions to reinforce proper procedures to minimize negative audit findings.
• Monitors accounting software applications for proper functionality (e.g. identifying software issues for collaboration with technology staff, installation of software and updates, etc.) for the purpose of assuring software applications support the required accounting functions.
• Provides technical expertise, support and direction to staff and administration regarding accounting issues, district systems and related financial activities (e.g. daily receipting, exports, student refunds, deposits, bank reconciliations, financial software; developing instruction manuals, financial handbooks and training videos, etc.) for the purpose of conveying pertinent information regarding the District's financial operations and ensuring compliance with established policies, practices and regulatory requirements.
• Reviews school processes and year-end activities (e.g. Fund 21 (bi-annually), money management report, program overages, closing journal entries, closing and rolling TES software, etc.) for the purpose of ensuring accuracy of fund financial activity and preparing the ledger for the start of the next fiscal year.
• Reviews and monitors district and school accounting procedures for the purpose of assuring the financial activities are in compliance with Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP) and District accounting requirements.
• Performs other related duties as assigned for the purpose of ensuring the efficient and effective functioning of the work unit.

Job Requirements: Minimum Qualifications Skills, Knowledge and Abilities SKILLS are required to perform multiple, technical tasks with a need to occasionally upgrade skills in order to meet changing job conditions. Specific skill based competencies required to satisfactorily perform the functions of the job include: operating standard office equipment using pertinent software applications; performing accounting procedures; planning and managing projects; and preparing and maintaining accurate records. KNOWLEDGE is required to perform algebra and/or geometry; read technical information, compose a variety of documents, and/or facilitate group discussions; and solve practical problems. Specific knowledge based competencies required to satisfactorily perform the functions of the job include: principles of accounting and auditing; general governmental accounting practices; standard office practices and procedures; and pertinent codes, policies, regulations and/or laws. ABILITY is required to schedule activities, meetings, and/or events; often gather, collate, and/or classify data; and use basic, job-related equipment. Flexibility is required to work with others in a wide variety of circumstances; analyze data utilizing defined but different processes; and operate equipment using standardized methods. Ability is also required to work with a diversity of individuals and/or groups; work with data of widely varied types and/or purposes; and utilize a variety of job-related equipment. Problem solving is required to analyze issues