Finance Specialist

Finance Specialist

The Finance Specialist provides a combination of finance and administrative assistance to the Department of Business Services. The Finance Specialist must have some knowledge of school finance and school and government accounting practices, and be willing to perform other business services duties.

Education/Training/Experience:

• High School Diploma or satisfactory completion of the General Education Development (GED) test, and a combination of college coursework in Business Education or a Bachelor's degree in accounting/business administration, with work experience related to the essential job functions.

Knowledge/Skills and Abilities:

• Must have competencies in mathematical computation and the use of all office machines.
• Must have experience with school finance.
• Proficient in MS Office: Excel, Word, Outlook, and PowerPoint, and willing to learn and work with accounting system software.
• Experience working with Visions Accounting software is preferred.

Resources Used in Performing Job Include (but are not limited to):

Standard office equipment and vehicle for district travel. A district car may be used, or if the employee uses his/her own vehicle, mileage reimbursement is available.

Physical/Cognitive Requirements:

• Regularly required to walk, talk, and listen.
• Frequently required to stand and sit.
• Required to use hands to finger, handle, or feel objects, tools, or controls; reach with hands and arms; and stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl.
• Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, and depth perception. Light lifting at times.

Environmental Conditions:

The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate.

Essential Job Functions:

1. Greeting clients, answering phones professionally, and scheduling appointments or meetings, among other office duties.
2. Perform general clerical support including mail-outs, photocopying, filing, and equipment supplies.
3. Receive and distribute mail and postage when it is received and sent.
4. Process receipt of cash and checks at central office.
5. Maintain a complete and systematic set of records of all financial transactions of specific programs within the Business Services Department.
6. Process warehouse requisitions, post, and reconcile to the district general ledger.
7. Process various orders and ensure appropriate documentation is maintained for the orders and receipt of the orders.
8. Responsible for maintaining the district's fixed assets inventory up to date in Visions' Fixed Asset System.
9. Maintain the records for district capital assets, which include the tracking of depreciation and expenses for all acquisitions, reassignments, retirements, and/or disposals by following appropriate district policies and procedures and state and federal requirements for school districts.
10. Assist Business Manager in preparing and processing quarterly Medicaid Claims for reimbursement from State Government on the MAC Fairbanks system, utilizing the district financial system's general ledger.
11. Assist department staff in accounting, accounts payable or payroll departments as necessary.
12. Prepare accounts payable for all funds with the exception of Athletics and Non-Budgeted Accounts and will comply with all requirements pertaining to accounts payable.
13. Establish and maintain computerized databases of the district's vendors, contacts, and other relevant information when required.
14. May be responsible for entering employee data, like hours and benefits or entering vendor information for accounts payable.
15. Assist in gathering information and follow up on the Public Education Department's Operating Budget Maintenance System for Requests for Reimbursements for State/Federal/Capital funds.
16. May assist with processing budget adjustment requests (BARs) with appropriate documentation to support requests to the Public Education Department.
17. May be responsible for running certain daily or weekly reports or performing basic bookkeeping duties.
18. Proofread others' work for accuracy and verification.
19. Maintain appropriate documentation as part of a filing system.
20. Attend staff meetings and trainings when required.
21. Perform any other tasks assigned by the supervisor(s).

Personal Accountability:

1. Demonstrates reliability as evidenced by attendance records and punctuality.
2. Properly notifies supervisor and/or designee of absences or tardiness.
3. Self-motivated, proactive, and innovative style.
4. Begins and completes work within the allotted time.
5. Consistently appears in attire appropriate to the work environment.
6. Demonstrates skill in the use of equipment, including its capabilities, limitations, and appropriate/special application.
7. Protects the District's resources through appropriate and careful use of supplies and equipment.
8. Utilizes appropriate body mechanics to aid in the prevention of muscle strain/injury.