ACCOUNTANT

Accountant Position

Under the direction of the Assistant Superintendent of Business Services or designee, the Accountant performs responsible and technical accounting duties with primary responsibility for accounts payable functions including the review, audit, processing, and reconciliation of financial transactions; maintains accurate financial records; prepares financial, statistical, and budgetary reports; ensures compliance with applicable laws, regulations, and District policies; and assists in the development and implementation of financial procedures and internal controls.

Supervision is received by the Assistant Superintendent of Business Services or designee. This position may provide technical guidance to clerical accounting support positions but does not exercise formal supervisory authority.

The Accountant classification performs a full range of responsible and technical accounting duties with primary responsibility for accounts payable functions and expanded responsibility for fiscal analysis, reconciliation, reporting, and audit support. Incumbents independently perform complex accounting work requiring analytical judgment to ensure accurate financial reporting, compliance with applicable laws and regulations, and integrity of District financial operations. This classification is distinguished from clerical accounting support positions in that it is responsible for auditing, analyzing, reconciling, and maintaining financial records and systems, as well as supporting budget monitoring, attendance accounting, and reporting functions. While this classification may provide technical guidance to others, it does not include ongoing supervisory responsibilities. Errors at this level could result in delayed payments, audit findings, funding discrepancies, or noncompliance with fiscal and regulatory requirements.

This position description is intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by the employee assigned to the position. This description is not an exhaustive list of all duties, responsibilities, knowledge, skills, abilities, and working conditions associated with the position. Incumbents may be required to perform any combination of these duties. All requirements are subject to possible modification to reasonably accommodate individuals with a disability. Duties may include, but are not limited to the following:

1. Commits to honoring IUSD's Mission, Vision, Core Values, Commitments, and Indicators of Student Success.
2. Provides high-quality customer service to District staff, vendors, and external partners by responding to inquiries in a timely, professional, and solution-oriented manner; communicates clearly and effectively regarding financial processes, requirements, and timelines; demonstrates accuracy, accountability, and attention to detail; and ensures that all interactions support efficient operations and the District's commitment to service excellence.
3. Performs and oversees accounts payable functions including reviewing, auditing, and processing invoices, purchase orders, and payment requests for accuracy, completeness, and compliance with District policies and procedures.
4. Prepares, verifies, and processes payments ensuring proper authorization, coding, and adherence to established fiscal controls and timelines.
5. Maintains and monitors an accurate and auditable accounts payable system ensuring timely payment of obligations and proper documentation retention.
6. Reconciles accounts payable transactions, vendor statements, and general ledger accounts and identifies and resolves discrepancies in a timely manner.
7. Performs complex accounting analysis including reviewing, reconciling, and verifying financial data to ensure accuracy, completeness, and compliance with applicable laws, regulations, and accounting standards.
8. Prepares, reviews, and analyzes financial, statistical, and budgetary reports to support District operations, audits, and regulatory reporting requirements.
9. Monitors revenues and expenditures and assists in ensuring alignment with approved budgets; identifies variances and supports corrective actions as needed.
10. Prepares, reviews, and processes budget transfers and adjustments; verifies account accuracy and maintains supporting documentation.
11. Supports attendance accounting functions including reviewing and reconciling data to ensure accuracy and compliance with applicable reporting requirements.
12. Assists in the preparation and compilation of financial statements and reports in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles and applicable governmental standards.
13. Develops, implements, and maintains procedures and internal controls related to financial recordkeeping, accounts payable, and reporting processes.
14. Performs internal audit functions and supports external audits by preparing documentation, researching discrepancies, and assisting with audit resolution.
15. Serves as a technical resource to District staff regarding accounting, accounts payable, and financial reporting procedures and requirements.
16. Confers with vendors, departments, and staff to resolve discrepancies, payment issues, and financial inquiries in a timely and professional manner.
17. Maintains financial records, files, and documentation in accordance with District policies and regulatory requirements.
18. Assists in year-end closing processes including accruals, reconciliations, and audit preparation.
19. Operates financial systems and software to input, retrieve, and analyze accounting and fiscal data.
20. Provides training and guidance to clerical support staff related to accounting and accounts payable processes.
21. Participates in the development and implementation of department goals, objectives, policies, and procedures; develops desk manuals; actively participates in team projects and cross-training; leads assigned projects and meetings as directed.
22. Performs other related duties as assigned that are appropriate within the professional capacity of the Accountant classification.

The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skills, and abilities required to satisfactorily perform the essential duties and responsibilities. Knowledge of:

• Principles, methods, and practices of accounting, financial recordkeeping, and reporting
• Principles and practices of public school finance, budgeting, and governmental accounting
• Accounts payable practices and procedures, including auditing and reconciliation
• Attendance accounting practices and applicable reporting requirements
• Audit principles, internal controls, and financial compliance monitoring
• Applicable laws, regulations, policies, and public sector accounting standards related to accounting operations
• Financial analysis and statistical reporting methods
• Office methods, practices, and modern financial and digital systems, including accounting software, electronic workflows, and spreadsheets
• Oral and written communication skills, including grammar, spelling, and punctuation
• Interpersonal skills using tact, patience, and professionalism

Ability to:

• Analyze complex financial and statistical data and prepare clear and accurate reports
• Interpret and apply laws, regulations, and policies related to public sector accounting
• Perform complex accounting work with accuracy and attention to detail
• Maintain accurate and auditable financial records and reconcile discrepancies
• Communicate effectively in oral and written form
• Work independently with limited supervision and manage multiple priorities
• Establish and maintain effective working relationships
• Operate computers and financial software systems
• Provide excellent customer service and respond effectively to inquiries

Qualifications: Any other combination of experience, training, and/or education that could likely provide the desired knowledge, skills, and abilities may be considered. Education:

• Associate's degree in Accounting, Business Administration, or a related field is required
• Bachelor's degree from an accredited four-year college or university in accounting, finance, business administration, or a related field is preferred

Experience:

• Three (3) to five (5) years of increasingly responsible accounting or fiscal analysis experience, including at least three (3) years of experience performing accounts payable functions involving review, auditing, and processing of financial transactions
• Experience performing accounts payable functions in a public agency or school district is desirable

Technology Competencies:

• Demonstrated ability to utilize and adapt to District-adopted digital systems, including electronic workflow platforms, financial systems, and reporting tools
• Experience supporting the implementation of digital systems and transitioning processes from paper-based to electronic workflows is highly desirable

Licenses and/or Certificates:

• A valid California driver's license and vehicle insurability may be required
• The availability of private transportation or the ability to provide transportation between job sites may be required

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations will be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

• Physical Activities: Work is primarily sedentary and performed in an office environment; requires the ability to sit for extended periods of time and intermittently stand and walk throughout the workday; requires frequent repetitive motions, including typing, data entry, and use of hands and wrists to operate computers and standard office equipment; may require occasional reaching, bending, stooping, or stretching to retrieve or organize materials; requires the ability to maintain focus while performing multiple tasks, shift between activities, and respond to interruptions in a fast-paced environment.
• Lifting Requirements: May occasionally lift, carry, push, or pull objects typically weighing up to 20 pounds, such as files, office supplies, or materials.
• Sensory Requirements: Requires near visual acuity to read printed materials, review data, and operate computer screens