General Job Function:      

Responsible for maintaining an effective internal control structure over all business processes to assure all financial activity of the District is appropriately accounted for and reflected accurate in the financial records and financial statements.  Participates in the business services strategic planning for the District, supervises all areas of business services and oversees, directs, manages, and administers the Business Services Department and operations.

Education/Training/Experience: 

• Bachelor's Degree in Accounting or Business Administration with a concentration in Accounting.
• Minimum of five (5) years of management experience in a school district and/or other entity having similar type of functions as inherent in business services of a school district which include knowledge in Public School Accounting and Budget, Centralized Automated Systems, Accounting for various school activity funds, Bonding and Mill Levy Requirements and internal audit processes.
• Experience in the development, implementation and execution of budgets of a school district that comply with specific requirements of the New Mexico Public Education Department (PED) and the New Mexico Manual of Procedures for Public School Accounting and Budget.
• Experience in maintaining general ledger accounts to include performing reconciliations, fund analysis, generating financial reports and financial statements.
• Experience in strategic planning, service management, project management, managed services,

performance management and information technology preferred.

• Must have proven leadership and management ability.
• Must have a School Business Official License Level Two issued by NMPED.

Knowledge/Skills and Abilities:

The following characteristics and physical skills are important for the

successful performance of assigned duties.

• Knowledge of Accounting Principles Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP), Governmental Accounting Standards Board (GASB), cash accruals and modified accrual basis of accounting.
• Knowledge of Government Auditing Standards (Yellow Book).
• Knowledge of the New Mexico Manual of Procedures for Public School Accounting and Budget (Supplements 1 through 21).
• Knowledge of and ability to understand and interpret applicable policies, state statutes and federal guidelines including New Mexico Statutes, Capital Improvement Funding, governmental accounting, cost accounting systems and School Board policies.
• Ability to prepare agenda items, present and defend them to the School Board.
• Ability to use data-driven decision making to determine effectiveness of various programs, initiatives and develop strategies for improvements.
• Ability to oversee implementation of a sound budgeting process.
• Ability to work collaboratively with others and facilitate groups to consensus.
• Knowledge of stat-of-the art research and application of best practices in areas of responsibility.
• Ability to motivate, lead and challenge a team and establish goals, objectives and action plans to achieve district goals.
• Ability to communicate effectively with a variety of audiences orally and in writing including electronic media.
• Ability to direct and manage budgets, personnel, and operations for a School District Business Services Department
• Exhibit strong organization, communication, and planning skills.
• Comprehensive knowledge of the best principles and practices in business services and operations.
• Relationship management with the ability to resolve parent, community, school administrator and/or employee complaints about business related issues.
• Capacity to evaluate and analyze business services data and its impact on District programs or activities.
• Ability to interpret and develop business policy and procedures at the federal, state, and local level.
• Demonstrated success working with administrators, teachers, staff, and community support groups to plan for establishing goals, objectives, and action plans to produce expected results.
• Ability to develop and present budget and technology business cases, proposals, and presentations.
• Ability to oversee managed services and contracts.
• Comprehensive knowledge of Microsoft office products, such as Access, Visions, Excel, Outlook, Project, PowerPoint, Word, etc.

Environmental Conditions: 

The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate. 

Essential Job Functions:

The following duties are representative of performance

expectations.   

• Develop proposals and standards for business services department and operations to allow measurement of efficiencies and effectiveness.
• Responsible for overall direction, coordination, and evaluation of staff responsible for payroll, accounts payable, budget, finance, and accounting functions to support financial initiatives and processes.
• Responsible for the development, implementation, and execution of the districts budgets to include monitoring and making necessary adjustments to the budgets to assure appropriate accountability and reporting.
• Responsible for completing monthly cash reconciliations and cash reports.
• Responsible for processing and submitting requests for reimbursements and budget adjustment requests timely to PED.
• Responsible for the annual budget preparation, including collection and dissemination of available data for budget development and resource allocation and communication of budget to all interested parties.
• Direct and provide leadership to assigned personnel, conduct performance appraisals, make recommendations for appropriate employment actions, and promote professional growth.
• Review and monitor financial accounting and reporting activities, including preparation and maintenance of financial reports and financial statements.
• Periodically develop and disseminate forecasts of expenditures versus budgetary allocations.
• Ensure that financial initiatives are results-oriented and aligned with the District’s mission, beliefs, and strategic goals; facilitate solutions and identify discrepancies between goals and current status; and provide support for continuous improvements.
• Provide input in the development of policies and administrative guidelines for areas of responsibility and support the implementation of programmatic goals and objectives on a district-wide basis.
• Exercise proactive leadership in promoting the vision and mission of the District and empower others to make decisions and carry out responsibilities in support of the District’s objectives.
• Work with legal staff on personnel and other related matters as appropriate.
• Serve with educational leaders on various work groups, committees and project action teams that directly support district initiatives.
• Assist in interpreting programs, policies, and philosophy of the District to staff, students, and interested community parties.
• Provide input for the preparation of collective bargaining negotiations and the School Board meetings agendas.
• Evaluate new developments in business services that relate to the District’s automation plans and objectives.
• Oversee the develop, execution and monitoring of the District’s annual budget to include making appropriate refinements to the various departments’ budgets based on meeting required recording and reporting requirements.
• Assist management in identifying areas to be improved utilizing automation.
• Supervise all District business services personnel which include all accounting operations including operational, capital outlay, federal, state, and private funding activity.
• Identify and schedule appropriate training and/or cross training assignments for personnel development.
• Generate timely financial or budgetary information and/or reports in support of the District’s CFOO and the Superintendent’s staff meetings or meetings with external parties on various issues and concerns.
• Attend all Board of Education meetings as required to address financial or budgetary issues and/or concerns.
• Provide leadership to identify strategic direction in education applying current business services best practices.
• Monitor and report to the District’s CFOO on a monthly basis the status of on-going projects, business processes, budgetary revenues and expenditures, on any reviews plans for future projects, current priorities, and requests for new projects.
• Provide cost analysis to support administrative and instructional systems and infrastructure.
• Direct and oversee managed services contracts and vendors.
• Support and supervise identification and provision of appropriate technical training for staff.
• Support bond programs and initiatives.
• Perform all additional duties and obligations assigned by the Chief Financial Officer and Operations Officer.
• Any other duties as assigned.

Personal Accountability:

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

Supervisory Responsibility: Must be able to effectively lead a large diverse staff while performing the

following functions:

• Interview, hire, and train employees.
• Plan, assign and direct work and monitor work assignments to meet planned and expected deliverables timely.
• Appraise performance; guide and oversee professional development of business staff.
• Reward and discipline employees.
• Address complaints and resolve problems.
• Focus on team performance.

Working Conditions: Professional office environment; Frequent, in-district travel between District school locations and travel to conferences and training within the state and out of the state.