Accountant
Business Office/Finance Department

Reports to: Director of Finance
Position: Full time 40 hours per week/52 weeks per year (July - June)
Salary Range: $73,000 - $79,500 commensurate with experience

SUMMARY: The Accountant is responsible for supporting the financial operations of the district through accounting, budgeting, financial reporting, cash management, compliance monitoring, and data analysis. Under the general supervision of the Director of Finance, this position ensures the accuracy and integrity of financial records, assists with financial planning and audits, manages accounting systems, and supports compliance with local, state and federal regulations. The Accountant also serves as the district’s Pupil Accountant, overseeing pupil membership reporting, maintaining compliance with state requirements, and ensuring the accuracy of student count data for funding purposes.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

Assists in evaluating, designing and implementing internal financial control systems to mitigate risk, ensure compliance and improve operational efficiency. Ensure systems are documented and appropriate staff are trained.
Assists in managing the accounting software including training, security, troubleshooting and year-end closing. Provide technical assistance to system users.
Maintains a chart of accounts that follows the Michigan Public School Accounting Manual (Bulletin 1022).
Provides training and support for staff members on budgets, accounting policies and procedures.
Processes financial transactions ensuring compliance with all relevant laws, regulations and policies.
Assists in the property tax collection process and reconciliation.
Oversee the district’s accountant’s receivable processes, ensuring timely billing, collection, recording, and reconciliation of revenues in accordance with district policies and accounting standards.
Prepares monthly reconciliations of all district bank and investment accounts, ensuring accuracy of cash balances, investigating discrepancies, and preparing necessary adjusting entries.
Prepares and/or assists with audits, including preparing or reviewing year-end accounting entries, audit work papers and financial statements.
Prepares and/or assists in the preparation of local, state and federal reports, ensuring accurate and timely submissions.
Assists with grant reporting, including applicable cash draw processes, and verifies compliance with grant requirements.
Assists with cash management, including analysis of short and long-term cash flow needs.
Assist in maintaining a fixed asset program of all school property.
Coordinates district pupil accounting procedures in compliance with State pupil membership and reporting requirements.
Reconciles school level pupil membership counts, ensures required reporting is accurately completed and submits information to ISD. Completes and submits all district pupil membership forms and reports, including instructional days and clock hours.
Keeps abreast of all statutes, administrative rules and Michigan Department of Education interpretations to ensure compliance and accuracy of records and reports.
All other duties assigned.

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES:

This job has no supervisory responsibilities.

EDUCATION and /or EXPERIENCE:

Bachelor’s degree in Accounting or related field, preferred
Minimum of two years of recent and relevant experience in an accounting position.
Michigan School Business Officials (MSBO) certification, preferred.

COMMUNICATION SKILLS

Excellent written and verbal communication skills. The employee in this position must be able to communicate effectively, involve others and gain their cooperation.
Interpersonal and communication skills necessary to provide courteous and accurate information to all levels of staff, students, parents, community, state agencies, vendors and others. The incumbent is required to handle problem situations in a tactful, courteous and respectful manner.

MATHEMATICAL SKILLS and ABILITY:

Accounting skills are necessary to work with an integrated financial accounting system with the specific understanding of the effects of transactions and their impact on financial records.
Strong attention to detail and high degree of accuracy.

REASONING ABILITY:

Ability to define problems, collect data, establish facts and draw valid conclusions. Ability to evaluate information from multiple sources in order to assure compliance with regulations and policies.
Demonstrated ability to learn, understand, interpret, apply, and convey complex statues, rules, regulations, policies, and procedures.

OTHER SKILLS AND ABILITIES:

Proficient in the creation and compilation of various electronic documents, communications and reports. The incumbent is required to effectively utilize a variety of software applications which may include but is not limited to Microsoft Office applications, google products and financial software applications.
Experiences frequent interruptions; required to meet inflexible monthly and annual deadlines; requires concentration and attention to detail.
Organized, dependable and willing to work independently with minimum supervision.
Ability to perform duties with awareness of all district requirements and Board of Education policies.
Respect for and ability to comply with confidentiality of sensitive information.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS: 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 may be to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential functions. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is frequently required to stand, walk, sit, and talk, or hear. The employee is occasionally required to reach with hands and arms. The employee is required to interact with the public and staff, meet deadlines with severe time constraints, occasionally work irregular or extended work hours. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and ability to adjust focus.

WORK ENVIRONMENT: The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. This position is primarily performed in an office environment and requires frequent use of computers and standard office equipment. The employee may experience interruptions throughout the day while performing job duties. Occasional travel within the district to meetings and training sessions may be required. The noise level in the work environment is typically quiet to moderate.

This job description reflects the general responsibilities and requirements of the position and is not intended to be an exhaustive list. Duties and responsibilities may be revised by the district as needed.

About Okemos Public Schools

Located in the greater Lansing area and neighboring Michigan State University, Okemos Public Schools is one of Michigan’s premier school districts. Serving over 4,500 students, the district is consistently recognized for academic excellence, innovative programming, and a strong commitment to student success.

Okemos is known for its highly qualified staff, engaged families, and diverse, globally minded community. The district’s commitment to equity, inclusion, and continuous improvement creates an exceptional environment for both students and educators.

The surrounding community offers access to a vibrant college-town atmosphere, cultural opportunities, outdoor recreation, and an outstanding quality of life.

Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion are core values of Okemos Public Schools. Traditionally marginalized candidates are encouraged to apply.

It is the policy of the Board of Education that the District will not discriminate against any applicant or employee based on race, color, national origin, ethnicity, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, pregnancy, age, height, weight, familial status, marital status, military service, veteran status, genetic information, disability, or any other legally protected basis. The District shall comply with all applicable federal and state laws and regulations prohibiting discrimination including, but not limited to, Titles VI and VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, 42 U.S.C. §§ 2000d, et seq. and 42 U.S.C. §§ 2000e, et seq.; the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990, 42 U.S.C. §§ 12101, et seq.; the Handicappers' Civil Rights Act, MCL §§ 37.1101, et seq.; the Elliott-Larsen Civil Rights Act, MCL §§ 37.2101, et seq.; and the Age Discrimination in Employment Act (ADEA), 29 U.S.C. §§ 621, et seq.

Inquiries or complaints by applicants or employees related to discrimination should be directed to:

Director of Human Resources and Labor Relations
Okemos Public Schools
4406 N. Okemos Road
Okemos, MI 48864
Telephone: 517-706-5006

www.okemosk12.net