Purpose and Scope
OVERVIEW
Memphis-Shelby County Schools is seeking dynamic educational champions ready to position our district as a national exemplar of education transformation. We need leaders with a fierce commitment to actualizing a bold vision that yields ambitious outcomes for more than 110,000 students and families across the Memphis-Shelby County area. The reality is that we can do better for kids, and we will with the right leaders in place. The most successful candidates believe that more is possible for Memphis and are:
- Courageous Thinkers & Doers: Prepared to navigate and thrive in a complex and ambiguous environment on day one, present innovative ideas to address systemwide issues, and execute sustainable plans toward transformation.
- Solutions-Oriented: See the possibilities, demonstrate the capacity to synthesize information and adjust short and long-term goals, and consistently find a window when doors close to deliver measurable results for kids and families.
- High-Performing Gamechangers: Leader of leaders with the capacity to mobilize and empower an outstanding team, make people-centered data-informed decisions, and operate with a relentless hyperfocus on removing stubborn barriers that destroy the hopes and dreams of too many of our students.
SUMMARY DESCRIPTION:
This position works under the direction of the Controller and leads, coordinates, implements, and manages the Accounting and Reporting and Accounts Payable function for the District. The position also manages professional accountants and other staff and is responsible for accounting, analysis, projection, monitoring and reporting of financial activity within established accounting procedures and policies. Additionally, this position performs highly responsible professional and managerial responsibility that varies and of a complex nature in accordance with established accounting principles and practices and ensures District compliance with District policies and practices, and recommends changes, if appropriate.
Essential Job Functions
Works with Controller to manage the District’s financial accounting functions, including preparation of the Annual Comprehensive Financial Report (ACFR) to provide key leadership support in the monitoring of the District’s Budget and ensuring that District-wide accounting and financial information is complete.
Manages staff; establishes standards; and effectively selects, trains, motivates, delegates, monitors, and evaluates performance to ensure targets and goals are met; and facilitates professional development and serves as coach and mentor; and manages accounting staff, including the treasury, grant, general ledger, capital asset, accounts receivable and internal control functions.
Coordinates the internal and external audit process and provides leadership in identifying and communicating changes to Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP) and business practices to include recommending changes to Board Policy and Administrative Regulations; oversees the year-end processes and external and internal audit for Accounts Payable; manages communications with external auditors on external financial statements and accounting issues to ensure auditor agreement with organization decisions on accounting disclosures, and issues; and assures accurate audits by acting as liaison with outside auditors during the annual audit process; provides information, assistance, and explanation of the District’s accounting practices, procedures, systems and audit trails; reviews and responds to audit findings; coordinates the annual review of student body funds and other internal audit reviews as required; and maintains verbal and written communication with external auditors, arbitrage consultants and other outside agencies as required.
Serves as a liaison between the Accounts Payable and Cash Management Departments to help manage budgeting and timing of vendor payments; works collaboratively with the Chiefs, Directors, and management to formulate targets and goals for productivity, cost management, quality, and providing input on system-wide policy development as it relates to Accounts Payable.
Monitors and ensures timely identification and compliance with evolving accounting guidance, provide GASB interpretation and prepares memorandums that document changes and/or issues in a clear, logical and comprehensive manner.
Coordinates development of the Comprehensive Annual Financial Report and the Tennessee Department of Education’s Annual Financial Report, including all supporting work papers, analyses and summary schedules as required by the District’s outside auditors. Ensures that the ACFR and other financial data are distributed to relevant outside agencies.
Coordinates preparation of monthly accounting close, monthly financial reports and year-end accounting close and annual financial reports for the School District; and ensures proper reporting of financial information; reviews all financial documents for accuracy and proper classification.
Coordinates accounting for revenue and expenditures in general fund, special revenue fund, proprietary and fiduciary funds, capital improvement planning, fixed asset, and debt service fund in accordance with GAAP and GASB.
Coordinates and reviews charter school applications, financials and oversees disbursement of funding; ensures the timely, complete and accurate billing to Achievement School District (ASD) for services provided by the District.
Upholds Sarbanes-Oxley and internal control standards by documenting and maintaining standard operating procedures; maintains system of internal accounting controls to assure proper accounting of District revenues and expenditures; ensures financial compliance with Board policy regarding district travel for district out-of-town trips and in-town travel; and develops and implements systems changes as necessary to maintain compliance.
Develops, presents and defends budget requirements for area; and oversees and approves expenditures, and prepares financial forms and reports.
Maintains system of internal accounting controls to assure proper accounting of District revenues and expenditures.
Manages the District’s fixed assets reporting to assure compliance with legal requirements
Provides back-up support to the Budget Manager and budgeting and financial analyst staff in case of absence or work overload.
Develops policies and procedures for the department in consultation with executive management to ensure efficient and economical operations.
Performs other related responsibilities as required or directed.
Minimum Qualifications
Graduation from an accredited college or university with a Bachelor’s Degree in Public or Business Administration, Management, Finance or related field or equivalent plus seven (7) six years of related accounting experience OR a combination of an equivalent total of eleven (11) years education/experience. Experience in a school district, charter school or other education setting is preferred.
Degree Equivalency Formula:
Bachelor’s Degree= 4 years plus required years of experience.
Master’s Degree= 2 years plus required years of experience. Where Master’s degrees are required, years for Bachelor’s Degrees must be included.
