Financial Services Specialist

To perform this job successfully an individual must be able to perform the essential job functions satisfactorily. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the primary job functions herein described. Since every duty associated with this position may not be described herein employees may be required to perform duties not specifically spelled out in the job description but which may be reasonably considered to be incidental in the performing of their duties just as though they were written out in this job description.

GRPS MISSION: Our mission is to ensure that all scholars are educated self-directed and productive members of society.

FINANCIAL SERVICES SPECIALIST

Department: Financial Services

Unit: Professional and Administrative Exempt

Wage: Compensation range listed is based on an average 1-15 years of experience as determined by Human Resources.

Direct Supervisor: Director of Budget & Accounting

JOB SUMMARY

The Financial Services Specialist is a member of the Business Division and works with other team members to provide timely and accurate financial budgeting accounting and reporting for the district. The position provides quality services in an efficient timely and professional manner to a variety of internal and external customers.

ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS

Essential functions under the Americans with Disabilities Act may include any of the following duties knowledge and skills. This list is illustrative only and is not a comprehensive listing of all functions and duties performed by employees in this position. Regular on time and in person attendance is an essential function of this job. Other essential functions may include but are not limited to the following:

• Initiate and coordinate the completion of monthly financial Analyze monthly financial information and reports. Initiate analyze and prepare reports to explain significant variances in anticipated balances.
• Forecast budget revenues and expenditures and recommend budget Prepare budget projections revisions and adjustments in accordance with changes in program cost allocations projections and established procedures. Prepare and maintain budget and account work papers adjustments and other financial reports
• Assist in development of salary schedules and cost analysis for contract changes and cost analysis for negotiation projections and
• Communicate financial information to senior Assist in understanding financial implications of options situations and decisions. Prepare detailed cost/benefit analysis for district programs including new initiatives and programs.
• Act as liaison to various control officers providing financial information and
• Coordinate a comprehensive financial training program for control Provide information and training to control officers. Assist control officers and program directors in the preparation of budget expenditures and fund transfers.
• Initiate and coordinate the monitoring and analyzing of all budgets to ensure that expenditures do not exceed authorized Ensure that financial records are accurate and transactions are properly documented.
• Monitor general ledger staffing board paid benefits and other issues in accordance with budget allocations and established policies and
• Promote fiscal responsibility within the districts
• Create and update internal audit Test the operation of the design of existing financial controls and recommend modifications as needed.
• Assist in the development of the annual budget projections for all sites programs and
• Assist in the preparation of annual financial statements and financial reports for the State of Michigan including the Michigan Department of Education (MEGS Nexsys CMS) and Center for Educational Performance and Information.
• Compile and analyze year end work papers adjustments reconciliations and other year-end activities.
• Provide leadership and support to Accounts Receivable Accounts Payable and Financial Services Coordinators.
• Coordinate the development and preparation of various internal and external reports including reporting for granting agencies.
• Maintain and cultivate a master inventory of our business procedures practices and processes.
• Assist in the coordination of the implementation and on-going maintenance of the district system software in the financial payroll and human resources areas. Act as a liaison between the Business Office Payroll Management Information Systems and Human Resources.
• Coordinate and review the preparation and timely issuance of billings to appropriate outside entities.
• Coordinate the districts banking and investment needs. Preparation of a cash flow projection to anticipate borrowing needs and available funds for investments. Ensure sufficient funds are available to cover operations debt repayment and capital investments needs. Maintain an efficient system of procedures that adequately control and protect district funds. Act as a liaison with the districts banking and investment institutions.
• Consistently demonstrate dependable attendance and punctuality.
• Other duties as assigned.

QUALIFICATIONS

Required Education and Experience:

• Bachelors degree in Business Administration with an emphasis in Accounting or Finance.
• Minimum of 5 years demonstrated experience in a finance role related to school finance.

Knowledge Skills and Abilities:

• Proven leadership ability and excellent communication skills.
• Familiarity with federal and state restricted program grant principles/procedures for legal requirements comparability guidelines allowable costs financial reporting budgeting grant management indirect cost allocations and reimbursement.
• Demonstrated ability to perform budget forecasting and planning.
• Demonstrated ability to read analyze and interpret general business periodicals professional journals technical procedures and government regulations.
• Demonstrated ability to write reports business correspondence and procedures.
• Demonstrated ability to define problems collect data establish and analyze facts and draw valid conclusions.
• Demonstrated ability to foster teamwork and provide training.
• Proven ability to handle multiple projects concurrently and to prioritize responsibilities.
• Proficiency in use of personal computers including spreadsheet software database applications and word processing software.
• Ability to work comfortably in other business and scholar accounting technology platforms.
• Proven ability to provide excellent customer service to a variety of customers.
• Proven ability to work with confidential information.
• Proven ability to make decisions and act independently.
• Ability to work in a multi-cultural environment.
• Excellent organizational and problem-solving skills.

ADA REQUIREMENTS

The physical demands work environment factors and mental functions described below are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS

While performing the duties of this job the employee is required to stand walk sit use hands to finger handle or feel reach with hands and arms climb or balance stoop kneel crouch or crawl talk hear (in a quiet or noisy environment). Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision distance vision and ability to adjust/focus.

WORK ENVIRONMENT

The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate.

MENTAL FUNCTIONS

While performing the duties of this job the employee is required to compare analyze communicate both orally and in writing copy coordinate instruct compute synthesize evaluate use interpersonal skills compile and negotiate.

Non-Discrimination

The Grand Rapids Public Schools will not discriminate against any person based on race sex sexual orientation gender gender identity and expression height weight color religion national origin age marital status pregnancy disability veteran or military status.

Americans with Disabilities Act accommodations: Assistance with the application process may be requested through the Human Resources Department at ( or