Senior Accountant

TITLE: Senior Accountant

LOCATION: Central Office

The Kansas City Kansas Public Schools (KCKPS) is a nationally recognized urban school district that serves approximately 22000 students and 60 different languages are spoken in the homes of our students. KCKPS is home to Sumner Academy the #6 highest rated High School in the Nation and #1 High School in Kansas according to the US News rankings.

With Head Start/preschools 28 elementary schools 7 middle schools and 5 college and career academies/high schools we are the fifth largest district in the state of Kansas and our student population is approximately 56% Hispanic 24% African American 9% White and 6% Asian. To serve our students the district employs approximately 4000 employees including more than 1800 teachers.

JOB GOAL:

This position is an integral and essential part of the Business and Finance Office responsible for performing various accounting analysis and reporting functions in accordance with cash basis accounting governmental fund accounting district policies procedures and internal controls.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:

General Ledger Transactions

• Create general ledger coding and maintain integrity of coding in accounting and financial reporting system.
• Perform various general ledger transactions to include journal entries account adjustments budget transfers etc.
• Research analyze and interpret financial accounting data.
• Perform payroll related transactions including updates to direct deposit accounts and pay assignments.
• Assist with miscellaneous payments bank transfers and interfund eliminations as needed.

Budget

• Assist management in preparation for annual budget process for the district. Create detailed workbooks to support numerous budget allocations.
• Review budget transfers submitted for approval and distribution. Actions include approval correction or rejection of budget transfer requests.
• Analyze federal program expenditures for compliance and determine appropriate drawdown of funds monthly.
• Track individual grant funding activity and evaluate budget balances.
• Provide training to district staff to facilitate better understanding of the budget.

Financial Reporting

• Prepare accurate and timely financial reports utilized by district management.
• Assist with tracking expenditures for departments and schools. Provide scheduled and ad-hoc reports.

Reconciliation

• Reconcile general ledger cash accounts and accounts payable transactions to bank statements.
• Reconcile monthly Treasury Report to the detailed trial balance.
• Analyze accounting records and budgets for discrepancies. Communicate problem solve to resolve issues and record necessary adjustments/corrections as needed.

Month end/Year end Closing

• Perform transactions in accordance with internal policies procedures and deadlines for month-end and year-end financial closing processes.
• Prepare audit schedules and provide documentation as needed to support audit requests.
• Prepare the Schedule of Expenditures of Federal Awards (SEFA).

Customer Service

• Provide courteous customer service. Assist staff in person by phone or email with accounting budget grant and payroll inquiries.
• Work with numerous district staff from all locations departments and levels of administration.

Miscellaneous

• Perform duties in compliance with established policies and regulatory guidelines established financial legal and/or administrative requirements and accounting practices.
• Engage in continuous improvement of policies procedures and/or actions to promote efficiency.
• Maintain confidentiality of sensitive information.
• Cross train in other functional areas and perform support duties as needed in the absence of staff.
• Participate in meetings and engage in projects as assigned.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Qualifications

• Bachelor degree in Business Accounting or related field
• 3-5 years of general accounting experience
• Computer skills to include Intermediate Microsoft Excel
• Excellent verbal written and listening communication skills.
• High degree of motivation responsibility and confidentiality
• Demonstrated ability to prioritize and manage multiple projects simultaneously and adhere to deadlines.
• Demonstrated ability to compile organize and analyze data.
• Demonstrated ability to work independently with minimal supervision in a fast-paced work environment.
• Experience using an ERP system for accounting and financial reporting.

Preferred Qualifications

• 3-5 years governmental/fund accounting and/or payroll accounting knowledge and experience.
• Proficient level in use of Microsoft Office and/or Google platform products.
• Experience using Power School Business Plus ERP system.

COMMUNICATION/ORGANIZATION:Maintains communication with school personnel and parents/guardians to enhance cooperative action which will meet the educational needs of students.

Utilizes existing technology effectively in the performance of duties.

REASONING ABILITY: Ability to solve practical problems and deal with a variety of concrete variables in situations where only limited standardization exists. Ability to interpret a variety of instructions furnished in written oral diagram or schedule form.

LANGUAGE SKILLS: Ability to read and analyze and interpret general professional journals technical procedures or governmental regulations. Ability to write reports general curriculum and learning theories correspondence and protocols. Ability to effectively present information and respond to questions from groups of administrators staff parents students and the general public.

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 made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

While performing the duties of this job the employee is regularly required to sit walk stand and talk or hear. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision distance vision and depth perception.

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.

The noise level in the work environment is usually loud and is a standard acceptable level for this environment. Is directly responsible for students safety work output and well-being.

OTHER SKILLS and ABILITIES: Ability to apply knowledge of current research and theory to instructional program; ability to plan and implement lessons based on division and school objectives and the needs and abilities of students. Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with students peers parents and community; ability to speak clearly and concisely in written or oral communication.

TERMS OF EMPLOYMENT:261 days

SALARY:Based on KCKPS Salary Schedule

FLSA STATUS: Non-exempt

REPORT TO: Interim Director of Finance

EVALUATION: Performance of this position will be evaluated in accordance with Board of Education policy.

SIGNATURES:

The information contained in this job description is for compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (A.D.A.) and is not an exhaustive list of the duties performed for this position. The individual holding this position performs additional duties and additional duties may be assigned.

Kansas City Kansas Public Schools is an Equal Opportunity Employer. KCKPSis an equal opportunity employer and shall not discriminate in its employment practices and policies with respect to hiring compensation terms conditions or privileges of employment because of an individuals race color religion sex/gender (to include orientation identity or expression) age disability national origin genetic information or any other basis prohibited by law.

For more information regarding Title IX please contact:

District Compliance Coordinator

2010 N. 59^thStreet

Kansas City KS 66104

Title

Required Experience:

Senior IC