Lead Accountant

Position Type:
Classified - Finance/Accounting Specialist
Date Posted:
9/11/2024
Location:
Administrative Office
Date Available:
TBD
District:
Chatham County Public Schools - website NATURE OF WORK
Under general supervision, performs supervisory and professional accounting work in
overseeing the District's general accounting programs. Work involves supervising
activities of a staff of accounting and payroll technicians in the performance of
designated functions, maintaining the general ledger, and participating in auditing
processes. Employee is responsible for compiling data for various reports required by
oversight agencies and assisting outside auditors. Reports to the Chief Finance
Officer.
MINIMUM EDUCATION, TRAINING AND EXPERIENCE
Associates degree in Accounting coupled with at least 5 years of experience in a
related area, or a Bachelor's degree in Accounting/Business with at least 2 years of
experience in a related area preferred. Any equivalent combination of training and
experience which corresponds with the performance responsibilities is acceptable.
Knowledge of state policies and regulations regarding budget classification of
expenditures is required.
PERFORMANCE RESPONSIBILITIES
1. Maintains general accounts and the general ledger system, reviews records to
ensure adherence to accepted standard accounting practices, principles and
established school system policies and procedures.
2. Prepares trial balances and corrects errors and/or resolves discrepancies as
necessary.
3. Manages and maintains the purchasing card program for the District, which
includes auditing and posting transactions.
4. Assists the Budget Director with outside auditors in audits of school system
programs and accounts, preparation of reports and retrieving records as requested.
5. Attends seminars, conferences, workshops, classes, lectures, etc., as appropriate,
to enhance and maintain knowledge of trends and developments in the field of
accounting and auditing; reviews professional journals, attends association and
professional meetings, and otherwise maintains contacts with professionals to
facilitate exchange of information.
6. Performs periodic analysis of allotments of state, local and federal funds. Makes
any refunds and adjustments necessary to insure proper expenditure of allotments.
7. Assists the Budget Director in routinely performing audits of school nutrition,
high school athletics, payroll and general expenses.
8. Reviews District internal processes and controls (e.g. travel reimbursement-
related issues, local and state accounting manuals used to ensuring that financial
information is processed and reported properly, as well as safeguarded).
9. Assists and interprets questions from principals and department heads related to
monthly budgets.
10. Prepares and submits annual sales tax refund request.
11. Prepares reimbursement requests and capital outlay reconciliation for CIP
projects.
12. Acts as backup for daily banking deposits as needed.
13. Prepares quarterly workers' compensation payments by PRC for federal, school
nutrition services and fund 8.
14. Prepares quarterly indirect cost payments for federal and school nutrition services.
15. Reviews and approves over budgets for purchase orders and p-card purchases as
needed.
16. Reviews budget transfers/changes and posts to the general ledger.
17. Works with Budget Director to periodically review and amend internal controls.
18. Posts and reconciles all CIP expenses/revenues to general ledger and requests
reimbursements from the county.
19. Performs other work related tasks as required by the Chief Finance Officer.
MINIMUM STANDARDS REQUIRED TO PERFORM RESPONSIBILITIES
Physical Requirements: Must be physically able to operate a variety of automated
office machines including computers, typewriters, calculators, printers, copiers, etc.
Must be able to exert a negligible amount of force frequently or constantly to lift,
carry, push, pull or otherwise move objects. Sedentary work involves sitting most of
the time, but may involve walking or standing for a period of time.
Data Conception: Requires the ability to compare and/or judge the readily
observable, functional, structural, or composite characteristics (whether similar to or
divergent from obvious standards) of data, people or things.
Interpersonal Communication: Requires the ability to speak and/or signal people to
convey or exchange information. Includes giving and receiving instructions,
assignments and/or directions.
Language Ability: Requires the ability to read correspondence, reports, forms,
budgets, etc. Requires the ability to prepare reports, correspondence, budgets,
statistics, forms, etc., using proper format. Requires the ability to speak to people
with poise, voice control and confidence.
Intelligence: Requires the ability to apply principles of logical or scientific thinking
to define problems, collect data, establish facts and draw valid conclusions; to
interpret an extensive variety of technical instructions in mathematical or
diagrammatic form; deal with several abstract and concrete variables.
Verbal Aptitude: Requires the ability to record and deliver information, to explain
procedures, to follow oral and written instructions. Must be able to communicate
effectively and efficiently in standard English and accounting terminology.
Numerical Aptitude: Requires the ability to utilize mathematical formulas; to add
and subtract totals; to multiply and divide; to utilize percentages and decimals; and to
apply the theories of algebra, descriptive statistics, statistical inference and statistical
theory.
Form/Spatial Aptitude: Requires the ability to inspect items for proper length, width
and shape.
Motor Coordination: Requires the ability to coordinate hands and eyes rapidly and
accurately in using automated office equipment.
Manual Dexterity: Requires the ability to handle a variety of items, such as office
equipment, etc. Must have minimal levels of eye/hand/foot coordination.
Color Discrimination: Requires the ability to differentiate between colors and
shades of color.
Interpersonal Temperament: Requires the ability to deal with people beyond giving
and receiving instructions. Must be adaptable to performing under stress and when
confronted with persons acting under stress.
Physical Communication: Requires the ability to talk and hear (Talking: expressing
or exchanging ideas by means of spoken words; Hearing: perceiving nature of sounds
by ear). Must be able to communicate via telephone.
KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES
1. Considerable knowledge of the budget development process.
2. Considerable knowledge of state, local and school system fiscal regulations,
policies and procedures.
3. Considerable knowledge of established policies and procedures regarding budget
expenditures.
4. Considerable knowledge of the principles of organization, supervision, and
administration.
5. Considerable knowledge of bookkeeping and auditing practices and procedures.
6. Considerable knowledge of the application of established bookkeeping and
accounting principles and techniques to governmental accounting transactions.
7. Ability to review and evaluate budget requests.
8. Ability to prepare system-wide budgets.
9. Ability to monitor budget expenditures.
10. Ability to conduct analytical studies.
11. Ability to use common spreadsheet, word processing and file maintenance
programs.
12. Ability to evaluate methods and procedures used in areas of responsibility.
13. Ability to effectively organize, process and maintain financial records and files,
and prepare reports accordingly.
14. Ability to exercise independent judgment and initiative in applying standards to a
variety of work situations.
15. Ability to communicate effectively, both orally and in writing.
16. Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships as necessitated
by work assignments.
17. Ability to evaluate the communication needs of the school system.
18. Performs other work related tasks as required.
TERMS OF EMPLOYMENT
Full-time for twelve months
DISCLAIMER
The preceding job description was designed to indicate the general nature and level of
work performed by employees within this classification. It is not designed to contain
or be interpreted as a comprehensive inventory of all duties, responsibilities and
qualifications required of employees to perform this job.