Accounting Analyst/Purchasing Agent

Job Overview
FTE: 1.0 or 8 hours per day

Non-union, hourly position, non-exempt. $23.64-$25.83/hr. DOE

260 days per year + 9 holidays + 3 personal days.

15 Annual Vacation Days; 12 Sick Days

Benefit eligible

Montana Public Employees Retirement contribution (PERS)

Closes November 7, 2025

Please apply on our website: https://www.sd5.k12.mt.us/departments/human-resources/employment-substitute-listings

Position Summary

The Accounting Analyst/Purchasing Agent supports Kalispell Public Schools’ business operations by overseeing purchasing functions, ensuring compliance with district policy, and supporting business office, technology, and facilities operations. The role combines financial accountability with purchasing management, election coordination, and cross-departmental support.

Essential Duties & Responsibilities

May include but are not limited to the following; Other duties may be assigned.

Purchasing & Procurement

• Research, negotiate, and administer cost-effective contracts and services.
• Process and monitor purchase requisitions and purchase orders for all district departments.
• Distribute approved purchase orders to vendors and track fulfillment.
• Maintain systematic and sequential numbering for all orders.
• Review bids and quotes for compliance, cost-effectiveness, and policy alignment.
• Serve as administrator for online and vendor accounts (e.g., AT&T, T-Mobile, Amazon, UPS, FedEx, Northwestern Energy, Flathead Electric, Home Depot).
• Ensure purchasing functions align with inventory control and district policies.
• Provide reporting and expenditure analysis to support fiscal planning.

Business Office & Financial Support

• Assist in the development and maintenance of financial reports for administrators and managers.
• Maintain and reconcile fixed asset inventory in compliance with capitalization policy.
• Assist with surplus property disposal.
• Support invoice processing for construction projects, utilities, state contractor receipts, and service vendors.
• Maintain business office intranet and assist in document management.

Technology & Facilities Support

• Act as co-administrator for Employee Access Center and Employee Timesheets.
• Provide user support for Tyler School ERP Pro system and related applications.
• Build and maintain user databases for financial and purchasing systems.
• Set up technology equipment for new employees in Central Administration.

School Elections

• Support the District Election Administrator in the conduct of school board elections.
• Obtain quotes and order envelopes, ballots, and election materials.
• Work with the county election office on voter databases and ballot verification.
• Coordinate ballot creation, printing, mailing, and ballot drop-off locations.
• Provide direction to election judges and oversee resolution of ballot-related issues.
• Oversee record retention of election materials in compliance with law.

Records & Ongoing Duties

• Maintain district record storage; coordinate shredding of records in line with retention schedules.
• Manage mail distribution and postage meter usage for the district.
• Receive and distribute district mail, maintaining cost records.
• Provide general support for district administrative functions as assigned.

Qualifications

• High school diploma required; vocational/technical training preferred.
• Minimum two (2) years of progressively responsible experience in purchasing, procurement, or accounting support.
• Knowledge of purchasing practices, financial reporting, and compliance standards.
• Strong organizational skills with the ability to balance multiple tasks and deadlines.
• Effective communication skills and ability to maintain positive staff and vendor relationships.
• Proficiency within Google Workspace, particularly Google Sheets, Google Docs, and Google Drive.
• Physically able to perform work requiring lifting up to 50 pounds, bending, stooping, pushing, and standing for extended periods.

Working Conditions & Physical Requirements

• Duties performed in an office setting with frequent vendor and staff interaction.
• Must sit, walk, stand, twist, bend, kneel, and reach.
• Vision requirements include close and distance vision, depth perception, and focus adjustment.
• May be required to lift and move materials up to 50 pounds.

Job Type: Full-time

Pay: $23.64 - $25.83 per hour

Benefits:

• Dental insurance
• Disability insurance
• Health insurance
• Life insurance
• Paid time off
• Retirement plan
• Vision insurance

Work Location: In person