Business Services Assistant

Overview:

The Business Services Assistant provides comprehensive financial, clerical, and operational support to the Business Services Department and Chief Financial Officer (CFO). The role also supports data analysis through the creation and maintenance of Excel spreadsheets and reports used for budgeting, auditing, and operational decision-making.

The ideal candidate is detail-oriented, collaborative, highly organized, and capable of maintaining confidentiality while working in a fast-paced educational environment. This position will report to the Chief Financial Officer.

PRINCIPAL DUTIES

• Provide comprehensive and collaborative support to the Business Services Team.
• Provide clerical and administrative support to the Chief Financial Officer (CFO).
• Assist with ERP system maintenance, troubleshooting, and support ticket resolution.
• Support ERP chart of accounts code setup in accordance with State requirements and district procedures.
• Assist in preparing the Annual Comprehensive Financial Report (ACFR) and bond-related documents.
• Assist with development of user training materials for Business Services staff and end users.
• Provide end-user support and training related to budget creation and budget monitoring for department and school leaders.
• Coordinate outreach and communication activities for the Business Services Team.
• Support position control processes, including auditing and maintaining data accuracy.
• Assist with the preparation and maintenance of line-item budget documents.
• Prepare and process correcting journal entries as needed.
• Assist with communication and maintenance of payroll funding codes for positions and supplemental pay items.
• Provide accounting and budget support for local, state, and federal grant programs.
• Support Audit Committee meetings, including preparation of agendas, meeting invitations, materials, and minutes.
• Enter invoices for payment into the IV system accurately and timely.
• Assist the CFO with preparation and organization of materials related to district union negotiations.
• Monitor assigned program and categorical budgets and report variances or concerns.
• Create, maintain, and analyze Excel spreadsheets and reports for financial tracking, budgeting, audits, and operational analysis.
• Demonstrate an understanding of basic accounting functions, including accounts payable, journal entries, budgeting, and financial reconciliation processes.
• Maintain strict confidentiality regarding financial, personnel, and organizational information.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

ESSENTIAL SKILLS AND APTITUDES

• Proficiency in using Microsoft Office software, Internet technology, and Google suite.
• Proficiency in ERP system software used by the District.
• Ability to communicate with and build positive relationships with staff and others.
• Effective oral and written communication. Proficiency in grammar, spelling, punctuation, and related communication skills, including proofreading, editing, and creating original documents.
• Ability to problem solve independently and with others, take initiative, and work independently without supervision. Demonstrates critical thinking skills and problem-solving abilities.
• Demonstrated commitment to report to work as scheduled on a regular and reliable basis.
• Ability to organize, prioritize, and assume responsibility.
• Capacity to represent the District in a professional manner, which includes but is not limited to confidentiality, collegiality, and the ability to obtain and utilize additional training, if necessary.
• Aptitude for detail.
• Ability to work as a team member.
• Ability to work with limited supervision.
• Ability to work under pressure with frequent interruptions.

LANGUAGE SKILLS:
Ability to read, analyze, interpret, and implement ideas contained in technical documents, reports, regulations, etc. Ability to effectively write reports and communications. Ability to effectively present information orally and respond to general questions.

MATHEMATICAL SKILLS:
Ability to perform accounting functions including the use of spreadsheets and other data computation tools.

REASONING ABILITY:
Ability to define problems, collect data, establish facts, and draw valid conclusions. Ability to interpret an extensive variety of technical instructions in mathematical or diagram form, and deal with several abstract and concrete variables. Ability to apply principles of logical or scientific thinking to a wide range of intellectual and practical problems. Ability to deal with nonverbal symbolism (formulas, scientific equations, graphs, musical notes, etc.) in its most difficult phases. Ability to deal with a variety of abstract and concrete variables.

OTHER SKILLS and ABILITIES:
This position requires someone with critical thinking skills who is organized and detailed. They would be a decision maker; researching problems in the Accounting Department as well as other Departments, then making correcting journal entries to the general ledger, as necessary. This person must possess good communication skills both written and verbal. They will communicate through email and phone calls with staff throughout the District. They will be a leader and train others on accounting functions and software.
Ability to perform duties with awareness of all district requirements and Board of Education policies.

CLASSIFICATION

Hourly Non-Administrative Meet and Confer (Table H)

EMPLOYMENT DATE
As arranged.

Qualification:
EDUCATION LEVEL:
4-year accounting/finance degree preferred but not required or equivalent work experience.

PREPARATION:
Knowledge of basic accounting principles and governmental accounting principles.
Knowledge of fund accounting and financial reporting.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:
To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodation(s) may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. Knowledge of basic accounting principles and governmental accounting principles preferred.

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 frequently required to stand; walk; use hands and fingers to handle and/or feel objects, tools or controls; talk and hear. The employee frequently must squat, stoop or kneel, reach above the head and forward 0 to 24 inches and on occasion up to 36 inches. The employee continuously uses hand strength to grasp items. The employee will frequently bend or twist at the neck and trunk more than the average person while performing the duties of this job. The employee must frequently lift and/or move up to 50 pounds 0 to 12 feet and occasionally up to 20 feet, such as curriculum materials, desks, chairs, and boxes. The employee will sometimes push/pull items such as tables and carts. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, color vision and the ability to adjust focus while supervising students and working with computers, written materials, reports, assessment data, etc.

WORKING 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 moderately quiet. The position requires the commitment of professional working hours that may require the employee to extend beyond a typical 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. workday. The employee will frequently work in different areas of the building including in/at desks, on or near the floor, standing, in movement while supervising students during indoor and outdoor activities, etc. The employee will usually work in indoor temperatures.
**The information contained in this job description follows the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and is not an exhaustive list of the duties performed for this position. Additional duties are performed by the individual holding this position and additional duties may be assigned.
**The Cedar Rapids Community School District is an Equal Opportunity Employer. The district does not discriminate on the basis of race, creed, color, gender, national origin, religion, age, marital status, sexual orientation, veteran status, or disability.

Salary Range: $24.00 per hour

Benefits: Hourly Non-Administrative Meet and Confer (Table H)

Contact Information: Karla Hogan, Chief Financial Officer