Controller

Smithfield Public Schools•Smithfield, RI

About The Position

The Controller will assist the Director of Financial Operations with all phases of financial recordkeeping for the Smithfield School District. The Controller’s work will include: day-to-day operations, accounting for food services, tracking grants and capital funds, overseeing the school activity accounts, developing and monitoring the budget, and assisting in the preparation of state reporting. The Controller may need to serve as support personnel for payroll and/or accounts payable or receivable.

Requirements

Bachelor's degree in finance-related field required
Relevant work experience in accounting and able to use accounting/financial software with proficiency.
Experience assisting in the planning, managing and oversight of a multimillion dollar budget.
Superior organizational skills and the ability to maintain and prioritize multiple active projects.
Detail-oriented, thorough in work completion and ability to work independently.
Proficient in business applications, including but not limited to, Excel, Word, iVisions preferred.
Experience working with federal, state and local grants including annual and quarterly reporting requirements.
Knowledge and experience with the Uniform Chart of Accounts, accounts payable and accounts receivable.
Knowledge of state and national food service guidelines including free/reduced lunch program eligibility and meal serving guidelines.
Ability to communicate clearly and concisely (orally and in writing) with school, district personnel and other stakeholders, as directed by the Director of Financial Operations.
Ability to establish and maintain collegial, positive and productive relationships and communication with staff, parents and vendors; and to work as a productive member of a team.
Demonstrated knowledge and ability of the above as evidenced by course work, educational experience, involvement in professional activities, previous work experience, professional references and the interview process.

Nice To Haves

A minimum of 3 years experience in a RI public school district, municipality or non-profit preferred

Responsibilities

Assist with preparation and monitoring of budgets: general fund; grant funds; capital funds; and school food service fund.
Computation and preparation of various cost and expenditure analysis reports as requested by the Director of Financial Operations.
Assists Director of Financial Operations in preparing year-end audit reports
Prepare responses to questions regarding financial statements and reports associated with various school department activities.
Assists Director of Financial Operations with monitoring account balances and preparing estimated balances for year end.
Analyze accounts, prepare & post correcting journal entries as necessary.
Reconciles general ledger accounts monthly/quarterly.
Prepares & posts journal entries to record activity in school food service grant, and capital funds.
Responsible for the fiscal reporting and reimbursement of District grant funds.
Monitors and audits school activity accounts to ensure compliance with school department policy.
Reviews purchase orders for compliance with federal, state, local procurement requirements and UCOA requirements.
Prepares and/or reviews journal entries on a quarterly basis for cash and expenditures.
Performs bank reconciliations.
Provides guidance & direction to various Business Office staff regarding payroll, benefits, purchasing, and receiving.
Responsible for processing all district applications for the National School Lunch Program including the verification process for all applications.
Regularly interacts with Rhode Island Department of Education (RIDE) regarding the National School Lunch Program and attends any training as required by RIDE.
Responsible for the distribution of applications and negative balance notices to schools.
Responsible for inputting all data for the National School Lunch Program into Mosaic Software and the district’s Student Information System (SIS) including lunch flags as well as generating appropriate reports as requested.
Responsible for responding to and assisting all parents/guardians regarding the National School Lunch Program and application process.
Responsible for helping to resolve negative balances with families and the food service vendor.
Responsible for communicating to school personnel appropriate school and district practices and procedures for the purpose of an effective implementation of the National School Lunch Program.
Performs other duties as assigned related to the function of the school's business operations.