School Business Official

Iowa City Community School District•Iowa City, IA

8d•Hybrid

About The Position

The School Business Official (SBO) plays a critical role in managing and maintaining the district’s day-to-day financial operations under the supervision of the Chief Financial Officer and direction of the Superintendent. This position ensures complete accuracy, compliance, and transparency across all financial functions, including general ledger management, accounts payable, payroll withholdings, benefits administration, and special billing (such as open enrollment and special education). Working within the framework of the Iowa Department of Education SBO Standards, the SBO supports the CFO in certified budget implementation, multi-year forecasting, audit preparations, and cash position optimization. The ideal candidate acts as a key operational anchor, ensuring strict adherence to Governmental GAAP, state spending authority, and reporting requirements via the Iowa Education Portal, while delivering timely financial data to district leaders to support strategic decision-making.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in business, accounting, or other appropriate degree or 60 semester hours of coursework in business or accounting.
Minimum three years experience as an Iowa Public School Business Official required.
Understanding of Iowa School Finance Principles.
Experience in accounting, finance, and operations in business, education, or governmental agencies.
Highly organized and able to successfully manage multiple projects simultaneously.
Highly knowledgeable in the use of technology to enhance work flow and student performance.
Familiarity of best practices in administration, program evaluation, and staff supervision.
Excellent verbal, written, and interpersonal communication skills.
Remains current with accounting technology.
Maintains confidentiality of restricted information.
Demonstrates strong organizational and time management skills.
Able to make difficult decisions with a long-term impact on the school as aligned to the district's mission.
Competent in research and information-gathering through technology.
Encourages an environment of mutual respect, rapport, and fairness.
Valid driver’s license.

Responsibilities

Codes school finance data in accordance with Governmental Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP) Accounting, the Uniform Financial Accounting Manual, and the current Chart of Accounts.
Implements the certified budget process.
Provides timely payment of bills and other accounts payable.
Make timely payments of employee withholdings to appropriate government and retirement systems.
Audit records and administer payment processing for benefits which includes: IPERS, 403b, Health Saving Accounts, Flexible Spending Accounts, etc. and ensure employee contributions are within qualifying legal limits.
Manage open enrollment, special education, supplemental weighting, and all other billing for the district.
Arrange and coordinate preparation of documents for the annual financial audit.
Implement audit suggestions regarding corrections, adjustments, internal controls, and segregation of duties in the Business Office.
Submit required State and federal payments and reports.
Understand the content and purpose of the Aid and Levy Worksheet.
Adheres to the concept of spending authority.
Provides detailed financial data that is useful to the Chief Financial Officer and other district administration.
Assists with development of monthly statements of receipts, disbursements, and balances for every fund.
Optimizes the handling of bank and deposit relationships and initiates strategies to enhance cash position.
Audit buildings for cash handling and business procedures.
Forecasts a line item budget by department, including multi-year projections of revenues/expenses that is shared with department leaders and supervisors.
Maintains an accurate and separate account of each fund.
Files taxes and financial reports in a timely manner.
Understands and implements board policies and procedures.
Maintains a working knowledge of laws applicable to school districts.
Manages and navigates school accounting software.
Inputs financial data onto word processing, spreadsheet, and other programs as needed.
Uploads financial data through the Iowa Education Portal and other reporting websites.
Assists with completion and submission of the Certified Annual Report.
Maintain district general ledger account numbers as needed; post journal entries and account corrections as necessary.
Engages in annual review of district and accounting practices.
Prepare an annual list of salaries paid for publishing in designated media publications.
Monitor and adjust charts of accounts in accordance with state and federal guidelines.
Adheres to board policies, district procedures, and contractual obligations.
Participates in workshops, conferences, and/or activities designed to maintain knowledge and skills as required by the position.
Applies research, knowledge and skills from professional development opportunities to improve practice.