Senior Accountant, Accounting & Reporting - Memphis Shelby County Schools

 OVERVIEW

Memphis-Shelby County Schools is seeking dynamic educational champions ready to position our district as a national exemplar of education transformation. We need leaders with a fierce commitment to actualizing a bold vision that yields ambitious outcomes for more than 110,000 students and families across the Memphis-Shelby County area. The reality is that we can do better for kids, and we will with the right leaders in place. The most successful candidates believe that more is possible for Memphis and are:

• Courageous Thinkers & Doers: Prepared to navigate and thrive in a complex and ambiguous environment on day one, present innovative ideas to address systemwide issues, and execute sustainable plans toward transformation.
• Solutions-Oriented: See the possibilities, demonstrate the capacity to synthesize information and adjust short and long-term goals, and consistently find a window when doors close to deliver measurable results for kids and families.
• High-Performing Gamechangers: Leader of leaders with the capacity to mobilize and empower an outstanding team, make people-centered data-informed decisions, and operate with a relentless hyperfocus on removing stubborn barriers that destroy the hopes and dreams of too many of our students.

SUMMARY DESCRIPTION:

Senior Accountant, Accounting & Reporting assists in coordinating and performing responsible professional accounting functions in the maintenance of accounting and internal control systems for the accounting department using established procedures and policies, independently developing work methods and sequences.  The position is responsible for providing instruction and leadership for staff, efficiently recording, summarizing and reporting the result of financial activities; and performing related tasks as assigned.  The position reports to the Accounting and Reporting Manager.

1. Serves as the Finance lead for charter schools, Achievement School District (ASD), and Campus School by calculating revenue allocations (budgets and actuals), processing charter school payments, resolving issues, reviewing audit reports, and completing for Memphis Shelby County Schools (MSCS) the annual budget and financial reports for the State.

1. Assists with the development of the Comprehensive Annual Financial Report and the Tennessee Department of Education’s Annual Financial Report for MSCS, including all supporting work papers, analyses and summary schedules as required by MSCS outside auditors. Ensures that the  Annual Comprehensive Financial Report (ACFR) and other financial data are distributed to relevant outside agencies.

1. Prepares, monitors, and manages MSCS budgets and/or funds; makes journal entries and budget adjustments as required; coordinates month-end and year-end closing of the general ledger; performs complex analysis and prepares financial reports as requested.

1. Prepares daily cash reports, monitor revenues, and provide cash management forecast.

1. Audits financial records by examining, verifying and reviewing accounts, invoices, bills and vouchers; assists with external audits; research accounting problems and discrepancies in records; makes or initiates corrections as needed.

1. Compiles data for and prepares periodic and special reports as required by the department, school and other agencies; assists with various financial analyses as requested.

1. Approves and/or prepares journal vouchers, check requests, and requisitions for MSCS.

1. Prepares monthly reconciliations of balance sheet accounts and follow-thru on outstanding items to ensure issues are resolved timely and transactions are accurate in accordance with policies and procedures.

1. Receives and prepares responses to inquiries, concerns, complaints and requests for assistance from personnel and citizens regarding areas of responsibility.

1. Explains financial policies and procedures to co-workers and personnel of other departments; refers customers to other personnel or offices as appropriate.

1. Assures accurate audits for MSCS with outside auditors during the annual audit process; provides information, assistance, and explanation of MSCS accounting practices, procedures, systems and audit trails; reviews and responds to audit findings. Coordinates the annual review of student body funds and other internal audit reviews as required for MSCS.  Maintains verbal and written communication with external auditors, arbitrage consultants and other outside agencies as required. 

1. Participates in system testing resulting from upgrades and modifications to the financial management system. for MSCS.

1. Assists with the development and maintenance of the forecast models for revenues, expenditures, and cash flow for MSCS.

1. Prepares and maintains variety of narrative and statistical reports, records, correspondence, and files related to assigned service, activities, and operations; provides for appropriate research and compiles reports, as needed.

1. Assists in upholding SOX and internal control standards by documenting and maintaining standard operating procedures for MSCS

1. Maintains system of internal accounting controls to assure proper accounting of MSCS revenues and expenditures. Monitors accounting activities throughout MSCS to assure legal compliance and handling in a timely and accurate manner. Assists MSCS cost centers with accounting operations and fund accounting. 

1. Monitors and ensures timely identification and compliance with evolving accounting guidance, provides GASB interpretation and prepares memorandums that document changes and/or issues in a clear, logical and comprehensive manner for MSCS.

1. Assists in the preparation of monthly accounting close, monthly financial reports and year-end accounting close and annual financial reports for MSCS. Ensures proper reporting of financial information; review all financial documents for accuracy and proper classification.

1. Assists with the accounting for revenue and expenditures in general fund, special revenue fund, proprietary and fiduciary funds, capital improvement planning, fixed asset and debt service fund in accordance with GAAP and GASB for MSCS.

1. Oversees, reviews and approves balance sheet reconciliations & revenue and expenditures for MSCS

1. Provides instruction, training and leadership for staff

1. Attends staff and other meetings as required. Attends training, meetings, seminars and/or workshops to enhance job knowledge and skills.

1. Provides back-up support to the budget and financial analyst staff in case of absence or work overload.

1. Performs other responsibilities as required or directed.

Graduation from an accredited college or university with a Bachelor’s Degree in Business Administration, Management, Finance, Public Administration or related field or equivalent.  Plus 5 years of related accounting experience OR a combination of equivalent education and/or paid, exempt level, directly relevant experience for a total of 9 years.  Experience in a school district or local government setting is preferred.

Degree Equivalency Formula:

Bachelor’s Degree= 4 years plus required years of experience.

Master’s Degree = 6 years plus required years of experience