ASSISTANT CONTROLLER

 

 

SUMMARY DESCRIPTION

 

Under the general supervision of the Controller plans, coordinates and supervises accounting, accounts payable, student activity funds, and property control divisions of the Office of Business and Financial Services to support district-wide and external accounting functions.  Responsible for financial reporting to include preparation of the Comprehensive Annual Financial Report (CAFR), the Other Post-Employment Benefits (OPEB) CAFR, reporting for various other government agencies, and requests for public information. Performs financial analysis and maintenance of the general ledger, accounts payable, fixed assets systems, and student activity funds ledgers.  Performs related work as required.

 

EXEMPLARY DUTIES/RESPONSIBILITIES

 

Maintains the general ledger, accounts payable, fixed assets and student activity funds computerized accounting systems with the assistance of the Information Technology Department.  Ensures proper procedures are used in utilizing the system and that system data and output is accurate.  Designs reports in order to access information from the system; and is responsible for the timely interfacing of the payroll, accounts payable and general ledger systems.

 

Prepares the District’s Comprehensive Annual Financial Report (CAFR), to include coordinating with various staff, preparing audit schedules and work papers, organizing and assembling the final document, and serving as the main liaison with external auditors during the annual audit.  Works with the external auditors to evaluate whether the spending of federal, state and local funds is done in compliance with governing regulations, statutes and other documents. Submits the necessary documentation to obtain the GFOA Certificate of Achievement in Excellence in Financial Reporting. 

 

Performs the same functions in the preceding paragraph for the Other Post-Employment Benefits (OPEB) CAFR. Coordinates and is the technical expert for the Other Post-Employment Benefits (OPEB) program, and serves as the staff liaison to the OPEB Committee. 

 

Must stay current on pronouncements from the Governmental Accounting Standards Board (GASB) to inform colleagues of upcoming GASB pronouncements.  Responsible for developing plans and procedures to implement GASB pronouncements. 

 

Prepares miscellaneous reports for other agencies and community members.  These include legal requirements and requests from other state and county government agencies, as well as requests for public information from members of the community. 

 

Supervises staff and directs the district-wide operation of accounts receivable/cash deposits, accounts payable, student activity funds, and property control divisions by establishing accounting procedures, training staff, evaluating work performed and directing the work of the Accounts Payable Supervisor, Staff Accountants and SAF Technicians.  Provides guidance and assistance in carrying out District policies and functions in these areas.

 

Assists schools and departments in understanding and maintaining their records by providing formal and informal training, using the budget reports and by accessing the computerized accounting systems.  Designs and updates financial forms and provides training so schools and departments can process transactions efficiently while complying with financial requirements.

 

Serves as the primary backup for the Controller in the management of daily cash flow and investments, debt service payments, bonds and other high level accounting matters.  Assists with planned bond sales by providing necessary financial reporting information needed for the bond sale documents. 

 

Develops, documents, implements, reviews and maintains section goals, objectives, policies and procedures.  These include policies, procedures, work instructions and manuals.  Develops, implements and maintains departmental internal control documents to comply with the Governmental Accounting Standards Board, generally accepted accounting practices, congressional standards, and other standard setting bodies.

 

Administers the District purchasing card, benefit reserve program and cell phone allowances.  Maintains fixed assets, accounts payable and accounts receivable subsidiary ledgers and reconciles to the general ledger; prepares schedules and reports as needed; performs cost analyses and research as needed and monitors and documents the accounts payable, fixed assets and general ledger systems for quality assurance and operational efficiency.

 

Prepares journal entries for maintaining account balances, correcting account classification errors, canceled checks, transfers of expenditures, reclassifications and distributions of costs.  Identifies and corrects various accounting errors.

 

Conduct or assists with audits on schools and/or departments as requested. 

 

EMPLOYMENT STANDARDS

 

Education/Experience:  Any combination equivalent to education and experience that could likely provide the required knowledge and skills is qualifying.  A typical way to obtain the knowledge and skills would be:

 

1. Equivalent to a Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university with major coursework in accounting, business or any other related field;

 

AND

 

1. Five years of professional accounting experience with three (3) years of professional experience in governmental accounting, including two (2) years in a supervisory capacity.

 

Knowledge of:  Principles of supervision; governmental accounting practices; public finance; pronouncements by the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants (AICPA) and Government Accounting Standards Board (GASB); computerized enterprise resource planning (ERP) business systems and personal computers.

 

Skill at:  Performing mathematical calculations; analyzing financial data; identifying and correcting inaccuracies; communicating in writing and verbally with a wide range of technical and non-technical people; staff supervision; interacting effectively with a wide variety of professional personnel and working independently with minimum supervision.

 

Licenses/Certificates:  Possession of a Certified Public Accountant (CPA) Certificate, Certified Government Financial Management (CGFM) Certificate, or comparable is desirable.

 

THIS JOB SPECIFICATION SHOULD NOT BE CONSTRUED TO IMPLY THAT THESE REQUIREMENTS ARE THE EXCLUSIVE STANDARDS OF THE POSITION.  INCUMBENTS MAY BE REQUIRED TO FOLLOW ANY OTHER INSTRUCTIONS, AND PERFORM ANY OTHER RELATED DUTIES, AS MAY BE REQUIRED BY THEIR SUPERVISOR.

 

The Washoe County School District is committed to providing a safe and respectful learning and working environment for all students, staff, and visitors.  The District prohibits bullying, cyber-bullying, harassment, sexual harassment, and/or discrimination based on an individual's actual or perceived race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy), national origin, age, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, genetic information, veterans or military status, marital status, disability or the presence of any sensory, physical or mental handicap in any of its educational programs/activities and employment, or in any program or activity conducted or funded by the U.S. Department of Agriculture. The District prohibits discrimination against any youth group listed in Title 36, as a patriotic society, (i.e. Boy Scouts of America) from access to public school facilities use.