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Job Title: PRINCIPAL ACCOUNTANT

Posting Date: June 18, 2012

Closing Date: July 2, 2012

Salary Range: $71,782.00 - $91,800.00 (annually)

Job Type: Administrative

Benefits Eligibility: Successful candidates will be eligible for medical, dental, vision and life insurance coverage, as well as illness and vacation days.

Reports to: Director of Business and Technology

Location:

Qualifications

Description:

Under the supervision of the Director of Business and Technology, maintains financial and budgetary systems and coordinates accounts payable and receivable and payroll for accounting purposes. Prepares journal entries, performs reconciliations and ensures that all financial transactions are recorded in the proper accounts in compliance with generally accepted accounting principles and State of Michigan, Michigan Department of Education and United States Department of Agriculture requirements and rules. Compiles and analyzes financial information and results, maintains inventory controls and is responsible for budget expenditures, purchase order requisitions and cash management.

Education:

Bachelors degree in accounting or a related field and three or more years of experience in all aspects of accounting systems and practices.

Experience:

State of Michigan Vehicle Operators License.

Extensive knowledge of fund accounting and experience with single audit requirements.

Knowledge of the principals, practices and legal regulations of school district finance.

Experience preparing reports associated with federally authorized child nutrition program performance grants and cost reimbursable grants

Experience preparing direct and indirect cost reports associated with federally authorized child nutrition programs

Thorough knowledge of the methods and techniques of internal controls and financial reporting.

Skill in responding to public inquiries and internal requests with a high degree of diplomacy and professionalism.

Skill in assembling and analyzing financial data, developing budgets, and preparing comprehensive and accurate reports.

Ability to critically assess situations and solve problems, and to work effectively under stress, with deadlines and changes in work priorities.

Ability to use basic office equipment such as telephone, calculator, photocopier, fax and computer with applicable software applications such as word processing, spreadsheet, database and various financial applications, as well as email/internet/world wide web.

Significant experience and capability in the use of spreadsheet-based software and other proprietary financial-based software programs.

Attendance:

Regular Attendance is critical; must have an exemplary attendance record.

Citizenship:

Must be able to verify whether U.S. citizen, resident alien, or otherwise authorized to accept employment in the U.S.

Physical Condition:

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to communicate in person and by telephone, read regular and small print, view and produce written and electronic documents and enter data on a computer keyboard with repetitive keystrokes. The employee must be mobile in an office setting, stand, sit, stoop and kneel, use hands to finger, handle, or feel and reach with hands and arms. The employee must occasionally lift and/or move items of light weight.

The typical work environment of this job is a business office setting where the noise level is quiet and sometimes moderate.

Duties and Responsibilities

Under the direction of the Director of Business and Technology.

Essential Functions:

1. Maintains general accounting and subsidiary ledgers. Maintains accounting systems and procedures in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles.

2. Supervises processes for accounts receivable and is responsible for cash management and reconciliation as well as ongoing cash audits.

3. Processes payroll. Supervises personnel engaged in this and other support activities. Distributes payroll checks that have been processed through the central office.

4. Maintains accounts payable, ensuring timeliness and accuracy. Prepares requisitions and purchase orders and processes incoming bills. Reviews accounts payable data to assure proper posting and assists in identifying and resolving problems pertaining to processing or payment.

5. Compiles the annual budget under the direction of the Executive Director of School Nutrition. Monitors the budget throughout the fiscal year. Prepares monthly profit and loss statements.

6. Serves as grant manager for school nutrition services.

7. Investigates grant opportunities, assures timeliness of submittals and administers grants. Compiles financial/statistical data for use in grant proposals.

8. Works cooperatively with outside auditors on a number of audit processes including internal audits, state audits, annual audit and single audit for grant monies. Explains issues, responds to questions and reviews findings.

9. Compiles financial data regarding construction projects, monitors costs and works with the contractors for requisitions and payments.

10. Reviews, prepares and ensures accuracy of costs and employee time associated with various school food programs, including the FID, direct and indirect cost reports and preparing corrective actions reports associated with the child nutrition programs.

11. Attends workshops and seminars to keep abreast of changes in accounting standards, state regulations, grant requirements and other pertinent information.

12. Maintains inventory controls pertaining to School Nutrition assets.

13. Performs other duties as directed.

Security Clearance:

SECURITY

EXTERNAL APPLICANTS
If you are hired to fill a vacant position, you will be required to submit a Detroit Public Schools security clearance.

At point of offer to hire, please be advised that you will be responsible for a non-refundable payment of $62.75 by cashier's check, certified check or money order, payable to the I.I.S. (Identix Identification Services). DO NOT SUBMIT PAYMENT WITH APPLICATION.

There is an option to pay by MasterCard or Visa.

All fingerprinting appointments will be scheduled by Detroit Public Schools, Human Resources Department.

INTERNAL APPLICANTS
If you are a current Detroit Public Schools employee, presently employed with the district, you do not have to submit a fee related to obtaining the Detroit Public Schools security clearance.

Method of Application:

Applicants MUST apply through the online application system. ONLY applications submitted through the online application system will be considered for any posted position. All applicants are to attach a copy of their transcripts, most recent resume and cover letter. A copy of your valid teacher certification should also be attached if certification is required for the position you are applying for.

Applicants will receive an automated confirmation once they have successfully applied for a position.
Successful candidates are required to submit official transcript(s) at point of offer to hire. Service outside of the Detroit Public Schools must be verified by the applicant's employer(s) prior to hire.

It is the applicant's responsibility to provide all documentation (including copies) as requested. All documentation must be submitted along with the letter of interest. Due to the high volume of candidates applying for positions, we regret that we are unable to pull individual personnel files to retrieve/copy documents. Therefore, to assure the application process is not delayed, if you are applying for multiple positions with the district, we strongly encourage you to have available several photocopies of your credentials to be submitted for each position for which you apply. Documentation will not be accepted subsequent to the closing date of the announcement. Incomplete information will not be considered. Applicants requesting assistance during the application process should contact the Office of Recruitment and Employment Services at recruitment@detroitk12.org.

The Board of Education of the School District of the City of Detroit does not discriminate against, deny benefits to or exclude participation by any person in its programs, activities or employment on the basis of age, race, sex, color, national origin, creed, religion or handicap.