Controller – Portland Public Schools
- Position Type: CENTRAL ADMINISTRATION/CONTROLLER
- Date Posted: 10/23/2019
- Location: Central Office
- Date Available: 11/06/2019
- Closing Date: 11/08/2019
CONTROLLER
SUMMARY DESCRIPTION OF CLASSIFICATION: The Portland Public Schools (PPS) is a diverse urban school district with more than 1,200 employees serving about 6,800 students. The district’s Finance Department supports the educational mission of PPS by facilitating effective and efficient use of resources while providing a high level of customer service to school staff and district administrators.
The Controller is responsible for the day to day fiscal operations of the School Department and all general accounting functions, including General Ledger administration, reconciliations, financial reporting, and auditing activities. This position is responsible for the timely and accurate reporting of the School Department’s financial status and compliance with applicable local, state, and federal laws and regulations, and generally accepted accounting principles.
ESSENTIAL JOB DUTIES:
- Oversees all aspects of the accounting, reporting, and auditing activities of the School Department to ensure compliance with applicable laws, regulations, policies, contracts, and GAAP.
- Develops, documents, and implements policies, procedures, and systems necessary to support the accuracy and efficiency of the School Department’s fiscal operations.
- Identifies and corrects areas of potential weakness in the School Department’s internal control procedures, including internal audits.
- Prepares internal and external financial reports and coordinates all activities related to the annual independent audit including all supporting schedules, notes and documentation.
- Ensures the accuracy and reconciliation of all general ledger accounts and reviews, approves, and oversees postings of journal entries.
- Oversees billing and collection of the School Department’s revenues, including those derived from State appropriations, student tuition/fees, grants and contracts.
- Manages accounts payable, cash disbursements, invoicing/billing, accounts receivable and fixed asset records.
- Oversees grant and special revenue fund accounting.
- Works closely with Payroll manager to ensure timely posting and proper accounting of payroll transactions and regular reconciliation of all payroll accounts.
- Implements new financial system modules as appropriate and works with system administrators to trouble-shoot system issues as needed.
- Supervises professional accounting staff.
MINIMUM QUALIFICATION STANDARDS
KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES:
- Thorough knowledge of fund accounting, municipal accounting, and auditing. School business management experience a plus.
- Thorough knowledge of Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP), Governmental Accounting Standards Board (GASB) regulations, and Generally Accepted Auditing Standards (GAAS).
- Experience with financial and HR systems implementation and management. Familiarity with Munis a plus.
- Desire to constantly improve systems and processes.
- Excellent oral and written communications skills.
- Excellent customer service skills with the ability to proactively establish and maintain effective working relationships
EDUCATION, TRAINING, AND EXPERIENCE:
- Bachelor’s Degree in accounting-related field from four-year college or university.
- 10+ years of accounting and fiscal management experience required. Experience in accounting and financial reporting for public sector organizations.
- Experience as a supervisor in a medium-large organization desirable.
- Any combination of applicable education, training, and experience that provides the knowledge, abilities, and skills necessary to perform effectively in the position.
CERTIFICATE AND LICENSE REQUIREMENTS:
Current or former Certified Public Accountant (CPA) preferred.
- Maine Department of Education Fingerprinting Certification
SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS:
- The requirements of the job may necessitate occasional night and weekend work.
OVERTIME ELIGIBLE: No
Portland Public Schools is committed to maintaining a work and learning environment free from discrimination on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, pregnancy, gender, sexual orientation, marital/civil union status, ancestry, place of birth, age, citizenship status, veteran status, political affiliation or disability, as defined and required by state and federal laws.