Position Summary

Under the direction of the SELPA Executive Director, the Business Advisor provides leadership, advice and support to Humboldt – Del Norte SELPA and its member LEAs regarding financial matters including budget challenges, compliance issues, interpretation of various governmental codes, application of the state accounting manual, technical accounting and business transactions; ensures that overall fiscal policies, practices and/or regulations meet compliance requirements; maintains accurate account balances; evaluates the feasibility of services within budget parameters and ensures efficient use of financial resources.  The Business Advisor would also be asked to lead or co-lead fiscally-focused training targeted for all Humboldt County districts and charter schools.

Distinguishing Characteristics

An Advisor is the highest level of classified work providing leadership to HCOE and District personnel.  The Advisor is responsible for creating and overseeing processes at the district level and provides leadership, advice and support to HCOE staff and LEAs/Districts. This position reports to the SELPA Executive Director and works under minimal supervision.

Examples of Duties and Responsibilities

• Advises the Humboldt – Del Norte SELPA and its member LEAs, including Superintendents, for the purpose of aiding all levels of management in the resolution of budget concerns and other financial issues related to Special Education.
• Analyzes financial information related to services (e.g. complex annual budgets, budget models, interim reports, year-to-date and annual data, financial forecasts, grants and entitlements, including special education, etc.) for the purpose of identifying potential budget variances, compiles statistical information, develops procedures and conforms to established financial practices and regulatory requirements.
• Assists in the preparation and filing of complex Standardized Account Code Structure (SACS) reports and various other reports for the purpose of preparing the information and data required for all financial reporting periods related to Special Education, including Maintenance of Effort, Excess Cost and Annual Budget Plan reports as required by CDE.
• Conducts budget review and financial analysis in regards to FTE, salary projections and budget constraints for the purpose of administering and maintaining position control for the SELPA.
• Coordinates a wide variety of accounting projects (e.g. year-end closing process, compiling and filing reports, annual audit process, etc.) for the purpose of providing required guidance and support regarding financial matters, budget concerns, compliance issues, technical and business processes.
• Creates and updates operating and instruction manuals for the purpose of developing reporting processes, procedures and internal controls and meeting district, management and statutory deadlines.
• Monitors all SELPA business operational duties (e.g., deposits and accounts receivable, vendor payments and accounts payable, bank reconciliations, cash projections, all transfers, journal entries, etc.) for the purpose of ensuring the accuracy of reported information, availability of funds and compliance with established financial guidelines and program policies, practices and regulatory requirements.
• Performs all essential duties and responsibilities at SELPA (e.g. budgeting, payroll, accounts payable, deposits, etc.) for the purpose of meeting district, management and statutory deadlines.
• Prepares and maintains a wide variety of manual and electronic files, documents and records (e.g. general ledger, cash flow reports, payroll tax reports, unemployment insurance reports, state mandated reports, procedures, graphs and charts related to financial reports, etc.) for the purpose of documenting activities, providing reference, conveying information and complying with established financial, legal and/or administrative requirements and statutory deadlines.
• Presents a wide variety of financial and reported information in trainings, workshops and SELPA Policy Council meetings for the purpose of communicating information in processes, procedures and systems to various educational partners, including Superintendents and Governing Boards.
• Provides fiscal professional development to new chief business officials in both direct service districts and non-direct service districts.
• Researches financial topics and related legal issues for the purpose of staying informed on legal, economic, financial and regulatory developments that affect districts’ income, expenditures, budgeting and financial practices.
• Serves as liaison between the SELPA and various HCOE departments and/or various outside agencies (e.g. Payroll, Human Resources, governing agencies, external auditors) for the purpose of providing advice, guidance and assistance with departmental functions and related fiscal issues, legal compliance and financial reporting requirements.
• Performs other related duties as assigned for the purpose of ensuring the efficient and effective functioning of the work unit.

Qualifications (aka Employment Standards)
Knowledge of and Ability to:

• Operates standard office equipment using pertinent software applications;

• Performs accounting procedures;
• Plans and manages projects;
• Prepares and maintains accurate records;
• Auditing financial reports;

• Knowledge of advanced math, reading technical information, composing a variety of documents, and/or facilitating group discussions and analyzing situations to define issues and draw conclusions;
• Knowledge of principles of accounting and auditing;
• Understanding of general governmental accounting practices;
• Knowledge of standard office practices and procedures;
• Knowledge of financial analyses and/or budget analyses;
• Proficiency in electronic spreadsheets, pivot tables and related software;

• Knowledge of principles and objectives of budget preparation and pertinent codes, policies, regulations and/or laws.
• Ability to schedule activities, meetings, and/or events;
• Ability to gather, collate, and/or classify data;
• Ability to be flexible in order to work with others in a wide variety of circumstances;
• Analyze data utilizing defined but different processes;
• Operate equipment using standardized methods;
• Work and communicate with a diversity of individuals and/or groups;
• Work with data of varied types and/or purposes;
• Problem solve in order to analyze issues and create action plans. Problem solving with data requires analysis based on organizational objectives; and problem solving with equipment is moderate.
• Analyze a variety of financial and statistical information;
• Work effectively under time constraints;
• Meet deadlines and schedules;
• Setting priorities;
• Work with detailed information;
• Work extended hours.
• Work under limited supervision using standardized practices and/or methods;
• Lead, guide and/or coordinate with others;
• Supervise the use of funds for multiple departments; utilization of resources from other work units is often required to perform the job’s function.

Education and Experience
Minimum Required:

• Bachelor’s Degree in Accounting or Business Management and our (4) years related experience with increasing responsibility in related field, OR
• Five (5) years related experience with increasing responsibility in related field

Preferred:

• Experience working in a school, district, or county office if education setting.

Working Conditions (Work Environment)

The following conditions may be present:

• Work is performed in a busy, sometimes noisy, office environment.
• Positions in this classification work mostly indoors and sit for long periods of time, but may also involve travel to offsite locations.
• The position requires daily oral communication in person and on the telephone, frequent use of email and messaging communication systems.

Physical Demands

With or without accommodation, this position includes prolonged periods of standing or sitting, frequent walking, and occasional bending, stooping, and reaching. The employee must be able to lift, push, and pull objects up to 30 pounds. Visual and auditory abilities, along with finger dexterity for computer work, are required to perform essential job functions.

Other Requirements

• Must be fingerprinted and a satisfactory Department of Justice records check must be received by HCOE prior to employment.

• TB testing and/or risk assessment will be required upon employment.
• Other requirements as appropriate for the job responsibilities.

The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed. They are not intended to be construed as an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties, and skills required of personnel so classified.

Classified | Range 20