Below is specific information for you to consider about this position.

Job Title: Budget/Finance Specialist  and Requisition ID number: 102411

Close Date:  No established closing date;  open until filled

Organizational Unit:  Budget & Planning (10000957) 

Site:  Davis Center (0001) 

FTE:  1.0 FTE; this is based on full-time equivalency with 1.0 being full time

Union:  MACA(02) 

Functional Area:  Administrative 

Resume and Cover Letter are mandatory to apply for any position.

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SUMMARY

Under general supervision, performs specialized budget and accounting duties for the Finance Department, reviews data, processes transactions and maintains records; provides customer services for MPS departments, and resolves questions on budgets, revenues and other financial transactions.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS -- Essential functions, as defined under the Americans with Disabilities Act, may include any of the following representative duties, knowledge, and skills.  This list is ILLUSTRATIVE ONLY and is not a comprehensive listing of all functions and duties performed by incumbents of this class. Employees are required to be in attendance and prepared to begin work at their assigned work location on the specified days and hours. Factors such as regular attendance at the job are not routinely listed in job descriptions but are an essential function. Essential duties and responsibilities may include, but are not limited to, the following:

• Processes specialized budget and accounting transactions for Finance Department; performs duties within scope of authority and training, and in compliance with MPS policies and quality standards; duties may vary according to job assignment.
• Performs specialized accounting functions, including processing accounts payable & receivable, processing purchase orders and invoices, grant fund accounting, journal entries and corrections, reconciling statements, monitoring budgets and expenditures, creating and approving position on-line forms and requisitions, creating and approving budget reallocations and balancing accounts.
• Serves as liaison for MPS schools and departments; provides technical support and approvals for budget, purchasing, and other financial issues; responds to requests for information, and researches files and records within the scope of authority; updates, retrieves and releases information according to procedures; refers matters requiring policy interpretation to supervisor for resolution.
• Reviews budgets for journal entries; verifies encumbrances, disbursements, and inter-departmental transfers; approves budget reallocations and journal entries.
• Conducts special research and analysis projects; summarizes data and generates reports; assists with development of budget reports and financial status reports.
• Maintains detailed accounting and bookkeeping records and filing systems; verifies data and enters into computer systems; codes documents, processes transactions, and updates accounts.
• Reviews source documents for compliance with rules and regulations; determines proper handling of accounting and technical transactions within designated limits; reviews and validates data.
• Checks documents for validity and accuracy of information; performs mathematical calculations; records, files and distributes related paperwork and documents; reports discrepancies.
• Maintains additional accounting and technical transaction databases as directed.
• Cross-trains in all budget and accounting duties; assists with training and cross-training of MPS staff.
• Provides guidance to department directors or managers and advises on proper budget set-up, appropriate use of funds, and department strategies for ensuring funds are used strategically.
• Performs detailed analysis on a monthly and/or quarterly basis on department budget vs actual reports to ensure department funds are spent according to allocation parameters and guidelines. 
• Provides guidance to department directors or managers and advises course of direction if funds are over or under budget.
• Demonstrates courteous and cooperative behavior when interacting with students, clients, visitors, and MPS staff; acts in a manner that promotes a harmonious and effective workplace environment 
• Enthusiastically promotes the Superintendent’s goals and priorities in compliance with all policies and procedures; maintains absolute confidentiality of work-related issues, records and MPS information.
• Accesses highly confidential documents relating to the bargaining process, and maintains strict confidentiality of document content and meeting discussions.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

Education, Training and Experience Guidelines

Associate’s Degree in Accounting, Business or Public Administration, or related field; AND two (2) years of financial administrative support experience; OR an equivalent combination of education, training and experience as determined by Human Resources.  

Knowledge of:

• Business arithmetic.
• Financial record keeping and bookkeeping practices and techniques.
• Principles and practices of auditing financial documents and records.
• Accounting and budgeting principles and methods, including grant fund and special fund procedures.
• Applicable policies, procedures and regulations covering specific areas of assignment.
• Specialized MPS and state agency accounting software applications, including SAP and State of Minnesota Uniform Financial Accounting and Reporting Standards (UFARS).
• Principles of record keeping and records management.
• Standard and specialized financial software applications.

Skill in:

• Performing technical, specialized, complex or difficult financial office support work.
• Reading and explaining rules, policies and procedures.
• Analyzing and resolving varied financial office administrative problems.
• Organizing, researching and maintaining financial files.
• Imputing budget information into a standard budget document format.
• Performing accurate arithmetic calculations.
• Reviewing financial documents for completeness and accuracy.
• Reviewing, posting, balancing and reconciling financial records.
• Maintaining accurate financial records and preparing accurate and timely reports.
• Using initiative and independent judgment within established procedural guidelines.
• Organizing own work, setting priorities and meeting critical deadlines.
• Contributing effectively to the accomplishment of team or work unit goals, objectives and activities.
• Working collaboratively with the public and staff.

LICENSE AND CERTIFICATION REQUIREMENTS

None

PHYSICAL DEMANDS AND WORKING ENVIRONMENT

The physical demands described herein are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of the job.  Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Work is performed in a standard office environment which requires occasionally lifting such articles as file boxes or heavier materials with help from others and/or lifting and carrying light objects frequently. A job in this category may require walking or standing to a significant degree or may involve sitting most of the time with long periods of computer work and heavy phone usage.

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Final candidates may be invited to interview with a committee.  Final appointment to this position will be contingent upon passing a criminal background check.
 
COMMITMENT TO DIVERSITY:
 
Diversity is one of Minneapolis Public Schools core values and is essential to our goal of putting children first and making them college-ready.  Diversity of our workforce provides us with a competitive advantage and allows us to better understand, communicate with and educate our diverse student body. Minneapolis Public Schools will not deny anyone the opportunity for training or employment because of race, color, creed, religion, national origin, gender or gender identity, marital status, status with regard to public assistance, disability, sexual orientation, age, family care leave status, or veteran status.

Minneapolis Public Schools strongly encourages diverse candidates to apply.

Posting Notes: | [No Established Closing Date]  | Budget & Planning (10000957)  | Davis Center (0001)  | Administrative