Junior Accountant (Previous applicants need not reapply)

Work Year Calendar and Hours
 

• 12-month position (260 days / year), 7 hours per day

 
For more information about employee benefits please go to: www.fcps.org/benefits
 
Salary
 

• Support Salary Scale Grade S15: $35.85 per hour; starting

 
Under the Fair Labor and Standards Act this position is non-exempt from overtime. Actual salary placement will be in accordance with the salary procedures of the Frederick County Public School System. Please see linked salary scale for the full range.
 
Role
 
The Junior Accountant is a paraprofessional position reporting directly to the Financial Reporting Manager. Responsibilities are to provide a wide variety of tasks and duties which require advanced accounting skills and accuracy. Key responsibilities include, but are not limited to, the following: (1) Working closely with the Assistant Financial Reporting Manager or Assistant Accounting Manager to monitor and analyze daily, weekly, semi-weekly, monthly, quarterly and annual transactions (2) providing customer service to Administrative Secretaries/School Financial Specialists and central office departments (3) helping to ensure compliance in accordance with applicable laws, rules, regulations, policies, and procedures, and (4) Performing payroll related duties and other related duties and responsibilities consistent with the scope and nature of the position.
 
Essential Functions
 
Reporting directly to the Financial Reporting Manager or Accounting Manager, the Junior Accountant performs the following duties::

• Coordinates the preparation of specified reports.
• Prepares reports both periodic and special.
• Ensures that financial transactions comply with FCPS policies and regulations
• Performs related financial and payroll transactions, analysis, and reporting functions
• Responsible for the preparation of multiple monthly bank reconciliations for the school system and recording electronic bank transactions (including, transfers, wires, ACHs, interest, etc.),
• Monitors and properly accounts for the merchant service account charges. Investigates credit card disputes as needed.
• Analyzes accounts and prepare monthly journal entries for account maintenance.
• Reconciles financial and payroll data to maintain accurate account balances.
• Researches discrepancies of financial and payroll information for the purpose of ensuring the accuracy and adherence to established policies, procedures and standard accounting practices.
• Prepares and posts frequent and periodic transactions and correcting transactions into the financial and HCM system
• Accesses and navigates multiple software or website platforms for reporting purposes, including but not limited to, PeopleSoft Finance, PeopleSoft HR, online banking services, school-based accounting software (School Cash), Comptroller of Maryland GAD Online Service Center, and credit card portals.
• Performs data entry as assigned.
• Prepares periodic budget to actual detail for the managers (i.e., systemic utility analysis)
• for management review and decision-making.
• Assists in year-end close process.
• Records year-end adjustments in accordance with GAAP and matching principle
• Assists auditors and others for the purpose of providing supporting documentation and/or information for audits.
• Assists Financial Reporting managers compile the Annual Comprehensive Financial Report (ACFR) each year
• Properly manages and handles confidential or sensitive information.
• Provides support to other departmental personnel for the purpose of ensuring efficient processing of data.
• Assists in the implementation and coordination of accounting systems, fiscal procedures and related matters.
• Participates in meetings, in-service trainings etc. for the purpose of gathering information required to perform job functions.
• Assists in determining the needs and requirements of the department in order to complete the specified goals/objectives of the department.
• Regular and predictable attendance.
• Capable of performing the essential functions of the job with or without accommodations.

 
Performs other duties as assigned by the Manager.
 
Required Qualifications

Education, Training, Experience

• Associate Degree in Accounting or Business or a combination of experience and training. [Note: Two (2) years of experience in accounting/clerical work may be substituted for the required education. A BS Degree in Accounting or Business or a related subject may be substituted for two years of the required experience.]
• Five (5) years of full-time accounting or experience in examining, analyzing and interpreting accounting systems, and records, and reports with a financial background.

 
Certification/License:

• None

 
Knowledge, Skills, Abilities

• Knowledge and use of culturally responsive practices.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office applications with a background in financial electronic data application and analysis, with a strong skillset in Microsoft office suite (Excel).
• Proficiency in financial reconciliations and strong ability to analyze financial data.
• Strong understanding of accounting transactions (debits/credits).
• Advanced oral and written communication; ability to communicate clearly and concisely.
• Excellent collaboration and facilitation skills.
• Ability to handle confidential and highly sensitive information in a professional manner.
• Ability to build trust and maintain relationships.
• Works independently and as part of a team.
• Strong technology expertise and skills in computerized accounting software.
• Management and organizational skills that show an ability to prioritize, work under time constraints, and demonstrate flexibility in an environment of multiple tasks and shifting priorities.
• Ability to work a flexible schedule, including evenings and weekends, as needed.
• Excellent organizational skills and time management skills.
• Ability to interact with the public and FCPS staff with significant diplomacy, poise, a positive attitude and spirit of cooperation.
• Ability to travel, as needed.
• Regular and predictable attendance.
• Ability to prioritize, multi-task, be pro-active, and anticipate work demands.
• Capable of performing the essential functions of the position with or without reasonable accommodations.

 
Physical Requirements:

• Irregular hours during designated times.
• Ability to speak in an understandable voice with sufficient volume to be heard in normal conversation and on the telephone and in addressing groups.
• Ability to travel to schools and other local locations, sometimes with little notice.
• Ability to maintain emotional control under stress.
• Ability to spend long hours sitting.
• Ability to reach with hands and arms.
• Sufficient manual dexterity to grasp, handle, manipulate, and/or feel objects and use office technology.
• Sufficient mobility to move about the work area.
• Sufficient vision to read and comprehend printed materials, see distant objects with clarity, and identify and distinguish objects.
• Sufficient hearing to hear and comprehend conversations in person and on the telephone, as well as distinguish sounds up to twenty (20) feet.
• Occasionally climb or balance.
• Occasionally stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl.
• Occasionally lift fifteen (15) pounds.

 
Work Environment:
Moderate noise (examples: office environment with computers, printers, and telephones; regular conversations within offices, cubicles, hallways, and conference rooms; meetings one-on-one, in small groups, and large settings, etc.).


Preferred Qualifications

Education/Training/Experience:

• Experience with working in a public school and/or educational environment.
• Experience with financial accounting software systems.

 
Knowledge, Skills, Abilities

• Bilingual skills.
• Experience with auditors and knowledge of internal controls.
• Experience in a school or governmental financial system.
• Demonstrates evidence of continuous professional growth (by means of increased training or responsibility).
• Familiarity with the FCPS' policies, goals and programs and working knowledge of the general organization.
• Familiarity with local, state, and federal current and trending education issues.
• Working knowledge of the general organization and functions of the major units of FCPS.
• Working knowledge and experience in PeopleSoft software.
• Relevant experience.

FREDERICK COUNTY PUBLIC SCHOOLS IS AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER
 
THIS JOB DESCRIPTION HAS BEEN WRITTEN TO INDICATE THE GENERAL NATURE AND LEVEL OF WORK PERFORMED BY AN EMPLOYEE HOLDING THIS POSITION. IT IS NOT WRITTEN TO INCLUDE OR BE INTERPRETED TO INCLUDE A COMPREHENSIVE INVENTORY OF ALL DUTIES, RESPONSIBILITIES, AND QUALIFICATIONS REQUIRED OF THE EMPLOYEE. NOTHING IN THIS DESCRIPTION RESTRICTS MANAGEMENT'S RIGHT TO ASSIGN OR REASSIGN DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES OR ADD REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS AT ANY TIME.