Salem City Schools is searching for an Accounting/Finance Specialist.  Position begins April 1, 2026 if not before.

ACCOUNTING/FINANCE SPECIALIST

GENERAL DEFINITION AND CONDITIONS OF WORK:

Position is responsible for researching financial information for audit purposes and financial reporting; assisting with balance sheet accounts analysis; assisting bookkeepers, managers, specialists, principals, and administrators on day-to-day financial matters, reports and questions; assisting auditors; preparing/entering journal entries; assisting on regular financial statements and compliance with grant guidelines; assisting with budget preparation; monitoring operating statement accounts; and performing other duties as required.  This position would be a back-up to the Employee Benefits/Payroll Specialist and will assist in the monthly payroll duties as assigned.  Work is performed under the general supervision of the Director of Business.  This is a non-exempt position as defined by the Fair Labor Standards Act. 

This is sedentary work requiring the exertion of up to 10 pounds of force occasionally and a negligible amount of force frequently or constantly to move objects; work requires reaching, fingering, and repetitive motions; vocal communication is required for expressing or exchanging ideas by means of the spoken word; hearing is required to perceive information at normal spoken word levels; visual acuity is required for preparing and analyzing written or computer data, visual inspection involving small defects and/or small parts, operation of machines, determining the accuracy and thoroughness of work, and observing general surroundings and activities; the worker is not subject to adverse environmental conditions.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS/TYPICAL TASKS:

Performs a variety of duties and highly specialized accounting/finance tasks to support the Business Department and the school division.  The Accounting/Finance Specialist also…

• Assists with division’s annual budget preparation;
• Reviews and approves Purchase Orders, Invoices, and Budget Amendments;
• Reviews and analyzes general ledger activities and accounting processes;
• Serves as a back-up for the Employee Benefits/Payroll Specialist and assists this position during the monthly payroll preparation;
• Assists grants managers with grant reconciliation;
• Monitors and maintains general ledger accounts;
• Reviews and analyzes revenues and expenditures to ensure proper recordation and reporting;
• Prepares, analyzes and interprets accounting financial reports to ascertain accuracy of data and recommends management action on significant trends;
• Assists in internal and external audits by preparing supporting schedules and addressing auditor requests/inquiries;
• Assists with reviewing and validating monthly school activity fund reports from schools, providing guidance and direction to school staff on policies and procedures;
• Assists with recording and reconciling fixed assets and inventory system activities with general ledger;
• Monitors and evaluates fixed assets and inventory levels to ensure addition, dispositions and obsolescence are properly reflected and reported;
• Performs analytics on large datasets using advanced Excel and database techniques and functions;
• Enters and extracts data from multiple software applications via the division ERP financial system;
• Operates typewriter, calculator, computer and other standard office equipment incident to maintaining financial and related records;

• Participates in meetings, workshops and seminars as assigned for the purpose of conveying and/or gathering information required to perform functions;
• Ensures that accounting/finance inquiries and complaints are handled in a quick, equitable, and courteous manner;
• Supports other departments with accounting and financial information;
• Performs related tasks as required.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES:

Thorough knowledge of governmental accounting, and financial aspects to include ability to interpret regulations; collect, analyze, and evaluate data using pertinent software applications; develop recommendations and policy revisions; excellent analytical, organizational and communication skills; comprehensive knowledge of the school general ledger system; thorough knowledge of bookkeeping terminology and methods; extensive knowledge of accounting theory and principles, and their application to accounting transactions; general knowledge of standard office procedures, practices and equipment; ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with division staff at all levels of the organization and insurance company representatives; ability to prioritize multiple demands with time management and project management skills; ability to work independently with minimal supervision; ability to maintain complex financial records and prepare reports; ability to meet deadlines; proficient in Microsoft Word and Excel; accuracy and attention to detail required.

EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE:

Any combination of education and experience equivalent to a bachelor’s degree in accounting, business administration, finance, or a field related, and 2 years of experience in governmental accounting work.  A Certified Public Accountant is preferred but not required.

Revised July 2016

SALEM CITY SCHOOLS IS AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER

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BELOW IS A DRAFT JOB DESCRIPTION WITH CHANGES TO BE PRESENTED TO THE BOARD FEBRUARY 10, 2026

ACCOUNTING/FINANCE SPECIALIST – 4.03

GENERAL DEFINITION AND CONDITIONS OF WORK:

Position is responsible for researching financial information for audit purposes and financial reporting; assisting with balance sheet accounts analysis; assisting bookkeepers, managers, specialists, principals, and administrators on day-to-day financial matters, reports and questions; assisting auditors; preparing/entering journal entries; assisting on regular financial statements and compliance with grant guidelines; assisting with budget preparation; monitoring operating statement accounts; and performing other duties as required.  This position would be a back-up to the Employee Benefits/Payroll Specialist and will assist in the monthly payroll duties as assigned.  Work is performed under the general supervision of the Chief Financial Officer Director of Business.  This is a non-exempt position as defined by the Fair Labor Standards Act. 

This is sedentary work requiring the exertion of up to 10 pounds of force occasionally and a negligible amount of force frequently or constantly to move objects; work requires reaching, fingering, and repetitive motions; vocal communication is required for expressing or exchanging ideas by means of the spoken word; hearing is required to perceive information at normal spoken word levels; visual acuity is required for preparing and analyzing written or computer data, visual inspection involving small defects and/or small parts, operation of machines, determining the accuracy and thoroughness of work, and observing general surroundings and activities; the worker is not subject to adverse environmental conditions.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS/TYPICAL TASKS:

Performs a variety of duties and highly specialized accounting/finance tasks to support the Business Department and the school division.  The Accounting/Finance Specialist also…

• Assists with division’s annual budget preparation;
• Reviews and approves Purchase Orders, Invoices, and Budget Amendments;
• Reviews and analyzes general ledger activities and accounting processes;
• Serves as a back-up for the Employee Benefits/Payroll Specialist and assists this position during the monthly payroll preparation;
• Assists grants managers with grant reconciliation;
• Prepares the budget book and annual comprehensive financial report for the division;
• Prepares purchase orders, journal entries and revenue collections, as well as pays invoices for the department;
• Codes credit card transactions and reconciles monthly statement;
• Prepares and submits unclaimed property reports;
• Updates department webpage;
• Completes monthly and annual data reports for Nutrition fund;
• Assists with bid document creation and evaluations;
• Monitors and maintains general ledger accounts;
• Reviews and analyzes revenues and expenditures to ensure proper recordation and reporting;
• Prepares, analyzes and interprets accounting financial reports to ascertain accuracy of data and recommends management action on significant trends;
• Assists in internal and external audits by preparing supporting schedules and addressing auditor requests/inquiries;
• Assists with reviewing and validating monthly school activity fund reports from schools, providing guidance and direction to school staff on policies and procedures;
• Assists with recording and reconciling fixed assets and inventory system activities with general ledger;
• Monitors and evaluates fixed assets and inventory levels to ensure addition, dispositions and obsolescence are properly reflected and reported;
• Performs analytics on large datasets using advanced Excel and database techniques and functions;
• Enters and extracts data from multiple software applications via the division ERP financial system;
• Operates typewriter, calculator, computer and other standard office equipment incident to necessary for maintaining financial and related records;

• Participates in meetings, workshops and seminars as assigned for the purpose of conveying and/or gathering information required to perform functions;
• Ensures that accounting/finance inquiries and complaints are handled in a quick, equitable, and courteous manner;
• Supports other departments with accounting and financial information;
• Performs related tasks as required.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES:

Thorough knowledge of governmental accounting, and financial aspects to include ability to interpret regulations; collect, analyze, and evaluate data using pertinent software applications; develop recommendations and policy revisions; excellent analytical, organizational and communication skills; comprehensive knowledge of the school general ledger system; thorough knowledge of bookkeeping terminology and methods; extensive knowledge of accounting theory and principles, and their application to accounting transactions; general knowledge of standard office procedures, practices and equipment; ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with division staff at all levels of the organization and insurance company representatives; ability to prioritize multiple demands with time management and project management skills; ability to work independently with minimal supervision; ability to maintain complex financial records and prepare reports; ability to meet deadlines; proficient in Microsoft Word and Excel; accuracy and attention to detail required.

EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE:

Any combination of education and experience equivalent to a bachelor’s degree in accounting, business administration, finance, or a field related, and 2 years of experience in governmental accounting work.  A Certified Public Accountant is preferred but not required.

Revised July 2016 January 2026

SALEM CITY SCHOOLS IS AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER