Financial Analyst I

Position Summary

This position performs a wide variety of professional financial and accounting activities for the Business Services department of Federal Way Public Schools utilizing knowledge of Washington State and School District accounting and budgeting procedures. The work involves independent judgment within the framework of statutory requirements and existing policies and procedures. The individual in this position will perform accounting and financial functions, analysis and reconciliations for all six funds, provide end-user support and training and assist in long-term projections. This position will also provide support for the Chief of Finance and Operations and the Executive Director of Business Services.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

• Perform a variety of professional level accounting and budgeting activities, including, but not limited to: monthly general ledger account reconciliations, bank reconciliations, unclaimed property, accounts receivable and other account reconciliations as assigned; cash flow and fund balance projections and analysis and other special analysis as needed; journal vouchers and budget transfers.
• Monitor and report revenue and expenditure patterns against approved spending/business plans.
• Prepare and maintain a variety of financial, accounting and/or budgetary reports for submission to supervisor and/or other district staff and management, as well as required reports for local, state and/or federal agencies – including monthly financial statements, tax returns, surface water management exemptions, and school construction claims.
• Coordinate all aspects of budget preparation for the Associated Student Body Fund and/or Capital Projects, Debt Service and Transportation Vehicle Funds including: development of budget instructions, supporting schools or the Support Services Center in budget development, collection of annual budgets from the schools and for construction projections, review and approval of budget requests, compilation of school and district data for board approval and adoption.
• Serve as primary point of contact for administration and office personnel on ASB procedures and/or school construction and public works transactions including regulations surrounding fund-raising construction and public works.
• Provide training, support and guidance to school office personnel/administration and PTA's and Booster Organizations by answering questions, researching and exploring options, troubleshooting, problem solving, and helping each site stay in compliance with state laws, district policy, and audit requirements.
• Monitor expenditures and cash balances to assure that expenditure transactions are within available resources, budgetary limits and fund appropriations. Work with school/department staff if corrective action is needed.
• Assist with internal audits and support fiscal year end closing and annual audits – providing information, reports, and analysis as needed.
• Assist with the development of long-term levy projections, bond sale needs and related informational materials to support local elections.
• Assist management with the development and review of internal processes and procedures related to financial and budgetary matters. Represent Business Services team in on-going improvement efforts to create efficient processes.
• Maintain current knowledge of rules, regulations, legislation, negotiated agreements, technology and policies and procedures governing financial, accounting and budgetary matters. Develop and recommend new procedures as necessary; learn new skills as required; attend state and local meetings and training's as appropriate; consult with regulatory agencies as needed.
• Serve as a resource to all District staff, committees, other Business Services staff members and external customers for financial, accounting, and budgetary matters; communicate guidelines, processes and/or requirements for same; assist with development and training of systems and processes.
• Coordinate, maintain, and/or update district's chart of accounts for compliance with state and district accounting guidelines. Communicate and publish updates/changes as necessary.
• Serves as primary point of contact for records retention questions, provides training, and approves destruction of records.
• Reconciles daily cash and banking transactions. Serves as primary point of contact for cash receipting training and questions.
• Serve as member of the Business Services team.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor's Degree in Business Administration, with emphasis in finance, accounting or related analytical field.
• Two years of increasingly responsible experience in bookkeeping, accounting, payroll or a related field.
• Related education and experience may be substituted.

Conditions of Employment

• Criminal background clearance
• Work scheduled hours on a consistent basis

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Knowledge of School District budgeting and accounting principles, and school board policies and procedures
• Knowledge of Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP)
• Ability to use Business Plus to access data and work efficiently
• Ability to use and adapt software applications (e.g., Microsoft Excel, PowerPoint, Word and Access) for financial data analysis, and to perform data/trend analysis and data manipulation methods
• Ability to communicate clearly and concisely through verbal, written, and graphic presentations and documentation
• Ability to develop and maintain positive customer relations with staff, visitors, service providers, law enforcement, and other community agencies
• Ability to learn and interpret laws and regulations governing Washington state school finance
• Ability to organize and perform job responsibilities efficiently and independently without close supervision, make good decisions, and solve problems
• Ability to pay strict attention to detail, and prioritize and organize effectively; set and meet deadlines
• Ability to build and maintain positive working relationships
• Ability to demonstrate success working in a team environment
• Ability to be flexible and work effectively under pressure
• Ability to ensure quality, timeliness and confidentiality of information
• Ability to evaluate processes for efficiency and effectiveness and present recommendations when necessary
• Ability to practice effective safety and security within individual work routines
• Ability to work collaboratively with District staff and promote teamwork with co-workers
• Ability to practice ethical and professional standards of conduct including the requirements of confidentiality
• Ability to relate effectively with parents, staff, students and the public in a multicultural and multiracial community
• Ability to perform job responsibilities with or without reasonable accommodations

Cultural Competence and Equity

• Knowledge/awareness of own cultural identity and how this influences behavior, and desire to learn about the cultural identity of others.
• Ability to establish and nurture an environment that promotes cultural competence and equitable treatment of staff, students, and patrons of the District.
• Ability to understand and hold self and others accountable for promoting the Federal Way Public Schools' commitment to "Each Scholar: A Voice. A Dream. A Bright Future."
• Ability to recognize that each person is a unique individual even as we celebrate their group cultural heritage.

Physical Demands

• Constantly stand and walk, bend neck and back, use hands for repetitive grasping and pushing/pulling.
• Frequently squat, kneel, and use hands for fine manipulation.
• Occasionally sit, climb stairs/ladder, lift and reach overhead, crawl, and lift/carry.
• Constantly lift/carry up to 5 pounds; frequently lift/carry up to 10 pounds; occasionally lift/carry a maximum of 20 lbs.
• Occasionally push/pull a maximum weight of 100 pounds.
• Requires visual concentration on detail, dexterity, and precision.
• Requires sitting for long periods of time, walking, standing, carrying, filing, hearing, speaking, writing, keyboarding, and extended periods of time reading off of a computer monitor.

Work Environment

• Regularly works in indoor conditions and regularly works near video display.
• Noise level is usually moderate.
• Constantly deals with frequent interruptions, demanding and inflexible deadlines, and occasionally deals with angry and distraught employees, students and community members.

Schedule

8 hours per day, 260 days per year, 8:00am-4:30pm. May be required to work overtime during peak periods. Flexibility with daily work schedule may also be required.

This response is AI-generated, for reference only.