Finance Controller
Job Description
Starting at $7,500 – $9,166.67 (monthly). Commensurate with experience.
ORGANIZATION OVERVIEW
The Colorado Charter School Institute (CSI) is a statewide charter school authorizer whose mission is to foster high-quality public-school choices offered through charter schools, particularly schools that are focused on closing the achievement gap for at-risk students. Governed by a board of nine members appointed by the Governor and Commissioner of Education, CSI currently serves a diverse portfolio of 42 schools across the state of Colorado serving over 20,000 students. CSI is uniquely positioned to serve and promote charter school innovation in communities throughout Colorado and to be a leader in improvements in authorizer practices. CSI aspires to continue growing the quality and quantity of its portfolio of schools in Colorado in response to the need for high quality, innovative charter school options. Our organization is at an extraordinary point of opportunity and is poised to make additional systemic changes that will yield improvements within the portfolio’s overall student achievement.
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Please note: Applications will be reviewed as they are received. This position is non-classified and is not subject to appeal rights.
ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND ROLE-SPECIFIC RESPONSIBILITIES
Essential duties of this position include the following. Employees in this position perform some or all of the following tasks. Other duties may be assigned.
CSI Financial Management:
- Ensure GAAP and GASB compliance for CSI accounting.
- Lead the submission of all central quarterly and annual CSI activity financial reports to the Office of the State Controller and other state departments as necessary.
- Supervise the maintenance and ensure the accuracy of all CSI funds including monthly reviews of activity and creating correcting journal entries.
- Direct finance department in the year-end close process including communicating internal and state-driven deadlines to CSI staff and CSI schools, assigning reconciliations and other tasks to team members, and making closing entries.
- Lead the response to CSI’s audit verification requests.
- With the assistance of other staff, lead the monthly grant reconciliation process and make monthly adjusting entries for grant accrual and deferrals if needed.
- Complete a monthly payroll reconciliation and review user access to the state financial system (CORE) at least quarterly.
- Complete monthly financial reports to be presented to the CSI Finance Committee
- Add new employees and remove exiting employees in the State Payroll System
- Update, implement, and maintain internal financial controls as needed.
- Monitor and update CSI appropriations on the state financial system (CORE) as needed.
- Perform State Controller Contract delegation duties including review and approval of state contracts.
- Support the performance of State Procurement Official duties.
CSI School Financial Management Oversight and Support:
- In coordination with the Director of Finance and Operations, develop and implement standard internal audit schedules and procedures for CSI schools. Conduct internal audits of identified schools. Provide analysis of school budgets, audits, quarterly or monthly school financial statements, and all other school financial information for Director of Finance and Operations as needed; including providing predictive and ‘risk analysis of CSI schools based on financial information.
- Direct and coordinate the submission of CSI schools adopted and amended budgets, and ensure all submissions adhere to statutory requirements
- Ensure all CSI schools complete and submit annual financial audits by deadlines and assist with the completion of the annual financial data pipeline submission
- Send year end payment and accrual summaries to CSI schools to assist with data pipeline compilation at the school level
- Calculate annual year end rebate and refunds to CSI schools
- Make recommendations to the Director of Finance and Operations for interventions and support of schools in need of heightened or intensive support and monitoring.
- Assist in the implementation of the CSI school compliance policy as needed.
- In coordination with the Director of Finance and Operations, develop and deliver guidance to schools regarding:
- Financial accounting and reporting
- Procurement regulations
- School Budget Law
- Internal Controls
- Treasury Management
- Financial Policies and Procedures
SUPERVISORY RESPONSBILITIES (The Controller Oversees the CSI Staff Accountant Position)
- Ensure CSI School Food Authority claims are submitted timely each month
- Coordinate year end reporting and data pipeline prep with CSI staff for CSI’s School Food Authority to ensure school and CSI reporting meets internal deadlines
- Track all incoming payments and ensure timely payment to external parties
- Review monthly input of payroll labor allocation in state payroll system
- Reconcile grants monthly and coordinate with grant personnel on actions needed
- At the close of each month, ensure proper coding of revenue and expenditures on all payments and cash receipts
- Provide grant expenditure detail to grant staff for reimbursement requests
- Assist with resolving technical and input issues in the state finance system (CORE)
DEPARTMENT RESPONSBILITIES
- Ensure that all training, technical assistance, and compliance monitoring includes tiered processes and actions based on school performance.
- Provide school performance and operational evaluation for inclusion in the CSI Annual Review of Schools for all managed programs.
- Participate in the review of all charter applications as a member of the CSI Review Team.
- Provide operational support for the Director of Finance and Operations.
- In coordination with the Finance Department, provide technical assistance and validate financial data for state and federal reporting.
BENEFITS
As an employee of the Colorado Charter School Institute (State of Colorado), you will have access to a variety of benefits to include medical, dental and vision insurance, paid holidays, paid vacation and sick time, flexible scheduling, a work-life balance culture, no-cost life and disability insurance (with additional paid options), Flex Spending and Health Savings Account options, professional development opportunities, wellness offerings, a performance based bonus and membership in Colorado Public Employees’ Retirement Association (PERA)
CSI INCLUSION STATEMENT
CSI recognizes that autonomy and diversity can drive innovation and improved outcomes, both in our schools and in our organization. We are committed to a diverse and culturally inclusive workplace as we believe that differences in perspective and experiences broaden our awareness, enrich our daily experiences, and contribute to our collective strength.
As a charter school authorizer with schools that serve a wide range of communities across the state, we prioritize recruiting a staff that shares the diversity of the students and communities our schools serve. CSI is proud to be an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate based on gender, race, color, religion or belief, national origin, age, sexual orientation, marital status, disability, or any other protected class.
WHAT WE ARE LOOKING FOR:
At a minimum, we are looking for the following:
- Bachelor’s Degree in Accounting
- Working knowledge of State of Colorado fiscal rules
- Flexible and able to work autonomously as well as take direction as needed
- Strong financial management and organizational skills
- Experience in government auditing, accounting, or budgeting
- Minimum of 5 years working in public school finance or governmental accounting
- All final candidates must successfully pass a thorough criminal background check.
Ideal candidates will have some, or all, of the following education, skills, and abilities:
- Master’s degree/CPA preferred
- Experience using accounting software
- Experience working with charter schools in Colorado
LOCATION & TRAVEL
Employee Must Reside in the State of Colorado. This position offers some telecommute flexibility.
WORK ENVIRONMENT
The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. The work environment includes a standard office setting. The noise level in the work environment is usually low to moderate.
NOTE
This is not necessarily an exhaustive or all-inclusive list of responsibilities, skills, duties, requirements, efforts, functions or working conditions associated with the job. This job description is not a contract of employment or a promise or guarantee of any specific terms or conditions of employment. CSI may add to, modify or delete any aspect of this job (or the position itself) at any time as it deems advisable.
