Staff Accountant

Hamilton County Schools, located in Chattanooga, TN, is working to ensure that all students thrive and experience a future without limits.  We are committed to excellence for every student and are seeking outstanding leaders, teachers, support staff, and district employees who desire to make a difference in the lives of students. With nearly 75 schools, we are confident that you can find your place in Hamilton County. 

Learn more about working for Hamilton County Schools at careers.hcde.org and get to know us and our strategic plan, Opportunity 2030.

The purpose of this classification is to conduct general accounting and financial activities, including budget preparation, budget administration, general accounting, financial reporting, maintenance of records, and other financial activities.

The following duties are normal for this position.  The omission of specific statements of the duties does not exclude them from the classification if the work is similar, related, or a logical assignment for this classification.  Other duties may be required and assigned.

• Processes a variety of documentation associated with department operations within designated timeframes and per established procedures.
• Ensures compliance with Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP) and all other applicable codes, laws, rules, regulations, standards, policies and procedures; initiates any actions necessary to correct deviations or violations.
• Prepares budget documents, charts, and graphs; prepares and maintains budgets by schools; prepares spreadsheets and monitors salary expenses for all system personnel; assists in making budgetary projections; maintains database and history of budget information; downloads information from mainframe system to personal computer database; requests reports from mainframe computer for monthly budget updates.
• Assembles information needed to prepare annual budget documentation for presentation to School Board, County Commissioners, and the public; prepares revenue analysis needed for budget presentation and other items needed for budget process.
• Creates and maintains revenue database to generate monthly status reports and periodic analytical reports; prepares and maintains spreadsheet log for all revenue; assists in reviewing purchase orders to ensure use of appropriate budget codes and availability of adequate funds.
• Analyzes department accounts.
• Prepares a variety of financial reports; assists with preparation of various state and federal reports, including the Annual Financial Report; prepares monthly School Board financial statements; compiles statistical and administrative data for reports; researches data and makes applicable calculations; distributes monthly financial reports and explanations to various individuals, departments, or outside agencies.
• Assists with year-end closing process.
• Prepares and makes bank deposits; prepares and reconciles monthly bank reconciliations for Board of Education fund, School Food Service fund, City School Bond fund, and Self Insurance fund.
• Prepares various journal vouchers as needed; posts weekly payroll entries and makes all corrections; prepares journal vouchers for voided checks and stop-payment checks.
• Prepares all invoices for system; bills schools for various items/services such as warehouse issues, copy supply charges, and vehicle repair charges; maintains billings and balances for out-of-state; calculates, summarizes, and prepares invoices for Food Services Department for fringe benefits, meals, and allocated and indirect charges.
• Analyzes accounts as requested.
• Prepares spreadsheets and documentation as backup for expenditures.
• Prepares 1099 tax forms and issues to contractors.
• Prepares and maintains list of account approvers for internal control purposes.
• Conducts special projects and performs other general accounting duties as assigned/requested; provides assistance for federal programs activities as needed.
• Provides training for system users on monthly accounting reports; meets periodically with users to review budget items, accounts, and year-to-date activity.
• Performs a variety of general accounting/bookkeeping functions, such as calculating data, balancing/reconciling spreadsheets/reports, reconciling bank statements, researching financial discrepancies, voiding or stopping payment on checks, correcting data errors, generating reports, or maintaining financial records.
• Prepares or completes various forms, reports, correspondence, invoices, financial statements, spreadsheets, graphs, charts, tax reports/forms, or other documents.
• Receives various forms, reports, correspondence, budget reports, financial reports, payroll reports, trustee reports, vehicle maintenance reports, personal/school checks, voided/stop-payment check requests, budget books, chart of accounts, policies, procedures, codes, accounting principles, manuals, directories, reference materials, or other documentation; reviews, completes, processes, forwards or retains as appropriate.
• Operates a computer to enter, retrieve, review or modify data; performs data entry functions by keying data into computer system; verifies accuracy of entered data and makes corrections; utilizes word processing, spreadsheet, database, payroll, financial, presentation, Internet, email, or other computer programs; performs basic maintenance of office/computer equipment, such as backing up data or replacing paper, toner, or ribbons; coordinates service/repair activities as needed.
• Serves as contact person for department computer system; coordinates setup, installation, and troubleshooting of computer hardware and software; converts data between programs for reporting purposes as needed; coordinates service/repair activities with information systems personnel.
• Maintains file system of various files/records; assists with maintenance of accounting records for grants, operating budget, and self-funded projects; prepares and sets up files; sorts/organizes documents to be filed; files documents in designated order; retrieves/replaces files; coordinates maintenance/retention of records in accordance with guidelines governing records retention.
• Answers telephone calls or assists visitors; ascertains nature of business, directs callers/visitors to appropriate personnel, and records/relays messages; provides information/assistance regarding department activities, procedures, forms, or other issues; responds to routine questions/complaints and initiates problem resolution.
• Communicates with supervisor, employees, other departments, school officials, the public, state/federal agencies, outside organizations, and other individuals as needed to coordinate work activities, review status of work, exchange information, or resolve problems.
• Follows established procedures for ensuring assigned areas are safe. 
• Works collaboratively with administration, principals, secretaries, staff, and other stakeholders.
• Attends work and arrives to work on time.
• Maintains confidentiality.
• Adheres to the Teacher Code of Ethics as defined by Tennessee Law.
• Performs general/clerical tasks, which may include answering telephone calls, typing documents, making copies, sending/receiving faxes, filing documentation, processing incoming/outgoing mail, or coordinating department social functions. 
• Provides assistance to other employees or departments as needed. 
• Performs other related duties as required.

Knowledge/Education/Experience:

Bachelor’s degree in Accounting or closely related field; supplemented by three (3) years previous experience and/or training that includes general accounting, governmental accounting, accrual accounting, and personal computer operations; or any equivalent combination of education, training, and experience which provides the requisite knowledge, skills, and abilities for this job.

Skills/Qualifications:

• Demonstrate excellent verbal and written communication skills to deal effectively with students, educators, parents, and community members.  
• Demonstrate excellent planning, organizational, problem-solving, decision-making, and time management skills.

Compensation:
Salary is based on a combination of relevant education and experience.
Grade F
Salary Scale