Title: Finance Controller, Exempt RB# 21-688
ID: 6818
Department: Finance
Location: City Hall
Division: Contract (Exempt)
Description

BUFFALO BOARD OF EDUCATION
DEPARTMENT OF HUMAN RESOURCES
ROOM 720 CITY HALL
BUFFALO, NEW YORK 14202


RECRUITMENT BULLETIN RB # 21-688 June 8, 2022

BUFFALO BOARD OF EDUCATION VACANCY

APPLICANTS MUST BE CITY OF BUFFALO RESIDENTS OR ABLE TO
ESTABLISH CITY OF BUFFALO DOMICILED RESIDENCY
WITHIN 6 MONTHS OF APPOINTMENT

POSITION: FINANCE CONTROLLER - EXEMPT

SALARY: BY CONTRACTUAL AGREEMENT, INCLUDES A COMPETITIVE BENEFITS PACKAGE AND MEMBERSHIP IN THE NEW YORK STATE RETIREMENT SYSTEM

OVERVIEW:

Buffalo Public Schools (BPS) has begun a period of change that seeks to transform the district and its schools. With the appointment of Interim Superintendent Tonja M. Williams and a significant level of local, state, and federal attention and investment, Buffalo has an incredible opportunity to ensure that all of its students graduate prepared to succeed in college or a well-paying career.

Currently, BPS employs 7,200 faculty and staff members and has 60 schools serving approximately 34,000 students. Interim Superintendent Dr. Williams is building a talented and committed leadership team to partner with him in moving BPS towards the ambitious goal of preparing all students for success. Distinguishing Features of the Class An employee in this class is responsible for directing a large and complex fiscal management program including financial reporting with interim financial statements, the annual audited financial report, financial reports to the Buffalo Fiscal Stability Authority and financial reports to regulatory agencies. The incumbent is responsible for providing technical and supervisory financial support to draft and carry out established policies and programs, to identify and improve systems, procedures and internal controls, and to ensure compliance with budgetary and financial requirements of the District. S/he works with and ensures coordination of fiscal activities between various departments and agencies, including the BFSA, independent auditors, City of Buffalo auditors, State Comptroller auditors, State Education auditors, etc. The incumbent assists the negotiating team with contract proposals for collective bargaining negotiations and works directly under and advises the Chief Financial Officer on financial matters of a confidential and sensitive nature. Supervision is exercised over a staff of professional accountants, auditors and support staff.

Typical Work Activities

• Advises top management and provides information in all areas relating to financial operations;
• Oversees a staff of professional accountants, auditors and support staff in the performance of fiscal activities that includes financial reporting , accounting, accounts payable, payroll, etc.;
• Manages all accounting and fiscal functions of the department so that adequate and appropriate financial records and controls are maintained;
  • identifies systems, processes and procedures that are in need of improvement and makes recommendations for changes;
  • manages, supervises and provides regular status updates on finance assignments/projects;
• Prepares financial reports so that management is provided with accurate information concerning financial impact and the financial conditions of the District;
• Manages and supervises the preparation of financial reports ensuring that all information is complete, fairly presented and reported on a timely basis;
• Identifies areas of potential cost savings including those that may have to be negotiated as part of a collective bargaining agreement;
• Coordinates fiscal operations within the department and with the various agencies that are working with the District;
• Assists the Chief Financial Officer and works with a strategic planning team to resolve the District's structural budget deficit;
• Works with the Associate Superintendent of Budget on financial analysis, budgetary and other related matters;
• Participates in cross-functional teams to improve student achievement;
• Attends conferences and participates in regular meetings with the Chief Financial Officer, Associate Superintendent of Budget and Superintendent of Schools, when required;
• Performs related duties as required.

Full Performance Knowledge, Skills, Abilities and Personal Characteristics

• Thorough knowledge of principles and practices of general and government accounting and budgeting;
• Thorough knowledge of the department's accounting structure and its operations;
• Thorough knowledge of the operations used for internal checks and controls;
• Ability to analyze fiscal programs, procedures and problems and to implement improvements;
• Ability to prepare and interpret complex fiscal records and reports in accordance with the department's established rules and regulations, as well as State, Federal and other agency guidelines;
• Ability to analyze and develop new accounting standards, policies and procedures;
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships;
• Good judgment; accuracy; integrity; confidentiality;
• Physical condition commensurate with the demands of the position.

Minimum Qualifications

Master's or Bachelor's Degree in Business Administration or a closely related field, including or supplemented by 24 credit hours in Accounting/Auditing and six years of full-time professional accounting/auditing experience, two years in a supervisory capacity.

Special Requirement

Applicants must possess a current Certified Public Accountant's License that must be presented at time of appointment and maintained during employment.

NOTE

• Professional accounting/auditing experience (including supervisory) does not include account-keeping, bookkeeping or other clerical financial/recordkeeping activities;
• Verifiable part-time experience will be pro-rated to meet full-time experience requirements;
• Proof of education and CPA License must be presented at time of appointment.

FINAL FILING DATE: Until Filled

DR. TONJA M. WILLIAMS
INTERIM SUPERINTENDENT OF SCHOOLS