Position Summary

The Business Advisor provides leadership, advice and support to Humboldt County Office of Education (HCOE) direct service school district personnel, regarding financial matters including budget challenges, compliance issues, interpretation of various governmental codes, application of the state accounting manual, technical accounting and business transactions; ensures that overall fiscal policies, practices and/or regulations meet compliance requirements; maintains accurate account balances; evaluates the feasibility of services within budget parameters and ensures efficient use of financial resources.  The Business Advisor would also be asked to lead or co-lead fiscally-focused training targeted for all Humboldt County districts and charter schools.

Distinguishing Characteristics

This job is distinguished from similar jobs by the following characteristics: “Direct Service” is defined as those districts for which HCOE provides various business services due to their smaller size, typically having less than 400 ADA.

Supervision Received and Exercised

The Business Advisor reports to the Assigned Administrator.

Examples of Duties and Responsibilities

• Advises HCOE direct service school district personnel, including Superintendents, for the purpose of aiding all levels of management in the resolution of budget concerns and other financial issues.
• Analyzes financial information related to services (e.g. complex annual budgets, budget models, interim reports, year-to-date and annual data, financial forecasts, grants and entitlements, including special education, etc.) for the purpose of identifying potential budget variances, compiles statistical information, develops procedures and conforms to established financial practices and regulatory
• Assists in the preparation and filing of complex Standardized Account Code Structure (SACS) reports and various other reports for the purpose of preparing the information and data required for all financial reporting periods.
• Conducts budget review and financial analysis in regards to FTE, salary projections and budget constraints for the purpose of administering and maintaining position control model for direct service districts.
• Coordinates a wide variety of accounting projects (e.g. year-end closing process, compiling and filing reports, annual audit process, etc.) for the purpose of providing required guidance and support regarding financial matters, budget concerns, compliance issues, technical and business
• Creates and updates operating and instruction manuals for the purpose of developing reporting processes, procedures and internal controls and meeting district, management and statutory
• Monitors all business operational duties (e.g., deposits and accounts receivable, vendor payments and accounts payable, bank reconciliations, cash projections, all transfers, journal entries, etc.) for the purpose of ensuring the accuracy of reported information, availability of funds and compliance with established financial guidelines and program policies, practices and regulatory requirements.
• Performs all essential duties and responsibilities at both HCOE and at the direct service district sites (e.g. budgeting, payroll, accounts payable, deposits, etc.) for the purpose of meeting district, management and statutory deadlines and
• Prepares and maintains a wide variety of manual and electronic files, documents and records (e.g. districts’ general ledger, cash flow reports, payroll tax reports, unemployment insurance reports, state mandated reports, procedures, graphs and charts related to financial reports, etc.) for the purpose of documenting activities, providing reference, conveying information and complying with established financial, legal and/or administrative requirements and statutory deadlines.
• Presents a wide variety of financial and reported information in trainings, workshops and Governing Board meetings for the purpose of communicating information in processes, procedures and systems to various educational partners, including Governing Boards.
• Provides fiscal professional development to new chief business officials in both direct service districts and non-direct service districts.
• Researches financial topics and related legal issues for the purpose of staying informed on legal, economic, financial and regulatory developments that affect districts’ income, expenditures, budgeting and financial practices.
• Serves as liaison between direct service districts and various HCOE departments and/or various outside agencies (e.g. Payroll, Human Resources, governing agencies, external auditors, ) for the purpose of providing advice, guidance and assistance with departmental functions and related fiscal issues, legal compliance and financial reporting requirements.
• Performs other related duties as assigned for the purpose of ensuring the efficient and effective functioning of the work unit.

Qualifications/Employment Standards

Specific skill-based competencies required to satisfactorily perform the functions of the job include:

• Operating standard office equipment using pertinent software applications;
• Performing accounting procedures;
• Planning and managing projects;
• Preparing and maintaining accurate records;
• Auditing financial reports;

Knowledge of:

• Advanced math, reading technical information, composing a variety of documents, and/or facilitating group discussions and analyzing situations to define issues and draw conclusions;
• Principles of accounting and auditing;
• General governmental accounting practices;
• Standard office practices and procedures;
• Financial analyses and/or budget analyses;
• Proficiency in electronic spreadsheets, pivot tables and related software;
• Principles and objectives of budget preparation and pertinent codes, policies, regulations and/or laws.

Ability to:

• Schedule activities, meetings, and/or events;
• Gather, collate, and/or classify data;
• Be flexible in order to work with others in a wide variety of circumstances;
• Analyze data utilizing defined but different processes;
• Operate equipment using standardized methods;
• Work and communicate with a diversity of individuals and/or groups;
• Work with data of varied types and/or purposes;
• Problem solve in order to analyze issues and create action plans. Problem solving with data requires analysis based on organizational objectives; and problem solving with equipment is moderate.
• Analyze a variety of financial and statistical information;
• Work effectively under time constraints;
• Meet deadlines and schedules;
• Setting priorities;
• Work with detailed information;
• Work extended hours.
• Work under limited supervision using standardized practices and/or methods;
• Lead, guide and/or coordinate with others;
• Supervise the use of funds for multiple departments; utilization of resources from other work units is often required to perform the job’s function.

Education and Experience

• Bachelor’s degree in Accounting or Business Administration or equivalent related experience.
• Five (5) years related experience with increasing responsibility in accounting, auditing or financial analysis, including at least four (4) in a school district or county office of education.
• Two years’ experience with budget modeling and position control programs preferred.

Environmental Elements

The following conditions may be present:

• Work is performed in a busy, sometimes noisy, office environment.
• Positions in this classification work mostly indoors and sit for long periods of time, but may also involve travel to offsite locations.
• The position requires daily oral communication in person and on the telephone, frequent use of email and messaging communication systems.

Physical Demands

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job:

• The position requires ordinary ambulatory ability to retrieve work materials, intermittent walking, standing, stooping and carrying and lifting of light- to medium-weight materials (under 30 pounds).
• Requires hand-eye-arm-finger dexterity to use a personal computer keyboard, ten-key and other common office equipment.
• Requires speaking and hearing ability sufficient to hear over the phone and carry on complex conversations.
• Visual acuity sufficient to read manuals, video display screens and other related material and work at a computer screen frequently and throughout the day.

Other Requirements

• Must be fingerprinted and a satisfactory Department of Justice records check must be received by HCOE prior to employment.
• TB testing and/or risk assessment will be required upon employment.
• Must pass a pre-employment physical (if applicable).
• May be required to obtain first aid and CPR certificates within the first 6 to 12 months of employment.
• May be required to drive with or without students; some positions may require a California driver’s license, proof of insurance and possible participation in the DMV PUll Notice Program once employed.

Classified | Range 20
Personnel Commission Approved 4/11/2023