Purpose Statement

The job of Budget Technician is done for the purposes of verifying the budget transactions for the District and performing a variety of other technical accounting support duties relating to budgeting and reporting of District accounts; identifying and posting adjustments for a variety of school, department, and District changes; recording, updating, and reconciling financial and budget information; and providing instructions and budgeting/accounting support to other personnel in accordance with established practices.

This job reports to the Director of Finance or their designee.

Essential Functions

?       Assists with work orders relating to the financial system (e.g. changes in user set-up, user login issues, access rights, and other routine user requests, etc.) for the purpose of supporting the efficient function of the department.

?       Assists staff and site personnel regarding budgetary expenditures and balance procedures and/or program requirements for the purpose of providing support for completing transactions, identifying appropriate action, and/or complying with established financial procedures.

?       Compiles a variety of financial and budgetary information related to work assignments for the purpose of providing required documentation and/or processing information.

?       Participates in meetings, in-service training, workshops, etc., for the purpose of conveying and/or gathering information required to perform job functions.

?       Processes a variety of financial and budgetary transactions (e.g. requisitions, budget balances, journal entries, budget adjustments, etc.) for the purpose of updating and distributing information, authorizing for action, and/or complying with established accounting practices.

?       Provides information on administrative procedures and services to related personnel and provides monthly training and orientation to new employees for the purpose of disseminating information to appropriate parties and enhancing the proper usage of the financial system. 

?       Reconciles a variety of financial data and accounts for the purpose of maintaining accurate account balances and ensuring compliance with established accounting/budgetary practices.

?       Prepares and reconciles monthly, interim, and annual budget and actual expenditures of assigned program or department; prepares month end, interim, and year-end closing entries. 

?       Performs and monitors month-end, interim, and year-end accounting activities; coordinate with staff to complete assigned accounting tasks within deadlines.

?       Researches discrepancies of financial information and/or documentation for the purpose of ensuring accuracy and adherence to established procedures prior to processing.

?       Responds to inquiries from a variety of sources (e.g. District employees, etc.) for the purpose of facilitating communication and/or providing guidance among several parties; providing information and/or referral for addressing inquiries.

?       Reviews budget projections during interim reporting periods, prepares comparative worksheets of actual and encumbrances within budget projections during interim reporting periods, and prepares comparative worksheets of actual and encumbrances within projected budgets for the purpose of following the established procedures and rules.

?       Receives, reviews, and processes Personnel Action Requests (P-43 s) from school sites and

departments.

?       Creates and updates DBT (Direct Benefit Transfer) to reflect changes as approved in Personnel Action Requests;  ensures budget codes exist in the chart of accounts and verifies that sufficient funding has been allocated in amounts reasonable to the code.

?       Assists sites with payroll codes and adjustments as requested; provides monthly support to Payroll Department on missing or inaccurate payroll code verification and updates.

?       Assists budget preparation, sets up users, uploads information, and updates changes.

?       Assists in conducting research and preparing special studies as directed by the Director or designee; analyzes financial accounting data and makes appropriate recommendations.

?       Performs other related duties as assigned.

Job Requirements:  Minimum Qualifications

Skills, Knowledge and Abilities

SKILLS are required to perform single, technical tasks with a need to occasionally upgrade skills in order to meet changing job conditions. Specific skill based competencies required to satisfactorily perform the functions of the job include: applying pertinent codes, rules and regulations; operating standard office equipment including pertinent software applications (Word, Excel, and Outlook); preparing and maintaining accurate records; and performing accounting/budgeting procedures.

KNOWLEDGE is required to perform math, including calculations using fractions, percents, and/or ratios; read a variety of manuals, write documents following prescribed formats, and/or present information to others; and understand complex, multi-step written and oral instructions.  Specific knowledge based competencies required to satisfactorily perform the functions of the job include: school district accounting and auditing principles, practices, and procedures; financial, statistical, and fiscal record-keeping principles; accounting and budgetary records maintenance methods; financial reporting procedures; accounting and auditing functions related to database management, electronic spreadsheets, and word processing; applicable sections of State Education Code and other applicable laws; district organization, operations, policies and objectives; and English usage, grammar, spelling, punctuation, and vocabulary. 

ABILITY is required to schedule activities, meetings, and/or events; gather and/or collate data; and use basic, job-related equipment. Flexibility is required to work with others in a variety of circumstances; work with data utilizing defined but different processes; and operate equipment using defined methods. Ability is also required to work with a wide diversity of individuals; work with a variety of data; and utilize job-related equipment. Problem solving is required to analyze issues and create action plans. Problem solving with data frequently requires independent interpretation of guidelines; and problem solving with equipment is limited. Specific ability based competencies required to satisfactorily perform the functions of the job include: balancing budgets and accounts and reconciling financial statements; interpreting and applying rules, regulations, policies, and procedures; planning and organizing work; communicating with diverse groups; maintaining confidentiality; meeting deadlines and schedules; setting priorities; and working with detailed information/data.

Working Environment

The usual and customary methods of performing the job's functions require the following physical demands: some lifting, carrying, pushing, and/or pulling, some stooping, kneeling, crouching, and significant fine finger dexterity. This job is performed in a generally clean and healthy environment.

Experience:     Job related experience is required.

Education:       Associate’s degree in a job-related area.

Equivalency:   Any combination of education and experience equivalent to:  Associate’s degree in accounting, business, finance, or related area, and two (2) years of experience of increasingly responsible accounting and/or budgeting experience. Public sector experience is preferred but not required.