Accountant - Big Lake Schools

Big Lake Schools is seeking a detail-oriented and collaborative Accountant to join our Finance Department. This role is instrumental in assisting with fiscal reporting, budget preparation, and financial projections, as well as coordinating the department's day-to-day workflow.

The ideal candidate will recommend and maintain accounting procedures and internal controls to ensure all functions comply with GAAP, GASB, and state/federal laws pertaining to governmental and school district accounting (including UFARS).

Key Responsibilities & Essential Functions

General Accounting & Financial Management

• Cash Management: Review, code, and process all cash receipts. Reconcile bank statements to the general ledger cash accounts monthly.
• Cash Flow Monitoring: Monitor district cash assets and flow for payroll and accounts payable; ensure bank balances are adequate to meet daily obligations and initiate wire transfers as required.
• Journal Entries & Adjustments: Process journal entries by researching errors, making adjustments, and determining necessary corrections.
• Credit Card & P-Card Administration: Reconcile and receipt monthly credit card transactions. Approve, reconcile, and review vouchers for District P-Card transactions monthly.
• Fixed Assets: Prepare and maintain the district's fixed assets records in a timely manner, including construction in process. Monitor and prepare bond draws when applicable.

Budgeting, Reporting & Compliance

• Financial Reporting: Prepare and run end-of-month reports for administrators (directors, principals, etc.) and various local, county, state, and federal agencies.
• Budget Maintenance: Maintain and update the District's annual staffing budget. Balance general ledger accounts for payroll withholdings.
• Account Review: Review revenue and expenditure accounts, purchase orders, and payments for proper coding, budgetary authorization, administrative approval, and alignment with district objectives.
• Compliance: Ensure the District's reporting system complies with State of Minnesota UFARS requirements, GASB, and other regulatory guidelines.
• Data Modeling: Prepare actuarial data and negotiation models for all district employment groups.

Audit, Grants & Special Programs

• Audit Assistance: Support the annual external audit process by preparing year-end reconciliations, schedules, and providing necessary supporting documentation.
• Grants & Billing: Prepare miscellaneous billings and execute quarterly grant draws as required.
• Food Service Operations: Process and submit monthly Food Service meal claims. Review free/reduced meal applications for eligibility, and audit supporting documentation from the Food Service Management Company.

Departmental Support

• Internal Support: Answer inquiries on coding and account balances for individual departments, and prepare custom balance reports upon request.
• Payroll Backup: Serve as the designated backup for the Payroll Specialist. Perform bi-monthly audits of payroll records to verify accuracy and compliance.
• Other Duties: Perform other comparable duties of a like or similar nature as assigned.

Qualifications

Education & Experience

• Required: Equivalent education and experience that demonstrates the ability to perform the role.
• Preferred: Bachelor's degree in Finance or Accounting.
• Experience: 3�5 years of prior related work experience, preferably in a public school or governmental setting.

Certifications

• Certified Public Accountant (CPA) is preferred, but not required.

Salary & Benefits: This position is a C non-affiliated position with a range of $74,000 to $100,000.Benefits are linked here. 
Application Procedure:  Candidates may apply for this opportunity via the school website at www.biglakeschools.org. Deadline for submitting application is July 26, 2026.

Big Lake Schools is an equal opportunity employer: applicants will receive consideration for employment regardless of their race, color, creed, religion, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, disability, age, marital status, or status with regard to public assistance.