Public School District Controller

Controller

**Salary: $100,000 - $105,000, plus $18,500 additional compensation and a $1,500 cost of living stipend (prorated).

Successful applicants may be eligible for an additional stipend for ACFR preparation and compensation as determined upon hire.**

Position Overview Under the direction of the Director of Business Services, the Controller leads the day-to-day financial operations of the District, overseeing general ledger accounting, financial reporting, internal controls, and fiscal compliance. This position provides direct supervisory guidance to both the Accounting and Payroll teams, bringing district expenditures, cash management, grant accounting, and payroll processing together under a unified, supportive leadership structure.

The Controller maintains the accuracy and health of the District’s multi-fund accounting systems, manages state and federal reporting (including OPI, MAEFAIRS and E-Grants), coordinates annual audits, and oversees completion of the Annual Comprehensive Financial Report (ACFR). We are seeking a skilled financial professional with expertise in governmental accounting, practical problem-solving abilities, strong critical thinking skills, and a collaborative management style to foster transparent, efficient, and well-run business operations across the District.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities (Other duties may be assigned)

• General Ledger & Financial Operations: Oversees all accounting functions, including accounts payable, accounts receivable, general ledger journal entries, bank reconciliations, cash flow tracking, and month-end/year-end account balancing. Reviews and approves high-school activity account transactions, journal entries, deposit coding, and non-check vouchers. Suggests system improvements to maximize accuracy and efficiency in accordance with developing industry best practices.
• Governmental Reporting & Annual Audit: Directs year-end fiscal close-out processes, balance sheet reconciliations (e.g., taxes receivable, prepaids, compensated absences, interfund loans), and data submission of the Trustee’s Financial Summary (TFS). Serves as primary liaison to external auditors, managing PBC (Provided by Client) requests, preparing statistical schedules, and oversees compilation of the District’s Annual Comprehensive Financial Report (ACFR).
• Payroll Oversight & Operational Accountability: Holds operational responsibility for the District’s monthly payroll runs in conjunction with the Payroll Team. Maintains comprehensive functional knowledge of the District’s payroll processes, software workflows, and compliance requirements in order to provide leadership oversight and serve as primary administrative backup—executing payroll processing directly whenever staff are unavailable or additional capacity is required. Aligns payroll deduction tracking, wage reclassifications, benefit liability clearing (TRS/PERS retirement, health/dental/vision), and tax withholdings directly with general ledger accounting. Oversees fiscal year-end payroll accruals and calendar year W-2 processing.
• Grant Accounting & Federal/State Compliance: Manages federal, state, and private grant financial compliance, including expenditure reconciliations, payroll re-codes, indirect cost calculations, revenue accruals, quarterly federal grant cash requests, and MAC schedule reporting. Ensures strict adherence to Federal Uniform Guidance and state public school finance regulations.
• Capital Assets & Construction Tracking: Oversees fixed asset accounting in the Tyler ERP system, reviewing CIP (Construction in Progress) additions, coordinates with Facilities on project completions, calculates annual depreciation, and updates capital asset reporting schedules.
• Internal Controls & Purchasing Oversight: Approves fixed asset purchase orders, oversees district purchasing card administration, conducts monthly P-card expenditure audits, manages fraud reporting, and implements robust internal controls to safeguard district assets.
• Team Leadership & Process Improvement: Supervises, trains, evaluates, and develops Bookkeepers and Payroll Staff. Drives continuous software utilization (Tyler Technologies ERP) and business office workflow optimizations.

Supervisory Responsibilities Directly supervises members of the Accounting Team (Bookkeepers) and the Payroll Team.

Carries out supervisory responsibilities in accordance with District policies, collective bargaining agreements, and applicable state and federal laws. Supervisory duties include:

• Assisting in the recruitment, interviewing, hiring, and onboarding of department staff.
• Planning, assigning, directing, and reviewing daily work and workflow handoffs between Accounting and Payroll.
• Evaluating employee performance, setting professional growth goals, and managing career progression milestones.
• Providing ongoing coaching, technical cross-training, and continuous software/systems training (Tyler ERP).
• Addressing employee inquiries, handling grievances or complaints, and resolving operational workflow bottlenecks across the business office.

Qualifications & Requirements To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

• Education & Experience
  • Degree: Bachelor’s degree in Accounting, Finance, or Business Administration required.
  • Licensure: Certified Public Accountant (CPA) license strongly preferred.
  • Experience: Minimum of five (5) to seven (7) years of progressively responsible experience in accounting or financial management, including direct supervisory experience.
  • Governmental Accounting Preference: Demonstrated experience in K-12 public school finance, municipal fund accounting, or public sector financial management strongly preferred.
  • Prior experience compiling or assisting in the compilation of governmental financial reports, such as the Annual Comprehensive Financial Report (ACFR) or Montana Trustee’s Financial Summary (TFS), is strongly preferred.
• Core Operational Requirements
  • Regular and consistent attendance is required to lead department operations, meet board/state reporting deadlines, and ensure financial continuity. Demonstrates unquestioned integrity, professional ethics, and strict confidentiality regarding sensitive district, personnel, and fiscal matters.
• Language & Communication Skills
  • Ability to read, analyze, and interpret complex financial statements, GASB accounting pronouncements, state statutes (Title 20 MCA), and federal grant regulations.
  • Ability to prepare executive-level financial briefs, formal board reports, audit schedules, and clear written correspondence.
  • Ability to effectively present complex financial data to district leadership, board members, auditors, and staff.
• Mathematical & Fiscal Skills
  • Advanced expertise in governmental fund accounting, double-entry bookkeeping, multi-fund ledger management, and financial reconciliations.
  • Ability to perform complex financial forecasting, statistical analyses, debt service calculations, and rate/ratio computations.
• Reasoning Ability & Technical Knowledge:
  • Extensive knowledge of Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP), GASB standards, state school business procedures (MASBO/OPI), and internal control frameworks.
  • Ability to solve highly complex accounting problems, evaluate internal control risks, and navigate ambiguous regulatory guidelines with independent judgment and sound logic.
• Technical & Computer Skills
  • Demonstrated proficiency in operating computers, financial databases, and spreadsheet software (Microsoft Excel, including intermediate/advanced functions, pivot tables, and data reconciliation).
  • Ability to rapidly learn, navigate, and effectively utilize specialized District financial ERP software.
  • Proficiency in operating state financial reporting systems and web portals (such as Montana MAEFAIRS and OPI E-Grants).

Certificates, Licenses, Registrations

• Certified Public Accountant (CPA): CPA license strongly preferred (Montana CPA license or ability to obtain via reciprocity within a specified timeframe).