Cooperative Educational Service Agencies (CESAs) are designed to provide high-quality and innovative educational services to students and educators. There are 12 regional Cooperative Educational Service Agencies in Wisconsin. CESA 9 is located in Tomahawk, Wisconsin and serves 22 school districts in North Central Wisconsin. CESAs make it possible for schools, regardless of size, to work together to share staff and equipment, save money, and extend educational opportunities for all children. Our catalog of services includes a wide range of support to help meet the needs of our school districts.
CESA 9 provides a supportive, collaborative, and flexible work environment with competitive pay and a full benefits package. CESA 9 is a governmental entity that participates in the Wisconsin Retirement System. Benefits for full-time employees include health insurance, dental insurance, life insurance, long-term disability insurance and paid time off.
At CESA 9 our mission is to provide leadership for educational improvement and strengthen educational institutions'' capacity to educate all students, creating healthy, resilient, successful adults. As employees of CESA 9 we are committed to Serving with Integrity, Connecting with Compassion, and Growing with Intention.
The Accounting Specialist supports business operations at CESA 9 and within our 22 school districts. The Accounting Specialist will provide support in all areas of Business Services including but not limited to managing and processing accounts payable, purchasing, accounts receivable, cash management & reconciliations, state and federal reporting, and audit preparations. Travel to districts will be required.
Performance Responsibilities:
Purchasing & Accounts Payable Management and Support
Follow established purchasing procedures
Enter and process requisitions and purchase orders
Prepare, process, and post accounts payable payments
Determine appropriate WUFAR accounts
Maintain vendor information in the financial software system
Accounts Receivable & Cash Management and Support
Record deposits and other revenue into the financial software system
Perform monthly check reconciliation
Reconcile bank accounts to the general ledger
Accounting
Process journal entries
Reconcile bank accounts to the general ledger
Software and Technology
Comprehend and effectively use Accounting software, i.e.: Skyward
Troubleshoot software issues and work with support when necessary
Stay up to date with software updates and or changes
Maintaining a thorough understanding of current district financial regulations, reporting, and processes are key responsibilities of this role.
Prepare schedules and reports including those required by governing boards, the WI Department of Public Instruction (DPI), and other State and Federal agencies
Recommend, develop, and manage business office processes and procedures
Support staff with the budgetary requirements of grants and contracts
Stay abreast of school business functions, best practices, and requirements
Attend and/or present at meetings or school finance events as assigned
Complete special projects as assigned by the Agency Administrator or Director of Business Services
Professional Responsibilities:
Strive to work collaboratively to build trusting partnerships with colleagues and other stakeholders.
Ability to communicate, professionally, and effectively, both orally and in writing.
Accountable for commitments, meetings, and schedules.
Ability to be flexible and adapt readily to change.
Adhere to agency, departmental, and district policies and procedures.
Maintain accurate and confidential records as required by law, agency policy, and administrative regulations.
Contribute to agency and district cultures and goals in a productive, positive manner:
Serve with Integrity
Connect with Compassion
Grow with Intention
Perform other responsibilities as assigned by Administration.
Preferred Qualifications & Skills:
A minimum of 3 years of experience working in a school business office is highly recommended
Post-secondary training in accounting or business
Knowledge of Wisconsin Uniform Financial Accounting Requirements (WUFAR) preferred
Knowledge of financial software systems, with Skyward school financial software preferred
Ability to understand and apply fiscal policies and procedures and provide sound advice and recommendations
Ability to apply in-depth knowledge of governmental accounting, budgeting, bookkeeping, and record-keeping principles, practices, and procedures
Valid driver's license and access to an insured motor vehicle, or other timely access to private transportation, for travel to school districts, meetings, or other off-site destinations.
Ability to establish effective, positive working relationships
Demonstrate strong written, oral, and interpersonal communication skills
Strong knowledge of Google Workspace, as well as an aptitude for integrating technology into the work
Such other qualifications as the CESA 9 Administrator and the CESA 9 Board of Control may deem appropriate
Physical Requirements:
Mobility to work in a standard office setting and use standard office equipment.
Sit, kneel, stand, and walk for required periods.
Occasional need to stoop, bend, crouch, reach, and twist.
Bending, pushing, moving, and lifting objects up to 50 pounds.
The information in this job description is for compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and is not an exhaustive list of the duties and responsibilities performed for this position.