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.
Business Operations Specialists provide essential operational and administrative support across all core business office functions. A primary responsibility of the Business Operations Specialist position is to process accounts payable transactions, ensuring accurate accounting and procedural compliance from the initial purchase request through the payment of the invoice. This position's responsibilities also include accounts receivable, including generating invoices and statements. This position also supports other Agency business functions.
Performance Responsibilities:
Accounts Payable
Understand CESA 9 budgeting and account structures
Process payments using Skyward
Ensure proper approval(s) and WUFAR coding
Review employee expense reports
Maintain vendor database
Complete associated audit and reporting requirements
Purchasing
Negotiate pricing, terms, and delivery with vendors to achieve the best cost and value
Enter purchase requisitions and execute purchasing transactions
Manage the Agency's procurement card program
Ensure all purchases comply with agency policies, regulatory standards, and auditing requirements
Complete associated audit and reporting requirements
Accounts Receivable
Record daily deposits
Generate invoices and statements for areas of the Agency
Manage the collections process
Complete associated audit and reporting requirements
Business Services Support
Act as a primary resource for internal staff and external customers, providing guidance and clarity to ensure proper adherence to business office protocols and financial policies
Provide consistent backup coverage and support for core business services personnel during high-volume periods, staff absences, or special projects
Professional Responsibilities:
Strive to work collaboratively in building trusting partnerships with colleagues and other stakeholders
Ability to communicate professionally and effectively, both orally and in writing
Strong organizational and problem-solving skills
Accountable for commitments, meetings, and schedules
Ability to be flexible and readily adapt 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:
Experience and/or post-secondary training in Business Administration, Accounting, and/or Fiscal Management
School business office experience preferred
Demonstrate foundational accounting knowledge
Ability to maintain confidentiality and professionalism
Possess a strong service mindset with demonstrated success in providing responsive, timely customer service
Ability to problem solve, multitask, and work independently and as part of a team while maintaining organization, accuracy, and efficiency.
Ability to establish positive and effective collegial relationships with co-workers, administrators, customers, project partners, and vendors.
Strong knowledge of Google Workspace, especially spreadsheets, and an aptitude for integrating technology into the work.
Additional training or experience in project management, office procedures, Microsoft or other online applications, and bookkeeping preferred.
Physical Requirements:
Mobility to work in a standard office setting and use standard office equipment.
Ability to sit at a desk for extended periods, often working on a computer
Standing in work areas for extended periods and walking between work areas may be required.
Hearing and speaking skills necessary to communicate effectively with colleagues and clients, both in person and over the phone.
Employees must possess the ability to lift, carry, push, and pull materials and objects weighing up to 25 pounds.
Occasional need to stoop, bend, crouch, reach, and twist.
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.