] Office of Human Resources - Montgomery County Public Schools

OFFICE OF HUMAN RESOURCES AND DEVELOPMENT → CLASSIFICATION → CONTROLLER-EFFECTIVE 7/1/2025

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Controller-Effective 7/1/2025

MONTGOMERY COUNTY PUBLIC SCHOOLS CLASS DESCRIPTION
OFFICIAL TITLE: Controller CODE: 0299 SQ/OQ: Not Applicable
WORKING TITLE: Controller-Effective 7/1/2025 GRADE: Q MONTHS: 12
SUMMARY DESCRIPTION; PHYSICAL DEMANDS; AND SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS: SUMMARY DESCRIPTION OF CLASSIFICATION: Under direction of the Division of Financial Oversight, Department of Controller, plans, directs, and controls the accounting operation of the school system to assure there is legal compliance with state, federal, and local laws as well as compliance with generally accepted accounting principles. Keeps current with changes in local, state, and federal laws and any revisions in recording and reporting financial information as recommended by the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants (AICPA) or Governmental Accounting Standards Board (GASB). Provides general administration; unit management, development and review of fiscal policies; and development and maintenance of accounting and reporting systems and procedures. Oversees financial reporting and the collaboration with external auditors, to ensure appropriate supports are provided. Prepares and analyzes cash flow forecasts to anticipate financial needs and ensure fiscal sustainability. Provides financial data and periodic reports to the chief financial officer, superintendent of schools, and the Board of Education, as needed. PHYSICAL DEMANDS: None SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS: The requirements of the job necessitate occasional night and weekend work.
MINIMUM QUALIFICATION STANDARDS
KNOWLEDGE SKILLS ABILITIES: KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES: Thorough knowledge of generally accepted accounting principles and reporting systems; thorough knowledge of the required reports for Board of Education, local, state, and federal government. Ability to organize and manage computer generated reports and excellent oral and written communications and human relations skills. Considerable knowledge of continuous improvement principles and practices, including customer service. Demonstrated excellent management and organizational skills and ability to coordinate activities of several units. Demonstrate excellent oral and written communications and human relations skills. Ability to acquire knowledge of and meet the six leadership standards that have been established for the Montgomery County Association of Administrators and Principals (MCAAP/MCBOA) Professional Growth System (PGS).
EDUCATION, TRAINING AND EXPERIENCE; CERTIFICATE AND LICENSE REQUIREMENTS: EDUCATION, TRAINING, AND EXPERIENCE: Master's degree from an accredited college or university in accounting. Training or course work in computer science. Minimum of five years of experience as a supervisor in a large government accounting and data processing operation; or any combination of applicable education, training, and experience which provides the knowledge, abilities, and skills necessary to perform effectively in the position.CERTIFICATE AND LICENSE REQUIREMENTS: Certified Public Accountant.
OVERTIME ELIGIBLE: No

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

EXAMPLES OF DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:(Incumbents may perform any combination of the essential functions shown below. This position description is not intended to be an exhaustive list of all duties, knowledge, or ability associated with this classification, but is intended to accurately reflect the principle job elements.)Supports administration in maintaining the highest possible standards for controlling, recording, and reporting financial operations and direct compliance with state, local, and federal laws as well as generally accepted accounting principles.Directs and coordinates supervision and activities of all personnel in thedepartment, including developing professional development activities for continued capacity building.Plans, implements, and reports on important and complex governmental fund accounting, school system's budget control, and auditing of an operational character involving the application of general and specialized accounting principles, methods and practices.Directs and approves or disapproves the disbursement of the school system's funds in accordance with availability of appropriated funds, applicable laws, rules, Board actions, and accounting requirements.Analyzes laws, regulations, legal opinions and decisions, office methods, rulings, and procedures as they pertain to the work of the accounting division and the correct accounting for district financial activities.Works closely with external and internal auditors to ensure effective audits, compliance with requirements, and efficient processes.Maintains an encumbrance system of accounting for all Capital Budget items and all Operating Budget items, including payroll.Makes studies and recommendations regarding organization and procedure changes when necessary to meet changing conditions. Consults with officials of all departments concerning financial matters applicable to their operations. Provides liaison with all operating units of the school system involved in fiscal transactions.Oversees the integrity of the financial data from other systems such as the Hub+ payroll systems.Provides leadership in developing, implementing, maintaining accounting and administrative policies and procedures for a wide-ranging set of activities including financial accounting and reporting and makes recommendations to the deputy chief of financial oversight, the chief financial officer, and school superintendent on fiscal policies, principles, and practices.Develops and maintains a chart of accounts in accordance with local policies and state requirements. Develops processing procedures for the accounting division and continually evaluates and updates them. Updates relevant chapters of the financial manual.Maintains and reviews system requirements as they apply to a cloud-based financial system, ensuring alignment with business needs and compliance standards.Manages accounting for federal, state and other grants, working with local school and departmental staff to maintain accuracy of accounting data, timely reporting and efficient cash management. Oversees the data collection for federal Impact Aid.Prepares periodical reports and statistics on the fiscal operations of the school system.Prepares materials for lease financing of equipment and vehicles.Supervises the coordination with the internal audit staff to identify any problem areas in financial accountability to take corrective action. Ensures the ongoing maintenance of a current financial manual for schools and departmentsProvides budgetary controls in accordance with the policies of the Board of Education. Provides resources to operating units in the development of acceptable accounting records and procedures necessary to perform their assigned functions. Provides fiscal guidance as required in the development, operating, and reporting of state, federal, and other supported programs, in accordance with varied complex laws and regulations applicable to these programs.Keeps abreast of local, state, and national developments in order to affect changes in operations as necessitated by current changes in society, business, education, etc.Supervises and evaluates staff based on MCPS standards and competencies.Ensures compliance with federal, state and local legal requirements by researching existing and new legislation, consulting with outside advisors, and filing financial reports. Reviews federal, state, and local legislation related to fiscal operations for impact on Montgomery County Public Schools. Performs related duties consistent with the scope and intent of the position.

This description may be changed at any time.