Business Manager

Job Overview The Northern Lights Special Education Cooperative (NLSEC), made up of 13 member school districts in northeastern Minnesota, is seeking a high quality, innovative, and ethical Business Manager to support our member districts' Special Education fiscal responsibilities. The NLSEC's pursuit of a successful candidate will be centered around the following traits: fiscal acuity, innovative problem-solving, interpersonal relationships, and the ability to work with and within the very fluid world of Special Education Finance.

Qualifications, Education, and Experience, Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

Applicants should have training/experience in accounting, finance or business management. Minimum Two-Year Associate Degree in accounting required Four-year Bachelor's Degree in Accounting or Business Management preferred The successful applicant will work closely with the Executive Director for the NLSEC, while maintaining open lines of communication with member district Business Managers and other coop staff. Salary and Benefits are negotiable based on credentials, level of education, and experience. Anticipated salary range $60,000 - $93,000.

Physical and Mental Demands, Work Hazards:

Work takes place in a standard office environment

Travel Requirements:

Occasional travel between the NLSEC offices member districts and professional meetings is required. Submit the NLSEC application found at nlsec.org, cover letter and resume, along with 2 letters of professional reference to NLSEC Executive Director, Billie Jo Steen. Applications can be sent via USPS to 16 E. Hwy 61, Esko, MN 55733 or email to bsteen@nlsec.org.

Responsibilities :

The NLSEC Business Manager is responsible for collecting, managing, and reporting all state and federal special education financial and other applicable business data from the thirteen (13) districts of the NLSEC and providing assistance to business managers and other staff throughout the Cooperative. This person works closely with the Executive Director. Collect and report financial data and expenditures throughout the year in the Minnesota Department of Education's Special Education Data Reporting App (SEDRA) for state, federal and early childhood grants for the 13 member Cooperative school districts. Prepare (along with the Director) the Cooperative expense budgets including establishing budget assumptions and monitoring changes on an ongoing basis for all member districts. Maintain records, process and report expenditures to the state department for all grants awarded to the Cooperative. Analyze and verify special education expenditures and budgets. Inform Special Education Director of variances and discrepancies. Monitor throughout the school year budget expenditures with the member Cooperative district business managers. Review SpEd Form reports to calculate NLSEC service providers salary costs to each of the member districts. Invoice member districts quarterly and at year-end, NLSEC staff salary costs. Annually prepare state and federal cover sheets and assurances on behalf of all member districts. Prepare NLSEC staff information for member districts' STAR reports. Have knowledge of UFARS. Monitor NLSEC staff mileage & time and effort reporting. Have knowledge of the special education tuition process and procedures and review member district tuition rate reports. Prepare and send out-of-state non-resident tuition invoices. Assist the Director with workload analysis and FTE determinations for hiring and staffing purposes. Have knowledge of MDE's fiscal monitoring and compliance program and assist the Director during the monitoring and correction process. Have knowledge of Special Education Maintenance of Effort (MOE) and assist the Director with the annual process and justification for member districts, if needed. Have knowledge of the third-party billing revenue process and review member district revenue and reports. Provide assistance by answering questions pertaining to state and federal special education financial guidelines to member Cooperative districts. Serve as a liaison for the Cooperative business managers and the Minnesota Department of Education financial staff. Process and complete purchase requisitions for the Northern Lights Special Education Cooperative staff, including staff registrations to conferences, workshops, make reservations and process payments for the same. Attend meetings and serve as treasurer for the Northern Lights Interagency Committee. Attend NLSEC board meetings and report on financial matters as needed. Perform other tasks and assume other responsibilities as the Director may assign or delegate. Job Responsibilities Specific to Northern Lights Academy Cooperative #6096-52: Assist in the development of policies and procedures and serve as a consultant regarding district financial matters. Track NLA's special education expenses, as well as prepare, analyze and verify the expenditures Apply for, maintain records for, process and report expenditures to the state department for all eligible grants for the NLA. Assist the Cooperative district's financial secretary with UFARS coding for special education expenditures Prepare financial reports for NLA board Process and pay invoices Prepare budget & monitor expenses throughout the school year. Maintain district accounting system. Coordinate annual audit process, including preparing pre-audit workpapers and reporting of audit to the NLA Board. Manage

IDEAS & EFT

state receipts and reporting. Responsible for the regular maintenance and reconciliation of the district's bank accounts. Attend monthly NLA Board meetings and serve on assigned committees. Facilitate service contracts between school districts and contracted SPED providers.

Pay:

$60,000.00 - $93,000.00 per year

Benefits:

Employee assistance program Health insurance Paid time off Retirement plan

Work Location:

In person