School Financial Bookkeeper

ABOUT US

The Howard County Public School System (HCPSS) is one of the leading school systems in Maryland and the nation. To learn more about us and our 2024 -2029 Strategic Plan , please visit our website and our careers page . Join our award-winning workforce and make a difference in the lives of our students!

ABOUT THE APPLICATION PROCESS

Before you begin, please read the job posting below carefully including the Application Requirements specific to this position. Be sure your application reflects experience and education required to meet the minimum and any preferred qualifications listed. Our application guide includes detailed instructions to assist you. Once your application has been submitted, you will not be able to add documentation or make any changes. Please note that application submission will be available only through 11:59 PM on the date p rior to the indicated end date. If no end date is indicated, the posting will remain open indefinitely .

Job Posting End Date:

05-29-2026

Reminder:

Current permanent and temporary employees must apply through the Jobs Hub in Workday, not the external career site. This position will have a August 2026 start date.

DESCRIPTION

Under the direction of the Principal, the School Financial Bookkeeper monitors the day-to-day accounting, procurement, and reporting functions for the school. This position is responsible for accurate financial record-keeping, reconciling multiple accounts (Bank, P-Card, Petty Cash ) and ensure that all onsite funds are handled securely. The position serves as the primary liaison for financial inquiries, providing essential support to the Principal, Central Office, and school account managers to ensure smooth and compliant fiscal operations.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

Applicants must meet all qualifications below to be considered for the vacancy.

Education:

High School diploma or GED (must scan and upload to the online application). Education completed outside the United States must be evaluated by an MSDE approved organization. For a list of approved vendors, please click here .

Experience:

Two years of general administrative support or clerical experience, one year of which must be working with accounting or bookkeeping records. An Associate Degree or the successful completion of 60 credit hours from an accredited college or university may be substituted for up to two (2) years of the required administrative support or clerical experience. Six semester hours of accounting or bookkeeping may be substituted for one year of experience with accounting or bookkeeping records.

CERTIFICATIONS/LICENSES

Possession of a Class C Driver's License

ESSENTIAL POSITION RESPONSIBILITIES

The below list is a summary of the functions of the job, not an exhaustive or comprehensive list of all possible job responsibilities, tasks, and duties. Financial Accounting, Reporting, and Analysis Preparing and submitting timely monthly financial reports. Preparing monthly bank and P card reconciliations. Monitoring cash flow and forecasting cash needs. Complying with sales tax collection and remittance procedures. Preparing reports and correspondence as necessary. Depositing receipted funds Compliance, Oversight, and Internal Controls Communicating with Principal on internal/fiscal controls. Ensuring school compliance with the HCPSS Manual of Policies and Procedures for Administering School Activity Funds. Providing information and assistance to internal and external auditors. Training school account managers on policies and procedures. Ensuring established procedures are followed, including securing onsite funds and transporting funds to the bank. Disbursements, Procurement, and Fund Administration Processing requisitions and verifying invoices for prompt payment. Preparing checks for disbursement based on approved vouchers . Processing and monitoring orders for supplies, equipment and textbooks in the prescribed computer system. Assisting Principal with reconciling available budgets for materials of instruction funds and submitting invoices to the Central Office. Preparing and submitting salary vouchers for the school. Maintaining and monitoring office petty cash fund . Communication and Support Responding to Account Manager inquiries and distributing monthly account balance reports. Receiving and responding to written and telephone inquiries from vendors, parents, staff and/or others. Monitoring student obligation records and other amounts due to the school.

ESSENTIAL KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES

The below list is a summary of the knowledge, skills, and abilities required for success in this position, not an exhaustive or comprehensive list.

Required Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities Knowledge Fund Accounting & Financial Reporting:

Deep understanding of school activity funds, including restricted vs. unrestricted accounts and the full accounting cycle (reporting, reconciliations, and disbursements).

Regulatory Compliance:

Knowledge of local government or school system policies (specifically the HCPSS Manual of Policies and Procedures) and state sales tax laws.

Audit Standards:

Understanding of internal control frameworks and the requirements of both internal and external audits to ensure fiscal transparency.

Procurement & Payroll:

Familiarity with requisition systems, vendor management, and salary voucher processing for a diverse workforce.

Skills Financial Software Proficiency:

Expertise in using prescribed computer systems for tracking textbooks, equipment, and supply orders.

Reconciliation & Forecasting:

Mastery of bank and P-Card reconciliations, as well as the ability to project cash flow to prevent budget shortfalls.

Clerical & Administrative Accuracy:

Skilled in processing high-volume financial documents, including checks, vouchers, and student obligation records, with zero-error tolerance.

Instructional Communication:

The ability to translate complex financial policies into understandable training for account managers and staff.

Abilities Integrity & Security:

The ability to handle sensitive funds with absolute discretion, ensuring the physical security of onsite cash and its safe transport to the bank.

Strategic Collaboration:

Ability to act as a financial advisor to the Principal , providing data-driven insights on available budgets and fiscal controls.

Conflict Resolution & Public Relations:

Ability to handle inquiries from vendors, parents, and staff with professionalism and clarity, even when discussing sensitive financial obligations.

Time Management:

Proven ability to manage competing deadlines, such as ensuring "prompt payment" to vendors while meeting monthly reporting cycles. Working Hours The duty day for this position is 7.5 hours, which will include a 30-minute unpaid, duty-free lunch period.

APPLICATION REQUIREMENTS

Complete applications must be submitted , and o nce your application has been submitted , you will not be able to add documentation or make any changes. I ncomplete applications will not be accepted . Resumes will not be accepted in lieu of a completed application.

SELECTION CRITERIA

Applicants who meet the minimum qualifications will be included in further evaluation. Interviews will be limited to those applicants who, in addition to meeting the basic requirements, have experience which most closely match the position qualifications and the needs of the school system.

EMPLOYMENT INFORMATION

Compensation This is a 1 0 -month per year position in the Howard County Education Association, Educational Support Professionals (HCEA-ESP) employee unit. The current salary range for this position is Grade 8 on the

HCEA-ESP

Secretaries and Assistants salary scale . Step placement will be in accordance with the salary procedures of the Howard County Public School System and the

HCEA-ESP

Master Agreement which considers relevant prior experience . Under the Fair Labor Standards Act, this position is not exempt from overtime . Retirement Membership in the Maryland State Retirement Agency (MSRA) pension plan is a mandatory condition of employment for all employees who meet the eligibility and membership criteria defined in the State Personnel and Pensions Article and the Code of Maryland Regulations (COMAR). A qualifying employee cannot reject membership, nor can an ineligible employee elect membership. The annual contribution to the pension plan will be 7% of an employee's annual salary . Benefits HCPSS offers a comprehensive benefits package for eligible employees. Information about additional benefits such as paid time off can be found in the negotiated agreement for employees in this bargaining unit. Pre-Employment Requirements Professional references will be contacted prior to any offer of employment. Recommended candidates will be required to provide references from current and recent supervisors. A ll employees, regular and temporary, must be fingerprinted, have a criminal background investigation completed, and successfully complete the Maryland Employment History Review, pursuant to Section 6-113.2 of the Education Article, Annotated Code of Maryland. In addition, s ome positions will require completion of a physical examination and/or drug testing . Anyone offered employment is required to provide proper identification and documentation of eligibility for employment in the United States. HCPSS participates in E-Verify and does not offer employee sponsorship. For questions regarding this posting, please contact : Denise_Lee@hcpss.org

EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER

To request an accommodation during the application or interview process due to a documented disability, please email humanresources@hcpss.org . HCPSS celebrates diversity and is committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees and applicants and prohibits discrimination, harassment, and retaliation of any kind. HCPSS is committed to the principle of equal employment opportunity for all employees in providing them with a work environment free of discrimination and harassment. All employment decisions at HCPSS are based on organizational needs, job requirements and individual qualifications, without regard to race, color, religion or belief, national, social or ethnic origin, sex (including pregnancy), age, physical, mental or sensory disability, sexual orientation, gender identity and/or expression, marital, civil union or domestic partnership status, veteran status or present military service, family medical history or genetic information, family or parental status, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws.