Budget Specialist

Job Description Summary

DEFINITION

Under direction of the Director of Fiscal Services, perform complex accounting, reporting, and budgeting duties; and performs other duties as required.

DISTINGUISHING CHARACTERISTICS

This position is distinguished from other accounting positions by the requirement to work with minimal supervision and to exercise independent judgment. Incumbent may assist the Director of Fiscal Services in all aspects of Fiscal Services operation. The performance of duties by the incumbent contributes to institutional effectiveness by facilitating processes required for District operation.

ABOUT THE COLLEGE

Where You Will Work

Serving all of San Luis Obispo County, Cuesta College has provided comprehensive associate degree offerings, certificates, and community programs to the region since 1964. The main campus is located along scenic Highway 1, west of San Luis Obispo and east of the beaches of the Pacific Ocean. Cuesta College has a North County Campus in Paso Robles, and South County Center, in Arroyo Grande.

Who We Are

Equity, diversity, and inclusion are essential to our culture and the work we do. Cuesta College is proud to be a designated Hispanic-Serving Institution (HSI) committed to racial and socio-economic diversity as it reflects our communities and student populations. We actively seek to attract candidates who share this commitment to equity, diversity, and inclusion. As part of the Cuesta College team, you can expect to be part of a collaborative community of faculty, classified professionals, administrators, students, and community partners advancing educational excellence with intentional support services leading to student success and completion.

Additional information about the college can be found at

https://www.cuesta.edu/about/index.html

The college planning documents can be found at

https://www.cuesta.edu/about/collegeplans/index.html

Our Student Equity Action Plan can be found at

https://www.cuesta.edu/about/info/student-equity-initiatives/equity/index.html

We offer comprehensive benefit options. Information about benefits can be found at

https://www.cuesta.edu/about/depts/benefits-insurance/index.html

Essential Functions & Qualifications

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:

• Assist with all aspects of budgeting: development, accounting, reporting and closeout for general fund, supplemental funds, special programs, grants and categorical programs;

• Review, compare and contrast budgetary and financial data;

• Project annual revenue and expenditures; monitor and confirm funding availability, and compile periodic budget revisions;

• Provide technical assistance related to operating the budgetary software utilized by District Staff;

• Provide technical assistance related to operating the budgetary software utilized by District Staff;

• Review and report to administration categorical and fee supported income and expenditures.

• Maintain and update the academic and classified position control module in conjunction with Human Resources staff; monitor academic and classified employee assignment status;

• Assist in creating and maintaining financial and budgetary spreadsheets;

• Maintain accounting records for federal, state, and locally funded programs; compile various statistical and narrative reports;

• Provide assistance and information required to develop and interpret specific budgets, including approving all purchase requests, travel requests, reimbursement requests, and new hire requests for availability of budget and the appropriateness of charge codes; provide expenditure reports to budget managers and assist in the interpretation;

• Create budget transfers in consultation with budget managers;

• Assist with all aspects of budgeting, accounting and reporting for the District's general fund and supplemental funds;

• Research discrepancies in financial data and report recommendations as needed;

• Comply with and assist others in complying with regulations and audit procedures;

• Assist in the establishment of formal accounting controls, policies, and procedures;

• Evaluate compliance with applicable laws and regulations;

• Assist in the development of data processing applications for accounting functions;

• Assist in the development of fiscal timelines; help to ensure that financial activities comply with established standards, requirements, law, codes, regulations, policies and procedures and applicable collective bargaining agreements;

• Assist in the development of data processing applications for accounting functions; test budget software on an as-needed basis in conjunction with Information Technology department;

• Provide technical expertise and direction to District staff regarding accounting policies and procedures and budget issues; investigate complaints and recommend corrective action as needed;

• Develop and maintain cooperative working relationships;

• Operate office equipment including, but not limited to, computer terminals, PC's, printers, 10-key calculator and other general office equipment with speed and accuracy;

• Establish and maintain cooperative working relationships with those contacted in the performance of duties;

• Communicate effectively orally and in writing;

• Demonstrate a sensitivity to and understanding of the diverse academic, socioeconomic, cultural, and ethnic backgrounds of staff and students and of staff and students with physical and learning disabilities;

• Perform other related duties as required.

Ability to:

• Perform complex technical financial record keeping;

• Work with a computer-based financial management system;

• Learn and interpret legal requirements and technical materials;

• Develop concise and complete oral and written reports;

• Understand and apply federal, state, and local policies, procedures, laws, and regulations for reporting purposes.

Duties may require the physical ability to:

• See for the purpose of reading laws and codes, rules and policies, and other printed matter;

• Hear and understand speech at normal levels;

• Speak so that others will be able to understand a normal in-person and telephone conversation;

• Sit or stand for extended periods of time;

• Lift and/or carry 25 pounds;

• Exert manual dexterity sufficient for keyboard and other office equipment operation.

Education:

• Minimum AA degree in accounting, business administration or closely related field from an accredited institution required;

• Bachelor's Degree in accounting or closely related field from an accredited institution or equivalent preferred;

Experience:

• Two years of educational agency experience in accounting, budgeting, and financial record keeping preferred.

OR any equivalent combination of education and experience

Knowledge of:

• Principles and procedures of governmental accounting and auditing;

• Principles and procedures of financial record keeping and reporting;

• Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP);

• Pertinent federal, state, and local laws, codes and regulations.

Additional Information

REQUIRED DOCUMENTS TO APPLY

Candidates will be required to submit ALL of the required documents below when applying for this position. When uploading documents, PDF uploads are preferred.

• Cover letter;

• Resume;

• Reference List (see further instructions below);

• Diversity statement (see further instructions below).

Diversity Statement Instructions: Cuesta College is committed to building and maintaining a workforce that reflects and honors the diversity of our students. It is important to us that our faculty, staff, and administrators demonstrate an understanding of, sensitivity to, and respect for the diverse academic, socioeconomic, ethnic, and religious backgrounds as well as sexual orientation and abilities of all constituents in the Cuesta College community.

In 500 words or less, with consideration to our Mission Statement and our values expressed above, please explain how you will demonstrate your commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion in this position.

Reference List Instructions: Your reference list must include three professional references, their contact information, and their relationship to you.

Completed online applications and all supporting documents must be submitted by the closing date for this position. LATE, INCOMPLETE, FAXED, MAILED OR EMAILED APPLICATIONS WILL NOT BE ACCEPTED.

SALARY SCHEDULE

Below is the full salary schedule range for this position, steps A through E. Per Cuesta College's bargaining agreement, new employees are placed at Steps A through C, which is the anticipated hiring range also listed below. The bargaining agreement also includes step and longevity increases.For a full salary schedule, please see our website: https://www.cuesta.edu/about/depts/humanresources/salary_schedules.html

• Salary Schedule Range: $5,830 - $7,087 per month.

• Anticipated Hiring Range: $5,830 - $6,428 per month.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

Cuesta College will not sponsor any visa applications.

San Luis Obispo County Community College District ("Cuesta College") is an equal opportunity employer committed to nondiscrimination on the basis of race, ethnicity, color, religion, national origin, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, gender expression, marital status, medical condition, pregnancy (including pregnancy, childbirth, and medical conditions related to pregnancy or childbirth), age, disability (physical and mental), genetic information, military and veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by applicable federal and state law in admission and access to, or treatment in employment, educational programs or activities at any of its campuses. Reasonable accommodations will be provided for applicants with disabilities who self-disclose. Cuesta College also prohibits harassment on any of these bases, including sexual harassment, as well as sexual assault, domestic violence, dating violence, and stalking.

In compliance with California law, all prospective staff and students are entitled to read the Annual Security Report, published each October by the Cuesta College Department of Public Safety. This report contains information about our emergency and crime reporting procedures, as well as crime statistics for the past 3 years. You may request a copy of this report at one of our two Public Safety Offices: on SLO campus at Building 6600A or on North County Campus at building N1021, during campus business hours. You may also access the complete text of this report at the following website address: https://www.cuesta.edu/about/depts/publicsafety/clery_act

Cuesta College uses E-Verify as part of the I-9 process to verify the work eligibility of all new hires. E-Verify is an Internet-based system that compares information from an employee's Form I-9 to data from U.S Department of Homeland Security and Social Security Administration records. For further information, visit: https://www.cuesta.edu/about/depts/humanresources/Job_Opportunities.html

Interview Process Information

Selected applicants will be invited to attend a Zoom interview on Tuesday, August 13, 2024.