Florida School for the Deaf and the Blind (FSDB)

Professional Accountant Specialist (Career Service)

Position Number 48008010
Department: Comptroller’s

Who are we?

FSDB is a state public school available at no cost to eligible pre-K and K-12 students who are deaf or hard of hearing, blind/visually impaired or deafblind, including boarding and transportation services. FSDB is nationally recognized for its comprehensive educational services, designed for the unique communication and accessibility needs of students. FSDB also provides educational outreach programs for children ages 0-5 and their families. The FSDB experience provides students with the edge to do more, be more, and achieve more.

How you will make an impact

The incumbent of this professional, independent accounting position reports directly to the Comptroller of FSDB and possesses a variety of advanced accounting skills.

• Independently maintains the general account ledger for FCO/Public Education Capital Outlay (PECO) Funds.  Maintain the control accounts and reconcile balances of these funds.  Provide in-depth analyses of various FLAIR reports and make any necessary reconciling entries for these funds.  Maintain the Purchase Order and Encumbrance records related to various disbursements of these funds in FLAIR. Update weekly the Encumbrance and Disbursement Subsidiary Ledgers.  Maintain general account ledgers of outstanding Accounts Payable and Certifications Forward for these funds.   Prepare Requests for Encumbrance Authorizations and Requests for Releases of FCO/PECO Funds and submit to Department of Education and Governor's Office, as required.  Analyze and determine project funds and cash flow needed for Facilities and Construction projects. Prepare monthly Cash Request and submit to the Department of Education, Facilities Cash Management Section.  Make accounting entries for cash received for the FCO/PECO Funds in FLAIR general accounts ledgers.
• Examine all new construction contracts for accuracy and related affidavits required by the State of Florida.  Audit construction contractors' invoices and pay applications for compliance with State Statues, Department of Financial Services (DFS) rules and regulations and proper coding for FLAIR.  Authorize the entry of payment vouchers for construction contractors' invoices and payment applications in FLAIR.  Maintain control accounts for and ensure balancing of Facilities and Construction contract expenditures and remaining encumbrance balances.  Maintain records of all agency construction contract payments.  Maintain a database of outstanding contract encumbrances, reconcile vendor statements and investigate discrepancies.  Maintain schedules for partial payments and various disbursement spreadsheets related to projects.  Reconcile and distribute encumbrance reports.  Prepare reports for distribution to the Comptroller and Administrator of Business Services, as required.  Resolve exceptions and disputes.  Communicate with Purchasing Director, Contract Administrator, Contract Managers, Projects Managers and Contractors. 
• Assist the Comptroller by collecting, analyzing and compiling data as required.  Conduct special studies and make recommendations as assigned by the Comptroller. Prepares major portions of and supporting schedules for agency financial statements in accordance with GAAP and GASB. Analyzes or audits account to ensure compliance with GAAP, GAAS, & GASB.
• Independently maintain the general account ledger for General Fixed Assets fund and the Property Master File in the accounting system, FLAIR.  Obtain necessary information from other departments with which to enter both the accounting data and the non-accounting data for capitalizable tangible personal property items and Fixed Capital Outlay (FCO) additions in the FLAIR Property Module.  Analyze and ensure balancing of control account to subsidiary records.
• Independently reconciles monthly intra/inter-agency transactions and communicate with other agencies' reconcilers to resolve differences.  Reconcile and ensure that the related general ledger accounts balance to subsidiary records.  Prepare and submit annual reconciliation reports to the DFS, Bureau of Statewide Financial Reporting.

• Perform other related duties as assigned by the Comptroller.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Knowledge of proper accounting methodologies under GAAP and authoritative pronouncements of FASB and GASB;
• Knowledge of fund accounting and use of fund accounting software;
• Skilled in the use of spreadsheet, word processing and database software;
• Proficient with handling cash;
• Skilled in the use of a calculator, personal computer, digital copier/scanner and telephone;
• Knowledge of the methods of data collection;
• Ability to prepare financial statements and reports;
• Ability to prepare and maintain a variety of accounting records;
• Ability to analyze and interpret accounting data;
• Ability to understand and apply applicable rules, regulations, policies and procedures relating to an accounting program;
• Ability to communicate effectively;
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with others;
• Ability to work independently; Ability to utilize problem-solving techniques; Ability to complete training and administer skills acquired during CPR;
• Ability to attain sign language proficiency level in accordance with FSDB O.P.P.1.24.

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor’s Degree in Accounting

Sign Language Requirements

Applicants who are selected for hire will be encouraged to learn American Sign Language

Please note: The Florida School for the Deaf and the Blind provides education to acquire sign language skills.

Hiring Salary Range 
12-month position, $49,890.36 - $57,390.36 annually. This range is inclusive of verified experience and education.

Hours 
Monday – Friday 8:00am to 4:30pm

Vision

FSDB will prepare each student for a lifetime of success.

Mission

The mission of FSDB is to utilize all available talent, energy, and resources to provide free appropriate public education for eligible sensory impaired students of Florida. As a school of academic excellence, the school shall strive to provide students an opportunity to access education services in caring, safe, unique learning environment to prepare them to be literate, employable, and independent lifelong learners. The school shall provide outreach services that include collaboration with district school boards and shall encourage input from students, staff, parents, and the community. As a diverse organization, the school shall foster respect and understanding for each individual. (Section 1002.36, Florida Statutes)

Values

Integrity & Respect – The FSDB community is a cohesive group that serves with honor, care, kindness and responsibility.

Safety & Security – The FSDB community is committed to the protection and well-being of stakeholders.

Innovation – The FSDB community welcomes change and embraces a continuous improvement mindset to encourage new methods to solve problems and foster creativity and growth.

Trust – The FSDB community is committed to high quality services and accountability through honest, reliable and consistent actions.

Our benefits include:

• Automatic enrollment into the Florida Retirement System.
• Medical insurance coverage is $90 per pay period for family coverage; $25 per pay period for employee only.
• Life insurance $25,000 is provided by the state at no cost to you for all FTE positions. Employees may purchase additional coverage.
• Low-cost supplemental benefit packages that include dental, vision, and much more.
• Professional development opportunities and ability to learn American Sign Language on campus at no cost.
• Tuition waiver program – receive up to 6 credit hours per semester at state universities.
• Biweekly accrual up to four (4) hours of sick leave and annual leave.
• Nine paid holidays and one Personal Holiday each year.

How You Will Grow

FSDB provides staff members with opportunities to grow professionally, enhancing their ability to support students' growth. School- and state-required training and skills development is offered both online and in-person for academic and non-academic staff members.

Condition of employment

Applicants under consideration for employment at the Florida School for the Deaf and the Blind will be required to complete background investigation. 

Fingerprints will be taken and sent to the Florida Department of Law enforcement and the Federal Bureau of Investigation for a background check of your criminal history record(s) at the state and national level.

To apply

Applications accepted through People First only.

An attached resume is not a substitute for the information required on the application. It is the responsibility of all applicants to keep their application current.

All members of the Florida Retirement System are required to contribute 3% of their salary on a pre-tax basis.

To access additional information please log on to https://jobs.myflorida.com/joblist.html and in Keywords enter 48008010

Take this opportunity to make a difference in a student’s life and become part of a great School. Apply today!

The State of Florida is an Equal Opportunity Employer/Affirmative Action Employer, and does not tolerate discrimination or violence in the workplace.

Candidates requiring a reasonable accommodation, as defined by the Americans with Disabilities Act, must notify the agency hiring authority and/or People First Service Center (1-866-663-4735). Notification to the hiring authority must be made in advance to allow sufficient time to provide the accommodation.

The State of Florida supports a Drug-Free workplace. All employees are subject to reasonable suspicion drug testing in accordance with Section 112.0455, F.S., Drug-Free Workplace Act.

VETERANS’ PREFERENCE.  Pursuant to Chapter 295, Florida Statutes, candidates eligible for Veterans’ Preference will receive preference in employment for Career Service vacancies and are encouraged to apply.  Certain service members may be eligible to receive waivers for postsecondary educational requirements.  Candidates claiming Veterans’ Preference must attach supporting documentation with each submission that includes character of service (for example, DD Form 214 Member Copy #4) along with any other documentation as required by Rule 55A-7, Florida Administrative Code.  Veterans’ Preference documentation requirements are available by clicking here.  All documentation is due by the close of the vacancy announcement. 

Location:  

ST AUGUSTINE, FL, US, 32084

Nearest Major Market: Jacksonville