Chicago Public Schools (CPS) is a district on the rise, serving over 325,000 students in 500+ schools and employing over 45,000 people, most of them teachers. CPS has set ambitious goals to ensure that every student, in every school and every neighborhood, has access to a world-class learning experience that prepares each for success in college, career, and civic life. Aligned with our transformed philosophy, we are steadfastly focused on ensuring that the District provides resources equitably to support every student, every school, and every community. Six core values guide the work we do every day for our students – student-centered, whole child, equity, academic excellence, community partnership, and continuous learning. Each role in the district supports our vision that every student deserves a rigorous, joyful, and equitable learning experience.

The Office of Finance develops and manages CPS’ annual operating and capital budgets and Comprehensive Annual Financial Report, prepares long-term financial projections, secures both short-term and long-term resources to provide adequate liquidity, and provide data, information, analysis, knowledge and methods for our leaders to anticipate and respond effectively to the challenges facing Chicago Public Schools.  Within the Office of Finance, the Office of the Controller is responsible for the financial operations of Chicago Public Schools, including Accounts Payable, Accounts Receivable, Payroll, Internal Accounts, and Corporate Accounting.

Job Summary: 

Reporting to the Assistant Deputy Controller, the Accounting Manager (Capital Fixed Asset & Revenue) assigns, supervises, and reviews the work of professional accountants engaged in the management of financial accounts. This position will design and implement computerized accounting systems and internal controls to ensure operational efficiency within the Office of Controller. This position will use current industry technology to ensure the integrity of all data processes throughout the financial systems for the recording of property tax distributions, capital and fixed assets, payables and payroll accounts, cash and other bank accounts, as well as other revenue and expense transactions; as well as monitor payroll.

The Accounting Manager, Capital Fixed Asset & Revenue will be held accountable for the following responsibilities:

• Manage and supervise the Capital Fixed Asset and Revenue Team. 

  • Ensure the staff follows established policies and procedures in the performance of their duties, application of accounting principles, and various system validations on a daily, weekly, monthly, quarterly, and annual basis. 

  • Review and approve all journal entries prepared by staff. 

  • Provide leadership, develop goals, objectives and performance standards for the Capital Fixed Asset and Revenue team and conduct performance evaluations.

  • Organize, develop, and schedule ongoing training and development for staff.

• Prepare complex financial calculations and audit-related work papers and schedules. 

• Ensure the various Prepared by Client (PBC) work papers prepared by staff, as well as the fiscal data compiled for inclusion in the Annual Comprehensive Annual Financial Report (ACFR) are completed accurately and within the established deadlines.

• Oversee the preparation of monthly, quarterly, and annual financial statements e.g., Annual Comprehensive Annual Financial Report (ACFR), Annual Financial Report (AFR), and the Popular Annual Financial Report (PAFR); as well as, present the District’s position to auditors, external parties in regards to accounting issues and financial statement presentation.

• Enhance and strengthen internal controls and increase process efficiency and effectiveness.

  • Oversee the financial reporting system implementation, migration, testing, conversion, automation, and upgrades of the various financial modules; review and analyze the effectiveness of system controls at each process stage for the end user. 

  • Manage special ad hoc projects and technology endeavors to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of operations as assigned.

• Review Governmental Accounting Standards Board (GASB) Statements, Government Finance Officers Association (GFOA) Best Practices and Advisories, U.S. Office of Management and Budget (OMB) Guidance, and other Federal, State and Local regulatory directives.  

• Review interpretations, concept statements and technical bulletins to ensure the timely and proper application of the standards, as well as implement the early adoption of new standards when necessary and beneficial to the Board. 

• Maintain and update the Accounting Manual, as necessary, with approved changes in policies, procedures, and business processes related to the assigned area of responsibility for property tax, payroll, pensions, benefits, as well as, capital and fixed assets.

• Understand and communicate the School Districts’ complex property tax, payroll, pension, capital and fixed assets business requirements, cycles, processes, activities, and controls.

  • Function as a liaison on accounting-related issues with various departments such as Grants Management, Payroll, Budget, Facilities, and Treasury.

In order to be successful and achieve the above responsibilities, the Accounting Manager, Capital Fixed Asset & Revenue must possess the following qualifications: 

Education Required: 

• Bachelor’s Degree from an accredited college or university in Accounting or Finance is required

• Master’s Degree from an accredited college or university in Accounting or Finance and/or Certified Public Accountant (CPA) is highly preferred.

Experience Required: 

• Minimum of five (5) years of Accounting experience in accounting/financial reporting and auditing, including a minimum of two (2) years of Supervisory experience is required. 

• Previous experience in Governmental Accounting and experience working with a Tier 1 ERP system and involvement in conversions/upgrades is preferred.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities: 

• Ability to read, analyze, and interpret general business periodicals, websites, professional journals, technical procedures, or governmental regulations.  

• Ability to write reports, business correspondence, and procedure manuals.  

• Ability to effectively present information and respond to questions from groups of managers, clients, customers, and the general public: 

• Knowledge of financial practices at a large government organization. 

• General knowledge of state and federal laws and regulations related to financial operations. 

• General knowledge of financial internal controls.

• Able to write basic procedures and policies. 

• Ability to read and understand various policies and procedures. 

• Ability to solve practical problems and deal with a variety of concrete variables in situations where only limited standardization exists.  

• Ability to interpret a variety of instructions furnished in written, oral, diagram, or schedule form. 

• Ability to identify problems and develop recommendations for resolution. 

• Ability to apply concepts such as fractions, percentages, ratios, and proportions to practical situations. 

• Ability to use spreadsheets to view data and perform analysis. 

• Ability to analyze data and document any issues or problems. 

• Advanced Microsoft Office skills i.e. Word, Excel, PowerPoint; Oracle Financials, SQL programming language.  

• Advanced Oracle experience in a large government organization (preferred), and Adept user of internet, E-mail, and other office automation systems. 

Benefits:

Health & Wellness: Your Care, Your Choice

CPS is committed to providing comprehensive health coverage to our employees and their eligible dependents. You'll have access to a variety of choices to best fit your needs:

Medical Plan Options

Pharmacy

Dental

Vision

Behavioral Health & EAP

Employee Wellness Program

Financial Security: Planning for Today and Tomorrow

We understand the importance of financial stability, which is why CPS offers strong retirement and savings options:

Basic Life Insurance

Life and Disability Insurance

Pension Plans

Supplemental Retirement Plans (403(b) and 457(b))

Flexible Spending Accounts (FSAs)

Spot Pet Insurance

Work-Life Balance: Supporting Your Personal and Professional Life

CPS values the well-being of its employees and offers competitive paid time off policies:

Paid Leave

Sick Leave

Vacation Days

Parental Leaves

Short-Term Disability

Religious Holidays

Leaves

Reference the Chicago Public Schools: A Comprehensive Benefits Overview or the benefits handbook for comprehensive details.

Conditions of Employment

As a condition of employment with the Chicago Public Schools (CPS), employees are required to:

• Be Fully Vaccinated Against COVID-19 - Unless approved for a medical or religious exemption, all employees are required to be up-to-date on COVID-19 vaccinations, including boosters, and to submit proof of vaccination to the district within 30 days of hire. “Up-to-date” on vaccination is defined as being at least two weeks past all primary vaccine doses and any applicable boosters.