About this role
Position Summary The School Business Official (SBO) plays a critical role in managing and maintaining the district's day-to-day financial operations under the supervision of the Chief Financial Officer and direction of the Superintendent. This position ensures complete accuracy, compliance, and transparency across all financial functions, including general ledger management, accounts payable, payroll withholdings, benefits administration, and special billing (such as open enrollment and special education). Working within the framework of the Iowa Department of Education SBO Standards, the SBO supports the CFO in certified budget implementation, multi-year forecasting, audit preparations, and cash position optimization. The ideal candidate acts as a key operational anchor, ensuring strict adherence to Governmental GAAP, state spending authority, and reporting requirements via the Iowa Education Portal, while delivering timely financial data to district leaders to support strategic decision-making. Reports To: Chief Financial Officer Classification: Year Round Salary - Assistant ESC I Salary: $95,000 to $133,000 Essential Duties and Responsibilities The School Business Official shall serve under the Chief Financial Officer of the District under the direction of the Superintendent of Schools. The School Business Official accounts for all district finances, and assists the Chief Financial Officer in the budgeting process. Under general supervision of the Chief Financial Officer, the School Business Official performs the following responsibilities within the overarching framework of the Iowa Department of Education's Standards for School Business Officials (SBO Standards) including any other duties as assigned.
• Codes school finance data in accordance with Governmental Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP) Accounting, the Uniform Financial Accounting Manual, and the current Chart of Accounts.
• Implements the certified budget process.
• Provides timely payment of bills and other accounts payable
• Make timely payments of employee withholdings to appropriate government and retirement systems.
• Audit records and administer payment processing for benefits which includes: IPERS, 403b, Health Saving Accounts, Flexible Spending Accounts, etc. and ensure employee contributions are within qualifying legal limits.
• Manage open enrollment, special education, supplemental weighting, and all other billing for the district.
• Arrange and coordinate preparation of documents for the annual financial audit.
• Implement audit suggestions regarding corrections, adjustments, internal controls, and segregation of duties in the Business Office.
• Submit required State and federal payments and reports.
• Understands the content and purpose of the Aid and Levy Worksheet.
• Adheres to the concept of spending authority.
• Provides detailed financial data that is useful to the Chief Financial Officer and other district administration.
• Assists with development of monthly statements of receipts, disbursements, and balances for every fund.
• Optimizes the handling of bank and deposit relationships and initiates strategies to enhance cash position.
• Audit buildings for cash handling and business procedures.
• Forecasts a line item budget by department, including multi-year projections of revenues/expenses that is shared with department leaders and supervisors.
• Maintains an accurate and separate account of each fund.
• Files taxes and financial reports in a timely manner.
• Understands and implements board policies and procedures.
• Maintains a working knowledge of laws applicable to school districts.
• Manages and navigates school accounting software.
• Inputs financial data onto word processing, spreadsheet, and other programs as needed.
• Uploads financial data through the Iowa Education Portal and other reporting websites.
• Assists with completion and submission of the Certified Annual Report
• Maintain district general ledger account numbers as needed; post journal entries and account corrections as necessary.
• Engages in annual review of district and accounting practices.
• Prepare an annual list of salaries paid for publishing in designated media publications.
• Monitor and adjust charts of accounts in accordance with state and federal guidelines.
• Adheres to board policies, district procedures, and contractual obligations.
• Participates in workshops, conferences, and/or activities designed to maintain knowledge and skills as required by the position.
• Applies research, knowledge and skills from professional development opportunities to improve practice.
Education and Licensure
• School Business Official (SBO) Authorization
• Bachelor's degree in business, accounting, or other appropriate degree or 60 semester hours of coursework in business or accounting.
• Minimum three years experience as an Iowa Public School Business Official required.
• Understanding of Iowa School Finance Principles.
Knowledge and Skills
• Experience in accounting, finance, and operations in business, education, or governmental agencies.
• Highly organized and able to successfully manage multiple projects simultaneously.
• Highly knowledgeable in the use of technology to enhance work flow and student performance.
• Familiarity of best practices in administration, program evaluation, and staff supervision.
• Excellent verbal, written, and interpersonal communication skills. Remains current with accounting technology.
• Maintains confidentiality of restricted information.
• Demonstrates strong organizational and time management skills.
• Able to make difficult decisions with a long-term impact on the school as aligned to the district's mission.
• Competent in research and information-gathering through technology.
• Encourages an environment of mutual respect, rapport, and fairness.
• Valid driver's license.
Measures of Success The School Business Official will be successful when:
• 100% compliance with Governmental GAAP, Iowa's Uniform Financial Accounting Manual, and current Chart of Accounts during internal and state reviews.
• Zero major audit findings, material weaknesses, or repeat deficiencies in the Annual Financial Audit, with prompt implementation of internal control adjustments.
• Timely, accurate implementation of the Certified Budget process and the Aid and Levy Worksheet within state spending authority limits.
• Multi-year revenue and expense forecasts delivered to department leaders on schedule to support strategic long-term planning.
• Precise tracking and execution of billings for open enrollment, special education, and supplemental weighting.
• Error-free submission of state and federal reports, including the Certified Annual Report and annual salary publication lists, prior to all statutory deadlines.
• Regular, accurate monthly financial statements (receipts, disbursements, balances per fund) provided to the CFO and Superintendent.
• Completion of annual professional development requirements, applying updated state regulations and software tools to streamline workflow.
PHYSICAL DEMANDS: The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is frequently required to stand; walk; use hands and fingers to handle and/or feel objects, tools or controls; and talk and hear. The employee will frequently use their hands and fingers to type/word-process, file documents, manipulate papers, and operate a copying machine. The employee frequently must squat, stoop or kneel, reach above the head and forward 0 -24 inches, and on occasion up to 36 inches. The employee continuously uses hand strength to grasp items. The employee will frequently bend or twist at the neck and trunk while performing the duties of this job. The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 50 pounds, 0 - 12 feet, and occasionally up to 20 feet, such as office materials, desks, chairs, and boxes. The employee will sometimes push/pull items such as tables and carts. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, color vision, and the ability to adjust focus while working with computers, written materials, reports, assessment data, etc. WORK ENVIRONMENT: The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. The noise level in the work environment is often quiet but may become loud in large group settings. The position requires the commitment of professional working hours that will require the employee to arrive and leave as directed and may require the employee to extend beyond a typical 7:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. workday. The employee will usually work in indoor environments but will occasionally be required to work in outdoor environments. AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER The Iowa City Community School District is an Equal Opportunity Employer. The district does not discriminate based on race, creed, color, gender, national origin, religion, age, marital status, sexual orientation, veteran status, or disability. Federal law obligates an employer to provide reasonable accommodation for the known disabilities of applicants, unless doing so would pose an undue hardship on the employer. If you or someone you know requires accommodation in the hiring process, contact the Department of Human Resources at 319-688-1000.