Job Description

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 prior 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.

Under the direction of the Principal, the School Financial Bookkeepermonitorsthe

day-to-day accounting, procurement, and reporting functions for the school. This position is

responsible foraccuratefinancial record-keeping, reconciling multiple accounts (Bank,

P-Card, Petty Cash) andensurethat 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.

MINIMUMQUALIFICATIONS

Applicants must meet allqualificationsbelow 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 clericalexperience,one year of which must be working with accounting or bookkeeping records.

• AnAssociate Degreeor 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

Thebelow listis a summary of the functions of the job, not an exhaustive or comprehensive list of allpossible jobresponsibilities, tasks, and duties.

Financial Accounting, Reporting, and Analysis

• Preparing andsubmittingtimelymonthly financial reports.

• Preparing monthly bank and P card reconciliations.

• Monitoring cash flow and forecasting cash needs.

• Complying withsales tax collection and remittance procedures.

• Preparing reports andcorrespondenceasnecessary.

• Depositing receipted funds

Compliance, Oversight, and Internal Controls

• Communicating withPrincipalon internal/fiscal controls.

• Ensuring school compliance with the HCPSS Manual of Policies and Procedures for Administering School Activity Funds.

• Providing information andassistanceto 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 approvedvouchers

• Processing and monitoring orders for supplies,equipmentand textbooks in the prescribed computer system.

• Assisting Principal with reconciling available budgets for materials of instruction funds andsubmittinginvoices to the Central Office.

• Preparing andsubmittingsalary vouchers for the school.

• Maintaining and monitoring office petty cashfund

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,staffand/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 abilitiesrequiredfor 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 ofinternal 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:Expertisein 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 thePrincipal,providingdata-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 7.5hours,which will include a 30-minute unpaid, duty-free lunch period.

APPLICATION REQUIREMENTS

Complete applications must besubmitted, and once your application has beensubmitted, you will not be able to add documentation or make any changes. Incomplete applications will not be acceptedResumes will not be accepted in lieu of a completed application.

SELECTIONCRITERIA

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 closelymatchthepositionqualifications and the needs of the school system.

EMPLOYMENT INFORMATION

Compensation

This is a10-month per year position in the Howard County Education Association, Educational Support Professionals (HCEA-ESP) employee unit. The current salary rangefor this position is Grade 8 on the HCEA-ESPSecretaries and Assistants salary scale Step placement will bein accordance withthe salary procedures of the Howard County Public School System and the HCEA-ESP Master Agreement which considersrelevant 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 employeeelectmembership.The annualcontribution to the pension plan will be 7% of an employee’s annual salary

Benefits

HCPSS offers a comprehensive benefits packagefor eligible employees.Information aboutadditionalbenefits such as paid time off can be found in the negotiated agreementfor employees in this bargaining unit.

Pre-EmploymentRequirements

Professional references will be contacted prior to any offerofemployment. Recommended candidates willbe requiredtoprovide references from current and recent supervisors.

All employees, regular and temporary, must be fingerprinted, have a criminal background investigation completed, and successfully complete the Maryland Employment History Review,pursuant toSection 6-113.2 of the Education Article, Annotated Code of Maryland.In addition, some positions will requirecompletion of a physical examination and/or drug testing

Anyone offered employment isrequiredto provide proper identification and documentation of eligibility for employment in the United States. HCPSSparticipates in E-Verify anddoes not offer employee sponsorship.

For questionsregardingthis 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.