SUMMARY: Educare Lincoln is a collaborative partnership between the Lincoln Public Schools (LPS), University of Nebraska - Lincoln (UNL), Early Head Start (EHS), and the Buffett Early Childhood Fund. The mission of Educare Lincoln is to help young children thrive socially, emotionally, and academically through high-quality early childhood education, and in partnership with their families and the community. The EHS program at Educare Lincoln promotes school readiness by enhancing the social and cognitive development of children ages 6 weeks to 3 years through the provision of evidence-based education, health, nutritional, social, and other services to enrolled children and their families. The Fiscal Assistant is responsible for maintaining and processing organizational fiscal records, preparing reports, and serving as a liaison between Nebraska Early Childhood Collaborative (NECC) and Educare Lincoln to streamline communication and enhance collaboration related to fiscal matters. MAJOR RESPONSIBILITIES AND KEY TASKS:
- Ensure accurate, timely, and proper processing of purchasing requests and preparation of finance documentation.
- Respond to inquiries from vendors and other outside organizations regarding procurement and fiscal matters.
- Communicate with NECC to learn of new or changed procedures, coordinate processing, resolve problems, and prepare reports.
- Compile fiscal and statistical information to complete reports.
- Devise procedures and forms to improve office operations.
- Create requisitions and research accounts receivable for billing of unresolved discrepancies.
- Gather information needed to prepare for new fiscal year budget.
- Coordinate with senior leadership to monitor EHS budget and plan compliance.
- Monitor fiscal data according to Fiscal Policies and Procedures.
- Prepare monthly monitoring and program information reports as required.
- Participate in regular interdisciplinary meetings with program leadership and other program staff to report progress, plan new strategies, discuss problems, and receive information on fiscal policies and procedures.
- Assist in annually reviewing policies and procedures for EHS and Educare Lincoln programs.
- Perform other duties as assigned by the Executive Director.
QUALIFICATIONS:
- Bachelor's degree in Accounting, Finance, or related field required.
- Minimum three years of experience working in the finance/fiscal field (preferably in the nonprofit sector), or related work environment required.
- Prior experience with Head Start/Early Head Start preferred.
- Prior leadership experience preferred.
- Must be able to pass a background check that meets compliance standards.
ESSENTIAL SKILLS / ABILITIES REQUIRED:
- Ability to collect and analyze fiscal data.
- Strong organizational skills with a high attention to detail.
- Mission-driven with a commitment to making high-quality early care and education available to all children.
- Demonstrated knowledge of theories and practices of continuous quality improvement and change management.
- Knowledge of available local, state, and federal human services programs.
- Strong written and oral communication skills, along with good listening skills.
- Strong interpersonal and relationship building skills, with the ability to collaborate and coach the partner fiscal staff.
- Ability to work with individuals from diverse backgrounds.
- Highly motivated, taking initiative to achieve goals.
- Strong creative problem-solving skills, highly organized, and independent.
- Ability to work individually as well as collaboratively in a team environment.
- Proficiency in Microsoft Office products (Word, Excel, Outlook) and other forms of technology.
- Valid driver's license and automobile insurance required.