03610

(Competitive)

SYSTEMS CONSULTANT (FINANCIAL SERVICES) 0


DISTINGUISHING FEATURES OF THE CLASS


The work involves responsibility for coordinating procedures for effective utilization of computerized financial record keeping software by the establishment of intercommunications between the Regional Computer Center and member schools to facilitate the various aspects of financial management in the school's administrative and business offices. The incumbent acts in a liaison capacity to provide training in the use of existing services, to investigate and evaluate potential use of application features and to identify and assist in the resolution of problems relating to the use of system data. Several Systems Consultant positions exist within the computer center with specific and different credentials required for each position depending on the systems application area. These areas include: Financial Services, Student Services, Testing and Evaluation and Computer Assisted Instruction. Each consultant position is distinct and the responsibilities of one application area do not overlap the responsibilities of any of the other areas. This position is also distinct from the programming, analytical or technical support classifications in that there is no involvement in the development of the computer system, its language, specifications, operation or design. The major emphasis of the position is in the use and function of the specific data applications within the system and how these can be utilized to meet the current and potential needs of the user. General supervision is received from an administrative superior, with work being reviewed through conferences and consultation specific problems. The incumbent is expected to exercise independent judgment and initiative in evaluating training needs relating to data processing utilization and system procedures and coordinating training services to provide for maximum utilization of available systems in meeting user objectives. Supervision is not a critical function of the position but may be exercised over the work of a staff involved in control of the data processing product. Does related work as required.


TYPICAL WORK ACTIVITIES


Reviews customer complaints, concerns and application problems and investigates their causes, identifies problem source and requests action to be taken by operations, programming staff, support staff and third party software vendors.

Organizes, supervises and provides formal and informal training sessions for school district personnel and department support staff involved with Financial Management services.

Develops, reviews and assists in implementation of user documentation, training materials and related forms.

Organizes and supervises implementation of new financial management software, as well as new modules, in school districts. Coordinates the collection and analysis of detailed specifications to insure that all requirements are met.

Evaluates and reviews the financial management needs of the school districts and identifies methods of meeting the needs through the use of existing applications or by requesting new or expanded services from appropriate computer center technical or support personnel.

Studies user application operations and identifies areas of potential improvement. Assists the user in developing objectives for improving utilization, and identifies and explains additional available services which could be utilized in meeting their financial management needs and objectives.

Works with software vendors to relay new Federal, state and local requirements and aids in testing and implementing new requirements to school districts.

Attends meetings and provides demonstrations as a representative of the computer center.

Reviews existing application procedures to insure compatibility with acceptable data processing controls and with the requirements of personnel in the school district.



FULL PERFORMANCE KNOWLEDGES, SKILLS, ABILITIES AND PERSONAL CHARACTERISTICS


Thorough knowledge of basic trends and current developments in the field of accounting as it relates to education in New York State, including general ledger, budget, purchasing, accounts payable and accounts receivable.

Thorough knowledge of payroll principles and procedures.

Good knowledge of the use, function and potential of an integrated financial management software system as applied to school business office environments.

Working knowledge of generally accepted school business office practices.

Ability to train user personnel in the operation and application of new, modified or expanded procedures of an integrated school financial management software system.

Ability to organize and present thoughts and procedures in a clear, concise and thorough manner.

Ability to gather and analyze information and draw logical conclusions.

Ability to lead discussions and make formal presentations.

Ability to lead and foster a team environment.

Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with school district personnel, department supervisor and members, other computer center department members, vendors and various agency employees.



MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS


Promotion:

  1. Two (2) years of permanent competitive class status in the title of Information Systems Coordinator; or,

  2. Two (2) years of permanent competitive class status in the title of Assistant Systems Consultant (Financial Services); or,

  3. Four (4) years of permanent competitive class status in the title of Systems Training Assistant.



Open Competitive:

  1. Graduation from a regionally accredited college or university with a Baccalaureate degree in Accounting, Business or Computer Science or a closely related field and two (2) years of full time paraprofessional or professional level work experience or its part time equivalent, as described below:


  1. Two (2) years of work experience in accounting, office management, business administration, or fiscal management, or a closely related field, which must have included responsibility for the use and function of computerized financial record keeping data; or,


  1. Two (2) years of work experience in application utilization including responsibility for analyzing, evaluating, organizing or planning the use, or potential use of computerized financial data in the resolution of problems, improving work flow or in meeting work objectives; or,



  1. Graduation from a regionally accredited college or university with an Associate’s degree in Accounting, Business or Computer Science or a closely related field and four (4) years of full time paraprofessional or professional level work experience or its part time equivalent, as described in (A1) or (A2) above; or



  1. Six (6) years of full time paraprofessional or professional level work experience, or its part time equivalent, as described in (A1) or (A2) above.



NOTE: Graduation from a regionally accredited college or university with a Master’s degree in Accounting, Business or Computer Science or a closely related field, may be substituted for up to one (1) year of work experience.


SPECIAL NECESSARY REQUIREMENT: Possession of a valid New York State driver’s license at time of appointment.




Revised 11/2019