School Finance Analyst

School Finance Analyst (00090) - (26141902)

This first review of applications will be August 6, 2026. Please submit the following required documents on the State of Montana Careers website:

Resume - Please include dates of employment and your supervisor’s name/phone number for each position.

For a complete job description, please email opi.careers@mt.gov

To be considered for this position, you must reside in Montana.

Why you would enjoy working here; Office of Public Instruction employees are a passionate group of professionals dedicated to leading and supporting our education system. We house a diverse collection of experiences with the 200+ unique individuals we employ. Our specialists further OPI’s purpose with applicable knowledge in education, health, research and analysis, nutrition, finance, administration, human resources, licensing and regulation, information technology, and many others. We are proud to serve 149,000+ students pre-K to grade 12, their parents and guardians, 400+ school districts, 16,000+ educational professionals, and 3,000+ adult learners.

Benefits of working for OPI:

Work/life balance

Family friendly

Dedicated and caring colleagues

Health coverage

Retirement plans

Paid vacation, sick leave, and Holidays (combination of up to 38 per year)

Opportunities and room for professional growth

Public service loan forgiveness-Employment with the State of Montana may qualify you to receive student loan forgiveness under the PSLF.

Job Overview: The Office of Public Instruction's (OPI) has a biennial budget of over $2 billion which consists of an annual operating budget of over $35 million and over $900 million of flow-through funds. The School Finance Division is responsible for the collection of school district reported financial transactions and the information necessary to account and report the operations of Montana public school districts. The Division is responsible for the implementation of Montana statutes and administrative rules, including the Generally Accepted Accounting Principles and standards and compliance with the Federal Code of Regulations in alignment with US Department of Education guidelines. The School Finance Division responsibilities include the administration of financial compliance and education in all areas of public school district budgeting, financial and accounting information reporting and verifying compliance with established accounting policies and procedures that include the distribution of state funding for K-12 education, administering Pupil transportation program and many other programs as dictated by Montana law. The stakeholders we serve include over 400 elementary, high school and K-12 public school districts, special education cooperatives, county elected officials, Montana taxpayers, state Legislative representatives, business and elected officials in local governments related to K-12 education in Montana public school districts.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities (Behaviors):

Knowledge of software including Microsoft Office products.

Knowledge of Personally Identifiable Information (PII) and the ability to implement policies concerning PII and other topics.

Knowledge of accounting and auditing principles.

Knowledge of data collections and software and the application of large fiscal programs.

Ability to interpret fiscal records, compile large data and prepare fiscal reports.

Ability to understand cause and effect relationships and can identify critical information necessary to solve problems.

Ability to conduct in depth analysis of financial systems, identify inconsistencies and resolve critical problems while maintaining positive working relationships.

Ability to train individuals with a wide range or knowledge and experience through effective communication tools, such as presentations and oral and written instructions.

Ability to interpret and apply technical knowledge of financial district informational data of reporting, distribution, communication, and information systems for a variety of circumstances that often are not specifically addressed by statute, rule, policy or business processes.

Minimum Qualifications (Education and Experience):

Bachelor's degree in Business Administration, Accounting, Finance, or another related field.

1 year of job-related work experience with databases, interpreting financial data, or related experience.

Other combinations of education or experience may be substituted.

Does this sound like you?

Please tell us how and why by submitting your resume online, including any veterans or disability preference documentation. When submitting the required documents, you must check the “relevant document” box to ensure your attachments are uploading correctly to the specific application for this position. Documents not requested will not be considered in the recruitment process.

This position is in the PERS retirement system.

Applicant Pool Statement: If another department vacancy occurs in this job title within six months, the same applicant pool may be used for the selection.

Training Assignment: This agency may use a training assignment. Employees in training assignments may be paid below the base pay established by the agency pay rules. Conditions of the training assignment will be stated in writing at the time of hire.

Salary: $ 32.55 - 32.55 Hourly

Telework Eligibility: Not Telework Eligible

Benefits Package Eligibility: Health Insurance, Paid Leave & Holidays, Retirement Plan

Number of Openings: 1

Employee Status: Regular

Schedule: Full-Time

Job Type: Standard

Shift: Day Job

Travel: Yes, 5 % of the Time

Primary Location: Helena

Agency: Office of Public Instruction

Union: Montana Federation of Public Employees

Posting Date: Jul 23, 2026, 2:53:23 PM

Closing Date (based on your computer's timezone): Ongoing

Required Application Materials: Resume

Contact Name: Human Resources | Contact Email: opi.careers@mt.gov | Contact Phone: (406) 444-2673

Anyone who needs to request a reasonable accommodation in the application or hiring process should contact the HR staff identified on the job listing or by dialing the Montana Relay at 711. Montana Job Service Offices also offer services including assistance with submitting an online application.

State government does not discriminate based on race, color, national origin, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, pregnancy, childbirth or medical conditions related to pregnancy or childbirth, age, physical or mental disability, genetic information, marital status, creed, political beliefs or affiliation, veteran status, military service, retaliation, or any other factor not related to merit and qualifications of an employee or applicant.