Services: Financial Management
Financial management: Designs for Learning will work with school leadership as the school's business office in carrying out financial management functions of the school.- Schedule 1-2 hour consultation with director each month to discuss business and finance deadlines, actual student enrollment, income, and expenses and issues of concern, during normal business hours.
- Prepare and Send Board financial report to the director, at least one week in advance of the board's meeting [per schedule provided by the school]
- Develop and maintain financial records within the framework of a UFARS-based chart of accounts using mutually agreed upon software.
- Prepare financial statements for internal and board review, for presentation to Board by the Director or other Board member.
- Advise Director on cash flow, cash management, credit issues and banking concerns.
- Assist school leadership with the preparation and maintenance of school budgets.
- Assist Director in communication with Minnesota Department of Education on a variety of issues.
- Assist Director in responding to requests in from the sponsor
Business office and accounting
- Provide accurate UFARS coding on financial transactions in all school fund areas
- Pay bills regularly with school funds. Checks are cut twice each month; checks requested outside of the normal check run may be subject to a $5.00/check service charge.
- Provide training to use and access to appropriate Financial Request systems for purchase orders, check requests, reimbursement requests, credit card payment requests.
- Train staff on proper deposit procedures
- Reconcile bank statements on a timely basis
- Prepare necessary organizational and financial reports for various agencies as required.
- Track Federal Grant income and expenditures based on accurate information provided by the school
- Track grant income and expenses and provide financial reports for up to 3 grants of $50,000 or less, based on accurate information provided by the school
- Assist school with vendor and credit applications
- Record special education expenditures (State and Federal) into the state EDRS and UFARS systems.
- Enter Title expenses into EDRS (based on information provided by the school)
- Record payroll into accounting system.
Audit preparation
- Calculate state and federal aids receivable.
- Provide schedule of food service aid revenue and receivable at June 30 for state and federal aid.
- Provide copy of EDRS computer printout for applicable programs and include reconciliation between EDRS & UFARS as applicable.
- Provide information from school's Grants Coordinator on all grant expenditures
- Prepare a list of tuition receivables from other ISDs as of June 30.
- Comply with GASB 34 requirements on fixed assets
- Prepare a list of payables at June 30 summarized by fund.
- Summarize the payroll accrual as of June 30 by fund and corresponding UFARS codes.
- Summarize payroll tax and withholding accruals.
- Calculate accrued vacation by employee as of June 30.
- Tie-out 941 salaries.
- UFARS uploads.
Additional Services:
- Review the following with the director and other staff as appropriate:
- Internal controls that limits potential liability to the school,
- Written procedures and information for business operations including key contact information, a schedule of regular income and expenses, and payroll processing information.
- Special Education Billing [oversight provided by the school's Special Education Director]
- Prepare annual billings (to school districts, MDE, etc.) for special education services per DL Bill-It checklist to be completed by school.
- Calculate Uniform Tuition Billing rates
- Lease Aid
- Prepare annual lease aid request for MDE.
- Handle paperwork application for lease aid, required reporting, and other follow-up.
- Advise school leadership as needed on lease aid issues.
- DL Smart Finance access.
For fee structures and other information about these services, please contact Pamela Meade. For contact information, please see
