Business Manager

Georgia Public Library Service; Dalton (GA); On-site; USD 51,000 - 69,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

TRS Pension

Health, dental, vision insurance

Paid time off

Job summary

Northwest Georgia Regional Library System is seeking a Business Manager to oversee daily finances and HR administration. You will implement internal accounting procedures, prepare budgets, and collaborate with leadership on financial planning.

The role requires strong GAAP and GASB knowledge, advanced Excel skills, and experience with governmental fund accounting. Travel between regional branches and regular payroll duties are included in the scope.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Business, Finance, Accounting, or related field or technical college bookkeeping/accounting cert.
• “Three (3) or more years of governmental fund accounting experience with proficiency in accounting software and Excel.”
• Knowledge of GAAP and GASB regulations.
• Proficiency in Google Workspace and Microsoft Excel.
• Ability to supervise staff and manage HR/payroll workflows.
• Criminal background check required.

Responsibilities

• Oversee accounts payable/receivable and comprehensive financial reporting.
• Monitor budgets, expenditures, and cash flow; assist with annual budget requests.
• Prepare monthly/quarterly/yearly financial reports for Director and boards.
• Coordinate with external auditors for year-end audits and compliance.
• Manage grant accounting, reimbursements, and grant schedules.
• Review internal control policies and ensure adherence to fiscal requirements.
• Attend library board meetings and respond to financial inquiries.

Skills

Accounting

GAAP

GASB

Budgeting

Financial reporting

Payroll administration

Analytical thinking

Data integrity

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Business/Finance/Accounting

Technical college bookkeeping/accounting certification

Tools

Microsoft Excel

Google Workspace (Docs, Sheets, Drive)

MIP Fund Accounting (preferred)

Job description

Northwest Georgia Regional Library System Business Manager

• Type: Full Time (40 hours / week)
• Position ID: NGRL-BUSINESS-0726
• Salary: $60,000 / year
• Benefits: Participation in Teacher's Retirement System of Georgia pension plan; health, dental, vision and other insurance options; and paid time off including accrued vacation, sick leave, and paid holidays.
• Posted Date: 07/16/2026
• Deadline to Apply: First review of applications will begin on August 10, 2026. Applications received after this date will be reviewed as needed.

Job Summary

Under the direction of the Library Director and Assistant Director, the Business Manager manages the library system’s day-to-day finances and HR administration activities. The Business Manager ensures organizational compliance and serves as a key financial operator and advisor.

This position maintains vital financial, business, and library records while performing essential administrative, payroll, and bookkeeping duties. The Business Manager implements internal accounting procedures to ensure the accuracy and integrity of the library’s financial transactions, collaborating with the administrative team to prepare library budgets and financial reports.

Scope of Authority & Decision-Making

• Operational Autonomy: The Business Manager is expected to manage daily bookkeeping, payroll processing, routine reporting, and HR workflows.
• Collaborative Advisory: This position acts as the primary internal expert on GASB, GAAP, and grant compliance, generating the data and recommendations that shape the library’s financial health. The Business Manager identifies financial trends, spots potential budgetary discrepancies, and proposes proactive solutions to library leadership.
• Final Approval Limits: Final authority for signing contracts, approving unbudgeted expenditures, enacting policy changes, and executing high-level strategic decisions rests solely with the Library Director and/or the Library Board of Trustees.

Essential Job Duties

Financial Management & Advisory

• Accounting Operations: Performs and/or supervises accounts payable and accounts receivable, including comprehensive financial reporting.
• Budget Tracking: Monitors fund balances, expenditures, received revenues, and cash flow. Works closely with the Library Director to prepare the annual budget requests and final local and state budgets.
• Financial Reporting: Prepares monthly, quarterly, and yearly financial reports (including statements of revenue and expenditure) for the Director, library boards, and local, state, and federal agencies. Prepares special financial analyses as requested.
• Audits & Compliance: Coordinates with external auditors and library leadership to ensure timely, clean year-end audits and full compliance with financial deadlines and guidelines.
• Grants Management: Posts all grant account transactions, requests timely reimbursements from federal, state, and local agencies, and maintains a detailed schedule of all federal and state grants.
• Policy Review: Consults with the Library Director on preparing, updating, and enforcing financial policies, controls, and procedures, providing professional recommendations based on current fiscal requirements. Maintains an updated knowledge of the State of Georgia Chart of Accounts.
• Board Engagement: Attends library board meetings and answers operational financial questions as directed by the Director or board members.
• Risk Management: Maintains all required insurance coverage, including worker’s compensation, fiduciary, vehicle, and property insurance.

Human Resources & Administration

• HR Administration: Coordinates routine human resources workflows, including new-hire onboarding, payroll processing, payroll liabilities, and benefits administration.
• Payroll Integrity: Reviews timesheet calculations, and monitors staff leave accrual.
• Record Retention: Manages and maintains personnel records and financial records according to official record retention requirements.

System Support & Professional Growth

• Patron Services: Welcomes and assists a diverse patron population, including English and Spanish speakers. Provides excellent customer service to the public, staff, and the library board.
• Professional Development: Attends workshops, seminars, and training - including financial classes offered by the Georgia Public Library Service - to stay abreast of developments in library operations, financial policies, and staff benefit updates.
• General Duties: Performs other duties as assigned to support the library system.

Requirements of Position

Required Knowledge and Skills

• Thorough knowledge of the principles, practices, and terminology of accounting, as well as financial administration (including budgeting and reporting).
• Knowledge of Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP) and Governmental Accounting Standards Board (GASB) regulations.
• Knowledge of modern office, procedures, equipment, business communications and deep proficiency in office productivity suites, specifically Google Workspace (Docs, Sheets, Drive) and Microsoft Excel.
• Knowledge of and the ability to quickly master specialized financial software programs.
• Ability to effectively schedule, plan, and supervise the work of other staff members.
• Ability to communicate effectively in both oral and written form.
• Exceptional analytical and critical thinking skills, with a proven ability to investigate discrepancies, reconcile balancing issues, and catch and fix errors early.
• Excellent organizational skills with a commitment to high precision, data integrity, and a habit of verifying work for accuracy.

Physical & Operational Demands

• Ability to communicate effectively and to provide excellent customer service to the public.
• Ability to push loaded book trucks weighing up to 100 pounds and carry boxes and materials up to 35 pounds with or without accommodations.
• Ability to remain in a stationary position for extended periods, frequently utilizing a computer, one or more monitors, keyboard, and numeric keypad to enter and analyze complex financial data, with or without reasonable accommodations.
• Must possess a valid driver's license and be able to work days, evenings, and/or weekends as required to meet operational needs.
• Requires travel between regional branches. A library vehicle may be used when available; otherwise, branch travel using a personal vehicle may be required.

Minimum Qualifications

• Education: Bachelor’s degree in Business, Finance, Accounting, or a related field, OR a minimum certification from an accredited technical college in bookkeeping or accounting.
• Experience: Three (3) or more years of progressive responsibility in governmental fund accounting with documented proficiency in accounting software and Microsoft Excel; OR an equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Background Check: Must successfully pass a criminal background check.

Preferred Qualifications

• Prior experience with MIP Fund Accounting software.
• Proficiency in languages other than English.
• Additional degrees or professional certifications in a related field.

NGRL is an Equal Opportunity Employer and a drug-free environment. NGRL is a part of the Georgia Teacher Retirement System (TRS).