Secretary-Treasurer

The Secretary-Treasurer’s department provides leadership in managing the financial operations of Winnipeg School Division by developing and supporting financial policies and key financial and administrative functions.

Our mandate is to conduct the financial and business affairs of WSD in accordance with Provincial Legislation and responsible business and financial management practices. The department has administrative, operational, and policy making responsibilities in the following areas: Board of trustees, budget process management, accounting, accounts payable, internal audit, payroll, pension and employee benefits, purchasing, and transportation and permits.

The Secretary-Treasurer’s Department is responsible for the following functions:

• Financial management of WSD
• Financial and administrative management of the Pension Fund for Employees Other Than Teachers; and
• Financial management of the function of the Investment Committee including investment responsibility for the Children’s Heritage Education Fund, Margaret Crawford Trust Fund, and the Reserve Fund for Buildings (Insurance)

Accounting

Winnipeg School Division’s accounting staff is responsible for performing the following functions:

• Manages and coordinates the preparation of the Annual June 30 Consolidated Financial Statements of Revenues, Expenses and Accumulated Surplus in compliance with the Public Schools Act.
• Manages and coordinates the preparation of the Annual March 31 Summary Budgeting and Reporting information to be reported to the Province of Manitoba, resulting in the consolidation of school division financial information into Provincial Financial Statements.
• Manages and coordinates the preparation of the Annual December 31 Financial Statements for the Pension Fund for Employees Other Than Teachers, Children’s Heritage Education Endowment Fund and The Margaret Crawford Fund.
• Provides monthly financial information to the Investment Committee to assist in the management of Investments for WSD’s three Specific Purpose funds (Pension Fund, Children’s Heritage Education Endowment Fund and Margaret Crawford Fund).

Accounts Payable

The Accounts Payable Section is responsible for processing for payment all supplier invoices for equipment, services and supplies payable by WSD (except for major Public Schools Finance Board funding projects). In addition, this section ensures that proper receipt documentation is received from schools and departments as part of the payment process and reviews all school reimbursement requests for local purchases.

Budget Section

The Budget Section is part of the CFO and Secretary-Treasurer’s Department and is responsible for overseeing division-wide budget planning, variance analysis, year-end projections, budget assessment and allocation, research and costing, and providing advice and assistance to other WSD staff regarding budgetary issues.

The staff are responsible for: managing the development of the annual budget for the WSD; providing expert reporting and budgetary analysis; consulting with, and providing assistance to all levels of staff regarding budgetary issues.

Risk Management & Assurance Services

Risk Management & Assurance Services reports both functionally and administratively to the Secretary-Treasurer/Chief Financial Officer of Winnipeg School Division.

The purpose of Risk Management & Assurance Services is to support the division’s mission objectives by providing independent and objective assurance services designed to evaluate and improve the effectiveness of risk management, accountability, control and governance processes.

Risk Management & Assurance Services is responsible for performing, but not exclusively, the following functions:

• Provide independent assurance to Senior Management and the Board of Trustees that the division's objectives are being successfully met,
• Identify, manage, and assist with the mitigation of risks,
• Evaluate and analyze opportunities; and
• Collaborate and participate with Winnipeg School Division's community to bring value to our policies, processes, and procedures.

Purchasing

The Purchasing Section is responsible for purchasing equipment, services and supplies for all schools and departments within WSD in accordance with division policy and the Public Schools Act. Other functions which are performed by this section include:

• Disposal of surplus equipment, print materials and supplies.
• Maintaining the Division moveable equipment inventory.
• Arrangements for the maintenance and repair of WSD equipment.

Enrolment

The Enrolment Section of the Secretary Treasurer’s Department is responsible for the verification and reporting of all students attending a WSD School and/or Program, each September 29, to the Department of Education. WSD is required to report student data in accordance with the Public School Enrolment and Categorical Grants Reporting instruction booklet.