Christine Stroh, Computerized Accounting
Coastline ROP

Purpose of Externship

SchoolsFirst Federal Credit Union





What is a credit union

Background
Interview with Comptroller

Education and Job Description

Job Description
Interview with Human Resource Analyst

Education and Job Description

Organizational Chart
Interview with Human Resource Recruiter

Education and Job Description

Careers with College Degrees: Financial Analyst, Manager Membership Development, Manager Payroll

Careers with High School Diplomas: Accounting Rep, Members Service Rep, Telephone Service Rep

How to Get Hired: the resume, the Interview, tests, and training
Interview with Vice President of Branches



Education and Job Description
Wisdom for my students

Summary--My thoughts

Abilities and skills taught in Accounting class

Employment opportunities after high school graduation

Personal skills required
Thank you
 Purpose

of Externship
The Career Technology Education Community
Collaborative Grant mission is to bring
Community Colleges, K-12, ROP and local
community business partners together in order to
collaborate on career technology education.

To learn about
Organization of industry
Career and job opportunities
How to obtain employment
Employer/employee expectations
Educational expectations
Experience or additional requirements
 SchoolsFirst
Federal Credit Union
A not-for-profit organization rooted in the credit
union philosophy of “People Helping People,”
 Built on traditional values of commitment to
service, respect for the individual, and fiscal
responsibility.
 Hold themselves to the highest standard of
integrity, professional ethics, cooperation, and
team spirit.

 Credit
unions are not-for-profit financial
cooperatives created to encourage savings and
provide a source of credit for individuals of
limited and moderate means.
 Credit
unions were founded on the principle of
"not for profit, not for charity, but for service."
The philosophy of "people helping people" is the
cornerstone of our movement.
 Credit
union Members share ownership of their
credit union, and have democratic control (one
Member, one vote). They elect from their midst a
volunteer Board of Director.
Credit unions, like other financial institutions,
are closely regulated. The National Credit Union
Share Insurance Fund, administered by the
National Credit Union Administration, an agency
of the federal government, insures deposits of
credit union members at more than 11,000
federal and state-chartered credit unions
nationwide. Deposits are insured up to $250,000.
 A credit union differs from a bank or savings and
loan because it operates as a financial
cooperative. Rather than paying stockholders
dividends, all credit union excess earnings are
passed along to its Members in the form of
competitive rates, additional products and
services, and lower fees.






Founded in 1934 when a group of 126 school employees
pooled together $1200 to form a financial cooperative.
Their philosophy
 Not for profit, not for charity, but for service
Now serves more than 2000 times the number of members
One of the best capitalized credit unions in the country.
Serves 28 locations throughout Riverside, San Bernardino,
Los Angeles, and Orange counties and over 915
Teammembers.
With Robin Patino
SchoolsFirst Comptroller
 Comptroller
since 2004

Responsibilities include managing the financial department for SchoolsFirst.

Oversees financial reports within the organization and audits conducted from
outside public accounting firms
 Certified
Public Accountant

A certified public accountant is licensed by the state.

In California, you are required to demonstrate knowledge and competence by
passing an exam, meeting high educational standards, and you must complete a
specified amount of general accounting experience.
 Auditor
in public accounting firm in Boston

Accountants help to ensure that firms are run efficiently, public records kept accurately, and
taxes paid properly and on time.

They analyze and communicate financial information for various entities such as companies,
individual clients, and Federal, State, and local governments.

They provide information to clients by preparing, analyzing, and verifying financial
documents—many accountants also offer budget analysis, financial and investment planning,
 Job

Description
Basic Function: The comptroller position is
accountable for the accounting operations of the
company



includes the production of periodic financial reports
maintenance of an adequate system of accounting
records and comprehensive set of controls and budgets
designed to mitigate risk
enhance the accuracy of the company's reported
financial results, and ensure that reported results
comply with generally accepted accounting principles
or international financial reporting standards.
With Matt Weiss
Human Resource Analysts
 Education


Bachelors degree in Economics from University of
California, Santa Cruz
Worked in SchoolsFirst Accounting department
for several years
 Job


Description
Performs professional analysis in recruiting and
testing, classification, compensation, and other
areas of human resources management
Gathers, evaluates, and analyzes a wide variety
of data and information; and performs related
duties as required.
With Kerry Sipkovich
Human Resource Recruiter
 Background


Degree in Psychology
Worked in London for several years in a
employment recruiting office
 Job




description
Develop and execute recruiting plans.
Network through industry contacts, association
memberships, trade groups and employees
Coordinate and implement college recruiting
initiatives.
Main job is to match the right candidate with the
right position

Financial Analyst
Analyzes and interprets financial data to help the CFO and
senior management
 Responsible for monthly reports related to loans
 Participates in formulating projected income and expense
budgets
 Prepares various statistical and financial reports


Education/Experience
College degree in Finance or Accounting
 Work experience—2-4 years

 Manager,
Membership Development
Oversees daily operational goals to ensure properly allocated
resources result in high quality service and maximum
productivity.
 Manages employees by establishing annual performance goals,
allocating resources, assessing annual performance and
determining individual merit, and/or promotional increases.
 Responds to telephone and written inquiries, researches
problems, and provides information to requesting party. Assists
employees with Member service conflicts and written
correspondence.

 Education/Experience
Bachelor's Degree preferred
 Work experience--3-5 years and knowledge of educational
community preferred.

 Manager,
Payroll Services
Oversees daily operational goals to ensure properly allocated
resources result in high quality service and maximum
productivity.
 Manages employees by establishing annual performance goals,
allocating resources, assessing annual performance and
determining individual merit, and/or promotional increases.
 Responds to telephone and written inquiries, researches
problems, and provides information to requesting party. Assists
employees with Member service conflicts and written
correspondence.

 Education
and Experience
Bachelor's Degree preferred
 Work experience--3-5 years and knowledge of educational
community preferred.

 Accounting





Maintain and reconcile general ledger accounts
Accounts Payable—codes invoices and vouchers
Processes stop payments and cash orders
Maintain records of fixed assets and wire
transfers
Balance daily teller cash
 Education


Representative I
and Experience
High school diploma
Work experience—1-2 years or some college
(Associate Degree)
 Member



Service Representative I
Process member transactions efficiently and
accurately with personal care
Performs various file maintenance including
processing requests for change of address, check
orders, ordering ATM, etc.
Maintains confidentiality of credit union and
member records.
 Education


and Experience
High school diploma
Work experience—0-6 months
 Telephone



Processes member transactions, provides product
and service information over the phone.
Informs member of credit union promotions
and/or new products and services
Indentifies and corrects member account
problems through research and follow-up
 Education


Service Representative
and Experience
High school diploma
Work experience—1-2 years or some college
(Associate Degree)
 The
Resume
Keep to one page
 No spelling or grammar errors
 Be specific; review the job description and address company
needs

 The
Interview
Dress professionally
 Practice with friends and family
 Be prepared to respond to situational
questions such as:
 “What would you do if . . . ”
 “How would you handle a customer if . . . “

(Continue on next Page)
 Tests
Basics tests in English, Grammar, Math
 Personality tests to see what job you would
be suited for

 Training

Member Service Representative attend an eight day training to
learn the following





How to navigate through the online system
Basics of handling cash
Customer service procedures
Telephone service
Training in specific areas are conducted offsite
With Susie Silk
Vice President, Branches
 Education

Started working at SchoolsFirst after high school

Attended Community College majoring in Business

Attended Chapman University and earned a degree in Business

Throughout the years, SchoolsFirst continued to promote her with the
organization.

Currently Vice President in charge of half of the 35 branches
 Job
Description

Responsible for leading a credit union branch.

Ensure branch staff is providing quality service to members in all areas of branch
operations.

Identifying and developing talented employees to become future leaders within
the organization.

Provide constant feedback to employees about their performance.

Supervise Branch Employees

Create and execute the branch business plan.

Sell products and services to members.
Information Gathered During Externship
My thoughts
This was a great experience. What I learned confirmed what I was
doing in the classroom.
I became excited about telling my students that a career in finance
is so worthwhile.
Able to stress the importance of communication and teamwork
because it is so very important.
There are many jobs my students can apply for right out of high
school with the right training. The more education you have, the
better the position, but you can also grow from within.
Lifelong learning is vital in the work environment.
Technology is essential in today’s workplace. Especially in Microsoft
Word and Excel.
Employers are looking for people who are able to think critically.
I formed a partnership with the people I spent time with and will
have them as guest speakers in my classroom.
 Necessary



A basic understanding of accounting cycle is
essential in securing a job in finance
Knowledge of general ledger transactions
Understanding of financial statements
 Ability



skills for a career in finance
to communicate effectively
To explain financial reporting to managers in written
and verbal communication
To work in a team environment
To communicate complicated financial information to
customers
 The
following jobs require a high school
diploma and a few years experience with
training in handling cash and customer
service

Accounting Representative 1

Member Service Representative I

Telephone Representative
 Ability
to work in teams
 Communication skills
 Ability to solve problems
 Critical thinking skills
 Ability to work with customers
 Knowledge of sales techniques in order to
introduce customers to new products
 Ability to navigate through technology and to
assist customers in their technology needs
 Knowledge in basic financial areas covered in
a credit union.
Robin
Pantino
Matt Weiss
Kerry Sipkovich
Susie Silk
For the time you took to teach me about
credit unions and careers my students may
explore.