• Misty Rider: Accounting Manager, Bellefonte Area School District

    mriderDistrict Accounting Manager Misty Rider has a passion for numbers. Calling accounting an “art,” she added that the figures tell a story and it’s her job to relay it.

    “I like analyzing numbers, and seeing where our strengths and weaknesses are, and how we can get better,” she said.

    Wrapping up her 18th year with Bellefonte Area School District, Rider started in a new position as the accounting manager last year and processes payroll for the district. She also analyzes revenues and expenditures, reconciles bank statements, assists with the yearly budget, works with auditors and more. She comes to the position with more than 11 years in accounting experience from Uni-Mart and has an associate’s degree from South Hills School of Business.

    “I’m fortunate as the accounting manager to be part of a strong district accounting team,” she said. “My colleagues at central office are my work family. It makes coming to work easier, fun and it’s amazing what gets done when we work together as a team.”

    In particular, she said she enjoys attending the district’s opening day or professional learning events where she can meet employees.

    “I think I have the ability to touch each person in the district in a small way rather than just seeing 400 names, so when I get out, it’s nice to put a face to all the names,” Rider said.

    When not working, Rider has many hobbies, which include spending time with family, going to auctions, gardening, raising chickens and relaxing on her front porch. Calling her four chickens “her ladies,” she became interested in raising them because of her daughter, who showed chickens, and their mutual involvement with 4-H. Rider also has two classic cars – a 1968 Chevy Camaro and a 1995 Z28 – which she has a goal to completely restore the ’68 in memory of her father.

    *By Brit Milazzo, public relations director, BASD