SELMA — Two down, four to go.

The Selma City School Board selection committee interviewed the first two certified school financial officer candidates Wednesday, Willie Johnson W Johnson resume and Adondra Williams.A. Williams resume

“I applied for this position because I feel I am capable of completing the job,” Johnson said.

She is employed as the payroll clerk for the Selma City Schools, a position where she must adhere to strict deadlines to process salaries of employees.

Her master’s degree is in accounting from Troy University Montgomery, bachelor’s degree from Troy in 2006 and associate degree in computer science from Wallace Community College Selma.

Teamwork will be essential to complete budgets because the superintendent,

principals and program coordinators need to communicate frequently, Johnson said.

“Budgets are not done by one person,” Johnson said. “Teamwork is very important. It is not a one-person show. It is going to take all of us employees of Selma City Schools working together to ensure that the system moves forward in a financially sound manner.”

Williams works as administrative assistant to the director of business affairs at Concordia College. She earned her bachelor’s degree in business administration from Concordia College Selma in 2003.

“This type of work is my passion,” Williams said. “I love working with numbers and making things balance.”

To keep the system financial healthy, Williams will give frequent reports to the superintendent and board outlining and monitoring spending so money will not be spent on extraneous things.

“I would make sure that [the superintendent] gets reports on a regular basis, make sure that the spending is not excessive in what’s on the budget, make sure that whatever you are purchasing, as far as guidelines on the budget, make sure it is within those guidelines,” Williams said. “And make sure that you have money to operate and that you always have money in the reserves to take care of any emergencies that may come up, but not mess with the reserve, but only in an emergency situation.”

After interviewing these candidates, Selma City Schools interim Superintendent Don Jefferson feels the interviewing allotment of one hour per person is enough time for candidates to express themselves, but the selection committee will be flexible if future interviews need more time.

“I thought that it was an interview process that went well,” Jefferson said.

Henry Hicks, school board president, attended the interviews Wednesday and plans to attend the remaining interviews.

“I think it’s good for us to be able to sit in on the interviews,” Hicks said. “It will help us to when we start making our final decision. I think we’re going to get a good CSFO out of this and the process.”

Grindal Harris and Cynthia Mitchell will interview today starting at 5:30 p.m.

Harris, of Selma, earned an associate degree in computer science from Wallace Community College Selma and bachelor’s degree in accounting from the University of Alabama Birmingham.

She has worked as a student financial aid assistant, administrative assistant, bookkeeper, receptionist, statistical technician, accounting manager and senior accountant.

Mitchell, of Selma, earned a bachelor’s in business administration and accounting from the College of New Jersey. She has worked as a state auditor, accountant, accounts payable supervisor, financial cost analyst, general accountant and city treasurer.

Elouise Brown and Shasta Brown will interview on Sept. 7 at 5:30 p.m.

Elouise Brown, of Selma, earned a master’s degree in business management from Troy University; a bachelor’s degree in business from the University of Alabama and attended Wallace Community College Selma.

She has worked in customer service, accounts payable, as a bookkeeper and payroll clerk.

Shasta Brown, of Selma, earned a master’s degree in accounting from Troy University Montgomery; a bachelor’s degree in accounting from Auburn University Montgomery and is working on a degree in human resources management at Troy University Montgomery.

She has worked as an accountant and office manager.

Here is the audio of Johnson’s interview:

Here is the audio of the interview with Williams: