Guided by a deep commitment to financial stewardship, Trenda L. Long has formed a career that reflects integrity and dedication to the Buckeye Elementary School District Number 33. For more than four decades, she has been a trusted presence within the district, known for bringing clarity, structure, and care to its most complex financial operations. In her role as the finance coordinator, she manages account codes within the district’s finance software, approves requisitions, and processes employee personnel requests to ensure all activity complies with Arizona state statutes.
Ms. Long’s responsibilities also include reconciling bank accounts, preparing journal entries to resolve discrepancies, and being the primary point of support for staff navigating district finance procedures. She posts deposits into the general ledger following accounts receivable processing, verifies these deposits with the bank, and finalizes the entries that keep district operations running smoothly. She also proofreads annual financial reports and prepares detailed submissions for the governing board on tax credits, student activities and auxiliary funds.
Ms. Long’s educational background includes a Bachelor of Science in business administration and management from Grand Canyon University in Phoenix. This academic preparation gave her a strong grounding in organizational management and accounting principles that supported her early success and laid the foundation for her longevity in school finance administration. The knowledge she gained proved essential as her responsibilities expanded and the district’s needs became increasingly complex.
Throughout her career, Ms. Long has been instrumental in managing and mastering United States Financial Reporting coding and maintaining general fixed assets. She considers this mastery her greatest professional accomplishment, as it has been central to ensuring the district’s financial systems remain accurate, reliable, and compliant with all required standards. Her work has strengthened internal processes, supported transparency, and upheld the operational integrity that parents, staff, and community members depend on.
Ms. Long’s involvement with the Arizona Association of School Business Officials reflects her commitment to continuous learning and engagement within her professional community. This affiliation has allowed her to stay informed about emerging regulations, evolving best practices, and industry-wide trends that shape the work of school finance professionals across the state.
Ms. Long’s career began with a consortium that managed grant funding for small schools unable to independently employ psychologists and speech therapists. The consortium distributed specialists across multiple sites according to each school’s percentage share of funding. During this time, she handled grants, special education documentation, and an array of administrative responsibilities essential to ensuring that services reached students in need. When the consortium disbanded as districts expanded their capacity, she transitioned into accounts payable while continuing to manage grant-related documentation and support.
Over time, Ms. Long broadened her responsibilities to include fixed assets management and budget work, playing a pivotal role in the migration of financial software systems and eventually becoming the person responsible for creating account codes, assisting with budgets, and reconciling bank statements. She attributes her success to meticulous attention to detail, a love of problem-solving, and a persistent drive for accuracy. She is especially motivated by the challenge of reconciling journal entries and resolving discrepancies, finding satisfaction in restoring balance and clarity where needed.
Beyond her professional contributions, Ms. Long has been an active participant in her community. She has coached volleyball and tennis at Buckeye Union High School, volunteered at First Southern Baptist Church of Buckeye, and worked as secretary for the Buckeye Sportsman Gun Club. Her service to the community was recognized when she received the Buckeye Rocks Award from the City of Buckeye, an honor that reflects her generosity, involvement, and positive impact beyond the district.
Born in Mesa, Ms. Long enjoys a full life outside her professional commitments. She is devoted to her family, including her son, and takes pride in the time they share together. As she looks ahead, she plans to retire from her role at Buckeye Elementary School District Number 33 and pursue travel with her husband while continuing to serve as treasurer at her church, auditor for her bowling league, and secretary for her gun club. She also hopes to complete long-awaited projects around their home and enjoy the freedom to explore new places at a relaxed pace.