Job Title: Chief Financial Officer
Reports To: Superintendent of Schools
Position Summary:
The Chief Financial Officer is a key member of the district leadership team responsible for the overall financial and human resources management of the school district. This position oversees all aspects of the district's financial operations, including budgeting, accounting, payroll, purchasing, and risk management. In addition, this position is responsible for aspects of human resources management, including but limited to, recruitment, employee relations, and compensation and benefits.
Directly Supervises:
- District Treasurer, Payroll Supervisor, Administrative Assistant to the CFO, Accounts Payable and other applicable Business Office personnel;
- May direct, through supervisory staff, district facility/maintenance operations, district transportation operations, district culinary operations.
Qualifications:
- Valid NYSED certification in SDBL, SBA, SDL, SDA, or NYS licensed Certified Public Accountant (CPA).
- Master's degree in Business Administration, Finance, Education Administration, or a related field preferred.
- Experience in the field of Education totaling at least three (3) years.
- Experience in the field of Finance- grant writing, auditing, risk assessment, cash flow management, regulatory & financial reporting.
- Broad knowledge of the principles and practices of governmental business management.
- Strong knowledge of applicable federal, state, and local laws and regulations related to finance and human resources.
- Excellent analytical, problem-solving, and decision-making skills.
- Strong communication and interpersonal skills, including the ability to effectively communicate with a diverse range of stakeholders.
- Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite and other relevant software applications.
- Experience with school district financial software preferred.
- Applicable qualifications may be added or substituted at the discretion of the Board of Education and/or Superintendent.
Key Competencies:
- Leadership: Ability to lead, motivate, and mentor a team of professionals.
- Financial Acumen: Strong understanding of financial principles and practices.
- Strategic Planning: Ability to develop and implement long-term strategic plans.
- Communication: Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
- Interpersonal Skills: Ability to build and maintain strong relationships with stakeholders.
- Problem-Solving: Ability to identify and solve complex problems effectively.
- Ethics and Integrity: Commitment to high ethical standards and professional conduct.
Required Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:
- Broad knowledge of the principles and practices of governmental business management as applied to the mission, activities, and procedures of the District.
- Broad and comprehensive knowledge of sound business-like financial management systems, public school district finance, and school district operations.
- Skill in advancing and understanding the District’s business operations, educational initiatives, and communicating District policies and programs.
- Ability to make timely, appropriate, and accurate decisions; provide analyses, evaluations, and judgments as needed.
- Ability to manage fiscal and physical resources and to direct the operations of a broad range of activities through subordinates to successfully execute the department’s responsibilities.
- Ability to supervise and evaluate personnel.
- Ability to participate in budget development and expenditure management; design, develop, and direct the implementation of plans and programs.
- High proficiency in school district accounting, reporting, the use of Excel, and preparing complex reports.
- Thorough knowledge of BOCES aid, budgeting, liability and casualty insurance programs, municipality purchasing regulations and cooperative purchasing agreements, tax collection, fund, and cost accounting, and generally accepted accounting and auditing principles.
- Ability to communicate skillfully, make formal oral and written presentations, and participate fluently in meetings.
Essential Duties and Responsibilities:
- Financial Management:
- Provide leadership in the creation of financial and operational systems that support the development and monitoring of the annual administrative, capital, and departmental budgets.
- Develop and manage the annual district budget, including revenue projections, expenditure planning, and capital improvement planning.
- Oversee all aspects of district accounting, including accounts payable, accounts receivable, and payroll processing.
- Ensure compliance with all applicable federal, state, and local financial regulations.
- Complete all certification forms for grant funded positions.
- Prepare, maintain and adjust the BOCES budget.
- Monitor and control district expenditures to ensure they are within budget.
- Manage the district's investment portfolio and ensure the safety and security of district funds.
- Conduct and facilitate regular and required financial audits and prepare financial reports for the Board of Education and other stakeholders.
- Manage the district's risk management program, including insurance coverage and claims management.
- Coordinate the presentation, justification, and preparation of additional analyses required for budget proposal action by the Board.
- Supervise all office accounting, the District Treasurer and the School Activities Treasurer (for Extra-Curricular funds).
- Human Resources Management:
- Develop and implement HR policies and procedures in accordance with applicable laws and regulations.
- Oversee the recruitment and onboarding of all district employees.
- Administer employee compensation and benefits programs, including health insurance, retirement plans, and other employee benefits.
- Ensure compliance with all applicable labor laws and regulations.
-
- Financial Planning and Reporting
- Provide guidance, assistance, and direction in all financial matters that address the needs of the district.
- Develop specialized and analytical reports for both short and long-term financial and operational decisions.
- Prepare and submit state reports, performing audits and revisions as needed.
- Manage financial records and compliance reporting for capital projects, ensuring voter-approved budgets are maintained.
- Administer all debt service management functions, bond payments, borrowing funds, and payment distribution, including initiating short-term and capital project borrowing processes as needed.
- Monitor investment opportunities for District funds to maximize cash flow and revenues.
- Provide financial projections and analyses for labor negotiations, supporting the Superintendent and Board, and negotiating with staff as required.
- Review monthly financial reports, including the Treasurer’s report and budget status reports.
- Oversee the administration of local, state and federal grants that the school district receives including timely and accurate reporting of all FS-10, FS-25, and final expenditure reports.
- Manage district investments, tax warrant preparation, calculation of tax levy apportionment, and equalization processes to optimize tax allocations.
-
- Purchasing and Procurement
-
- Supervise the administration of the comprehensive program designed to procure goods and services in a timely and cost-effective manner in compliance with laws and Board Policies.
- Oversee purchasing of supplies and equipment through competitive bidding, quotations, and negotiations, ensuring cost-effective and compliant procurement practices.
- Track price trends, market conditions, and new products to optimize district purchasing decisions.
- Prepare and manage bidding documents, requisitions, and inventory of district assets.
- Work with other administrators on Requests for Proposals and Bids in compliance with New York State laws, regulations, and Board Policies.
- Other Duties as Assigned:
- Serve as a liaison between the district and external agencies, such as the state education finance department and the auditors.
- Attend Board of Education meetings and provide financial and human resources updates.
- Perform such other duties and assume other responsibilities as the Superintendent may assign.