Chief Financial Officer

Oklahoma City, OK
United States

Description: The Chief Financial Officer (CFO) ensures the short and long term prudent fiscal operation of the school division, including management of all assets and liabilities; leads the division in implementing best practices in public sector financial management and planning; manages and provides oversight for all financial and related services; collaborates with the Superintendent to lead the budget process and communicate with all stakeholders; administers the distribution of financial resources in accordance with allocations determined by the School Board and administration. This job reports to the Superintendent.

Purpose Statement The job of Chief Financial Officer is done for the purpose/s of managing business and financial services to ensure that the School District derives maximum educational benefits from the expenditures of school funds; providing information and serving as a resource to others; achieving defined objectives by planning, evaluating, developing, implementing and maintaining services in compliance with established guidelines.

Qualifications Education: A Master's degree in finance, business administration, or Bachelor’s degree with years of service in a related field required.

Certificates & Licenses: Certified Public Accountant preferred but not required.

Experience:

A minimum of five years’ experience in a supervisory or management position in finance and administration in the private or public sector.
Experience with public sector budget processes required. Experience in a public-school setting preferred. Successful experience in the oversight, financial control and supervision of budgeting, accounting, federal and state grants payroll, and procurement.
Key Competencies:

Ability to communicate effectively (both orally and in writing) with school personnel, senior leadership, parents, government agencies, and members of the community.
Skilled with data analysis to solve problems and recommend solutions which are consistent with organizational objectives.
Knowledge to review and interpret highly technical information, write policies and procedures, and/or speak persuasively to implement desired actions; and analyze situations to define issues and draw conclusions.
Thorough knowledge of the principles, procedures, and practices of public-school operations, development of a public budget, and understanding of the interaction of the various departments within a school division.
Experience applying federal, state, and local laws, rules, and regulations governing public school finance.
Have a proven track record of demonstrating a high level of integrity, modelling excellence and ethical behavior, and possessing the ability to resist pressure to compromise organization’s core values.
Analyzes a variety of financial information (e.g. budget variances, cost projections, etc.) for the purpose of providing direction and support, making recommendations, maximizing use of funds, and/or ensuring overall operations are within budget.
Collaborates with internal and external personnel (e.g. other administrators, auditors, public agencies, community members, etc.) for the purpose of implementing and/or maintaining services and programs.
Compiles data from a wide variety of sources for the purpose of analyzing issues, ensuring compliance with organization policies and procedures, and/or monitoring program components.
Develops special and regular financial reports (e.g. long-term financial plans, bond and override elections, etc.) for the purpose of ensuring resources are available to maintain district facilities, construct new facilities when needed and to fulfill the district's educational mission.
Executes an annual budget process that communicates the needs identified by the Superintendent and School Board and results in approval of the required funding by the school board.
Supervises the major functions of a finance department: Budget Development and Monitoring, Financial Reporting, Accounts Payable, and Employee Reimbursements, Audit Management, Payroll, Procurement, Financial Systems Management, and Financial Advisory to Superintendent/Board/Leadership/Principals.
Leads the division in fiscal planning and management in development and implementation of appropriate regulations, monitoring processes, and internal audit procedures.
Provides useful, timely financial reports to convey information to the School Board and the Division program managers on a regular basis.
Serves as investment officer to invest available funds as per district policy.
Directs the funding development of a continuing Capital Improvement Program.
Ensures the execution and implementation of sound financial management practices to guarantee purchase of good quality supplies, services and materials at competitive prices.
Prepares and presents long range financial plans and forecasts, and communicates fiscal matters to the School Board, staff, and community.
Establishes policies and procedures to ensure strong internal controls.
Responsible for direct supervision of the business office employees.
Provides financial guidance, support and protocols to assist schools and departments in developing and maintaining their site-based budgets.
Collaborates with all WHPS schools and departments to ensure open communication and coordination of fiscal responsibilities.
Assists other personnel and performs other duties as may be required to ensure an efficient and effective work environment.
Acts as Superintendent’s designee in division wide financial matters.