Chief of Finance and Operations

Primary Purpose:

Responsible for oversight of all financial and business affairs of the district. Provide leadership for the district’s financial services activity to ensure legally sound and effective management practices. Direct and monitor the management and investment of all district funds and ensure they are adequately protected. Serve as chief financial advisor and budget advisor to the superintendent and board of trustees. Responsible for overall managment, strategic planning, development, evaluation, and implementation of district maintenance, child nutrition, warehousing, and transportation functions.

Minimum Qualifications:

Education/Certification:

• Bachelor’s degree in business, accounting, or other related field
• Candidate must have satisfactory outcome of fingerprinting background check. Non-refundable fee (approximately $50) paid by employee.

Experience/Knowledge/Skills:

• Advanced knowledge of school finance, budgeting, accounting systems, and economics
• Knowledge of information/data processing systems and financial applications
• Ability to resolve conflict, listen, and appropriately respond to concerns
• Demonstrated leadership skills
• Ability to manage budget and personnel
• Ability to implement policy and procedures
• Ability to interpret data
• Excellent communication, public relations, and interpersonal skills

Experience:

• 5 years administrative or management experience
• 5 years experience with supervisory responsibility in the fields of finance or accounting preferred

Major Responsibilities and Duties:

(The following statements describe the general purpose and responsibilities assigned and should not be construed as an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, skills, efforts, or working conditions that may be assigned or skills that may be required.)

Professionalism

The Educators' Code of Ethics is set forth in Texas Administrative Code to provide rules for standard practices and ethical conduct toward students, professional colleagues, school officials, parents, and members of the community.

• Rule §247.1 Purpose and Scope; Definitions
• Rule §247.2 Code of Ethics and Standard Practices for Texas Educators

Financial Management

The CFO assists with fostering analytical and collaborative environment activities such as the following:

• Ensure preparation and integrity of all district general accounting records and related financial reports using accepted standards for school accounting as prescribed by the Texas Education Agency.
• Develop long-range and short-term objectives for district’s business operations and prepare district budget. Monitor budget variances and oversee budget adjustments.
• Act as financial advisor to the superintendent and board of trustees and keep them informed of the financial condition of the district.
• Maintain the district’s investment portfolio. Supervise and coordinate the investment of all available funds to the best interest of the school district and ensure that these funds are adequately protected against loss at all times.
• Ensure that all financial obligations of the school district (accounts payable, notes payable, bonded indebtedness, and payroll) are met on a timely basis.
• Implement and maintain internal control procedures to ensure the safeguarding of assets and reliability of accounting data and to promote operational efficiency and ensure adherence to prescribed procedures.
• Implement, maintain, and oversee the district benefits plan.
• Oversee the auditing program for all district funds and work cooperatively with the district’s independent and internal auditors in conducting periodic audits.
• Administer the business office budget and ensure that programs are cost effective and funds are managed prudently.
• Attend board meetings and make presentations when appropriate and/or requested.

Legal and Policy Management

The CFO manages administrative, fiscal, and facilities functions responsibly through activities such as the following:

• Review and recommend appropriate policies, administrative regulations, and administrative practices for the areas supervised.
• Implement the policies established by federal and state laws, State Board of Education rule, and local Board policy in the areas assigned.
• Compile, maintain, and file all physical and computerized reports, records, and other documents required including preparing and evaluating monthly financial statements and related budget reports, preparing quarterly and final reports for all federal funds and grants, developing semi-annual financial information for submission of data to TEA, and preparing and publishing comprehensive annual financial report in compliance with Association of School Business Officer (ASBO) standards.
• Follow district safety protocols and emergency procedures.

Communication and Community Relations

The CFO promotes a positive tone for school or community relations through activities such as the following:

• Serve as a member of the Superintendent’s Cabinet and attend board meetings as a resource for the board of trustees.
• Keep the Superintendent and Board informed of the business and operations affairs of the district.
• Demonstrate awareness of district and community needs.
• Oversee and facilitate bond activities.

Professional Growth and Development

The CFO provides leadership in professional growth and development through activities such as the following:

• Serves as a technical resource to other staff for the purpose of providing support, information, and/or training and ensuring that the district needs are met.
• Participate in national and state level organizations to stay abreast of latest research and best practices.
• Attend professional development opportunities related to designated area.
• Read, synthesize, and disseminate research and information related to best practices from books, journals, listservs, Websites, and other media formats.
• Participate in all meetings and staff development activities to improve job-related skills.
• Stay current on all applicable laws and training

Qualities of an Effective Chief Financial Officer

The CFO exhibits qualities such as the following:

• Daily attendance and punctuality at work are essential functions of the job.
• Correct unsafe conditions in work area and report any conditions that are not correctable to appropriate person immediately.
• Shall comply with District policies, as well as state and federal laws and regulations.
• Shall comply with the standards of conduct set out in Board Policy DH (Legal) and (Local) and with any other policies, regulations, and guidelines that impose duties, requirements, or standards.
• Perform other duties as assigned by the Superintendent.

Personnel Management

• Select, train, evaluate, and supervise department staff and make recommendations relative to assignment, retention, discipline, and dismissal.
• Develop training options and improvement plans for department staff to enhance the effectiveness of department operations.

Supervisory Responsibilities:

Supervise, evaluate, and make employment recommendations of the business office personnel

Equipment:

Computer, computer software programs and peripherals, scanner, printer, copier, fax and other equipment applicable to position.

Working Conditions:

Mental Demands/Physical Demands/Environmental Factors

• Maintain emotional control under stress.
• Work with frequent interruptions and maintain emotional control under stress.
• Repetitive hand motions; prolonged sitting and prolonged use of computer.
• Work irregular and extended work hours to include holidays and weekends.
• May require prolonged use of computer, moderate standing, stooping, bending, and lifting.
• Occasional district wide and statewide travel.
• Frequent exposure to: temperature extremes (hot and cold), humidity extremes, noise, low or intense illumination vibration. Occasional exposure to: biological hazards (communicable diseases, bacteria, insects, mold, fungi, etc.), work outside, work around moving objects or vehicles, work on uneven surfaces.

The foregoing statements describe the general purpose and responsibilities assigned to this job and are not an exhaustive list of all responsibilities and duties that may be assigned or skills that may be required.