Chief Financial Officer

Job Summary: To manage the fiscal affairs of the school system through installation and maintenance of an integrated system to plan fiscal needs, to ensure valid disclosure of receipts and disbursements and to make sound investments of any cash balances. The Chief Financial Officer interprets and follows regulations prescribed by the Local Government Commission, funding agencies and the Board of Education. The Chief Financial Officer exercises discretionary judgment in the resolution of operational problems and correction of the resulting effects of these. The employee receives general direction and the work is evaluated through accomplishments and the reports of official audits. Direct supervision is exercised over the staff in the finance department.

Reports To:  Superintendent

Supervises:  Assistant Finance Officer, Accounting Specialist, Payroll Clerks, Fiscal Specialist-Purchasing/Fixed Assets

Terms of Employment: 12 months, with salary to be established on the North Carolina State Salary Schedule.

Duties and Responsibilities: 

• Responsible for all Finance functions.
• Develop and administer multi-million dollar budget.
• Maintain a computerized accounting system in accordance with Governmental Generally Accepted Accounting Principles.
• Maintain a computerized payroll accounting system in accordance with applicable laws and regulations.
• Recommend, develop and administer local policies relating to fiscal management. Assists in recommending, developing, and administering administrative and personnel policies.
• Risk Management.
• Cash Management.
• Prepare financial reports monthly and at other times as requested by the superintendent and local board.
• Prepare monthly, quarterly and annual reports as required by other agencies.
• Maintain an adequate system of internal controls including property and inventory accounting.
• Maintain accounting system in the individual schools.
• Maintain a system of contracting and purchasing procedures, including the issuance of the pre-audit certificate.
• Coordinate the preparation of the annual budget and any amendments as appropriate.
• Provide guidance for the financial management system for child nutrition and other special fund operations.
• Carry out all assigned responsibilities in accordance with federal, state, and local laws and applicable rules and regulations.
• Keep the accounts of the local school administrative unit in accordance with generally accepted principles of government accounting, the rules and regulations of the Local Government Commission.
• Sign and issue all checks, drafts, and State warrants by the local school administrative unit, investing idle cash, and receiving and depositing all monies accruing to the local school administrative unit.
• Responsible for “customer service” by answering questions and providing information in a gracious manner to all employees and persons in the private sector.
• Possess interpersonal relationship skills necessary to maintain a harmonious work environment.
• Attend monthly and special called Board of Education meetings.
• Performs such other duties as may be assigned by law, by the superintendent, or by rules and regulations of the State Board of Education and the Local Government Commission.

Qualifications:

• Baccalaureate degree from an accredited four-year college or university with a concentration in accounting, finance or business administration and three years of professional experience in a business related field; master’s degree preferred
• Qualify for certification as a School Business Administrator according to policy of the State Board of Education.
• Qualify for a performance bond.
• Certified Public Accountant preferred
• Considerable knowledge of generally accepted accounting concepts and principles with emphasis on governmental accounting, particularly those sections covering school finance requirements, school finance formulas and the audit process.
• Prior successful experience with principles, practices and methods of financial management, economic analysis, budget preparation and control.
• Considerable knowledge of computer operations and capabilities, including spreadsheets, databases, word processing and accounting software.
• Working knowledge of general business management practices.

Note: The above is intended to describe the general content of and requirements for the performance of this job. It is not to be construed as an exhaustive statement of duties, responsibilities, or requirements.