Director, Financial Services / Finance Officer

General Statement of Job:

To oversee the financial operations of the school system in compliance with all requirements of the finance officer as specified in the School Budget and Fiscal Control Act (115C, Article 31). The school finance officer is responsible for managing the fiscal affairs of the school system through the 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 finance officer interprets and follows regulations prescribed by the Local Government Commission, funding agencies and the board of education. He/She exercises discretionary judgment in the resolution of operational problems and correction of the resulting effects of these. Errors may cause significant disruption of the school system's operations and/or loss of considerable funds. The finance officer 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.

Essential Functions:

The finance officer provides critical services for the effective planning and use of fiscal resources. The finance officer will be responsible to the superintendent for:

• Overseeing the preparation and management of the Board of Education’s annual budget;
• Planning, organizing, directing and supervising operations of the Finance Department; directs and participates in the formulation and implementation of applicable finance policies, ensuring adherence to generally accepted accounting practices and principles of governmental accounting, the rules and regulations of the State Board of Education, and the rules and regulations of the Local Government Commission [source: NCGS 155C-436 (a) (1)];
• Giving pre-audit certificate required by NCGS 155C-441 [source: NCGS 115C-436 (a)(2)];
• Maintaining a financial management system for child nutrition and other special funds;
• Signing and issuing all checks, drafts, and state warrants by the local school administrative unit, invests idle cash, and receives and deposits all monies accruing to the local school administrative unit. [source: NCGS 115C-436 (a) (3)];
• Preparing and filing a statement of the financial condition of the local school administrative unit as often as requested by the superintendent, and when requested in writing, with copy to the superintendent, by the board of education or the board of county commissioners. [Source: NCGS 115C-436 (a) (4)];
• Assisting members of the Superintendent’s Administrative/Leadership Team in preparing budget estimates and in determining cost for new, expanded or reorganized programs;
• Safeguarding WCS physical assets, funds and properties through implementation of adequate internal controls and ensures adequate accounting records to document compliance with local, state, and federal laws and ordinances;
• Assisting outside auditors in completion of the Board of Education’s annual financial audit;
• Overseeing the district’s process management system;
• Overseeing maintenance of accounting work on grants received by schools and the district, processing adequate records, reimbursements, code reviews, etc. to comply with applicable laws and ordinances;
• Preparing and delivering written and oral presentations on WCS budget and fiscal matters as well as other financial concerns to the BOE, Superintendent, and other stake holders;
• Utilizing an encumbrance system for tracking obligations;
• Giving the pre-audit and disbursement certificates required by G.S. 115C-441 and establishing procedures to assure compliance;
• Approving or disapproving a disbursement, in accordance with G.S. 115C-441(b), when a bill, invoice, or other claim is presented and establishing procedures to assure compliance with all applicable legal requirements for disbursements;
• Establishing procedures, as described in 20 N.C.A.C. 03.0409(a)(3) and 20 N.C.A.C. 03.0410(a)(2), for pre auditing obligations that will be incurred by electronic payment and for disbursing funds by electronic transaction;
• Ensuring that school system personnel are adequately trained about the procedures to be followed for electronic transactions;
• Providing the superintendent a monthly budget-to-actual statement that includes budgeted accounts; actual payments made; amounts encumbered, including electronic obligations; and the amount of the budget that is unobligated for all major funds;
• Submitting reports to the Secretary of the Local Government Commission as required by law;
• Receiving and accounts for all clear proceeds of fines, penalties, and forfeitures and notifying the superintendent and Board of such funds;
• Evaluating all continuing contracts as necessary;
• Prescribing the form and detail of records maintained by the school treasurer;
• Making salary deductions as provided in board policy;
• Performing any other duties or tasks as assigned by the supervisor

Minimum Qualifications:

• Holds a bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university with a concentration in Accounting, Business Administration or Finance, Master’s degree preferred;
• Extensive knowledge required in general accounting, governmental accounting, State requirements, spreadsheet programs and accounting software;
• Eligible to qualify for certification as a North Carolina School Finance Officer from the Department of Public Instruction;
• 5-7 years of public school and/or system level administrative experience preferred
• If not already certified as a School Business Administrator (SBA), must qualify for certification as a SBA according to NC SBE Policy FINO-000;
• Must qualify for a financial bond

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

• Knowledge of district organization, operations, policies and objectives.
• Knowledge of supervision, training and performance evaluation.
• Knowledge of and experience in sound fiscal practices, including management of initiative resources.
• Knowledge of program design, implementation and evaluation.
• Knowledge of strategic planning and project management protocols.
• Ability and willingness to collaborate with multiple stakeholders
• Ability to analyze situations accurately and recommend an effective course of action.
• Ability to establish and accomplish project goals and objectives within the preconceived project constraints (typically scope, time, and money).
• Ability to handle sensitive and confidential information appropriately.
• Ability to inspire trust. Possesses high levels of self-confidence and optimism.
• Models high standards of integrity and ethical behavior.
• Ability to communicate clearly and concisely, both orally and in writing.
• Ability to lead others to implement high-quality instructional practices consistently across classrooms and school sites.
• Ability to maintain complete and accurate records and statistics and to develop meaningful reports from that information.
• Ability to effectively express ideas orally and in writing.
• Ability to make effective oral presentations before groups of people.
• Ability to exercise considerable tact and courtesy in frequent contact with the public.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships as necessitated by work assignments.

DISCLAIMER:

The preceding job description has been designed to indicate the general nature and level of work performed by employees within this classification. It is not designed to contain or be interpreted as a comprehensive inventory of all duties, responsibilities, and qualifications required of employees for this job.