Chief Finance Officer

PITT COUNTY SCHOOLS

Position Description

Position Title: Chief Finance Officer

Reports To: Superintendent

Supervises: All Finance Department Employees

Pay Range:  NC Salary Schedule (commensurate with experience) 

FLSA Status: Exempt

Term of Employment: 12 months

Education/Training and Experience Required:

• Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration, Accounting or related area required 

• Ability to obtain/hold/maintain a NC School Business Officer Certification required 

• CPA certification preferred 

• Equivalent combination of experience and education

Essential Functions:

• Adhere to all state, federal, and local laws, policies, and procedures

• Lead, manage and supervise assigned programs in the district 

• Oversee and supervise the Child Nutrition Department

• Manage the school district’s financial affairs including budgeting, purchasing, accounting, payroll, accounts payable, internal audit, fixed assets, and treasury functions 

• Confer with representatives of private firms, other governmental agencies, legal authorities, and the public regarding matters affecting district financial services 

• Establish and maintain a payroll system that satisfies federal laws and regulations such as the Fair Labor Standards Act and the Internal Revenue Service Code 

• Conduct pre-audits of all obligations to ensure budgeted appropriations and unencumbered balances are accurate 

• Develop short/long-term budgets/amendments with concise explanation of needs/changes 

• Select and maintain financial software for both centralized operations and individual schools to process transactions in accordance with applicable requirements 

• Establish and monitor procedures to assure timely reconciliation of bank accounts 

• Establish and maintain an internal audit program for the funds of individual schools

• Establish procedures to assure compliance with financial laws, regulations, and requirements and to assure adherence to generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP) and standard business practices 

• Oversees and monitors the preparation of annual budgets for all funds operated by Pitt County Schools to assure compliance with the School Budget and Fiscal Control Act, the Local Government Commission, and the NC Department of Public Instruction 

• Ensure compliance with the Chart of Accounts mandated for school district use by the Local Government Commission and the NC Department of Public Instruction 

• Implement and maintain an accounting system adequate to record transactions in accordance with the requirements of GAAP, the North Carolina Local Government Commission, the North Carolina State Board of Education, the North Carolina Uniform Education Reporting System (UERS) and other relevant state and federal agencies 

• Advises internal stakeholders on how to best maximize monetary resources 

• Ensures that district administrators/staff are educated on the financial, procedural, and related implications of changes in laws, rules, policies, and procedures 

• Make projections on the financial impacts of decisions, both locally and at the State and National levels 

• Facilitate and implement multi-year financial planning for the operating budget and assist in preparation of multi-year facilities plans 

• Complete local, state, or federal surveys and reports accurately and promptly 

• Participate in professional development workshops and leadership training 

• Create an inclusive environment with positive communication/public relations 

• Facilitate the development of the department’s improvement plan 

• Perform related work as assigned or required

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

• Comprehensive in-depth knowledge and understanding of the principles, practices, and procedures of public school system financial policies 

• Comprehensive knowledge of federal, state, and local regulatory requirements applicable to school system finances 

• Knowledge of generally accepted accounting principles and principles of public administration, particularly as they relate to units of local government 

• Knowledge of State statutes, policies, and regulations regarding financial transactions and of federal laws and rules impacting financial operations 

• Skilled in technology with demonstrated ability to use spreadsheet software and word processing software 

• Ability to use computer-based financial software packages to include experience with database search and retrieval both through query functions and typical web-based reporting in order to answer questions or to detect errors 

• Thorough knowledge of county and school board policies, procedures, and standards regarding funding, position control, and allotments 

• Ability to maintain professional and emotional control under stress 

• Ability to reflect appropriate response to situations, while maintaining a professional and personal demeanor 

• Ability to learn and use specialized tools, equipment or software related to business needs

• Ability to develop, monitor, and implement a fiscally sound budget 

• Ability to direct and evaluate the work of others 

• Ability to implement local, state, and federal rules, guidelines, and procedures into daily business operations 

• Ability to communicate effectively 

• Ability to reason, make judgments, and maintain effective working relationships 

• Ability to employ positive communication skills in all settings/mediums 

• Ability to problem-solve utilizing sound judgment 

• Ability to maintain confidentiality regarding school system business 

• Ability to develop related charts, graphs, reports, and records pertaining to school planning and strategy 

• Ability to take initiative, work independently, and exercise sound judgement 

• Ability to conceptualize, initiate, monitor, and evaluate new and/or current programs 

• Demonstrated ability to perform detailed work, planning, risk assessments, and associated risk mitigation actions 

• Demonstrated ability to work effectively in a deadline-driven, rapidly changing team environment

Physical Requirements and Working Conditions:

• Work requires the occasional exertion of up to ten pounds of force 

• Work regularly requires exchange of accurate and detailed information through oral and written communication 

• Constantly operates a computer and other office business equipment 

• Ability to remain in stationary position for required meetings/work 

• Visual acuity requires preparing and analyzing written or computer data, determining the accuracy and thoroughness of work, and observing general surroundings and activities 

• Hearing is required to perceive information at normal spoken word levels, and to receive detailed information through oral communications

• Work requires preparing and analyzing written or computer data, operating standard office equipment, use of advanced technology 

• Work is generally in a moderately noisy location (e.g., business office, light traffic) 

• Requires the ability to deal with people beyond giving and receiving instructions 

• Must be adaptable to performing under mild to high levels of stress 

• Must be on-call as a regular part of the job