Chief Financial Officer

JOB TITLE: CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER 

GENERAL STATEMENT OF JOB

Under limited supervision, performs comprehensive supervisory and management responsibilities to carry out Board of Education (BOE) policies and procedures for Hertford County Public Schools (HCPS) financial operations and other delegated areas of responsibility. Work involves formulating, coordinating, and directing all aspects of HCPS financial planning and administration including development of comprehensive short-and long-range budgets. Employee is responsible for directing the planning, receipt collection, disbursement and accounting of HCPS revenues and expenditures, managing the investment of HCPS funds, and assisting the Superintendent and other senior team members in preparing the annual budget. Employee directs a staff of professional, technical and clerical personnel responsible for compiling data for various reports required by oversight agencies, and assisting outside auditors. Work involves directing the activities of staff members in the performance of designated functions, and participating in auditing and maintaining general accounts and the general ledger. Employee is also responsible for exercising initiative and independent judgment to ensure proper administration of the Financial Services Division.

Reports to:  Superintendent of Schools

Terms of employment:  12 months

FLSA Exempt

SPECIFIC DUTIES AND RESPONSIBLITIES ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS

• Oversees the preparation and management of the Board of Education’s annual budget.
• Oversees preparation/publication of Board of Education’s final budget document in accordance with the Government Finance Officers Association of the United States and Canada (GFOA) Distinguished Budget Presentation Award Program requirements.
• Plans, organizes, directs and supervises operations of the Financial Services Division; 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 115C-436 (a) (1 Gives the preaudit certificate required by NCGS 115C-441 [source: NCGS 115C-436 (a) (2)].
• Signs and issues all checks, drafts, and State warrants by the local school administrative unit, invests idles cash, and receives and deposits all moneys accruing to the local school administrative unit. [source: NCGS 115C-436 (a) (3)].
• Invests idle cash in the classes of securities as defined in NCGS 115C-443 (c) and ensures that such deposits are secured as provided in NCGS 115C-444 (b).
• Prepares and files 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)].
• Provides information, advice, assistance and recommendations to the Superintendent, Board of Education, and County Commissioners.
• Directs and monitors Financial Services Division operations to maintain, to control, and to analyze full adherence and implementation of HCPS fiscal policies and procedures.
• Assists members of Superintendent’s Senior Team with financial matters as necessary; answers inquiries and explains policies and procedures.
• Assists members of Superintendent’s Senior Team in preparing budget estimates and in determining cost for new, expanded or reorganized programs.
• Safeguards HCPS physical assets through implementation of adequate internal controls and ensures adequate accounting records to document compliance with local, state, and federal laws and ordinances.
• Assists outside auditors in completion of the Board of Education’s annual financial audit.
• Oversees preparation/publication of the Board of Education’s comprehensive annual financial report (CAFR) in accordance with the Government Finance Officers Association of the United States and Canada (GFOA) Certificate of Achievement for Excellence in Financial Reporting Program requirements and the Association of School Business Officials International (ASBO) Certificate of Excellence in Financial Reporting Program requirements.
• Oversees the district’s process management system.
• Oversees maintenance of accounting work on grants received by schools, processing adequate records, reimbursements, code reviews, etc., to comply with applicable laws and ordinances.

ADDITIONAL JOB FUNCTIONS

• Prepares and delivers written and oral presentations on HCPS budget and fiscal matters as well as other financial concerns to the BOE, Superintendent, administrators and teachers, parents, and community groups; attends regular meeting of the Board; conducts staff meeting; attends other related meetings.
• Assumes leadership role on the Superintendent’s Senior Team with issues pertaining long range strategic planning, policies and other activities.
• Supervises and conducts personnel administration duties for direct reports subordinates, including hiring and firing recommendations, evaluating, assigning special duties, monitoring attendance and travel reports, and approving leave.
• Attends meetings of Board of Education and provides information as requested.
• Prepares/submits items requiring Board of County Commissioners’ approval to appropriate Hertford County staff; attends Hertford County Manager’s agenda meetings to present such items to County Manager and select Hertford County staff for review/discussion/feedback; and attends meetings of County Commissioners and provides information as requested.
• Performing 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 [source: NCGS 115C-436 (a) (45].
• Attends seminars, conferences, workshops, classes, lectures, etc., as appropriate, to enhance and maintain knowledge of trends and developments in the field of accounting and auditing; reviews professional journals, attends association and professional meetings; and otherwise maintains contacts with professionals to facilitate exchange of information.

MINIMUM TRAINING AND EXPERIENCE

Qualify for certification as a School Finance Officer according to policy of the State Board of Education: 

Five years of professional experience in a business-related field combined with one of the following:

1. a bachelor's degree from an accredited four-year college or university with a concentration in a business-related curriculum (accounting, finance, or business administration, etc.) including a minimum of 15 semester hours in accounting, or
2. a licensed Certified Public Accountant 
3. Certified by the State Board of Education as an LEA school finance officer prior to July 1, 2023.