OPEN POSITION: DIRECTOR OF FINANCE

START DATE: JULY 1, 2027

POSITION SALARY: $120,217 (Commensurate with experience)

JOB SUMMARY

The Director of Finance is responsible for the administration and management of the District's financial and business operations. The Director serves as the District's primary financial administrator and provides leadership for budgeting, accounting, financial reporting, payroll, purchasing, cash management, investments, grants, and financial compliance.

The Director works under the direction of the Superintendent of Schools and collaborates with the Superintendent, District leadership, and Board of Education to ensure District resources are managed responsibly, transparently, and in accordance with applicable laws, regulations, Board policies, and District procedures. The Director provides accurate and timely financial information to support District decision-making and long-range financial planning.

The Director oversees the day-to-day operations of the Finance office and serves as a resource to District administrators and staff regarding financial procedures, budgeting, purchasing, payroll, contracts, and other business-related matters.
ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
(Other duties as assigned)
Financial Management and Accounting

• Financial Operations: Direct the day-to-day financial and business operations of the District.
• Financial Records: Maintain accurate financial records in accordance with applicable accounting standards, laws, regulations, Board policies, and District procedures.
• Financial Monitoring: Monitor revenues, expenditures, fund balances, cash balances, and other financial activity.
• Accounting Procedures: Oversee monthly and year-end closing procedures and prepare required financial reports.
• Internal Controls: Develop and maintain appropriate internal controls to safeguard District funds and assets.
• Cash Management: Oversee the receipt, recording, reconciliation, and timely deposit of District funds.
• Investments: Oversee District investments and cash management in accordance with applicable laws and Board policy.
• Financial Analysis: Identify financial trends, concerns, and opportunities for improved efficiency and communicate recommendations to District leadership.

Budget Development and Financial Planning

• Budget Development: Develop the preliminary District budget in collaboration with the Superintendent of Schools, and District leadership.
• Annual Budget: Coordinate preparation of the annual operating budget and support long-range financial forecasting.
• Budget Monitoring: Monitor budget activity and prepare budget amendments, transfers, projections, and related documents as needed.
• Resource Allocation: Provide financial analysis to support resource allocation and long-range planning.
• Financial Impact Analysis: Evaluate the financial impact of proposed programs, staffing, contracts, capital expenditures, and other District initiatives.

Financial Reporting and Compliance

• Financial Reporting: Prepare and submit required financial reports to the Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE) and other applicable agencies.
• ASBR: Complete or oversee the Annual Secretary of the Board Report (ASBR) and other required financial reports.
• Annual Audit: Coordinate the District's annual independent financial audit and serve as the primary District contact for the external auditor.
• Audit Compliance: Provide requested documentation and coordinate responses to audit findings and recommendations.
• Financial Compliance: Monitor Finance practices for compliance with applicable laws, regulations, Board policies, and District procedures.
• Federal and State Programs: Oversee financial components of ePeGS, Tiered Monitoring, grant reporting, and reimbursement processes.
• Core Data: Provide financial information necessary for Core Data and other required District reporting.

Payroll and Employee Compensation

• Payroll Administration: Oversee District payroll processes to ensure accurate and timely payment to employees.
• Payroll Records: Maintain payroll records and ensure appropriate processing of taxes, retirement contributions, Social Security, and other required deductions.
• Payroll Reporting: Oversee required monthly, quarterly, and annual payroll reporting.
• Tax Documents: Coordinate preparation of W-2s, 1099s, 1095s, and other required employee tax documents.
• Compensation Administration: Work collaboratively with Human Resources to ensure accurate implementation of salary schedules, employee compensation, contracts, stipends, deductions, and other payroll-related matters.
• Compensation Analysis: Provide financial analysis and recommendations related to salary schedules, compensation proposals, employee benefits, and other employee-related financial matters.
• Salary Negotiations: Serve as a member of the District's salary negotiation team and provide financial information and analysis necessary to support negotiations.
• Employment Contracts: Prepare and distribute employment contracts for certified and administrative employees and employment agreements for classified and other non-teaching employees upon direction from the Superintendent and Board of Education.
• Salary Schedule Placement: Verify and record eligible college credits and other information necessary for salary schedule placement and advancement in collaboration with Human Resources.
• Compensation Records: Ensure compensation and contract information is accurately reflected in the appropriate systems of record.

Purchasing and Procurement

• Purchasing Oversight: Develop, implement, and monitor District purchasing procedures in accordance with Board policy and applicable law.
• Purchasing Processes: Oversee requisitioning, purchasing, encumbrances, receiving, invoicing, and payment processes.
• Competitive Procurement: Coordinate bids, requests for proposals, quotes, and other competitive procurement processes as required.
• Purchasing Compliance: Review purchasing activity for appropriate approvals, documentation, and budget availability.
• Vendor Records: Maintain purchasing and vendor records and support departments in evaluating vendors and proposals.

Grants and Special Revenue Programs

• Grant Administration: Oversee financial processes associated with state and federal grants and special revenue programs.
• Grant Records: Maintain records of grant awards, expenditures, reimbursements, and required financial documentation.
• Grant Reporting: Coordinate required financial reporting and reimbursement requests.
• Grant Compliance: Work with program administrators to ensure expenditures comply with grant requirements.

Contracts and Business Operations

• Contract Review: Provide financial review and support for District contracts, agreements, leases, and other business arrangements.
• Contract Compliance: Review proposed agreements for budgetary impact and compliance with District purchasing and financial procedures.
• Contract Records: Maintain appropriate financial and contractual records.
• Employee Contracts: Coordinate the financial and payroll components of employee contracts and agreements.
• Operational Contracts: Provide financial information regarding contracted services and other operational expenditures.
• Financial Analysis: Support the Superintendent of Schools with financial analysis related to operational contracts and contracted services.
• Business Programs: Coordinate the financial and business requirements associated with the District food service program, E-Rate, and other assigned programs.

Records and Financial Systems

• Financial Records Management: Maintain accurate, confidential, and appropriately retained financial, payroll, accounting, and business records.
• Financial Systems: Oversee financial information systems and Finance databases to ensure accurate and reliable information.
• DESE Systems: Serve as a designated user or administrator for applicable DESE financial and reporting systems.
• Records Management: Establish procedures for the organization, security, accessibility, and retention of financial records.
• Confidential Information: Maintain confidential financial and employee information in accordance with applicable laws, regulations, and District policy.

Strategic Financial Support

• Strategic Financial Planning: Provide financial analysis and recommendations to support District strategic and operational planning.
• Resource Alignment: Work with the Superintendent of Schools to align financial resources with District priorities.
• Financial Efficiency: Identify opportunities for cost savings, efficiencies, and improved financial practices.
• Long-Range Planning: Support long-range financial planning, including fund balance management, forecasting, capital planning, and financial sustainability.
• Board and Leadership Support: Assist the Superintendent of Schools, and Board of Education with financial presentations and recommendations.
• Fiscal Integrity: Maintain the highest standards of fiscal responsibility, transparency, confidentiality, and integrity.

SUPERVISION RESPONSIBILITIES

• Staff Supervision: Directly supervise Finance office personnel.
• Work Direction: Assign, direct, and evaluate the work of Finance staff.
• Performance Expectations: Establish expectations, procedures, and performance standards for the Finance office.
• Staff Development: Provide training and professional development to Finance personnel.
• Personnel Recommendations: Recommend hiring, assignment, evaluation, discipline, and other personnel actions related to supervised employees in collaboration with Human Resources and the Superintendent of Schools.
• District Support: Provide financial and procedural guidance to District administrators and staff.
• Executive Communication: Maintain regular communication with the Superintendent of Schools regarding financial operations, significant concerns, recommendations, and matters requiring executive-level attention.

QUALIFICATIONS REQUIREMENTS

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

EDUCATION AND/OR EXPERIENCE

• Master's Degree or higher in Finance, Accounting, Business Administration, or Education Administration
• Minimum of 5 years related experience in managing business and finance operations or education administration
• Progressively responsible experience with administration and/or supervision in a school district setting, preferred