Classified - Central Office Administration
Start Date
Open Date 10/28/2026
Closing Date
The Chief Financial Officer (CFO) serves as the senior financial executive for Collierville Schools and is responsible for providing strategic leadership, oversight, and management of the district's financial operations. The CFO ensures the short- and long-term fiscal integrity of the school system while aligning financial resources with the priorities and strategic direction established by the Director of Schools and Board of Education.
The CFO serves as a trusted advisor to the Director of Schools, executive leadership team, and Board of Education on financial planning, budgeting, forecasting, resource allocation, financial risk, and long-term sustainability.
The CFO is responsible for maintaining strong systems of financial accountability, internal controls, transparency, and stewardship of public resources while ensuring compliance with applicable federal and Tennessee requirements.
Reports To Director of Schools
Interim Position N
Salary Range: From/To
$127,700.00
Additional Job Information
ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:
The following duties are normal for this position. The omission of specific statements of the duties does not exclude them from the classification if the work is similar, related, or a logical assignment for this classification. Other duties may be required and assigned.
Strategic Financial Leadership
-Serves as the principal financial advisor to the Director of Schools and executive leadership team.
-Provides strategic financial analysis and recommendations to support district priorities, including the goals and initiatives of CS2030.
-Advises the Director of Schools and Board of Education regarding the district's current financial condition, emerging fiscal risks, long-term obligations, and opportunities.
-Develops and maintains multi-year financial forecasts to support responsible decision-making.
-Conducts financial scenario analysis related to enrollment, staffing, compensation, employee benefits, state and federal funding, capital projects, program expansion, and other significant district initiatives.
-Evaluates the long-term financial sustainability of proposed programs, initiatives, staffing decisions, and capital investments.
-Monitors economic, legislative, enrollment, and funding trends that may affect district finances.
Budget Development and Administration
-Leads development of the district's annual operating and capital budgets in partnership with the Director of Schools, executive leadership, principals, and department leaders.
-Develops budget recommendations that align available resources with district priorities.
-Establishes and maintains effective budget controls and monitoring systems.
-Provides regular forecasts comparing actual and projected revenues and expenditures with the adopted budget.
-Identifies significant budget variances and recommends appropriate action.
-Maintains appropriate fund-balance planning and advises district leadership concerning the sustainability of recurring and nonrecurring expenditures.
-Develops financial models to evaluate alternative budget strategies and long-range financial decisions.
Accounting and Financial Reporting
-Provides executive oversight of the district's accounting and financial reporting functions.
-Ensures timely and accurate preparation of internal and external financial reports.
-Maintains appropriate accounting systems, procedures, and controls consistent with applicable governmental accounting requirements.
-Oversees cash management, investments, accounts payable, accounts receivable, payroll financial controls, and other financial functions.
-Ensures proper accounting for district funds, grants, capital projects, and other financial resources.
-Maintains financial records necessary to provide transparency and accountability for the use of public funds.
Internal Controls, Compliance, and Audit
-Establishes and maintains a comprehensive system of internal financial controls designed to safeguard district assets and public resources.
-Ensures financial operations comply with applicable federal and Tennessee laws, regulations, requirements, Board policies, and established governmental accounting standards.
-Coordinates the district's annual financial audit and serves as a primary liaison with external auditors.
-Reviews audit findings, recommends corrective actions when necessary, and monitors implementation.
-Periodically evaluates financial procedures and internal controls to identify opportunities to reduce risk and improve efficiency.
-Maintains appropriate segregation of financial duties throughout the organization.
Board and Public Financial Reporting
-Prepares and presents clear, accurate, and understandable financial information to the Director of Schools and Board of Education.
-Presents proposed budgets, budget amendments, financial forecasts, financial reports, capital planning information, and other fiscal analyses as requested.
-Communicates complex financial matters in a manner understandable to Board members, employees, parents, government officials, and community stakeholders.
-Supports the Director of Schools in communicating the district's financial position and financial priorities to governmental and community stakeholders.
Procurement and Financial Operations
-Provides executive oversight of district purchasing and procurement processes.
-Ensures procurement practices promote accountability, appropriate competition, efficiency, and compliance with applicable laws and Board policies.
-Establishes appropriate financial controls related to contracts, purchasing, expenditures, and vendor relationships.
-Works collaboratively with department leaders to evaluate major purchases, contracts, and long-term financial commitments.
Capital and Long-Range Planning
-Collaborates with the Director of Schools and appropriate district and municipal leaders regarding capital planning and financing.
-Develops long-range financial projections associated with facilities, equipment, technology, transportation, and other major district investments.
-Evaluates the financial implications of capital projects and significant infrastructure decisions.
-Assists district leadership in developing sustainable funding strategies for long-term organizational needs.
State and Federal Funding
-Monitors changes in Tennessee school funding, federal education funding, grants, and other revenue sources affecting the district.
-Provides financial analysis concerning proposed changes in legislation, regulations, or funding formulas.
-Ensures appropriate fiscal administration and financial reporting of state and federal programs.
-Advises the Director of Schools regarding significant financial implications of proposed state or federal policy changes.
Organizational Leadership
-Provides leadership, supervision, and professional development for financial-services personnel.
-Establishes clear expectations, internal processes, accountability measures, and cross-training within the finance department.
-Develops organizational capacity so critical financial functions are supported by systems and teams rather than dependent upon a single individual.
-Promotes a culture of service, accuracy, transparency, continuous improvement, and responsible stewardship.
-Collaborates closely with Human Resources, Academics, Operations, Technology, School Nutrition, school administrators, and other district departments.
-Participates as a member of the Director of Schools' executive leadership team.
AREAS OF EXECUTIVE OVERSIGHT:
The Chief Financial Officer provides direct or executive oversight, as determined by the Director of Schools, for functions that may include:
-Finance and Accounting
-Budget Development and Management
-Payroll Financial Operations
-Purchasing and Procurement
-Risk Management and Insurance
-School Nutrition financial operations
-Grants and Federal Programs fiscal management
-Capital Financial Planning
OTHER DUTIES
This job description is intended to identify the primary responsibilities of the position and is not an exhaustive list of all duties.
The Director of Schools may assign additional responsibilities consistent with the position's role, qualifications, and organizational needs.
The Chief Financial Officer maintains a forty-hour (40) workweek and works additional hours as required to carry out all the duties and responsibilities of the position. This is a twelve (12) month position.
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS REQUIRED:
Required
-Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university in accounting, finance, business administration, public administration, or a closely related field.
-Significant progressively responsible experience in accounting, finance, budgeting, governmental finance, public-sector finance, or financial management within a complex organization.
-Demonstrated experience developing, managing, and monitoring organizational budgets.
-Demonstrated leadership and supervisory experience.
-Demonstrated understanding of financial accounting, budgeting, auditing, internal controls, financial reporting, and cash management.
-Ability to analyze complex financial information and provide clear, actionable recommendations to senior leadership.
-Ability to communicate financial information effectively to both financial and non financial audiences.
-Demonstrated integrity and commitment to the responsible stewardship of public resources.
Preferred
-Master's degree in accounting, finance, business administration, public administration, or a related field.
-Certified Public Accountant (CPA), Certified Government Financial Manager (CGFM), Certified Public Finance Officer (CPFO), or comparable professional credential.
-Experience in Tennessee public-school finance, local government finance, or another governmental accounting environment.
-Knowledge of Tennessee public education funding and financial requirements.
-Experience working with a governing board and presenting financial information in a public setting.
-Experience with governmental accounting, state and federal grants, capital planning, procurement, and external audits.
Equivalent combinations of education, professional credentials, and relevant experience may be considered by the Director of Schools.
LEADERSHIP COMPETENCIES
Strategic Thinking
Connects financial decisions to the district's long-term mission, priorities, enrollment outlook, workforce needs, and strategic plan.
Financial Stewardship
Demonstrates exceptional integrity, accuracy, judgment, transparency, and accountability in managing public resources.
Analytical Leadership
Transforms financial and operational data into meaningful information, forecasts, alternatives, and recommendations for decision-makers.
Communication
Explains complicated financial matters clearly and candidly to the Director of Schools, Board of Education, district employees, and community stakeholders.
Collaboration
Builds effective working relationships across academic and operational departments while maintaining appropriate financial controls and accountability.
Systems Leadership
Develops sustainable processes, controls, documentation, cross-training, and organizational capacity rather than relying upon individual knowledge.
Continuous Improvement
Regularly evaluates processes and financial systems for opportunities to improve accuracy, efficiency, transparency, service, and internal controls.
Executive Judgment
Exercises independent professional judgment while understanding the CFO's role in supporting the Director of Schools and Board of Education.
KNOWLEDGE AND SKILLS
The successful candidate should demonstrate:
-Advanced knowledge of budgeting and financial forecasting.
-Knowledge of governmental accounting principles and financial reporting.
-Knowledge of internal controls and audit practices.
-Understanding of public-sector purchasing and procurement.
-Ability to interpret financial requirements associated with state and federal programs.
-Advanced spreadsheet, financial modeling, and financial-system capabilities.
-Strong analytical and problem-solving skills.
-Exceptional written and verbal communication skills.
-Ability to organize and communicate complex financial information accurately.
-Ability to manage multiple priorities and deadlines.
-Ability to build and lead effective teams.
-Ability to maintain confidentiality and exercise sound professional judgment.
PHYSICAL AND OTHER REQUIREMENTS:
The position primarily involves administrative and professional work performed in an office and school-system environment. The employee must be able to perform the essential functions of the position, with or without reasonable accommodation.
Exemplary and in-person attendance is required. Evening or additional work may occasionally be necessary to support Board meetings, budget development, audits, deadlines, and other district responsibilities.
FLSA: EXEMPT
