Bachelor's degree in accounting, finance, business administration, or related field; Master's preferred.
Massachusetts School Business Administrator license required or eligibility within six months.
Significant experience in accounting, finance, budgeting, or municipal finance; public-school experience preferred.
Experience in supervising finance or business-office staff.
Thorough knowledge of Massachusetts public-school finance and DESE reporting requirements.
Familiarity with Massachusetts procurement laws; MCPPO certification preferred.
Proficiency in MUNIS or similar financial software, with advanced skills in Microsoft Excel.
Responsibilities
Lead the development and monitoring of the District's annual operating budget.
Align financial planning with District priorities and contractual obligations.
Identify financial risks and recommend corrective actions to the Superintendent.
Ensure accurate financial reporting and compliance with state and federal regulations.
Supervise accounts payable, receivable, and payroll functions for timely operations.
Oversee financial administration of grants and special funds, ensuring compliance.
Collaborate with City officials and District leaders on financial processes.
Benefits
Full-year administrative position with regular business hours.
Opportunity for professional development and continuous improvement.
Engagement with a collaborative leadership team.
Access to a supportive work environment focused on student needs.
Full Job Description
Reports to: Superintendent of Schools
Supervises: Finance/Business Office staff, including five direct reports
Location: District Office
Work Year: Full-year/12-month administrative position
Schedule: Regular business hours, with occasional evening meetings or events as needed.
Compensation: $150,000-$160,000 annually, commensurate with experience and education
JOB SUMMARY
The Director of Finance serves as the chief financial leader for Beverly Public Schools and is a member of the District leadership team. Reporting directly to the Superintendent of Schools, the Director is responsible for the integrity, accuracy, transparency, and effective management of the District's financial systems and resources.
The Director is in charge of preparing the annual budget. They are also responsible for accounting, payroll, accounts payable, accounts receivable, procurement, grants, special revenue and revolving funds, student activity funds, financial reporting, audit preparation, and all related reporting to state and federal agencies.
The Director works collaboratively with school and fellow district leaders and with City of Beverly officials to ensure that financial decisions are aligned with District priorities, applicable law, School Committee policy, established city and district accounting principles, and sound municipal finance practices.
This is a finance leadership position. The Director collaborates with Food Services, Transportation, Technology, Buildings & Grounds, Human Resources, Special Education, and other departments to ensure accurate budgeting, accounting, procurement, forecasting, reconciliation, and financial reporting.
PERFORMANCE RESPONSIBILITIES
1. Strategic Financial Leadership, Budgeting, and Forecasting
Lead the development, presentation, implementation, and monitoring of the District's annual operating budget.
Align financial planning and resource allocation with District priorities, School Committee goals, contractual obligations, student needs, and applicable federal requirements.
Identify financial risks, budget pressures, revenue opportunities, and potential cost-saving measures and provide recommendations to the Superintendent.
Monitor revenues and expenditures and maintain accurate projections and multi-year financial forecasts to support short and long range financial planning for the Superintendent and School Committee.
Investigate projected overages, underages, negative balances, and reconciliation discrepancies and recommend timely corrective action and budget transfers when necessary.
Ensure that year-end financial closeout is planned and managed in a timely manner and serve as the School District representative to the City of Beverly Financial Forecasting Committee.
2. Accounting, Internal Controls, Audit, and Compliance
Review, maintain, and continuously improve accounting procedures, internal controls, segregation of duties, approval workflows, financial documentation standards, and written Business Office procedures.
Ensure the integrity of the general ledger and subsidiary financial records and ensure transactions are recorded accurately, consistently, and in the proper fiscal period and account.
Maintain a regular process for reconciliation of School Department accounts with City financial records, including payroll, accounts payable, revenues, grants, revolving funds, and other material accounts.
Coordinate financial audits and fiscal reviews, including required documentation and responses to audit findings.
Prepare and submit required state and federal financial reports and maintain financial records in accordance with applicable laws, policies, and accounting practices.
3. Accounts Payable, Accounts Receivable, Payroll, and Position Control
Supervise and ensure the accurate and timely operation of School Department accounts payable, accounts receivable, and payroll functions.
Establish appropriate controls for purchase orders, invoices, reimbursements, vendor records, receivables, deposits, payroll changes, and related financial transactions.
Maintain reliable position-control (staffing pattern) and salary-budget records and reconcile personnel changes with payroll records and budget projections in consultation with Human Resources staff and school and district leaders.
4. Grants, Special Funds, Procurement, and Contracts
Oversee the financial administration, reporting, compliance, and controls for grants, revolving funds, special revenue, and student activity funds.
Support the identification and financial evaluation of grants and other revenue opportunities and serve as financial liaison to the Beverly Education Foundation.
Oversee School Department procurement and purchasing processes and ensure compliance with Massachusetts procurement requirements.
Coordinate bids, proposals, contracts, and vendor negotiations and maintain effective contract tracking and fiscally responsible purchasing practices.
5. Superintendent, School Committee, and Municipal Collaboration
Serve as the Superintendent's principal advisor on school finance and provide timely information on financial conditions, risks, and significant decisions.
Prepare financial materials for and attend School Committee meetings, budget hearings, and other public meetings as required.
Collaborate with City officials and District leaders on financial processes and provide guidance necessary for responsible budget management.
6. Financial Analysis and Operational Support
Conduct financial analyses and costing to support collective bargaining and other labor-related financial decisions.
Provide financial analysis of staffing, program changes, special education, transportation, contracts, and other major District expenditures.
Provide financial planning and analysis for capital projects, major contracts, long-term obligations, and District operations.
Examine financial and administrative processes to identify opportunities for efficiency, automation, and improved service.
7. Business Office Leadership and Customer Service
Supervise, evaluate, and support Finance/Business Office employees and ensure effective operations, appropriate staff development, and high standards of service.
Participate in relevant professional development and maintain current knowledge of best practices in Massachusetts public-school finance.
LEADERSHIP ATTRIBUTES
Commitment to the mission, values, and priorities of Beverly Public Schools.
Strategic thinker who connects financial decisions to student needs and District priorities.
Highly organized, detail-oriented, analytical, and able to manage multiple deadlines and complex workstreams.
Strong communication and interpersonal skills, including the ability to present complex financial information clearly and transparently.
Collaborative leader who develops staff, builds trust, delegates effectively, and exercises sound professional judgment.
Commitment to continuous improvement, fiscal accountability, and responsible stewardship of public resources.
QUALIFICATIONS
Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university in accounting, finance, business administration, public administration, school administration, or a closely related field required; Master's degree preferred.
Massachusetts School Business Administrator license required or eligibility for licensure consistent with applicable Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education requirements within six months of employment.
Significant progressively responsible experience in accounting, finance, budgeting, school business administration, or municipal finance; Massachusetts public-school or municipal experience strongly preferred.
Experience supervising, evaluating, and developing finance, payroll, accounting, or business-office staff.
Thorough knowledge of Massachusetts public-school finance, municipal finance practices, DESE reporting, grants management, accounting, internal controls, budgeting, forecasting, financial analysis, and financial reporting.
Knowledge of Massachusetts public procurement requirements, including M.G.L. c. 30B; Massachusetts Certified Public Purchasing Official designation preferred, or willingness to pursue appropriate MCPPO certification or designation.
Experience with MUNIS or comparable municipal financial management software strongly preferred, with advanced proficiency in Microsoft Excel and Google Workspace.
Excellent analytical, communication, interpersonal, organizational, and presentation skills with high standards of professional judgment, integrity, confidentiality, accuracy, and accountability.
