Finance Officer

JOB TITLE: CHIEF FINANCE OFFICER

Under the Superintendent's direction, and with the assistance of staff, the Chief Finance Officer prepares annual budgets for all funds and monitors activity in those funds throughout the fiscal year in order to assure compliance with the School Budget and Fiscal Control Act and in accordance with guidance issued by the Local Government Commission and the Department of Public Instruction. Reports to the Superintendent.

SPECIFIC DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS

• Manages the school district's financial affairs including budgeting, purchasing, accounting, payroll, accounts payable, internal audit, fixed assets, and treasury functions.
• Establishes procedures sufficient to assure compliance with financial laws, regulations, and requirements and to assure adherence to generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP) and standard business practices.
• Advises the Board of Education and administrators regarding management of financial resources.
• Engages in multi-year financial planning for the operating budget and assists in preparation of multi-year facilities plans.
• Is responsible for the submission of financial reports required by federal, state, and local governmental entities.
• Adheres to the Chart of Accounts mandated for school district use by the Local Government Commission and the Department of Public Instruction.
• Establishes and maintains 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.
• Establishes and maintains a payroll system that satisfies federal laws and regulations such as the Fair Labor Standards Act and the Internal Revenue Service Code; produces the detailed salary and absence data required by the North Carolina Department of Public Instruction.
• Selects and maintains financial software for both centralized operations and individual schools sufficient to process transactions in accordance with applicable requirements.
• Selects and maintains user-friendly financial reporting software for budget managers within the organization so that they may monitor the status of their accounts in real time, preventing the need for monthly financial reports.
• Establishes and maintains a purchasing system that satisfies the requirements for procurement of goods and services contained in North Carolina General Statutes.
• Establishes and maintains a system of controls over cash receipts, deposits, disbursements, and investments in accordance with requirements of the Office of the State Treasurer, the Office of the State Controller, and the North Carolina Department of Public Instruction, and in accordance with standard business practices.
• Performs the pre-audit function on all disbursements as required by G.S. 115C-441. Serves as the signatory on all checks and purchase orders.
• Establishes a system of internal controls for financial operations sufficient to provide reasonable, but not absolute, assurance that accounts are properly stated.
• Establishes procedures to assure timely reconciliation of bank accounts. Arranges for and assists with annual independent financial and compliance audits of all accounts.
• Performs all duties mandated by North Carolina law for school finance officers.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

MINIMUM TRAINING AND EXPERIENCE

A Bachelor's degree in Business Administration or Accounting and experience in accounting is preferred. Master of Public Administration, Master of Public Affairs, Master of Business Administration, or CPA license is preferred. Graduation from the NCASBO School Business Director Academy is preferred. Educational coursework must be sufficient to obtain certification as a North Carolina School Finance Officer from the Department of Public Instruction. Must be bonded as required by law.