Chief Financial Officer

Construction Association of Michigan; Oak Park (MI); On-site; USD 120,000 - 180,000; Full time

Job summary

The Oak Park School District in Michigan seeks a Chief Financial Officer to lead the district's financial operations, budgeting, long-range planning, and fiscal stewardship.

This executive provides strategic leadership to the Business and Finance Department, overseeing grants, audits, reporting, and collaboration with cabinet and the board to ensure transparency and accountability.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Business Administration (Accounting/Finance) required.
• Master's degree or CPA preferred.
• Michigan SBO CFO Certification preferred.
• Integrity and character emphasized.

Responsibilities

• Oversee budget development, administration, and long-range financial planning for the District.
• Prepare and oversee district financial reports ensuring reporting formats meet requirements.
• Oversee financial systems, payroll, purchasing, and reporting platforms for efficiency and transparency.
• Communicate financial issues to Superintendent and Cabinet; guide Board updates.

Education

Bachelor's degree in Business Administration (Accounting/Finance)

Master's degree or Certified Public Accountant (C.P.A.) preferred

Possess or be eligible to obtain Michigan School Business Officials Chief Finance Officer Certification preferred

Possess a high degree and history of honesty, integrity, and character

Job description

The Chief Financial Officer (C.F.O.) is a Superintendent-level cabinet executive position directly responsible to the Superintendent for the District's overall financial operations, including developing and maintaining the annual budget and long-range financial plan. The C.F.O. has a central role in the District's planning and analysis of current programs, support systems, and expenditures aligned to the District's mission, vision, and goals.

The C.F.O. is instrumental in relationship building with directors, operational departments, and third-party partners to create a collaborative, high-functioning organization. The C.F.O. oversees the Business and Finance Department and provides strategic financial leadership that supports excellent outcomes for students while maintaining fiscal responsibility, compliance, and transparency.

Oak Park School District seeks a C.F.O. who is intrinsically motivated; committed to professional growth; demonstrates cultural competence; upholds honesty, integrity, and strong character; and brings the initiative, rigor, and grit essential to 21st-century executive leadership.

Required Education/Certification

• Bachelor's degree in Business Administration (Accounting/Finance)
• Master's degree or Certified Public Accountant (C.P.A.) preferred
• Possess or be eligible to obtain Michigan School Business Officials Chief Finance Officer Certification preferred
• Possess a high degree and history of honesty, integrity, and character

Preferred Experience

• Minimum of three (3) years of successful administrative and executive-level leadership experience in a public education school district, with demonstrated knowledge of Michigan school finance, school law, and fiscal compliance requirements.
• Progressively responsible leadership experience beyond the minimum is strongly preferred.
• Demonstrated experience managing and monitoring local, state, and federal grants, including budgeting, compliance, reporting, and audit readiness.
• Demonstrated experience overseeing the development and submission of required State financial reports, including the Financial Information Database (FID) and Financial Statement Data
• Demonstrated experience coordinating and overseeing annual financial audits, including collaboration with external auditors and compliance with Single Audit requirements when applicable
• Experience developing and maintaining internal controls to support accurate financial reporting, regulatory compliance, and responsible stewardship of District resources
• Demonstrated experience with budget development, financial analysis, and long-range financial planning
• Experience supervising and evaluating finance and support staff
• Ability to manage multiple priorities, resolve problems, and address concerns in a timely and professional manner
• Experience in preparing financial presentations and effectively communicating financial information to administrators, public groups, and boards of education
• Experience managing bond programs and capital projects
• Knowledge and experience in the use of appropriate technology applications to support finance services and presentations
• Experience in supervising and evaluating employees
• Ability to resolve problems and address complaints
• Ability to draft presentations and effectively present information to administrators, public groups/community, and the board of education.
• Demonstrated experience managing a bond and large capital projects from inception to completion.

GENERAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Responsible for budget development, administration, and long-range financial and facilities planning for the District
• Assist the Superintendent and staff in analyzing financial and educational issues and opportunities, and develop strategies to improve daily operations
• Prepare and oversee the preparation of District financial reports, ensuring that report formats meet all reporting requirements
• Oversee financial systems, payroll, purchasing, and reporting platforms to ensure efficiency, accuracy, and transparency
• Interpret and communicate financial issues of the District to the Superintendent and Cabinet
• Communicate with the Superintendent to guide the Board of Education with updates regarding the District finances
• Implement and maintain effective internal controls safeguarding District assets and resources
• Oversee cash flow management, fund balance strategy, short-term borrowing, and investment of District funds in compliance with Michigan law
• Develop and oversee the capital improvement plan for all school facilities, building construction projects, and all bond projects
• Provide strategic oversight of grant planning and administration to ensure compliant use of funds and alignment to District priorities in collaboration with the Assistant Superintendent of Teaching and Learning
• Lead multi-year financial forecasting and scenario modeling, including enrollment-driven revenue analysis
• Participate on the District bargaining team for all bargaining units and provide all financial analysis required for negotiations to the Assistant Superintendent of Human Resources
• Oversee procurement, contract management, and vendor compliance to ensure fiscal stewardship and cost effectiveness
• Prepare all bidding documents, tabulations, and reports in conjunction with the District Cabinet and Director of Operations
• Develop, mentor, and retain a high-performing Business and Finance team.
• Manage and evaluate all employees assigned to the Business and Finance Department
• Manage the District's risk management insurance programs
• Attend all board meetings and prepare reports for the Board of Education
• Participate in county and state organizations to stay abreast of school finance reform and other District-related issues
• Collaborate with Cabinet and the Director of Operations Officer to provide financial oversight and strategic guidance for multi-year bond opportunities and all capital projects
• All other assignments directed by the Superintendent

ESSENTIAL DUTIES

• Provide fiscal support to the district in delivering programs that meet each student's educational needs.
• Adhere to all state and federal compliance laws as they relate to the Business and Finance Department.
• Communicate with colleagues and members of the school community in a manner consistent with Board policy and school expectations.
• Assist in planning, documenting, and managing materials and resources that are consistent with district expectations.
• Provide employee supervision that ensures safety (both physical and emotional) and sets high expectations for productivity and integrity.
• Demonstrate time management across multiple district-wide projects.
• Maintain a physical and emotional environment that is well-organized and focused on the District's mission, vision, and goals.