Chief School Financial Officer

Alabama State Department of Education; Oneonta (AL); On-site; USD 85,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

Oneonta City Schools seeks a Chief School Financial Officer to oversee the district’s financial operations, reporting to Board of Education members and ensuring compliance with state requirements.

The role requires a strong background in accounting and government finance, with strategy for budget development, payroll, purchasing, and internal controls. This is a senior, exempt, fully responsible position in a busy school district.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree with at least nine semester hours in accounting.
• MBA or graduate degree preferred.
• Certified Public Accountant (preferred).
• Three years’ experience in a business-related field.
• Three years’ experience in governmental accounting (preferred).
• Certification of CSFO within 3 years.
• Continuing education requirements for CSFO.
• Bondable.
• Valid Alabama Driver’s License.

Responsibilities

• Maintain accounting system in accordance with GAAP and governmental standards.
• Verify receipt of funds and ensure payments by written order of the local superintendent.
• Keep accurate records of receipts and expenditures for the superintendent and board.
• Post annual school budget and monthly financial reports as required by law.
• Maintain payroll and school accounting records; prepare financial reports as required.
• Coordinate annual budget preparation and amendments; ensure internal controls.

Skills

Accounting knowledge

Communication skills

Personnel supervision

Financial reporting

Cash management

Internal controls

Budgeting

Regulatory compliance

Education

Bachelor’s degree in business with accounting

MBA or graduate degree

CPA preferred

Tools

Accounting software

Payroll software

Spreadsheet software

Job description

Chief School Financial Officer

QUALIFICATIONS:

1. Must (at a minimum) hold a Bachelor’s degree from an accredited four-year college or university with a concentration in business-related curriculum, including at least nine semester hours in accounting.
2. MBA or other graduate degree from an accredited institution (preferred).
3. Certified Public Accountant (preferred).
4. Three years’ experience in a business-related field (minimum).
5. Three years’ experience in governmental accounting (preferred).
6. Must complete an Alabama State Department of Education required Certification of CSFO designation within three years.
7. Must meet annual requirements for continuing education to maintain Certificate of CSFO designation.
8. Must be bondable.
9. Must have a valid Alabama Driver’s License.

REPORTS TO:

Board of Education Members

CONTRACT DAYS:

240 days

SALARY:

Salary is negotiated.

FLSA STATUS:

Exempt

EVALUATION:

Performance will be evaluated in accordance with the Board’s policy on evaluation of personnel.

JOB GOAL:

To administer the business affairs of the school system in such a way as to provide the best possible educational services with the financial resources available and to be responsible for a financial management system that reflects the financial condition of the local board of education on a timely and accurate basis.

REQUIRED KNOWLEDGE SKILLS AND ABILITIES:

1. Knowledge of accounting laws, policies, rules and regulations.
2. Knowledge of tax laws, reforms, and regulations which impact employee benefits, tax forms, and related concerns.
3. Knowledge of business techniques and computers at a level required to implement and maintain an automated financial system.
4. Ability to supervise and evaluate personnel assigned to the area of business and finance.
5. Ability to communicate effectively in written and verbal form.
6. Possess physical and emotional ability and dexterity to perform required work and move about as needed in a fast-paced, high-intensity environment.

JOB DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

1. Maintain an accounting system in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles and governmental accounting standards.
2. Verify the receipt of all funds to which the local board of education may be entitled by law or which may come into the board’s possession for public school purposes.
3. Verify the payment of such funds, such payments to occur only on written order of the local superintendent of education.
4. Keep an accurate record of all receipts and expenditures, and provide such information to the local superintendent and the local board.
5. Make reports as may be required by law, by the local board of education, or by rules and regulation of the State Board of Education (to include interface of local school records).
6. Post the annual school system budget and monthly financial reports, in the form required by law, on the school system website.
7. Maintain a school payroll accounting system in accordance with applicable laws and regulations.
8. Prepare financial reports annually and at other times as required and/or requested by the local school superintendent, the local board of education, and other agencies.
9. Prepare monthly financial reports for the board of education as required by law.
10. Prepare reports as required by other agencies.
11. Maintain an adequate system of internal controls including property and inventory accounting.
12. Maintain a sound system of cash management.
13. Maintain a sound accounting system in the individual local schools.
14. Maintain a system of contracting and purchasing procedures.
15. Coordinate the preparation of the annual budget and any amendments.
16. Maintain the financial operations of the child nutrition program and other special programs in accordance with state and federal requirements.
17. Carry out assigned responsibilities in accordance with federal, state, and local laws and with applicable rules and regulations.
18. Make investments of funds upon local superintendent approval.
19. Serve as network administrator for accounting software.
20. Supervise and evaluate all personnel assigned to business and financial operations.
21. Perform other duties, to include attending meetings and making presentations, as may be assigned to the position by law, the local school superintendent and/or local board of education, and by rules and regulations of the State Board of Education.
22. Be bonded in an amount determined by the State Board of Education.
23. Personally notify, in writing, each board member and the local superintendent of education of any financial transaction of the local board of education which the chief school financial officer deems to be non-routine, unusual, without legal authorization, or not in compliance with the fiscal management policies of the board. The notification shall be recorded in the minutes of the board by the president of the local board of education. Ref: Act No 2006-196 Para 16-13A-5 (b) (5).
24. Preparation of and approves all payrolls and all payroll deductions.
25. Preparation of and approves all Accounts Payables.
26. Provides auditors such records and assistance as they may require.
27. Ensures the development of the indirect cost application to the State Board of Education.
28. Directs, plans, and coordinates the operation of all fiscal activities.
29. Performs other functions as the superintendent may indicate.
30. Act as contact person for local school bookkeeping staff relative to accounting functions.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS:

Requires sufficient physical strength, mobility, dexterity, stamina, and acuity to perform job responsibilities.

DATE OF LAST REVIEW:09/09/26DATE OF LAST REVISION: 09/09/26

This job description describes the general nature and level of work performed by employees assigned to this position. It is not intended to be an exhaustive list of all job goals, qualifications, and responsibilities and the employee may be required to perform other related duties as assigned. The Oneonta City Board of Education reserves the right to amend the job description as needed, without notice.

Oneonta City Schools is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate based on age, race, color, sex, sexual orientation, religious preference, creed, marital status, disability, national origin, or any other reason prohibited by state or federal law. Employees of the District are required to comply with the provisions of Title VII of the Civil Rights Act and Title IX of the 1972 Educational Amendments.