Director of Finance

Cumberland School Department; Cumberland (RI); On-site; USD 110,000 - 160,000; Full time

Job summary

The Cumberland School Department in Cumberland, Rhode Island seeks a Director of Finance to lead the Finance Office, oversee budgeting, accounting systems, and reporting in alignment with GASB and state requirements.

The role reports to the Superintendent, manages a 5-person staff, and collaborates with town officials and department heads to ensure financial transparency and solid fiscal planning for the district's programs.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's Degree in Finance, Accounting, Business or related field.
• Must possess or qualify for a RIDE School Business Administrator Certification.
• Minimum of 3-5 years of experience in accounting; municipal experience preferred; supervisory experience.

Responsibilities

• Directly responsible for the School Department’s Financial Office Operations, including accounting systems, budget preparation and control, fiscal planning, management, control and reporting; purchasing; food services management; vendor contract management; to carry out related work as required, and participate as a member of the Superintendent’s leadership team.
• Prepares the annual budget according to program, function and object codes per UCOA.
• Analyzes and monitors all school department expenditures and prepares monthly and annual financial statements.
• Perform audits and prepare financial reports required by law, the school committee and the Superintendent.
• Prepare and monitor all resolutions and list of bills. Oversight and management of the School Department’s purchasing system.
• Develop a budget and accounting system consistent with municipal and state requirements.
• Account for all school department revenue and all revenues received by the town on behalf of the school district.
• Advise on financial implications of all contracts and contract proposals and participate in union contract negotiations.
• Responsible for preparing all bid specifications; review same and award contracts after school committee approval.
• Oversee payroll operation of the school district.
• Manage a comprehensive computerized accounting system in accordance with federal, state and GASB rules, regulations and procedures.
• Maintains and updates records, compiles information and reports, prepares documents and performs a variety of functions for the finance department.
• Acts as a liaison between the school finance department and all other town department, state and federal agencies as required.
• Attends School Committee Meetings.
• All other duties as assigned by the Superintendent.

Skills

Budgeting & financial reporting

Auditing

Supervisory leadership

Vendor contract management

Education

Bachelor's Degree in Finance, Accounting, Business or related field

RIDE School Business Administrator Certification

Tools

Accounting software

Job description

Director of Finance

Cumberland School Department - Cumberland, Rhode Island

Job Details

Job ID: 5925183

Application Deadline: Posted until filled

Posted: Sep 14, 2026 12:00 AM (UTC)

Starting Date: Immediately

Job Description

Essential Functions

Directly responsible for the School Department’s Financial Office Operations, including accounting systems, budget preparation and control, fiscal planning, management, control and reporting; purchasing; food services management; vendor contract management; to carry out related work as required, and participate as a member of the Superintendent’s leadership team.

Organizational Relationships

Within the School Organization: Reports to the Superintendent of Schools. Manages the Finance Department’s staff (5 staff) and contracted for pupil transportation and food services. Works closely with the Superintendent, Assistant Superintendent, Director of Human Resources, Director of Special Services, Director of Technology, Facilities Manager and building Principals.

External to the School Organization

External to the School Organization, works closely with Town officials and the Town finance department including, but not limited to, payroll and accounts payable. Meets with the Finance subcommittee and various advisory subcommittees of the School Committee as necessary. Regular contact with the Rhode Island Department of Education Finance Office as needed.

Specific Responsibilities

• Serves as a collaborative member of the District Leadership team.
• Prepares the annual budget according to program, function and object codes per UCOA.
• Analyzes and monitors all school department expenditures and prepares monthly and annual financial statements.
• Perform audits and prepare financial reports required by law, the school committee and the Superintendent.
• Prepare and monitor all resolutions and list of bills. Oversight and management of the School Department’s purchasing system.
• Develop a budget and accounting system consistent with municipal and state requirements.
• Account for all school department revenue and all revenues received by the town on behalf of the school district.
• Advise on financial implications of all contracts and contract proposals and participate in union contract negotiations.
• Responsible for preparing all bid specifications; review same and award contracts after school committee approval.
• Oversee payroll operation of the school district.
• Manage a comprehensive computerized accounting system in accordance with federal, state and GASB rules, regulations and procedures.
• Maintains and updates records, compiles information and reports, prepares documents and performs a variety of functions for the finance department.
• Acts as a liaison between the school finance department and all other town department, state and federal agencies as required.
• Attends School Committee Meetings.
• All other duties as assigned by the Superintendent.

Additional Expectations

• Modernize the accounting system to utilize the comprehensive software and facilitate a streamlined budget process.
• Increase budget transparency through computer systems and procedures.
• Work with the Human Resource Office in creating and implementing a position control system and employee management system.
• Manage bond and construction fiscal management pursuant to the ongoing construction projects in Cumberland.

Position Type: Full-time

Job Categories: Administration > Business/Finance

Welcome to Cumberland School Department

Cumberland School Department is an outstanding public school system committed to rigorous academic learning outcomes for all of our students. In a nutshell, we believe that it is our responsibility to meet the needs of “100% of our students, 100% of the time.” One of our most effective strategies for meeting this high standard of excellence is to recruit and hire exceptional teaching, administrative and support professionals.The Town of Cumberland is a beautiful suburban community located in the northeast quadrant of Rhode Island. We serve a diverse student population of approximately 5,000 students in preschool through grade twelve in eight schools, including a comprehensive high school that has recently been transformed into a state‑of‑the‑art learning facility through the generosity of our community. The Cumberland High School campus now includes a teaching area devoted to the Fine and Performing Arts, a Wellness Center, and a new Science and Technology Wing.Cumberland is recognized for many unique programs including a service‑learning program, established in 1997, that is the cornerstone of our newly revised diploma system; the Dunn Literacy Initiative, a ground‑breaking relationship with the Dunn Institute which provides professional development in reading to all elementary teachers; and a district‑wide approach to the consistent implementation of school and classroom management known as Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports (PBIS). As a member of the Cumberland Public Schools, you will have an opportunity to take part in these exciting initiatives, and many more!

Equal Opportunity Employer

The Cumberland Public Schools does not discriminate on the basis of age, sex, race, sexual orientation, religion, national origin, color or disability in accordance with applicable laws and regulations. (An Equal Opportunity Affintive Action Employer)

Job Requirements

• Job Requirements:
  Bachelor's Degree in Finance, Accounting, Business or related field.
  Must possess or qualify for a RIDE School Business Administrator Certification.
  Minimum of 3-5 years of experience in accounting, municipal experience is strongly preferred, with at least one year of experience in a supervisor capacity.
  Must be skilled in the use of computers and be familiar with computerized school and/or municipal accounting programs. Theory and practice of modern business management, budgets and contracts; personnel administration, including collective bargaining.
  Consideration will be given to other qualifications, experience, as may be deemed appropriate.
  Citizenship, residency or work visa required.
  
• At least 3 year(s) of relevant experience preferred.
• Bachelor degree preferred.
• Citizenship, residency or work visa required

Contact Information

• Mindy Theroux , Human Resources Benefits Coordinator/Conf. Asst.
• 2602 Mendon Road
• Cumberland, Rhode Island 02864
• Phone: [phone] x320
• Fax: [phone]
• Email: [e-mail]