Executive Director of Finance

Rochester Public Schools ISD #535; Rochester (MN); On-site; USD 120,000 - 180,000; Full time

Job summary

Rochester Public Schools ISD #535 is seeking an Executive Director of Finance to lead daily financial accounting, payroll and benefits, and purchasing. You will supervise a team of managers and staff, drive budgeting and forecasting, and work with the School Board and Superintendent on strategic financial projects.

The role requires deep knowledge of public school finance, UFARS/MARSS, and state statutes, with a track record of compliance, policy development, and long-range financial planning.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in business or accounting required.
• Five years of progressive financial leadership experience with supervision.
• Advanced computer skills with Google, Microsoft, and accounting software.
• MASBO certification preferred.

Responsibilities

• Lead the district's daily financial accounting processes and systems, payroll and benefits, and purchasing program.
• Supervise multiple finance managers and staff, and coordinate budget development and forecasting.
• Ensure compliance with federal/state statutes and UFARS/MARSS reporting requirements.
• Review and approve spending requests, contracts, and financial policies; provide strategic advice to the Superintendent and School Board.

Skills

Learning ability

Planning & organizing

Supervising & evaluating

Communication

Problem analysis

Confidentiality

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration/Accounting

MASBO Certification (preferred)

Tools

Google Workspace

Microsoft Office

Accounting software

Job description

The Executive Director of Finance is responsible for leading the District’s overall daily financial accounting processes/systems, the payroll and benefits functions, and the purchasing program. The Executive Director will directly supervise the Manager of Accounting, the Manager of Payroll & Benefits, the Manager of Purchasing, and four staff Accountants as well as indirectly supervise approximately twenty additional full-time equivalent staff. The Executive Director will work hands-on with budgeting, forecasting, reporting, and expenditure approvals. The Executive Director will also work on other strategic projects of importance to the School Board and the Superintendent.

• Maintains current knowledge of and ensures District compliance with applicable federal and state statutes, regulations, and reporting requirements related to public school finance. Requires comprehensive knowledge and understanding of Minnesota public school funding formulas, revenue sources, and funding streams, as well as Uniform Financial Accounting and Reporting Standards (UFARS) and Minnesota Automated Reporting Student System (MARSS) requirements and their relationship to District funding and financial reporting.
• Provides financial leadership in the District’s short- and long-range facilities planning. Partners with District leadership, Facilities, and external financial advisors to evaluate the financial implications of facility improvements, renovations, construction, and property decisions; develops and analyzes funding strategies; and advises the Superintendent and School Board regarding affordability, debt capacity, tax implications, cash flow, fund balance impacts, and the long-term financial sustainability of proposed capital investments.
• Directs the operations of financial activities and systems for the District.
• Through department managers directs the activities of accounts payable, accounts receivable, fixed assets, payroll, benefits, purchasing, and central printing operations.
• Assigns and manages the workload of accountants.
• Reviews and approves or denies spending requests in a timely and consistent manner, including requisitions, check requests, and credit card transactions.
• Reviews and signs contracts and agreements within delegated authority, ensuring appropriate financial, purchasing, policy, and legal review prior to execution.
• Initiates strategic change as needed to keep all programs current with Federal and State Statutes, industry best practices, and directives from the School Board and Superintendent.
• Manages District finances (public dollars) with integrity.
• Alerts and escalates concerns about District finances to the Superintendent in a timely manner.
• Coordinates budget development and administers the budget control system for the District, which includes both financial and position controls.
• Coordinates development of long-range enrollment projections
• Advises the Superintendent, School Board, and Community Budget/Finance Advisory Committee on matters relating to the business and financial affairs of the District.
• Interprets financial impact of legislation (proposed and enacted) on the revenue and expenditures of the District.
• Prepares information with fidelity and accuracy for the School Board, Superintendent, and other stakeholders.
• Stays actively involved in Minnesota Association of School Business Officials (MASBO) and communicates regularly with employees at Minnesota Department of Education (MDE).
• Participates in the selection, supervision, and discipline of Finance area staff.
• Ensures employees follow policies and procedures.
• Maintains a healthy and safe working environment.
• Provides training, mentoring, and coaching in Finance and with other employees in the District.
• Prepares accurate costing documents and participates in negotiations with all unions and work groups.
• Performs other duties as assigned in the Finance area.

Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration, Accounting, or similar required.
• Minnesota Association of School Business Officials Certification (preferred)
• Five years of progressive financial leadership experience including supervision of various finance roles
• Advanced computer skills including experience with Google, Microsoft, and accounting software products

Knowledge of:

• Federal and Minnesota State Statutes impacting local government entities, especially public school districts.
• Successful experience in school finance positions strongly preferred
• Automated accounting software programs.
• Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP) and Governmental Accounting
• Advanced budgeting principles.

Skills in:

• Learning great amounts of information and processes and retain for future business needs.
• Planning, organizing, and assigning work, recognizing, and solving problems.
• Supervising, interviewing, preparing performance evaluations, and carrying out discipline.
• Establishing and maintaining effective working relationships with staff, vendors, and community members.
• Communicating well both verbally and in writing.
• Analyzing the current state of affairs and proposing better ways to accomplish processes.
• Maintaining confidentiality and sensitivity with private data.