Sr. Region Finance Director

First Student; Cincinnati (OH); On-site; USD 140,000 - 210,000; Full time

Job summary

First Student is seeking a senior financial leader to manage the accounting and financial analysis for the Large Region, ensuring controls and alignment with corporate objectives. You will oversee a regional finance team, prepare timely reports, and advise CFO and HQ on financial strategy.

This role requires extensive experience in financial modeling, contract bids review, budgeting, forecasting, and cost optimization.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Accounting or Finance required.
• CPA or CMA certification required.
• MBA desirable.
• High School Degree or equivalent.

Responsibilities

• Generates timely and accurate financial reports, including Profit and loss statements and Balance Sheets.
• Monitors performance against financial plans and performs variance analyses.
• Advises CFO and HQ on financial status and strategy for the Large Region.
• Oversees budgeting and forecasting process for the Large Region.
• Reviews financial models for contracts, bids, extensions and renewals.

Skills

Financial leadership

Budgeting and forecasting

Financial analysis

High-level accounting

Communication skills

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Accounting or Finance

CPA or CMA certified

MBA desirable

High School Degree or equivalent

Job description

Manages accounting and financial analysis function for the Large Region. Ensures an adequate system of controls to safeguard the assets of the Large Region and assist in accomplishing it’s financial objectives.

Major Responsibilities

Generates timely and accurate financial reports, including Profit and loss Statement and Balance Sheets, and information for Large Regions ranging from $400M to $800M in annual revenue. Ensures the Large Region and Region financial staffs maintain compliance with all company finance and accounting policies and procedures. Monitors performance against financial plans, and performs or oversees audit functions and monthly, quarterly and annual variance analyses. Meets regularly with CFO, HQ finance, SVP’s, RVP’s, and AGM’s to advise of financial status and implement financial strategy. Analyzes financial results and report to CFO and SVPO the financial status and strategy for the Large Region. Analyzes the overall profitability of the Large Region, working with Region’s SVP to create overall strategies and/or specific action plans to maximize profitability and address poor performers. Studies long range economic trends and project opportunities for future business growth and future changes in cost structure. Works with SVP to develop strategies to manage cost and achieve growth goals. Reviews financial models for contract bids, extensions and renewals to ensure assumptions our reasonable and consistent with corporate guidance and appropriate returns are being obtained. Acts as liaison with First Student and FGA senior financial management; implements corporate financial strategy at the Large Region and Area levels. Manages the budget and forecasting process for the Large Region. Consolidates and reports on budgets and forecasts to SVP and CFO office. Assists Areas with budget and forecast planning and analysis. Oversees capital procurement process, including review of capital requests and management of overall Large Regional capital spend; oversees the development of capital forecasts for Regions. Other responsibilities as required or requested.

Minimum Education or Certifications Required

• Bachelor’s degree in Accounting or Finance or equivalent experience required.
• CPA or CMA certified.
• MBA desirable.
• High School Degree or equivalent.

Minimum Experience or Skills Required

• Ten years experience in management of accounting/finance senior and staff level employees.
• Experience in financial modeling and accounting theory.
• Excellent verbal communication skills with all levels of personnel.
• Personal computer/software skills.

Language Requirement

This role requires English proficiency. Federal, state, and local requirements, including U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) regulations, require training, safety communications, company policies, employment documents, and other job-related communications be conducted in English.

First for a reason:

At First Student, we are a family of 60,000+ employees who take pride in safely transporting more than 5 million students and passengers to and from their destinations each day! Our family of brands include Transco, Total Transportation, Maggies Paratransit, and GVC II. Our employees are at the forefront of safety and innovation; they create and implement the most advanced training and technology the transportation industry has to offer.

In the state of Washington, all technician and driving positions, including but not limited to van drivers and any other position requiring employees to drive a company-owned vehicle, are considered safety-sensitive and are therefore subject to drug and alcohol testing, including cannabis. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability or veteran status. First is also committed to providing a drug-free workplace. First will consider for employment qualified applicants with criminal histories consistent with the requirements of the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance, Los Angeles Fair Chance Ordinance, and any other fair chance law. Philadelphia’s Fair Criminal Record Screening Standards Ordinance Poster is at this link or upon request https://www.phila.gov/media/20210423160847/Fair-Chance-Hiring-law-poster.pdf.

MISSION

Provide unmatched care and the safest ride to school, so when students arrive, they start and end their day with an exceptional experience and are ready to achieve their full potential.

FOCUS ON SAFETY

Safety is at the heart of everything we do

CARE FOR OUR STUDENTS

Ensure our vehicles are welcoming and trusted places where students feel comfortable and secure

SURPASS CUSTOMER EXPECTATIONS

Go the extra mile to deliver an extraordinary experience for our customers and communities

FOSTER TEAMWORK

Work together, act with integrity, respect each other, champion diversity and inclusion

SET THE HIGHEST STANDARDS

Continually seek a better way to do things with innovation, sustainable practices, financial discipline, commercial excellence, and operational excellence