Job Title: Director of Finance
Reports To: Superintendent
FLSA Status: Exempt
JOB SUMMARY: The Director of Finance is responsible for leading the District’s accounting and finance staff and functions to maximize the instructional impact for all students while ensuring public accountability and the overall financial health of the organization.
The Director of Finance works dynamically and collaboratively with stakeholders, internal and external to the District Office, to ensure the District is operating effectively and efficiently. The Director of Finance is responsible for budget administration, risk management (insurance), financial analysis, payroll, forecasting, data analysis, fixed asset accounting, accounts payable, and accounts receivable. The Director of Finance is accountable for the entire accounting and finance operation of the District, to include the production of financial reports, maintenance of an adequate system of accounting records, and a comprehensive set of standard operating practices and internal controls designed to maximize instructional impact for all students, organizational efficiency, mitigate risk, enhance the accuracy of the company’s reported financial results, and ensure that reported results comply with generally accepted accounting principles and external financial reporting requirements.
ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:
- Responsible for implementing and maintaining generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP) and adhering to governmental accounting standards, practices and procedures in performing or reviewing accounting transactions.
- Prepares and maintains depreciation schedules, asset listing, and capital lease schedules and reconciles with source documents to ensure accuracy.
- Prepares and submits various reports related to the financial condition of the District for the Vermont Agency of Education, the CVSU and its member school boards, and the administration.
- Ensures legal and regulatory compliance for all accounting and financial reporting functions.
- Recommends annual announced tuition rate to the district board and supervises the eventual preparation, billing, and collection of tuition for all non-resident school students and vocational school students.
- Solicits bids for annual tax anticipation note/line of credit from area financial institutions.
- Oversees the management and ensures compliance for all State and Federal Grants. Works closely with grant managers to develop systems, standards, and procedures to ensure grant funds are maximized and all accounting and reporting requirements are met.
- Coordinates, processes and controls transfers of budgeted funds as requested and approved by authorized personnel, and in accordance with school board policy.
- Supervises and evaluated Payroll and Accounting Staff
- Coordinates the development, communication, and on-going improvement of written procedures, guidelines, forms and other documents to facilitate efficient and effective financial operations within the District.
- Provides timely and accurate reports to appropriate administrators concerning the status of their budgetary accounts to prevent the overspending of any budgeted account.
- Assumes primary responsibility for the execution of the annual audit by independent and/or elected auditors to fulfill local, state, and federal audit requirements. Develops financial statements and management discussion & analysis documents to be audited by independent auditors on an annual basis.
- Functions as primary contact with independent auditors and provides the additional required information for independent auditors on all accounts and records annually.
- Review audit findings and apprises supervisor of the observations, suggestions and/or reportable conditions of the independent auditors. Prepares a written report to the supervisor addressing all findings outlined by the independent auditors with evidence of the issue having been addressed, or a timeline when the issue will be addressed.
- Distributes final audit report to each district board, Agency of Education, and other outlets as required by State Law, Federal requirements, or district policy.
- Oversees and ensures the accuracy of all external reporting required of the payroll function (W-2’s, 1099’s, 941’s, as well as all State required reporting)
- Maintains a chart of accounts for the accounting system that complies with State’s financial reporting requirements.
- Performs, or assists with the performance of periodic internal audits to ensure compliance with district policy, State Law, establish accounting practices, or departmental operating practices. Identifies areas of concern, apprises district administrators of issue and risks, recommends methods of improvement, and implements agreed-upon solutions.
- Assures that all bidding and business affairs are conducted in a legal and professional manner.
- Reviews all personnel additions/change forms verifying that account number is appropriate, valid and that sufficient funds are available.
- Establishes and maintains sound cash management and investment programs for each school district.
- Coordinates cash activities with district treasures and manages each District’s cash investments.
- Maintains an on-going review of each district’s cash flow to ensure timely payment of all financial commitments.
- Responsible for administering the supervisory union’s insurance programs (property, liability, dental ,etc) in collaboration with the Human Resources Specialist.
- Ensures all claims and incidents are reported timely and assists district personnel with regular and ordinary insurance matters (coverage limits, deductibles, certificates of insurance, etc)
- Responsible for establishing annual contracts for financial audit.
- Oversees the orientation and training of new personnel in fiscal, payroll, and accounts payable procedures. Supervises and provides technical assistance to business office personnel.
- Coordinates with the Information Technology with respect to the use and maintenance of a State-wide business management system. Assumes a “power user” role for all software systems utilized by the district for purposes related to the position.
- Represents the supervisory union interest, with respect to duties, by participating in appropriate professional and community organizations.
- Acquires and maintains up-to-date knowledge of all applicable laws and regulations as it relates to the business office.
- Collaborates closely with the Human Resources function of the Supervisory Union to ensure shared and dependent systems and operating practices are efficient, effective and fully optimized.
- Oversees the maintenance, reconciliation, and reporting on all student activities accounts for individual schools and programs.
- Assist superintendent in negotiated proposals for bargaining sessions.
- Presents to each Board of Directors as necessary.
- Other duties as assigned by the Superintendent of Schools.
QUALIFICATIONS:
- : Master’s degrees in accounting or other appropriate disciplines plus five(5) years of relevant experience, or a combination of education and experience from which comparable knowledge and skills are acquired is required. Direct knowledge and experience of school business administration, Vermont public K-12 school administration, and governmental accounting preferred.
- :Certification from the Vermont Association of School Business Officials preferred.
- : Ability to read, analyze, and interpret the complex scientific, educational technical journals, financial reports, and legal documents. Ability to respond effectively to the most sensitive inquiries or complaints. Ability to write speeches and articles using original or innovative techniques or style. Ability to effectively present information to teachers, leadership, public groups, and school board members.
- :Ability to apply advanced mathematical concepts such as exponents, logarithms, quadratic equations, and permutations. Ability to apply mathematical operations to such tasks as frequency distribution, determination of test reliability and validity, analysis of variance, correlation techniques, sampling theory, and factor analysis. Ability to define problems, collect and analyze data, establish facts, and draw valid conclusions.
- : Experience and proficient computer skills in web maintenance, word processing, spreadsheet, and database programs required.
- Keep emotions under control, remain open to others’ ideas and try new things. Effectively work with others, including those with opinions or beliefs different from their own. Interacts with others in a friendly, tactful and positive manner. Works through differences in a respectful manner without drama. Sensitive to the feels of others. Treats others with dignity and respect. Builds constructive and supportive relationships with peers. Helps to create an inclusive work environment. Attempts to understand others points of view.
- : Ability to communicate courteously, efficiently and effectively with a variety of individuals, including students, faculty, administrators, parents, and representatives of outside organizations. Ability to work cooperatively and effectively with peers, subordinates, supervisors, parents, and outside agencies.
- : Contributes to building a positive team spirit. Proven ability to work cooperatively and effectively as part of a team. Ability to work cooperatively and effectively with peers, subordinates, supervisors, parents and outside agencies. Uses time efficiently. Strong organizational skills that reflect the ability to prioritize multiple tasks seamlessly with excellent accuracy and attention to detail; able multitask and prioritize effectively. Open to and embraces change towards the improvement of the systems. Open to new ideas and tasks without resistance; able to deal with new situations well. Versatile and capable of handling diverse assignments. Effectively accepts constructive criticism. Maintains composure when faced with stressful situations and required flexibility and adaptability. Performs essential duties where needed including different work sites.
PHYSICAL DEMANDS:
Physical ability to perform the essential functions of the job as outlined above, in addition to the following: Under most circumstances, while performing the duties of this job, the employee is frequently required to stand; walk; and sit. The employee is regularly required to see, talk and hear. The employee is regularly required to use hands. The employee is occasionally required to reach with hands and arms; climb steps; stoop, kneel, or crouch. Employees are regularly required to handle stressful situations and resolve conflicts. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and ability to adjust focus.
WORKING CONDITIONS:
While performing the duties of this job, the employee is occasionally exposed to outside weather conditions. The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate.
EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER:
Central Vermont Supervisory Union is committed to maintaining a work and learning environment free from discrimination on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, pregnancy, gender identify, sexual orientation, marital/civil union status, ancestry, place of birth, age, citizenship status, veteran status, political affiliation, genetic information or disability, as defined and required by state and federal laws. Additionally, we prohibit retaliation against individuals who oppose such discrimination and harassment or who participate in an equal opportunity investigation.
Our organization is committed to building a diverse team that represents the students we serve. We welcome applications from people of color, people from the LGBTQ+ community, and individuals with disabilities.
DISCLAIMER:
The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by people assigned to this classification. This is not an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties, and skills required. All employees may be required to perform duties outside of their normal responsibilities from time to time, as needed.
Job Type: Full-time
Pay: $105,000.00 - $125,000.00 per year
Experience:
- Finance: 5 years (Required)
Ability to Commute:
- Williamstown, VT 05679 (Required)
Ability to Relocate:
- Williamstown, VT 05679: Relocate before starting work (Preferred)
Work Location: In person