Chief Financial Officer

Job Title: Chief Financial Officer

Position Function:  The Chief Financial Officer is directly responsible to the Superintendent of Wichita Public Schools for supervising the budgeting, accounting, payroll, financial reporting, title services, grants, travel, and, building rental functions of the school district, and serves as treasurer of Unified School District 259 in accordance with Kansas statutes.

Essential Performance Responsibilities:

        Assumes major responsibility in developing procedures necessary to develop a budget that meets legal requirements, maximizes resources, and satisfies internal and external customers and promotes public understanding and acceptance of the established budget and financial practices

        Develops a system of accounting and financial reporting commensurate with governmental accounting standards and statutory requirements which timely and accurately reflects the financial position of the school district in order to provide the financial data necessary for sound decision-making

        Develops internal control procedures necessary to protect district assets, including the receipt and disbursement of all district funds in a way that ensures compliance with state, federal, and local regulations

        Implements policies and procedures to achieve efficiency and economy for financial operations

        Supervises the investment of idle funds to maximize yield, secure deposits and investments, and ensure compliance with statutes

        Monitors and projects cash balances in a way that ensures that all district financial obligations are met on a timely basis

        Prepares negotiated salary and benefit packages timely and accurately

        Works with the Superintendent to interpret and educate others on school district legislative and financial issues

        Ensures that all employees are paid accurately and on time

        Ensures all mandatory federal and state reporting requirements are med with timeliness and accuracy

        Hires, trains and evaluates key financial services staff

        Enforces payroll procedures to ensure payroll processes are in compliance with district, state, and federal policies, laws and regulations

        Ensures the coordination all financial systems. Review monthly calendars from Human Resources, Finance, Budgeting, Title, Grants and MIS IST departments for possible conflicts in processing requirements. Coordinate with the IST system managers and financial services staff to timely test and implement all system updates. 

        Works with the IST staff and individual departments to determine the best course of action to take in resolving system problems or errors

        Ensures that controls are in place to maintain data integrity and to prevent unauthorized access to data

        Coordinates with IST and functional areas to estimate annual expenditure requirements for all HRIS, ERP and EPM systems

        Maintains adequate internal controls to prevent financial resources and that financial obligations are met

        Ensures all appropriate balancing of bank statements and accounting records

        Ensures all vendors are paid timely and takes appropriate steps to protect the district from losses due to overpayment of obligations or cyber crimes

        Ensures cash is invested prudently so that no bank overdrafts occur

        Maintains compliance with IRS laws

        Ensures building activity fund audits are completed

        Assists in project management, development, application installation, and upgrades of the financial system, and building activity fund program

        Responsible for interfaces with payroll, budgeting, data processing, and schools

        Prepares the districts GASB Annual Comprehensive Financial Report and annual budget

        Analyzes a variety of financial information (e.g. revenues, expenditures, cash management, cost projections, etc.) for the purpose of providing direction and support, making recommendations, maximizing use of funds, and/or ensuring overall operations are within budget

        Monitors and projects revenues, expenditures, and cash balances

        Ensures that no material miscalculations occur which could result in inadequate allocation of resources

        Presents information (e.g. budget overviews, accounting processes, distribution formulas, etc.) for the purposes of training district employees, communicating information, gaining feedback, and ensuring adherence to establish internal controls, including monthly reports and presentations to the Board of Education on the budget and related topics

        Researches financial topics and related legal issues (e.g. discrepancies, current legislative trends, etc.) for the purpose of evaluating compliance requirements and potential implications on district operations

        Attends Board of Education meetings

        Participates in district leadership activities as requested or required by the Superintendent

Additional Duties: Additional duties as assigned

Equipment: This position may require the ability to use SMART boards, iPads, and other technology in addition to basic office equipment such as computers, copiers, scanners, and fax machine. Must always comply with USD 259s guidelines for equipment use

Travel: In and out of district travel may be required

Physical and Mental Demands:

        Must be available to work beyond the regular work day

        Must be able to work long irregular hours under pressure

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

        Ability to communicate both verbally and written in order to communicate with others inside and outside of the organization for the purpose of giving and obtaining information

        Basic Computer proficiency and the ability to effectively use Microsoft Word and Outlook which will be determined and validated by testing

        Use of good judgment to make decisions on recurring assignments

        Ability to communicate effectively with a supervisor when their discretion is needed

        Displays a significant degree of professionalism and confidentiality

        Ability to conform to proper standards of professional dress and appearance

        Knowledge of company's mission, purpose, goals and the role of every employee in achieving each of them

Interrelations:

        Contact with personnel within the district and with customers and vendors

        Works under the direct supervision of the Superintendent to complete day to day tasks

        Works with a diverse population requiring the ability to handle all situations with tact and diplomacy

        Understands and responds appropriately to customer needs and maintain a positive attitude with all customers and colleagues

        Interacts with all internal and external customers in a friendly, professional manner and provide quick, responsive customer service

Employee Punctuality and Appearance:

        In order for schools to operate effectively, employees are expected to perform all assigned duties and work all scheduled hours during each designated workday, unless the employee has received approved leave

        Any deviation from assigned hours must have prior approval from the employees supervisor or building administrator

        All employees are required to report to work dressed in a manner that reflects a positive image of USD 259 and is appropriate for their position

Qualification Profile:

        Bachelors degree in Business or Accounting required

        Minimum five years leadership/supervisory experience required

        CPA Certificate and 5 years of governmental accounting experience preferred

        School district experience preferred

FLSA Status: Exempt

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