Chief Financial Officer

POSITION SUMMARY

The Chief Financial Officer (CFO) i s responsible for the strategic leadership, management, and stewardship of Atlanta Public Schools' financial resources. The CFO leads the District's financial strategy, budgeting, forecasting, accounting, procurement, and investments functions. The CFO partners with district leaders and the Board of Education to ensure sound fiscal decision-making, operational efficiency, and sustainable resource allocation in support of student achievement and organizational excellence.

This positions reports to the Deputy Superintendent of Operational Efficiency.

MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS

Education:

• Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university in Finance, Accounting, Business Administration, Economics, Public Administration, or a related field required.
• Master's degree in Business Administration (MBA), Finance, Accounting, Public Administration, or related field preferred.

Certifications/Licenses:

• Certified Public Accountant (CPA), Certified Government Financial Manager (CGFM), Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA), or comparable professional certification preferred.

Experience:

• Minimum of seven (7) years of progressively responsible financial leadership experience with responsibility for budgeting, accounting, financial planning, and organizational fiscal management.
• Minimum of five (5) years of executive-level leadership experience overseeing multiple financial functions and teams.
• Experience managing large, complex budgets and financial operations in a public-sector, governmental, educational, or similarly regulated environment preferred.
• Experience presenting financial information to governing boards, executive leadership, community stakeholders, and external agencies.
• Experience with capital planning, debt issuance, investments, and financial forecasting preferred.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES

Strategic Financial Leadership

• Serves as the chief financial advisor to the Superintendent and Board of Education on all financial matters.
• Develops and executes a comprehensive financial strategy that supports the District's mission, vision, strategic plan, and long-term sustainability.
• Provides leadership in strategic resource allocation and financial decision-making.
• Participates as a member of the Superintendent's Executive Leadership Team and contributes to districtwide strategic planning initiatives.

Budgeting and Financial Planning

• Directs the development, administration, monitoring, and reporting of the District's annual operating and capital budgets.
• Leads multi-year financial forecasting and long-range fiscal planning.
• Provides recommendations regarding budget priorities, financial impacts, and resource allocation decisions.
• Monitors financial performance and recommends corrective actions when necessary.

Accounting, Reporting, and Compliance

• Oversees all accounting functions, financial reporting, payroll accounting, grant accounting, and financial recordkeeping.
• Ensures compliance with all federal, state, local, and Board policies governing financial operations.
• Oversees preparation of the District's Annual Comprehensive Financial Report (ACFR) and other required financial reports.
• Ensures timely and accurate reporting to state, federal, and regulatory agencies.

Treasury, Investments, and Debt Management

• Oversees cash flow management, banking relationships, investments, and treasury operations.
• Recommends and administers investment strategies consistent with Board policy and applicable laws.
• Directs debt management activities, including bond issuances, refinancing opportunities, and related financial transactions.
• Provides recommendations regarding millage rates and other revenue-generating strategies.

Internal Controls and Risk Management

• Establishes and maintains effective systems of internal controls to safeguard District assets.
• Oversees enterprise risk management practices and financial risk assessment activities.
• Ensures compliance with auditing standards and coordinates all external and internal audit activities.
• Implements corrective action plans resulting from audit findings.

Procurement and Operational Efficiency

• Oversees procurement and purchasing functions to ensure compliance, transparency, and operational efficiency.
• Promotes continuous improvement initiatives that increase financial effectiveness and stewardship of public resources.
• Evaluates operational and financial processes to identify opportunities for efficiency and cost savings.

Stakeholder Engagement and Governance

• Presents financial reports, recommendations, and analyses to the Board of Education, Superintendent, executive leadership, and community stakeholders.
• Develops collaborative relationships with governmental agencies, auditors, financial institutions, rating agencies, and community partners.
• Represents the District on financial matters before local, state, and federal entities as appropriate.

Leadership and Talent Development

• Provides leadership, supervision, coaching, and evaluation of finance division personnel.
• Builds organizational capacity through succession planning, professional development, and talent management initiatives.
• Establishes performance expectations and accountability measures for division staff.

Other Duties

• Maintains regular and reliable attendance.
• Performs other duties and responsibilities as assigned by the Superintendent or designee.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, & ABILITIES

Financial Leadership & Strategy

• Demonstrated expertise in governmental accounting, public finance, budgeting, financial planning, and financial reporting.
• Ability to develop and implement long-term financial strategies that align resources with organizational priorities.
• Strong understanding of K-12 school finance, state funding formulas, federal grant requirements, and public-sector financial regulations.
• Knowledge of debt management, capital financing, treasury operations, and investment strategies.

Leadership & Management

• Proven ability to lead high-performing teams and manage multiple functional areas through subordinate leaders.
• Ability to foster collaboration across departments and build strong relationships with internal and external stakeholders.
• Skilled in organizational change management and continuous process improvement.

Analytical & Technical Skills

• Strong financial modeling, forecasting, and data analytics capabilities.
• Ability to evaluate financial risks and develop mitigation strategies.
• Advanced proficiency with financial systems, ERP platforms, Microsoft Office Suite, and business intelligence tools.
• High attention to detail with the ability to interpret complex financial information and communicate key insights.

Communication & Influence

• Exceptional written, verbal, and presentation skills.
• Ability to communicate complex financial concepts to diverse audiences, including Board members, staff, community stakeholders, and governmental agencies.
• Ability to prepare and deliver executive-level reports and recommendations.

SALARY INFORMATION

Work Days: Annual

Pay Grade: Executive Leadership Pay Structure

POSITION INFORMATION

FLSA Status: Exempt

Employment Category: At-Will

PHYSICAL ABILITIES AND WORKING CONDITIONS

• Vision: Ability to read small print and view a computer screen for prolonged periods
• Hearing: Ability to tolerate exposure to noisy conditions
• Speech: Ability to be understood in face-to-face communications, to speak with a level of proficiency and volume to be understood over a telephone or computer
• Upper Body Mobility: Ability to use hands to grasp, and manipulate small objects; manipulate fingers, twist and bend at wrist and elbow; extend arms to reach outward and upward; use hands and arms to lift objects; turn, raise, and lower head
• Strength: Ability to lift, push, pull and/or carry objects which weigh as much as 5 or more pounds on a frequent basis. Incumbent may be required to physically restrain parties involved in a conflict
• Environmental Requirements: Ability to encounter constant work interruptions; work cooperatively with others; work independently; work indoors
• Mental Requirements: Ability to read, write, understand, interpret and apply information at a moderately complex level essential for successful job performance; math skills at a high school proficiency level; judgement and the ability to process information quickly; learn quickly and follow verbal procedures and standards; give verbal instruction; rank tasks in order of importance; copy, compare, compile and coordinate information and records. Understand how to manage stress
• Additional Work Conditions & Physical Abilities: N/A

The Atlanta Public School System does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, citizenship, ethnic or national origin, age, disability, medical status, military status, veteran status, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, genetic information, ancestry, or any legally protected status in any of its employment practices, educational programs, services or activities. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential duties.

This job description is intended to accurately reflect the duties, responsibilities and requirements of the position. It is not intended to be and should not be construed as an all-inclusive list of all the responsibilities, skills, or working conditions associated with the position. Management and administration reserves the right to modify, add, or remove duties and assign other duties as necessary.