Finance Director

Reports To: Executive Director

Classification: Full-Time, Exempt - 260 days/year / Compensation: $125,000 - $140,000

Supervises: Finance Department Staff (Business Office, Payroll, Accounts Payable, etc.)

Position Summary

The Finance Director serves as the chief financial administrator for the school and is responsible for the strategic leadership, management, integrity, and compliance of all financial operations. The Finance Director ensures sound fiscal stewardship of public funds while supporting the school's mission through accurate financial reporting, long-range financial planning, budgeting, internal controls, and compliance with all federal, state, and local laws governing Minnesota public charter schools. This position requires extensive knowledge of Minnesota charter school finance, Uniform Financial Accounting and Reporting Standards (UFARS), Minnesota Department of Education (MDE) reporting requirements, Skyward financial systems, governmental accounting principles, and best practices in nonprofit and public school financial management.

Essential Duties And Responsibilities

Financial Leadership

• Provide strategic financial leadership to the Executive Director and Board of Directors.
• Develop long-term financial forecasts and sustainability plans.
• Advise leadership regarding financial implications of strategic initiatives.
• Monitor financial health and recommend corrective actions when necessary.
• Present financial information clearly to administrators, Finance Committee, and Board of Directors.

Budget Development and Management

• Lead the annual operating and capital budget development process.
• Prepare multi-year financial projections.
• Monitor revenues and expenditures throughout the fiscal year.
• Analyze budget variances and recommend adjustments.
• Coordinate budget revisions as necessary.
• Ensure alignment between financial resources and strategic priorities.

Financial Reporting

Prepare And Oversee

• Monthly financial statements
• Budget-to-actual reports
• Cash flow analyses
• Revenue projections
• Fund balance analysis
• Board financial reports
• Annual financial reports

Ensure reports are timely, accurate, and understandable for leadership and the Board.

Charter School Financial Compliance

Maintain Compliance With

• Minnesota charter school statutes
• MDE financial reporting requirements
• UFARS accounting standards
• Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP)
• Governmental Accounting Standards Board (GASB)
• Federal grant requirements
• Uniform Guidance requirements
• State and federal audit requirements

Monitor legislative changes affecting charter school finance and implement necessary operational changes.

MDE Reporting

Oversee timely and accurate submission of required financial reports including, but not limited to:

• MARSS financial components
• UFARS submissions
• Annual financial reporting
• Special education financial reporting
• Federal grant reimbursement requests
• State aid reporting
• Levy and debt reporting (if applicable)
• Other required MDE submissions

Maintain strong working relationships with MDE finance staff and charter authorizer personnel.

Accounting Operations

Direct And Oversee

• General ledger
• Accounts payable
• Accounts receivable
• Payroll accounting
• Cash management
• Bank reconciliations
• Fixed assets
• Investments
• Purchasing
• Internal financial controls

Ensure all financial transactions are properly recorded and reconciled.

Skyward Financial Management

Serve As The School's Primary Financial System Expert By

• Maintaining the Skyward financial system
• Overseeing chart of accounts
• Managing budget setup
• Monitoring purchasing workflows
• Supporting payroll financial processing
• Developing financial reports
• Ensuring system integrity and accuracy
• Training staff on financial procedures within Skyward

Collaborate with Human Resources and Payroll to ensure accurate personnel and payroll reporting.

Audit Coordination

Lead The Annual Independent Financial Audit By

• Preparing audit schedules
• Coordinating auditor requests
• Managing audit timelines
• Implementing audit recommendations
• Maintaining supporting documentation
• Assisting with annual Form 990 preparation (if applicable)

Ensure timely completion of all audit requirements.

Grants Management

Oversee financial administration of federal, state, and private grants by:

• Establishing grant budgets
• Monitoring expenditures
• Ensuring allowability of costs
• Preparing reimbursement requests
• Maintaining required documentation
• Supporting grant compliance reviews

Internal Controls and Risk Management

Develop, Implement, And Monitor

• Financial policies
• Internal accounting controls
• Cash handling procedures
• Purchasing procedures
• Segregation of duties
• Fraud prevention measures
• Financial risk mitigation strategies

Recommend policy improvements to strengthen fiscal accountability.

Board Support

Provide Professional Support To The Board By

• Preparing financial reports
• Attending Finance Committee meetings
• Presenting financial information
• Supporting annual budget approval
• Assisting with financial policy development
• Responding to Board financial inquiries

Leadership and Collaboration

• Supervise finance department staff.
• Foster a culture of customer service, accountability, and continuous improvement.
• Collaborate with Human Resources, Operations, Special Education, Academic Leadership, and Administration.
• Provide financial guidance to department leaders.
• Support strategic planning initiatives.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Accounting, Finance, Business Administration, or related field.
• Minimum of five years of progressively responsible governmental or public school finance experience.
• Minimum of three years of supervisory experience.
• Extensive knowledge of Minnesota public school finance.
• Extensive knowledge of Minnesota charter school funding formulas.
• Demonstrated experience with UFARS accounting.
• Strong knowledge of MDE financial reporting requirements.
• Advanced proficiency with Skyward Financial Management.
• Strong understanding of GAAP and GASB standards.
• Experience preparing and managing annual budgets exceeding several million dollars.
• Experience coordinating independent financial audits.
• Excellent analytical, organizational, and communication skills.

Preferred Qualifications

• CPA, CMA, or MBA.
• Experience as a Finance Director or Business Manager in a Minnesota public or charter school.
• Experience with federal education grants.
• Knowledge of special education finance.
• Experience with bond financing and facility funding.
• Experience presenting financial information to governing boards.

Knowledge, Skills, And Abilities

• Expert knowledge of Minnesota charter school finance laws and regulations.
• Expert understanding of school accounting best practices.
• Strong financial forecasting and modeling skills.
• Advanced spreadsheet and financial analysis skills.
• Ability to interpret complex financial data.
• Ability to communicate financial information to non-financial audiences.
• Strong project management and organizational skills.
• Ability to maintain confidentiality.
• Excellent judgment and problem-solving abilities.
• Commitment to ethical financial stewardship.

Physical Requirements

• Ability to sit for extended periods while working at a computer.
• Ability to occasionally lift up to 25 pounds.
• Ability to attend meetings on and off campus.
• Ability to perform the essential functions of the position with or without reasonable accommodation.

Working Conditions

Work is primarily performed in a professional office environment with occasional attendance at Board meetings, professional development activities, and off-site trainings.

Core Competencies

• Financial Stewardship
• Strategic Planning
• Fiscal Accountability
• Regulatory Compliance
• Leadership
• Collaboration
• Customer Service
• Integrity
• Continuous Improvement
• Communication
• Data Analysis
• Attention to Detail

Key Areas of Expertise

The Successful Candidate Will Demonstrate Expertise In

• Minnesota charter school finance and governance
• Minnesota Department of Education (MDE) reporting requirements
• Uniform Financial Accounting and Reporting Standards (UFARS)
• Skyward School Business Suite (Finance, Payroll, Budget, Purchasing, and Reporting)
• Governmental accounting (GAAP/GASB)
• Annual budgeting and long-range financial planning
• Audit preparation and coordination
• Federal and state grant financial management
• Internal controls and risk management
• School board financial reporting and public transparency