Director of Chief Finance Officer Business Manager

Job Description for Director of Chief Finance Officer/ Business Manager Position Title: Chief Finance Officer/ Business ManagerJob Status: Full Time Reports To: SuperintendentFLSA Status: Exempt Amount of Travel: Frequent TravelClassification: Classified Administrator Level: District Level Position Date Created: September 2026 Work Schedule: 240 Days Salary Range: TBD (Experience and certification will be considered.) POSITON SUMMARYThe Chief Finance Officer (CFO)/ Business Manager serves as the chief financial administrator for the Watson Chapel School District and is responsible for the effective efficient accurate and lawful administration of the districts financial CFO/ Business Manager provides leadership and oversight for budgeting accounting financial reporting cash management purchasing accounts payable payroll coordination investments debt management internal controls audits and other business operations assigned by the Superintendent. The position serves as a financial advisor to the Superintendent and Board of Education and ensures that District financial practices comply with applicable federal and state laws Arkansas Department of Education/Division of Elementary and Secondary Education requirements Board policies and generally accepted governmental accounting DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIESFinancial Leadership and AdministrationPlan organize direct and manage the financial affairs and business operations of the as the principal financial advisor to the Superintendent and provide financial information and recommendations to the Board of that financial operations support the districts strategic priorities and educational and maintain effective accounting procedures financial systems internal controls and safeguards for District improvements to financial procedures systems controls and business leadership that promotes efficiency fiscal responsibility transparency accountability and sound stewardship of public Development and ManagementCoordinate and prepare the districts annual operating budget in collaboration with the Superintendent and appropriate short- and long-term financial projections and revenues and expenditures throughout the fiscal year and provide regular budget updates to the Superintendent and budget amendments and transfers as administrators in developing and monitoring school and departmental District expenditures to ensure funds are used for authorized purposes and within approved financial trends and provide recommendations regarding the districts financial fiscal year-end and calendar year-end financial all duties required of the District Treasurer in accordance with Arkansas law Arkansas Department of Education requirements Board policy and District accurate records of District receipts disbursements cash balances and financial District bank accounts and ensure timely reconciliation of all the receipt deposit transfer investment and disbursement of District appropriate cash balances and monitor the districts cash and/or review journal entries and financial that District funds are properly accounted for and maintained in the appropriate funds and appropriate documentation supporting all financial Reporting and CompliancePrepare and submit accurate and timely monthly quarterly annual and other required financial compliance with reporting requirements established by the Arkansas Department of Education/Division of Elementary and Secondary Education and other governmental reporting deadlines and ensure timely submission of required financial financial records in accordance with applicable record-retention compliance with Generally Accepted Accounting Principles Governmental Accounting Standards federal requirements state requirements Board policy and District required financial information and disclosures on the districts changes in school finance laws regulations accounting standards and reporting requirements and advise the Superintendent of their potential impact on the collaboratively with appropriate Federal Programs Coordinator and administrators to ensure proper budgeting accounting and expenditure of federal state categorical and restricted expenditures for compliance with applicable funding appropriate documentation for financial monitoring and administrators with financial reporting and budget management for grants and special and Business OperationsOversee the Districts general ledger and financial accounting or coordinate accounts payable accounts receivable purchasing payroll-related financial functions cash receipts deposits and other business office proper coding and documentation of revenues and financial transactions for accuracy appropriate authorization and vendor records and required tax appropriate segregation of duties and internal controls within the Business or ensure reconciliation of bank accounts and other financial accurate records of District assets and financial and Internal ControlsCoordinate the Districts annual financial audit and serve as the primary liaison with external records schedules reports and documentation necessary for to audit findings and develop corrective action plans in consultation with the implementation of corrective periodic reviews of District financial procedures and internal financial risks and recommend appropriate Debt and Capital ProjectsManage or monitor District investments in accordance with applicable law and Board bonded indebtedness debt-service requirements and related financial appropriate records regarding bond proceeds and financial oversight and reporting for construction and capital improvement financial matters associated with state partnership projects and other capital programs when and Superintendent SupportPrepare financial reports analyses and recommendations for the Superintendent and Board of Board meetings and present financial information as financial information in a clear and understandable manner to administrators Board members staff and other the Superintendent with financial planning and recommendations regarding district financial information necessary for informed Office LeadershipSupervise train support and evaluate assigned Business Office clear procedures timelines responsibilities and standards for Business Office professional development and cross training to ensure continuity of essential financial accuracy professionalism confidentiality customer service teamwork and appropriate backup procedures exist for critical financial ALIGNMENT AND COLLABORATIONAlign financial planning resource allocation and business-office practices with the districts strategic priorities instructional goals board-approved budget and continuous-improvement with the Superintendent school leaders Human Resources Federal Programs Facilities and other departments to ensure financial decisions are coordinated compliant sustainable and responsive to student and operational consistent districtwide procedures timelines and communication protocols for budgeting purchasing receipting reporting and financial financial and operational data to identify trends anticipate risks evaluate resource effectiveness and recommend timely corrective or strategic transparency and accountability by communicating financial expectations responsibilities and results clearly to administrators staff the Board of Education and other stakeholders as DutiesPerform other duties and special assignments as directed by the Superintendent or designee. MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONSBachelors degree from an accredited college or university in accounting finance business administration public administration or a related field degree in accounting finance business administration or a closely related field is professional accounting or financial credential/licensure where applicable is strongly preferred; required credentials and training established by Arkansas law ADE/DESE or District policy must be progressively responsible experience in accounting finance budgeting business management or a related district or governmental accounting experience strongly equivalent combination of education training certification and relevant experience may be considered where permitted by District policy and applicable requirements. KNOWLEDGE SKILLS AND ABILITIESHigh degree of integrity accuracy accountability discretion and attention to to analyze complex financial information identify discrepancies or risks solve problems and make sound organizational time-management written communication oral communication and presentation to meet multiple deadlines manage competing priorities and work effectively with limited to lead and supervise staff develop procedures provide training and build effective working relationships with employees administrators Board members auditors vendors governmental agencies and the to explain financial information clearly to both financial and non-financial SKILLSExperience with Microsoft Office Google and other relevant SOLVING AND SYSTEMS THINKINGUnderstands how various systems and departments interact to achieve district decisions using data and offer innovative solutions to challenges. EVALUATION/ PERFORMANCE REVIEW CRITERIAThe Superintendent of Schools or designee in accordance with applicable law Board policy will evaluate performance and the responsibilities established for this position. PHYSICAL DEMANDSThe work will primarily be in an indoor office environment and requires prolonged use of computers and other office equipment. The employee must be able to sit stand walk bend reach communicate effectively and occasionally lift or move office materials up to approximately 20 pounds. District-wide and occasional statewide travel may be required. The position may require extended or irregular hours during budget development audits year-end closing Board meetings and other critical reporting periods. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable qualified individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. DISCLAIMERThis job description is intended to describe the general nature and level of work performed and is not an exhaustive list of all duties responsibilities qualifications or requirements. The Watson Chapel School District reserves the right to modify duties or assign additional responsibilities as District needs require. This job will be posted until filled.

Required Experience:

Chief