Chief Financial Officer – Petersburg, VA

Job Description

Grade Level/Terms of Employment: Ungraded/12-month contract
FLSA Status: Exempt
Posting Date: July 1, 2024
Closing Date: Until Filled
Salary: $166,500
Work Location: Central Office
Immediate Supervisor: Superintendent

Minimum Education, Training, and Experience Requirements:
Bachelor’s Degree required. Master’s Degree and/or CPA preferred. Five or more years of experience in a supervisory or management position in finance and administration in the public sector, preferably in a public school division. Evidence of extensive experience in the oversight, financial control and supervision of budgeting, accounting, auditing, payroll, grants management, financial reporting, procurement, and capital planning.

General Description
The Chief Financial Officer supervises the management of all aspects of the financial affairs of the Petersburg City Public Schools (PCPS). This individual provides leadership and oversight in the administration of financial resources allocated by the PCPS School Board and Administration in a manner that ensures the prudent fiscal operation of the school division, and in accordance with the Memorandum of Understanding between the Virginia Board of Education and PCPS. The Chief Financial Officer is responsible for implementing and monitoring the use of best practices in public school financial management and planning. The Chief Financial Officer supervises all assigned programs and activities and works collaboratively with the superintendent, staff, parents and community members to achieve the division’s mission and goals.

Essential Job Functions

• Supervises the budgeting, accounting and reporting of all PCPS funds to include assets, liabilities, revenues and expenses in a manner that complies with federal, state, and local laws and regulations.
• Coordinates the preparation of the division’s annual operating and capital improvement budgets, and assists the Superintendent and PCPS Senior Staff in reviewing and finalizing the proposed budgets for submission to the PCPS School Board for approval.
• Collaborates closely with Human Resources before and during budget development on position control in order to capture changes to position and/or salary.
• Responsible for fixed assets accounting and fixed assets inventory.
• Responsible for Accounts Receivable.
• Supervises the preparation, publication, and distribution of budget documents as approved by the Superintendent and the School Board.
• Communicates and interprets the financial needs of the school division for various community and citizen groups and provides budgetary and other financial data and analysis as needed.
• Provides accurate and timely financial reports to include periodic revenue and expenditure projections to the Superintendent; annual revenue and expenditure projections to the School Board; monthly expenditure reports to budget and program managers; monthly financial reports to the Superintendent and School Board, and other financial/budgetary reports as required.
• Recommends appropriate policies, regulations, monitoring processes and internal audit procedures to the Assistant Superintendent for Human Resources and Operations to ensure sound fiscal planning and practices, including procurement of equipment and supplies.
• Conducts procurement processes consistent with PCPS School Board policy and Virginia Public Procurement Act.
• Administers the division’s risk management programs for the purpose of securing, negotiating, and administering all property, vehicle, student accident, salary protection, worker’s compensation and general liability insurance coverages.
• Oversees the Business and Finance Department. Establishes and articulates a vision for the department with respect to its role in achieving the goals of the division strategic plan, and meeting the requirements of the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between the Virginia Board of Education (VDOE) and the PCPS.
• Supervises and evaluates the Accounts Payable and Fixed Assets Specialist, Payroll Specialist, Accountant, and Accounting Specialist for Purchasing.
• Facilitates annual audits, prepares accounting schedules, and provides information to independent auditors as requested. Coordinates the annual audits of school activity funds.
• Prepares and coordinates analyses of program costs and methods of financing, including long-range projections of requirements; monitors PCPS’ financial performance to identify trends which may require change to current or future years’ budget plan.
• Provides assistance to the Buyer on bids/proposals for major projects (i.e. construction, capital projects) and oversees the bid process.
• Provides training and technical assistance to bookkeepers, principals and other program managers on financial management, account codes, student activity funds, and budgets.
• Approves all vouchers authorizing the expenditure of monies; reviews and approves accounts payable batches prior to check printing.
• Responds to inquiries from School Board and Superintendent, PCPS administrators and departments, employees and others regarding questions and issues concerning PCPS financial data and processes.
• Collaborates with other PCPS and City of Petersburg department leaders for the purpose of ensuring that department practices and processes enhance and support PCPS and City goals.
• Attends all School Board meetings.
• Performs other related duties as assigned.

Required Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

• Extensive knowledge of principles and best practices related to school accounting, auditing, budgeting, and financial management.
• Ability to plan, forecast, organize and direct multiple complex financial components.
• Ability to supervise and evaluate others performing professional or administrative work.
• Demonstrated ability to identify problems, analyze key data points, and present alternative solutions to the Executive Director for Human Resources and Operations.
• Ability to communicate effectively orally and in writing, including the ability to make presentations to parent and community groups, school and city officials.
• Ability to use computers and other office and presentation technology.
• Demonstrated proficiency with Microsoft Office applications, student data management/information systems, and accounting software systems.
• Ability to develop and maintain positive and professional relationships with staff, subordinates, supervisors, School Board members, parents and the general public.

Benefits:
This position is eligible for benefits.

Petersburg City Public Schools assures Equal Employment Opportunities for employees as required by Federal and State Orders and Law. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential tasks. This job description is intended to accurately reflect the position activities and requirements. However, administration reserves the right to modify, add, or remove duties and assign other duties as necessary. 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 and does not imply an employment contract.