Position Summary

The Chief Financial Officer (CFO), reports to the Superintendent of Schools and is a member of the Superintendent’s senior administrative team. The CFO has the primary responsibility of monitoring the financial well-being of the organization by directing and managing the operation of all financial and business affairs of the Orleans Parish School Board including accounting, payroll, budget, risk management, and tax collection. The CFO will serve as the chief financial adviser to the superintendent and locally elected School Board members. S/he will assume supervisory responsibilities over all financial operations. The CFO will define the processes and implement the infrastructure and systems needed to support continuous growth for the Orleans Parish School Board. 

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

• Develops finance organizational strategies by contributing financial and accounting information, analysis, and recommendations to aid OPSB leadership in strategic thinking and direction.
• Oversees the management and coordination of all fiscal reporting activities for the organization including: organizational revenue/expense and balance sheet reports and reports to funding agencies
• Monitors and reports on financial status by measuring and analyzing results and providing transparency and accountability.
• Oversees and supports charter and district schools’ compliance with federal, state, and local laws and regulations in the processes of budgeting, purchasing, disbursements, and financial reporting;
• Oversees staff operations for payment of bills, collection of accounts receivable, records storage, and banking responsibilities.
• Tracks the adopted budget and prepares periodic budget reviews for submission to the Superintendent of Schools and School Board.
• Develops and provides oversight for the Consolidated Annual Financial Report (CAFR).
• Monitors Child Nutrition budget allocations, expenditures, fund balances, and related financial activities for ensuring that allocations are accurate, revenues are recorded, expenses are within budget limits, and/or fiscal practices are followed.
• Provides weekly financial and operational updates to the Superintendent.
• Directs, reviews, and participates in the analysis of laws, rules, regulations, opinions and decisions that affect the financial activities of the district.
• Provides substantial oversight and direction over year-end audits and works with external auditors to ensure clean financial audits with unqualified opinions.
• Develops and improves upon ERP system implementation across the organization.
• Serves as a member of the Superintendent's Cabinet and any other committees assigned by the Superintendent.
• Other duties as assigned by the Superintendent.

Educational Background

Master’s degree in finance, accounting, or equivalent field

Licensure as a Certified Public Accountant (CPA) and/or Certified Government Finance Officer (CGFO) is required. 5+ years’ experience as a Director of Finance, VP of Finance or Chief Financial Officer in a fast paced, high growth environment

Experience in finance for a multi-site organization

Knowledge of not-for-profit accounting and public sector finance

Skills and Management Experience Requirements

This role requires strong organizational leadership skills in order to align work processes, establish and maintain fiscal responsibility, facilitate collaboration and planning, and build a cohesive team.

Extensive experience with an emphasis in financial management, budget, accounting, and statistical analysis is required.

State-Federal government finance experience and /or financial administration of large programs particularly for K-12 education or higher education is desirable.

Other desirable experience and skills include:

• Strong leadership skills and the ability to communicate and interact with diverse groups of colleagues and customers;
• Expert financial acumen and the ability to communicate complex financial concepts to a variety of audiences;
• Effective customer service and organizational skills;
• Ability to effectively present information to internal and external groups and audiences;
• Ability to read, analyze, and interpret complex regulations and documents, financial and business reports, and technical journals; and
• Requires strategic thinking and action.

Work Environment:

Listed below are key points regarding environmental demands and the work environment of the job.  Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of the job. 

• Required to use motor coordination with finger dexterity (such as keyboarding, machine operation, etc.) part of the work day;
• Required to exert physical effort in handling objects more than 30 pounds rarely;
• Required to be exposed to physical occupational risks (such as cuts, burns, exposure to toxic chemicals) rarely;
• Required to be exposed to physical environment which involves dirt, odors, noise, weather extremes or similar elements rarely;
• Normal setting for this job is an office/school setting

Reporting Structure: 

The Chief Financial Officer will report to the Superintendent of Schools.

Direct Reports:

The Chief Financial Officer will have four (4) direct reports: Executive Director of Risk Management, Executive Director of Child Nutrition, Director of Accounting, and Budget Director.

FSLA Information: 

This is a full-time, exempt position.

Salary:  

OPSB Salary Grade 12: Chief Financial Officer ($140,000 - $180,000)

EEOC Statement:

The Orleans Parish School Board is committed to equal employment opportunities regardless of race, color, genetic information, creed, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, lawful alien status, national origin, age, marital status, and non-job related physical or mental disability, or protected veteran status.