Director of Finance

EAST PROVIDENCE SCHOOL DEPARTMENT

Director of Finance

Job Description

Class Title:   Director of Finance

Department: Business/Payroll

Classification Administrator – 12 months

Immediate Supervisor: Superintendent

CLASS DESCRIPTION

Under the direction of the Superintendent of Schools, the Director of Finance is to account for and record the business affairs of the district in such a way as to provide the best possible educational service with the financial resources available. The Director of Finance will keep the necessary records to facilitate sound fiscal management of the School District and advise the Superintendent of business affairs. Responsible for Food Service Funds, grants management, UCOA and audit reporting, oversight of all student activity accounts. Oversees payroll, purchasing, accounts payable staff for the district.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

1. Identify and apply various organizational leadership models.
2. Identify techniques for motivating others, delegating authority, decision making, information processing, planning and allocating resources.
3. Examine methods of assigning personnel and resources to accomplish specific goals and objectives and to utilize scheduling techniques for the coordination of tasks to maximize personnel and resource utilization.
4. Identify problems, securing relevant information, and recognizing possible causes of conflict.
5. Ability to question techniques, fact-finding, categorizing information and retention of relevant data.
6. Ability to apply concepts of change, group dynamics, interpersonal relationships, and effective problem solving.
7. Ability to delegate and assign responsibilities to subordinates, collect, analyze, and evaluate information to generate contingency plans, and apply basic concepts of organizational development.
8. Maintain a system for budget control
9. Maintain the strictest confidence concerning personnel, students, and operational concerns of the district.

PLANNING RESPONSIBILITIES:

1. Prepare a budget calendar to meet the time constraints of budget preparation.
2. Apply the legal requirements for budget adoption.
3. Recognize and forecast the major sources of revenue available to public schools from local, state and federal levels of government.
4. Maximize state and federal aid for the district.
5. Explore alternative and innovative revenue sources.

FISCAL MANAGEMENT RESPONSIBILITIES:

1.  Develop and maintain an accurate fiscal accounting system by employing accounting procedures that conform with the Rhode Island Uniform Chart of Accounts (UCOA), maintaining accounts payable and accounts receivable in good order and current, and working cooperatively and effectively with the auditors of this district and all administrators.
2. Maintain a thorough data reporting system for the completion of financial reports required by the Federal, State, and Local Government.
3. Organize and report all State reports required for Housing Aid Reimbursement.
4. Assist in the preparation, implementation, monitoring and presentation of the district budget.  
5. Oversee school property and liability insurance programs including the fixed assets inventory system.
6. Oversee the payroll system and to coordinate employee benefit programs and the reporting system for these programs to the Federal and State Government.
7. Oversee the school lunch program and preparation of required reports for the program.
8. Attend School Committee meetings,building committee meetings and other sub-committees meetings as necessary.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES

• Working knowledge of district and school rules, state and federal regulations, and policies applicable to the area of assignment.
• Ability to work effectively with district personnel, administrators, staff, parents, outside agencies, other school districts, and the community.
• Keen ability to use data in the decision making process and strong analytical and problem-solving skills.
• Ability to continuously elevate professional contributions through ongoing reflection, building upon previous learning, and being open and receptive to ongoing feedback.
• Ability to communicate and understand information and ideas effectively verbally and in writing.
• Ability to learn and proficiently use various school-related systems and databases.
• Ability to multitask and prioritize work to meet time sensitive deadlines.
• Ability to handle difficult in-person situations and telephone inquiries which require courtesy, tact, and professionalism.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

• Masters Degree
• 5 years of relevant experience preferred
• Rhode Island Business Manager Certification or eligibility for the same.
• Knowledge/experience in accounting
• Knowledge of the Rhode Island Uniform Chart of Accounts (UCOA)
• Prior supervisory experience.
• Knowledge/experience with computers is required
• Such alternatives to the above qualifications as the Superintendent may find appropriate and acceptable.

SALARY RANGE: $125,000 -$135,000

PHYSICAL DEMANDS

The physical demands described are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee must be able to work in a variety of physical positions, including, but not limited to, sitting, standing, stretching, and walking. The employee is regularly required to talk and/or hear.

The employee is frequently required to use hands, handle, or feel. The employee must be able to perform physical activities such as, but not limited to, lifting, and/or moving light objects up to ten (10) lbs., and occasionally lift items slightly over ten (10) lbs. The use of a step stool may be required to reach the top drawer of a filing cabinet as necessary. Specific vision abilities include close vision and color vision.

WORK ENVIRONMENT:

The work environment characteristics described are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job.

The duties listed above are intended only as illustrations of the various types of work that may be performed and is not a comprehensive listing of all functions and tasks performed by positions in this class. The omission of specific statements of duties does not exclude them from the position if the work is similar, related or a logical assignment to the position.