Chief Finance Officer (CFO)

Position Type:
Administration/Chief Finance Officer (CFO)

Date Posted:
3/3/2025

Location:
Central Office
WORKFORCE DIVERSITY STATEMENT:

The Newington Public Schools is dedicated to recruiting, hiring, growing and retaining a culturally diverse workforce that represents the racial, ethnic, and linguistic diversity of our community - to challenge student achievement and realize equity for all in our schools. To achieve this, we value and strive for the highest levels of:

• Family and Community Engagement;
• Culturally Relevant Organizational Practices;
• School Climate;
• Student-Centered Learning;
• Diverse Staff of Excellent Educators
• Equitable Student Access; and
• Fiscal Equity

We are interested in candidates who are passionate around these values; candidates who represent the racial, ethnic, and linguistic diversity of our community; and candidates who will engage fully in our continuous improvement efforts to achieve equity for all.

JOB DESCRIPTION:

The Chief Finance Officer shall handle the business matters for the school system. The Chief Finance Officer shall coordinate the development and maintenance of the annual budget and long-range financial projections, including, but not limited to: financial planning, budgeting, purchasing, accounting, and cost analysis through program budgeting. The Chief Finance Officer shall also supervise and coordinate the in-house activities of the following departments: Facilities Maintenance, Food Service, Information Technology, Custodial Operations, Student Transportation and Central Supply.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

The following statements of duties and responsibilities are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by individuals assigned to this position. These statements are not intended to be an exhaustive list of all duties and responsibilities required of all personnel within this position.

• The Chief Finance Officer will effectively and efficiently manage the financial, operational, and administrative functions within the school district, supporting the educational mission, promoting fiscal responsibility, and engendering confidence in the district's fiscal practices. Efficiently and effectively managing the Business Office, Facilities and Maintenance Department, Food Services Department, and Transportation Department.
• Oversees the day-to-day accounting operations and serves as a back-up to Payroll, Accounts Payable, Benefits, and Accounting.
• Participates in the annual audit and assists in bid preparation for major contracts.
• Prepares and presents salary and related financial analysis for union negotiations, mediation, and arbitration.
• Ensure proper tracking, reporting, and compliance with all grant requirements for drawing down funds, reconciling accounts, completing journal entries, and reporting on the State eGrants management system (EGMS).
• Serve as Plan Administrator for all district health and liability insurance programs (auto, property, cyber liability, student athletics, workers' compensation), ensuring comprehensive coverage for employees and district property and assets.

The Chief Finance Officer will work collaboratively with the Superintendent to:

• Develop and oversee the preparation and implementation of an annual school district budget that supports short-term and long-range financial plans consistent with the vision, mission and goals of the school district.
• Develop and monitor the district's capital plan in coordination with the superintendent, principals and department leaders as well as the Town Council and Town Finance Director.
• Implement an annual budget request process for each school, and facilitate building-based and department-based budget management throughout the fiscal year.
• Budget for, review, and annually update all business contracts for procurement of goods and services with deadlines and priorities in mind.
• Monitor revenue and expenditures, ensuring compliance with state and federal guidelines, including use of the Education Finance System for the CT State Department of Education for state financial filings.
• Prepares monthly financial statements and reports for the Board of Education, Superintendent, and other stakeholders.
• Recommend budget transfers throughout the fiscal year to manage unanticipated expenses and savings
• Coordinate, prepare, and oversee all fiscal audits and ensure full compliance with all regional, municipal, state, and federal legal and regulatory financial requirements and communicate potential risk information to the Board, and the Superintendent.
• Monitor and manage the district's nonlapsing account.
• Assumes other functions as determined by the Superintendent.

REQUIRED PHYSICAL AND MENTAL EFFORT AND ENVIRONMENTAL CONDITIONS:

(The physical demands and work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of the job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.)

• Ability to work under stress from demanding deadlines and changing priorities and conditions.
• Ability to concentrate on fine detail with constant interruption.
• Ability to attend to tasks / functions for more than 60 minutes at a time.
• Ability to remember multiple tasks / assignments given to self and others over long periods of time.
• Ability to move throughout the Town Hall and other Town buildings and sites.
• Works in an office setting subject to continuous interruptions.
• Exposure to video display terminals on a daily basis.
• Ability to hear normal sounds with some background noise and to communicate effectively.
• Ability to file letters, correspondence, reports, etc. in file cabinet drawers ranging from 1' to 5' from the floor.

REQUIRED MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:

The skills and knowledge required would generally be acquired with:

• Bachelor's degree in Business Administration, Finance, Accounting, or a related field (Master's degree preferred).
• Connecticut School Business Administrator (085) certification, or eligibility to obtain certification.
• Minimum of 5 years of experience in financial management, preferably in a public school or municipal environment.
• Experience with eGMS (Educational Grant Management System) preferred
• Strong knowledge of Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP).
• Knowledge of payroll systems, purchasing, and contract management; experience with Alio or other similar financial management systems is preferred.
• Proven experience in budgeting, strategic planning, and operational oversight.
• Ability to work collaboratively with the Board of Education, District Administration, Town Council, and town finance personnel.
• Familiarity with facilities management, food services, transportation, and risk management in a public-school setting.
• Knowledge of Connecticut and federal grants programs, Connecticut School Construction and processes related to education funding and the grant process.

LICENSE OR CERTIFICATE:

Connecticut State Department of Education Endorsements required;

Business Administration (085) or
Intermediate Administration and Supervision (Endorsement 092) with appropriate experience and training.

SALARY & TERMS:

• 12 month work year
• Minimum starting salary of $160,000; Salary is commensurate with experience and individual employment contract
• Benefits include competitive Anthem HDHP, Dental options, generous sick, personal and vacation leave

Note: The above is illustrative of tasks and responsibilities. It is not meant to be all-inclusive of every task or responsibility.