Director of Finance / Board Secretary & Treasurer
Director of Finance / Board Secretary & Treasurer
JOB SUMMARY
Reports to: Superintendent of Schools
Evaluates: Business Office Personnel
FLSA Status: Exempt
Status: Full Time Salary
Date Revised: 12.11.25/TD
Summary: An Iowa School Business Official (SBO) acts as the Chief Financial Officer, managing all district finances (budgeting, payroll, reporting, audits). Develops, coordinates, controls, and directs all accounting practices and procedures necessary for accurate and efficient reporting of all school district fiscal transactions, and serving as the Board Secretary, ensuring financial compliance with state/federal laws, and supporting student learning through sound fiscal management. Requires skills in accounting, technology, and policy adherence. Under the direction of the Board of Education and Superintendent of schools. Conducts an analysis of data for long-range financial planning. Supervises all functions of the Business office.
RESPONSIBILITIES & ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS
- Prepare certified and operating budgets in a timely manner.
- Prepare long range plans and projections pertinent to the financial needs of the district.
- Prepare multi-year projections of revenues and expenditures.
- Oversee implementation of grants and categorically funded projects.
- Ensure compliance with bond and debt related issues.
- Provide regular counsel and advice to the board and program administrators on fiscal and operational areas.
- Optimize the handling of bank and deposit relationships and initiate strategies to enhance cash position and ensure appropriate investment of district funds as prescribed by Iowa Code and district policies.
- Administer the continuous maintenance of property records.
- Direct and implement an effective system of internal financial controls.
- Oversee the maintenance of finance and business-related records, reports and district files as determined by district policy and state laws.
- Ensure district compliance with pertinent state and federal regulatory programs.
- Communicate district budget and operational status to the community as needed.
- Ensure accounting procedures meet state requirements for all accounts.
- Provide timely payment of bills and other accounts payable, prepare payroll.
- Prepare monthly reports for the Board and program administrators highlighting variances in revenues and expenditures.
- Investigate operations through appropriate internal audit procedures
- Complete, monitor, and report activities applicable to state and federally funded programs.
- Maintain liaison with appropriate county and state officials as related to the fiscal operations of the district.
- Arrange and coordinate preparation of documents for the annual financial audit.
- Implement audit suggestions regarding corrections, adjustments, internal controls, and segregation of duties in the Business Office.
- Supervise and evaluate Business Office personnel and budget.
- Oversee the district’s employee benefit program funds, including the district self-insurance program for medical/dental and workers compensation.
- Ensure that payroll checks are issued to all district employees on a timely basis and per Iowa Code Section 91A.
- Make timely payments of employee withholdings to appropriate benefits providers, and government and retirement systems.
- Monitor compliance with 403B rules.
- Submit required State and federal payments and reports.
- Annually gather comparison data on salary and benefits for negotiations.
- Plan and coordinate the development of statistical, financial, and management information related to employee relations.
- Manage the district insurance program related to property, worker compensation, liability, district-owned vehicles, and employee health benefit programs.
- Operate within the policies of and implement regulations developed by the district.
- Establish annual personal and professional development goals focused upon effective leadership characteristics and specific job performance target areas.
- Participate in workshops, conferences and/or other activities designed to maintain knowledge and skills regarding educational management, employee supervision, and other matters pertaining to effective management.
- Develop proposed policies relating to financial management for Board consideration.
- Perform additional duties and responsibilities assigned by the Superintendent of Schools.
- Participate in local, regional and state educational organizations to stay current on school finance and related issues.
- Regularly confer with building principals and administrators regarding problems/solutions related to district operations.
- Review all contracts between the district and outside contractors prior to board review.
- Serve as an Officer of the Board as Board Secretary and Treasurer with related duties and responsibilities.
- Oversee the day-to- day operations of the district finance and business functions.
- Recruit, interview, and recommend qualified personnel for Business Office staff openings.
- Establish orientation and staff development programs for Business Office personnel.
- Evaluate subordinate staff and make employment recommendations to the Superintendent.
- Approve and submit pay requests for services/products provided.
- Demonstrates the understanding and acceptance of similarities and differences among individuals and groups regardless of their age, color, creed, national origin, race, religion, marital status, sex, sexual orientation, physical attributes, physical or mental ability or disability, ancestry, political party preference, political belief, socioeconomic status or familial status.
- Works courteously and cooperatively with other staff members regardless of their age, color, creed, national origin, race, religion, marital status, sex, sexual orientation, physical attributes, physical or mental ability or disability, ancestry, political party preference, political belief, socioeconomic status or familiar status.
- Regular and reliable attendance is required.
- Performs other duties as assigned.
KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES
- Ability to understand, adhere to, and apply information from the Uniform Financial Accounting Manual and the current, accepted, Chart of Accounts.
- Understanding GASB standards and apply them to district finances.
- Effective records management, processes, and procedures.
- Working knowledge of laws applicable to school districts and area education agencies
- Ability to understand and implement employment laws.
- Ability to understand and implement bidding and construction laws.
- Ability to understand and implement pension processes including, but not limited to, retirement plans, IPERS, and 403B investments.
- Displays a working knowledge of software programs used by school business officials.
- Displays competence with the secured Department of Education website for reporting purposes and has attended applicable training sessions on usage.
- Ability to upload the Chart of Accounts and understand the relationship of the Chart of Accounts to the other reports including, but not limited to, the special education supplement, the annual report on use of sales tax revenue, the annual transportation report, and the certified annual report. This includes testing accounts used for accuracy in a manner that allows for identification of issues prior to the actual submission deadline.
- Effective, professional oral and written communication skills with all stakeholders including, but not limited to, colleagues, policy-makers, community members, and parents.
- Ability to ensure the timely flow of information
- Demonstrates habits and skills of continuous inquiry and learning.
- Work collaboratively to improve professional practice.
- Ability to apply research, knowledge, and skills from professional development opportunities to improve practice.
- Engages with administration on an annual review of the effectiveness of district accounting and reporting processes and on an individual performance evaluation consistent with district policy.
- Ability to maintain confidentiality with personal, restricted, and embargoed information.
- Timely and accurately performs the duties of the school business official.
- Maintains an environment of mutual respect, rapport, and fairness.
- Self-directed with ability to prioritize tasks and manage multiple projects simultaneously so tasks are completed in a reasonable manner.
- Organized.
- Team player.
- Detail oriented.
- Problem solver.
- 3 to 5 years supervisory experience.
Minimum Requirements for School Business Official (SBO) Authorization
- Must possess or be immediately eligible for an initial or temporary School Business Official (SBO) Authorization through the Board of Educational Examiners. Must meet one of the following:
1. A Bachelor of Arts or Bachelor of Science Degree in Business or Accounting;
2. An Associates of Arts Degree or Associates of Science Degree in Business or Accounting; or
3. 60 College credits of Business-related courses
- A minimum of 6 credits of accounting is required for the Temporary Initial SBO Authorization; 9 credits of accounting are required for the Initial SBO Authorization.
- Must successfully complete an Iowa Division of Criminal Investigation background check. The background check fee will be assessed to the applicant.
- Must successfully complete a national criminal history background check. The background check fee will be assessed to the applicant.
- Must complete 9 semester hours or the equivalent (1 semester hour is equivalent to 15 contact hours) in an approved program in the following areas/competencies:
1. Accounting (GAAP) concepts: fund accounting, account codes, Uniform Financial Accounting.
2. Accounting cycles: budgets, payroll/benefits, purchasing/inventory, cash, receipts, disbursements, financial reporting, investments.
3. Technology: management of accounting systems, proficiency in understanding and use of systems technology and related programs.
4. Regulatory: Uniform Administrative Procedures Manual, school policies and procedures, administrative procedures, public records law, records management, school law, employment law, construction and bidding law.
5. Personal skills: effective communication and interpersonal skills, ethical conduct, information management, ability to analyze and evaluate, ability to recognize and safeguard confidential information, and accurate and timely performance.
- Demonstrate completion of or competency in the following:
1. A board of educational examiners ethics program
2. A mentoring program as described in 281—Chapter 81
3. The promotion of the value of the School Business Official’s fiduciary responsibility to the taxpayer.
PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS
The physical demands 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 essential functions.
Must have the ability to sit and stand for extended periods of time; exhibit manual dexterity to use a telephone, to enter data into a computer; to see and read a computer screen and printed materials with or without vision aids; hear and understand speech at normal classroom levels, outdoors and on the telephone; speak in audible tones so that others may understand clearly in normal classrooms, outdoors and on the telephone; physical agility to lift up to 15 lbs. to height and up to 25 lbs. to waist height; ability to bend, stoop, walk and reach overhead.
ADA accommodation may be requested.
WORKING CONDITIONS
The work environment characteristics described are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Duties are normally performed in an office environment and may include duties performed in a school/classroom. Lighting and temperature are adequate, and there are no hazardous or unpleasant conditions caused by dust or other materials.
The statements contained herein describe the scope of responsibility and essential functions of this position but should not be considered to be an all-inclusive listing of work requirements. Individuals may perform other duties as assigned. Nothing in this job description restricts management’s right to assign or reassign duties and responsibilities to this job at any time unless restricted by a negotiated contract.
Any employee not covered by a negotiated contract agreement is an “at-will” employee. Either the school district or the employee can terminate the employment relationship at will, with or without cause, so long as there is no violation of applicable federal or state law.
