Brentwood School District is a highly rated public education system located in the heart of St. Louis County which includes the City of Brentwood and portions of surrounding areas. The district covers just over two square miles, encompassing suburban neighborhoods, major retail areas, and businesses. Just minutes away from the County seat, major universities, parks, and other community resources, Brentwood offers small community charm with big city resources and attractions. As the “Home of the Eagles,” Brentwood School District offers high-quality programs, resources, and opportunities to adapt to the ever-changing needs of students and families. The district’s five schools collectively enroll more than 800 students who compete nationally with their peers in academics, athletics, and extracurricular activities.
Description
JOB/POSITION SUMMARY: The Chief Financial Officer (CFO) oversees all financial operations of the district, including budgeting, accounting, auditing, purchasing, payroll, grants management, and long-range financial planning. The CFO ensures that all financial practices align with district goals and are conducted in accordance with state and federal laws. This individual serves as a critical advisor to the superintendent, providing clear and strategic guidance on the district’s fiscal health and sustainability. The CFO must make sound financial decisions with an understanding of their impact on educational outcomes. They must communicate effectively with a wide range of stakeholders, manage multiple priorities simultaneously, and foster a culture of transparency and accountability in financial operations
REPORTS TO: Superintendent of Schools
EMPLOYMENT TERMS: Administrative salary determined by Superintendent of Schools, depending on experience and education. 12-month contract of employment based on annual evaluation in accordance with this job description. FLSA Status: Exempt
Qualifications
EDUCATION AND/OR EXPERIENCE:
- Bachelor’s degree in accounting, finance, business administration, or a related field from an accredited four-year college or university (CPA and/or MBA preferred)
- Graduate-level degree in business, finance, or educational leadership preferred
- Three (3) or more years of progressively responsible experience in public sector financial management, preferably in a school district setting
CERTIFICATES/LICENSES:
- Valid driver's license required with reliable transportation to travel throughout the district and surrounding areas
- SFO Certification preferred
Essential Duties And Responsibilities
- Oversees Financial Operations to include:
- Develop and manage the district’s annual budget in alignment with strategic priorities
- Oversee all accounting functions, including accounts payable/receivable, general ledger, payroll, and fixed assets
- Monitor district financial performance and prepare regular reports for the superintendent and board of education
- Direct all financial audits, ensuring compliance with state and federal regulations and best practices
- Develop long-range financial projections and conduct fiscal impact analysis of proposed initiatives
- Ensure proper accounting and tracking of federal and state grants and categorical funding
- Maintain strong internal controls and safeguard district assets through risk management strategies
- Lead the annual financial audit process and respond to audit findings with corrective action plans
- Collaborate with human resources and the superintendent to develop compensation structures and benefits planning
- Oversees Purchasing and Vendor Management to include:
- Supervise procurement processes, ensuring compliance with state bidding laws and district policy
- Evaluate contracts, bids, and proposals to ensure quality and cost-effectiveness
- Coordinate with district leaders to ensure timely acquisition of supplies, materials, and services
- Maintain and enforce ethical standards in all purchasing activities
- Manages Payroll and Benefits Accounting:
- Supervise payroll operations to ensure accuracy, compliance, and timely processing
- Monitor benefit-related expenditures and work closely with HR on fiscal aspects of employee benefits and insurance
- Maintain compliance with reporting requirements related to retirement systems, tax filings, and benefit carriers
- Facilitates Board and Public Communication:
- Prepare monthly financial reports and budget updates for the board of education
- Present budget proposals and financial data to various stakeholders, including public hearings and community forums
- Translate complex financial information into understandable formats for non-financial audiences
- Provide guidance and training to district and building administrators on budget management
- District Compliance and Leadership Responsibilities:
- Ensure compliance with all financial regulations and the timely submission of reports to DESE and other agencies
- Supervise finance office staff, promoting professional growth and high performance
- Lead the development and maintenance of financial policies and procedures
- Serve as the primary contact for external auditors, banks, and financial institutions
- Support collective bargaining by providing fiscal analysis and participating in negotiations as needed
- Equity and Access in Resource Allocation:
- Monitor budget and resource allocations to ensure equity across schools and programs
- Use data to identify and address opportunity gaps in financial decision-making
- Collaborate with district leaders to ensure that financial strategies support equity goals
- PROFESSIONAL RESPONSIBILITIES:
- Participate in and lead a variety of meetings and on-going professional development conveying and/or gathering information required to perform the job’s function
- Demonstrate a sense of professional responsibility
- Maintain confidentiality of information
- Communicate effectively and professionally with parents, staff, students, and community members
- Attend professional growth sessions for the purpose of keeping professional knowledge current with changing laws and regulations
- Participate in regional and national school finance organizations
- Complete all other tasks as assigned by the Superintendent
Knowledge/Skills/Abilities Required
The requirements described below are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
Communication Skills
- Ability to read, analyze, interpret, and create technical procedures, handbooks, policy books
- Ability, both orally and in writing, to present information effectively and respond appropriately to questions and concerns from individuals
- Ability to effectively communicate with diverse groups
- Ability to maintain a friendly, approachable manner that creates positive connections with people
MATHEMATICAL SKILLS:
- Ability to work with basic mathematical concepts
- Ability to maintain a balance budget, analyze various budget proposals, determine the funding allocations, defend various budgeting and salary recommendations, and forecast financial needs of the department
REASONING ABILITY:
- Ability to define and solve problems, collect and analyze data, establish facts, and draw valid conclusions
- Ability to use available information and prioritize multiple responsibilities and meet various deadlines
Technical Skills
- Ability to utilize multiple computer programming systems:
- Proficient with Microsoft Word, Excel and PowerPoint, and Google Suite required
- Experience with various social media mediums for recruitment purposes including Facebook, X, and LinkedIn is preferred
- Experience with human resource management systems (i.e., Frontline Central) is preferred
OTHER SKILLS AND ABILITIES:
- Ability to perform duties with awareness of district policies and procedures and federal/state laws
- Ability to work effectively with a team to design, monitor and achieve collective goals
- Ability to independently work using standardized practices and/or methods to lead, guide, and/or coordinate with others
- Ability to maintain composure under pressure and thrive as a department of one.
- Strong time-management and organizational skills; ability to multitask
- A commitment to advancing equity and the ability to establish and/or maintain an equity approach to operational systems within the human resource department
PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS:
- The employee must speak, stand, talk, see, hear, and sit for long periods of time on a regular basis.
- The employee is occasionally required to climb, stoop, kneel, and lift up to 50 lbs.
- The employee must frequently bend, and use fine motor skills.
- Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, peripheral vision, and the ability to read small print.
Environmental Conditions
- The noise level will vary depending on the daily activity. The office setting is typically quiet, however the individual must be able to handle multiple tasks with frequent interruptions.
- The employee must have the ability to work in potentially high stress situations, with frequent engagement with various stakeholders.
- The office work environment is consistent with a typical office environment; however, the individual who holds this position will frequently be required to travel to multiple settings and adapt to unexpected environments.
- The employee must be able to work on a computer the majority of the work day.
All candidates must attach the following documents to your application: Letter of interest, resume, certification (if applicable), and the contact information for at least 3 references
EOE. Brentwood School District is an Equal Opportunity Employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, national origin, age, veteran status, mental or physical disability, or any other basis prohibited by statute in its programs and activities. If you have special needs addressed by the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) or for assistance with any phase of the application process, please contact the Office of Human Resources at (314) 962-4507 x. 6016 or RelayMO711 or 1-800-735-2966.
