Job Summary:

Under the direction of the Superintendent, the Director of Business Services serves as the Chief Financial Officer of the District responsible for the fiscal management and fiscal operations of the District including accounts payable, accounts receivable, payroll/benefits, and the preparation of all budgetary and financial information to the School Board and Superintendent, and reporting to outside entities. The Director of Business Services is also responsible for the operations and personnel of the district engaged in accounting, and student accounting.

Supervisory Responsibilities:

 Direct Supervision: Controller/Enrollment, Payroll & Benefits Manager
Indirect Supervision: None
 
Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

• Manages, supervises and directs the personnel of Business Services.
  1. Oversees the selection, hiring, discipline, transfer or discharge of departmental staff.
  2. Coordinates and oversees the orientation, personal development and training of department staff.
  3. Monitors the performance of departmental staff and directly evaluates the performance of all direct reports.
  4. Monitors the accomplishment of departmental programs, projects and goals.
  5. Examines, controls and/or reorganizes departmental responsibilities, operational procedures, protocols, methods and policies to better accomplish department/district goals and procedures.
• Serves as the District’s Chief Financial Officer overseeing all fiscal operations, policies and procedures to the ensure compliance with accounting standards, laws, rules, regulations, guidelines, and reporting requirements. Provides financial analysis and forecasting to aid in financial planning, budget preparation and organizational planning assistance.
  6. Creates, monitors, adjusts and presents all of the District’s budgets. Collaborates and works closely with various district administrators and managers concerning the preparation of budgets.
  7. Analyzes all district financial information reported to the School Board, MDE and other inside and outside agencies.
  8. Compiles and adjusts information to close out District accounting records and books for audit and prepares the certified annual financial report in compliance with GASB and GAAP standards.
  9. Performs financial forecasting and estimation of student enrollment projects to forecast legislative funding.
  10. Forecasts and makes expenditure projects based upon inflation trends, employment contract provisions.
  11. Researches, investigates and performs cost analysis to determine more efficient uses of district monies and ways to maximize funding streams. Compiles, reviews, adjusts, submits and presents the District levy.
• Administers, evaluates, and addresses concerns or issues pertaining to District benefit plans including OPEB, health and dental insurance, 403(b) compliance and information, TRA, PERA, LTD, Life, HRA, HSA, HCSP etc
• Completes financial applications for all state and federal grants. Manages information for entry into EDRS and SERVS for applications and reimbursement including levy function, title programming, and special education.
• Serves as a member of the District’s negotiating team for all non-union and union employees.
• Performs other duties of a comparable level or type, as required.
  1. Provides professional financial expertise and assistance to individual, district staff and the community.
  2. Keeps abreast of changing developments, trends, and technologies within the field.
  3. Attends and/or serves on various committees, outside organizations, or groups, as appropriate.

Minimum Qualifications:
Requires a minimum of Bachelor’s Degree in Business Administration, Finance, Accounting or closely related field and 3 years business, accounting and supervisory experience in a school business operations; and/or evidence of equivalent education and experience necessary to perform the requirements of the work. Requires a valid MN driver’s license.

Essential Knowledge And Specialized Subject Knowledge Required To Perform The Essential Functions Of The Job:

• Knowledge of school finance and district administrative policies and procedures.
• Knowledge of generally accepted accounting principles and practices and state/federal regulations, rules and guidelines including GASB, GAAP, UFARS, etc.
• Operations, functions and administrative aspects of the district.
• Knowledge of benefits administration,”public pension regulations, programs and provisions.
• Knowledge of state and federal reporting and tax requirements and provisions.
• Organizational, management and supervisory principles, standards and practices.
• Data processing systems and software used in the collection, analysis, reporting and accounting of student and financial information. (e.g. MARSS, Smart Systems, SEDRA, SERVS, etc.).
• Knowledge and use of computers and business productivity applications and software.
• Knowledge of health and safety requirements, training, OSHA and ADA requirements.

Essential Skills Necessary To Perform The Work:

• Managing, projecting, formulating and establishing budgets.
• Delegating, managing and overseeing personnel engaged in diverse and different functions and areas of responsibility.
• Performing cost analysis and research in recommending insurance options and the negotiation and procurement of district insurances and costing new agreements or proposed negotiation provisions/alternatives.
• Oversees the negotiation and administration of contracts and services provided by outside vendors.
• Oversees the preparation, maintenance and accounting processes and procedures associated with the maintenance of the general ledger, accounts payable, accounts receivable, and payroll/benefit processing.
• Developing and implementing accounting controls, procedures and methods consistent with acceptable accounting procedures and methods.
• Preparation of various local, state or federal accounting/fiscal reports.
• Accounting analysis and projection techniques and procedures in the analysis of cash flow requirements, revenue projections, expenditure projections, budget requirements and other :financial projections.
• Human relation and communication skills needed to advise, negotiate, persuade and interact with representatives of outside organizations, district administrators, elected officials, outside governmental agencies, or other organizations.
• Planning and overseeing operational and ancillary functions and programs of the district.

Work Environment:

Work is performed under normal office conditions and there are minimal environmental risks or disagreeable conditions associated with the work. Work involves continuous contacts and interactions with the public, staff, elected officials, outside agencies, vendors, contract providers, administrators, and others that can involve occasional disagreeable human interactions and/or conflicts.
 

Physical Job Requirements:
Employee is continuously required to talk, hear, and sit; intermittently reach with arms, uses hands/fingers dexterously; stand, and walk in the performance of the job. Exerting up to 25 pounds of force occasionally and/or a negligible amount of force frequently or constantly to lift, carry, push, pull or otherwise move objects, including the human body.

Salary:
$100,000 – $115,000 per year
Contract is 260 days.

APPLICATION DEADLINE:
January 10, 2025

Direct questions about the position to Travis Okerlund  at tokerlund@district745.org or 320-845-2171 ext. 5050 or Amy Rausch at arausch@district745.org or 320-845-2171 ext 5055