Job Description

REPORTS TO: Superintendent of Schools

MISSION: The Chester Upland School District is committed to providing all students the opportunity to achieve excellence in the four A's: Academics, Athletics, Arts, and Activities.

The senior leadership team continues to build a talented and committed team to ensure all students are prepared to graduate from Chester Upland schools, career and college ready! The C.O.R.E. is the foundation of the Chester Upland School District's vision and mission.

C.O.R.E.:
C- Children First: The well-being and continuous learning of every child will drive decisions.
O- One Chester Upland: With dedicated community of partners, parents, students and staff, we will excel, united as One Chester Upland.
R- Reimagining: Through a mode of continuous improvement, we will apply four important levers for change, collaboration, capacity building, deepening knowledge of pedagogy, and focusing direction to improve outcomes for all.
E- Equity, Excellence, and Emotional Intelligence: We will ensure equitable access to a quality education that includes emotional intelligence and leads to excellence across all opportunities and services.

The Chief Financial Officer (CFO) serves as the district's senior financial and business operations executive and provides strategic leadership, oversight, and accountability for all fiscal and business functions of the school district. The CFO is responsible for ensuring the district's financial resources are managed prudently, transparently, efficiently, and in alignment with the district's educational priorities, strategic plan, Board policies, applicable laws, and regulatory requirements.

The CFO will provide comprehensive leadership over Finance, Payroll, Facilities, Food Service, and Transportation, ensuring strong internal controls, sound fiscal practices, operational efficiency, regulatory compliance, and effective stewardship of public funds.

This position requires an experienced financial leader who can balance long-term financial strategy with rigorous day-to-day fiscal oversight. The successful candidate will have demonstrated expertise in public-sector finance, budgeting, financial forecasting, audit and compliance, procurement, labor-related financial matters, and operational management within a complex organization.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

Fiscal Leadership & Financial Management

• Serve as the District's chief financial advisor to the Superintendent, Receiver and Board of School Directors.
• Develop, implement, and continuously monitor a comprehensive financial management strategy for the district.
• Direct all District financial operations and establish systems that promote fiscal integrity, accountability, transparency, and sustainability.
• Develop and maintain multi-year financial forecasts, financial models, and long-range fiscal plans.
• Monitor revenues, expenditures, cash flow, fund balances, debt obligations, grants, and other financial commitments.
• Identify financial risks, emerging fiscal challenges, and opportunities for cost containment and operational efficiencies.
• Provide timely, accurate, and meaningful financial reports and analysis to the Superintendent, Board, and other appropriate stakeholders.
• Ensure financial decisions are data-driven and aligned with the district's educational mission and strategic priorities.
• Establish appropriate financial controls, policies, procedures, and reporting mechanisms to safeguard district resources.
• Oversee investment, banking, cash management, debt management, and other treasury-related functions as applicable.
• Ensure appropriate management of restricted, committed, assigned, and unrestricted funds.
• Evaluate the financial impact of collective bargaining agreements, staffing decisions, capital projects, contracts, and major operational initiatives.

Budget Development & Oversight

• Lead the development of the district's annual operating and capital budgets.
• Establish a rigorous, transparent, and participatory budget development process.
• Work collaboratively with the Superintendent and Cabinet to establish budget priorities and resource allocations.
• Present budget recommendations, financial projections, and supporting analysis to the Superintendent, Receiver and Board.
• Monitor budget-to-actual performance throughout the fiscal year and recommend corrective action when necessary.
• Develop and maintain multi-year budget projections and scenario analyses.
• Analyze enrollment trends, staffing levels, compensation costs, pension obligations, healthcare costs, transportation expenses, facility needs, and other significant cost drivers.
• Ensure compliance with Pennsylvania budgetary, reporting, and financial requirements.
• Identify opportunities to maximize available local, state, and federal funding.

Finance Department

• Provide direct leadership and oversight of the Finance Department.
• Establish clear expectations for accounting, accounts payable, accounts receivable, purchasing, cash management, financial reporting, and related functions.
• Ensure accurate and timely monthly, quarterly, and annual financial reporting.
• Oversee preparation for the District's annual independent financial audit.
• Maintain effective internal controls and segregation of duties.
• Monitor financial systems and recommend technology improvements that strengthen accuracy, efficiency, and transparency.
• Ensure compliance with Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP), governmental accounting standards, Pennsylvania requirements, and applicable Board policies.
• Oversee financial reporting associated with federal, state, and other grants.
• Review major expenditures, contracts, purchase orders, and financial commitments for fiscal appropriateness and compliance.

Payroll

• Provide executive oversight of the district's payroll function.
• Ensure accurate, timely, and compliant processing of payroll for all District employees.
• Establish effective controls surrounding payroll, timekeeping, deductions, benefits, leave, and compensation.
• Ensure payroll practices are consistent with collective bargaining agreements, employment contracts, Board policies, and applicable federal and Pennsylvania law.
• Monitor payroll-related liabilities, tax reporting, pension contributions, benefit costs, and other employer obligations.
• Regularly analyze payroll trends and personnel costs as a major component of the district's overall financial plan.
• Coordinate closely with Human Resources to ensure accurate financial implications of staffing, compensation, leaves, retirements, and employee changes.

Facilities & Capital Planning

• Provide fiscal and administrative oversight of the Facilities Department.
• Develop and maintain long-term facilities and capital improvement plans in coordination with the Superintendent and appropriate District leadership.
• Evaluate the financial implications of maintenance, renovations, construction, energy management, leases, and capital projects.
• Monitor facilities budgets, contracts, expenditures, and project costs.
• Establish appropriate controls for capital projects, change orders, procurement, and contractor payments.
• Analyze opportunities to reduce energy, maintenance, and operating costs while maintaining safe, effective learning environments.
• Coordinate capital planning with the district's long-term financial forecast and debt capacity.

Food Service

• Provide financial and operational oversight of the District's Food Service program.
• Monitor Food Service revenues, expenditures, participation rates, labor costs, commodity costs, inventory, and financial performance.
• Ensure compliance with applicable federal and Pennsylvania school nutrition requirements.
• Evaluate the financial sustainability and operational efficiency of the Food Service program.
• Review pricing, purchasing, staffing, vendor contracts, equipment needs, and program performance.
• Identify opportunities to improve participation, service quality, cost efficiency, and financial performance.

Transportation

• Provide fiscal and administrative oversight of the District's Transportation Department.
• Monitor transportation expenditures, contracts, routes, staffing, fuel costs, fleet requirements, and operational performance.
• Evaluate the cost-effectiveness of contracted versus District-operated transportation services.
• Ensure transportation operations comply with applicable federal, state, and local requirements.
• Analyze routing and service models to identify opportunities for operational efficiencies and cost savings.
• Incorporate transportation needs into the district's annual and long-range financial planning.

Procurement, Contracts & Vendor Management

• Establish and enforce sound procurement practices consistent with Pennsylvania law, Board policy, and District procedures.
• Oversee competitive bidding, requests for proposals, contracts, purchasing processes, and vendor relationships as assigned.
• Review significant contracts for fiscal impact, risk, performance requirements, and long-term financial obligations.
• Promote competitive purchasing and value-based decision-making.
• Ensure appropriate documentation, approvals, monitoring, and closeout of District contracts.

Audit, Compliance & Internal Controls

• Serve as the primary executive leader responsible for financial accountability and audit readiness.
• Coordinate with independent auditors and ensure timely completion of annual audits and required financial reports.
• Monitor audit findings and implement corrective action plans.
• Establish and maintain robust internal controls designed to prevent fraud, waste, error, and misuse of District resources.
• Ensure compliance with applicable Pennsylvania Department of Education requirements, federal regulations, Board policies, and other governmental financial requirements.
• Regularly assess financial and operational risks and recommend mitigation strategies.

Board & Community Relations

• Prepare and present clear, concise, and accurate financial information to the Receiver and Board of School Directors.
• Support Board committees and work sessions involving finance, facilities, transportation, food service, and other business operations.
• Translate complex financial information into understandable recommendations for non-financial audiences.
• Promote transparency and public accountability in the use of taxpayer and other public funds.
• Respond professionally and effectively to questions from The Receiver, Board members, District leadership, staff, community members, auditors, government agencies, and other stakeholders.

Leadership Expectations

The CFO is expected to:

• Establish a culture of fiscal discipline, accountability, transparency, and continuous improvement
• Develop strong financial leadership capacity among department directors and managers.
• Use data and financial analysis to drive operational decisions.
• Hold departments accountable for budget performance and established financial controls.
• Challenge assumptions and identify opportunities for greater efficiency without compromising educational quality, student safety, or regulatory compliance.
• Anticipate financial challenges rather than simply responding to them.
• Collaborate effectively with the Superintendent, Receiver, Cabinet, Board, union leadership, principals, department leaders, and community stakeholders.
• Maintain the highest standards of ethics, confidentiality, professionalism, and public stewardship.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in accounting, finance, business administration, public administration, or a related field.
• Significant progressive leadership experience in finance, accounting, business administration, or public-sector financial management.
• Demonstrated experience with complex budgeting, financial forecasting, financial reporting, audit, internal controls, and fiscal oversight.
• Experience managing multiple operational departments or business functions.
• Demonstrated ability to develop and implement multi-year financial plans.
• Strong knowledge of governmental accounting principles, budgeting practices, procurement, and financial controls.
• Demonstrated ability to analyze complex financial information and communicate it effectively to executive leaders and governing boards.
• Experience managing professional staff and department leaders.

Preferred Qualifications

• Master's degree in business administration, finance, accounting, public administration, educational leadership, or a related field.
• CPA, CGFM, or other relevant professional certification.
• Five (5) years Prior experience as a CFO, Chief Business Official, Business Administrator, Director of Finance, or comparable senior-level public-sector financial position.
• Experience in a Pennsylvania public school district or other governmental organization.
• Knowledge of Pennsylvania school finance, public school budgeting, and applicable state reporting requirements.
• Experience overseeing facilities, transportation, food service, payroll, and/or other school business operations.
• Experience with capital planning, debt management, grants administration, and collective bargaining financial analysis.

TERMS OF EMPLOYMENT

1. 12 month (260-262 days)
2. Salary and Benefits in accordance with Act 93 agreement

The information in this job description is for compliance with Chester Upland School District Board Policy and the Americans with Disabilities Act (A.D.A). It is not intended to be an exhaustive list of duties, responsibilities and qualifications for the position. The incumbent may perform or be assigned other duties.

Equal Opportunity Employer
The Chester Upland School District (CUSD) is an Equal Opportunity Employer. CUSD ensures equal employment opportunities regardless of race, creed, gender, color, national origin, religion, age, sexual orientation, or disability. Any individual needing assistance in making application for any opening should contact the Department of Human Resources at (445) 236-8663.