Laurens County School District 55

Chief Financial Officer

Department:     Business Office

Reports To:      Superintendent

Supervises:      Departmental Staff

FLSA Status:    Exempt, 12-month position

GENERAL SUMMARY

The Chief Financial Officer (CFO) provides strategic leadership and oversight of all financial operations for the district. The CFO ensures fiscal integrity, transparency, and compliance with state and federal regulations, while supporting the district’s mission to maximize resources for student success. This role is especially critical in a small, rural district where efficient resource management and creative problem-solving are key to sustaining educational quality.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS   (Additional duties may be assigned/required.)

Financial Management and Oversight

• Develop, implement, and monitor the district’s annual budget in alignment with strategic goals and board priorities.
• Prepare and present regular financial reports to the Superintendent and Board of Trustees.
• Maintain compliance with state and federal financial reporting requirements, including the South Carolina Department of Education (or applicable state agency) financial guidelines.
• Oversee all accounting, payroll, purchasing, and accounts payable/receivable operations.
• Manage cash flow, investments, and debt service to ensure fiscal stability and solvency.
• Coordinate and oversee the annual external audit process and implement corrective actions as necessary.

Strategic Planning and Leadership

• Serve as a key advisor to the Superintendent and Board on financial strategy, resource allocation, and long-term planning.
• Participate in district leadership meetings to align financial planning with instructional and operational goals.
• Identify and pursue opportunities for cost savings, grants, and revenue enhancement.
• Ensure transparent and ethical stewardship of district resources.

Compliance and Risk Management

• Ensure compliance with applicable laws, regulations, and board policies governing school finance and procurement.
• Oversee preparation and submission of state and federal financial reports, audits, and grant documentation.
• Manage insurance, risk management, and employee benefit programs in collaboration with Human Resources.
• Establish internal controls and procedures to safeguard district assets.

Supervision and Collaboration

• Supervise and evaluate business office personnel.
• Provide training and guidance to district and school administrators on financial procedures and budget management.
• Collaborate with other departments to ensure efficient use of resources and smooth financial operations.

Board and Public Relations

• Prepare and present financial updates, analyses, and recommendations at Board of Education meetings.
• Communicate complex financial information clearly to non-financial audiences and employees.
• Support transparency and accountability through accurate, timely reporting and public engagement.

QUALIFICATIONS

Education and Experience

• Bachelor’s degree in Accounting, Finance, Business Administration, or a related field required.
• Master’s degree or CPA certification preferred.
• Minimum of five (5) years of progressively responsible experience in governmental or school finance.
• Experience in a school district or public sector organization preferred.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Strong understanding of public-school finance, state funding formulas, and generally accepted accounting principles.
• Ability to interpret and apply state and federal regulations governing school financial management.
• Excellent organizational, analytical, and problem-solving skills.
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills, with the ability to work collaboratively with staff, administrators, and the public.
• High ethical standards and commitment to integrity and transparency.

DISCLAIMER STATEMENT

This job description is not intended as a complete listing of job duties. The incumbent is responsible for the performance of other related duties as assigned/required.

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITY

Supervises the Business Office Staff

TERMS OF EMPLOYMENT

240 Days

EVALUATION

Performance will be evaluated annually by the Superintendent in accordance with board policy and established performance objectives.

Skills\Efforts:

Ability to coordinate activities and schedules, make decisions in non-routine situations requiring good judgment.  Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationship with students, teachers, parents and other individuals and groups with interest in the district.  Unique ability to related well with students who are first-generation college students.  Strong written and verbal communication skills.

Working Conditions:

Physical demands are restricted to general office activities, walking standing and the ability to complete light physical tasks of up to 25 pounds. Requires the ability to work under a degree of stress related to duties that require constant attention and meeting deadlines.  Duties of the job require the use of a computer monitor and related equipment.

Responsibility:

Supervises the Business Office Staff and others as necessary.

Language Skills:

Ability to read and interpret document. Ability to write routine reports and correspondences. Ability to present information in one-on-one and small group situations to customers, clients, other employees and/or students.

Math Skills:

Ability to calculate figures and amounts such as discounts, interests, commissions, and percentages. Ability to add, subtract, multiply, and divide in all units of measure, using whole numbers, common fractions, decimals and any other skills related to the position.

Reasoning Ability:

Ability to deal with problems involving a variety of concrete variables in standardized situations. Ability to define problems, collect data, establish facts, and draw valid conclusions.

Other Skills and Abilities:

Ability to develop effective working relationships with staff and the school community. Ability to communicate clearly and concisely.  Ability to perform duties with awareness of all district requirements and the Board policies.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS: The physical demands described here 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 the essential functions.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to sit and talk or hear.  The employee is occasionally required to walk and reach with hands and arms.  The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 25 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision. Employee must be able to distinguish the difference between bells, buzzers, beeps, etc. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is required to meet deadlines with severe time constraints.

The employee is continuously communicating through speech.

WORK ENVIRONMENT: The work environment characteristics described here 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.

The noise level in the work environment is usually quiet. The employee is frequently interacting with the public and staff. 

The information contained in this job description is for compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (A.D.A.) and is not an exhaustive list of the duties performed for this position.  Additional duties are performed by the individuals currently holding this position and additional duties may be assigned.

Education and Experience

• Bachelor’s degree in Accounting, Finance, Business Administration, or a related field required.
• Master’s degree or CPA certification preferred.
• Minimum of five (5) years of progressively responsible experience in governmental or school finance.
• Experience in a school district or public sector organization preferred.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Strong understanding of public-school finance, state funding formulas, and generally accepted accounting principles.
• Ability to interpret and apply state and federal regulations governing school financial management.
• Excellent organizational, analytical, and problem-solving skills.
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills, with the ability to work collaboratively with staff, administrators, and the public.
• High ethical standards and commitment to integrity and transparency.

About Laurens School District 55

Located in the heart of beautiful Laurens County, Laurens School District 55 has its administrative offices at 301 Hillcrest Drive in Laurens, South Carolina. Nestled between Greenville, Spartanburg, and Columbia, the area provides peaceful living combined with convenient access to some of the state's most important metropolitan centers, its beaches, or the mountains.

Connections working at Laurens School District 55