The Ankeny Community School District (CSD) is renowned for its excellence across academics, athletics, the arts, and various activities. Situated in central Iowa, just 6 miles from Des Moines, Ankeny CSD caters to over 12,800 students from preschool through 12th grade, making it the 7th largest district in the state. With a strong reputation for its commitment to student success and a competitive salary and benefits package, Ankeny CSD is a standout choice for both educators and families seeking a high-quality educational environment.

JDE: 2.01A

Interim Chief Financial Officer

Purpose Statement

The Interim Chief Financial Officer (CFO) will oversee all financial operations for the district, ensuring accurate financial reporting, and maintaining effective financial controls. The Interim CFO will maintain a focus on the development and implementation of financial strategies that align to the District’s strategic plan, provide financial insights that informs strategic decision-making, and ensure excellent customer service to stakeholders.

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Job Title: Interim Chief Financial Officer (CFO)

Daily Wage/Per Diem: TBD, based on experience

Employment Term: 3 - 6 month employment agreement

Reports To : Superintendent

Wage/Hour Status : Exempt

Minimum Qualifications :

• Five to seven years of experience as an Iowa School Business Official (SBO) or CFO.
• Bachelor's Degree in finance, accounting, business or public administration (Master’s degree or MBA preferred).
• School Business Official (SBO) certificate.
• Proven experience as a CFO or SBO in a K-12 setting, preferred.
• Strong knowledge of school finance, accounting principles, and financial reporting.
• Excellent leadership, communication, and interpersonal skills.
• Ability to think strategically and make data-driven decisions.
• Experience with financial software and systems.
• Such alternatives to the above qualifications as the Board may find appropriate and acceptable.

Key Responsibilities:

• Financial Strategy and Planning:

• Develop and implement financial strategies aligned with the district's goals.
• Provide financial insights and recommendations to support business decisions.
• Prepare and manage annual budgets, forecasts, and long-term financial plans.

• Financial Management:

• Oversee financial reporting, including the preparation of financial statements and reports.
• Ensure compliance with regulatory requirements, accounting standards, and internal policies.
• Manage cash flow, investments, and financial risks.
• Prepare and manage all state reporting required by the Department of Education.

• Leadership and Team Management:

• Lead, mentor, and manage the finance team to ensure high performance and professional growth.
• Foster a collaborative and productive work environment within the finance department.

• Stakeholder Communication:

• Liaise with internal and external stakeholders, including auditors, regulatory bodies, and financial institutions.
• Prepare and present financial information to the Board of Directors and senior management.

• Operational Efficiency:

• Evaluate and enhance financial processes and systems to improve efficiency and effectiveness.
• Implement best practices in financial management and controls.

• Transition Management:

• Support the transition process to ensure a smooth handover to a permanent CFO.
• Document financial processes, policies, and key information for future reference.

Other Related Job Functions

• Collaborate with internal and external stakeholders(e.g. other administrators, district staff, public agencies, community members, etc.) for implementing and/or maintaining services and programs.
• Facilitate meetings, workshops, professional development and training, etc. (e.g. regulatory requirements, community or outside agencies, interdepartmental needs, etc.) for identifying issues, developing recommendations, supporting other staff, and serving as a District representative.
• Participate in staff development training programs, faculty meetings, and special events as assigned.
• Facilitates and oversees committee meetings, as assigned.
• Demonstrate initiative and the ability to work without close supervision.
• Demonstrates integrity and maintains confidentiality.
• Works well with others, maintaining positive and effective communication with district personnel and works well with others on jobs that require more than one person.
• Is respectful and appropriately interacts with staff, students, and visitors.
• Upholds and adheres to safety rules and policies of the Ankeny Community School District safety program.
• Supports the goals and objectives of the school district and follows all district policies.
• Demonstrates the ability to attend work on a regular and routine basis to avoid disruption to District operations.
• Perform all duties in a safe manner to avoid injury to oneself and/or others.
• Responds to emergency situations for the purpose of resolving immediate safety concerns and/or directing appropriate personnel for resolution.
• Performs other related duties, as assigned, for the purpose of ensuring the efficient and effective functioning of the work unit.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

• Specific knowledge based competencies required to satisfactorily perform the functions of the job include:
• Knowledge of GAAP
• End of year and auditing experience
• Proficiency in financial modeling, forecasting, and budgeting
• Knowledge of governmental accounting and modified accrual basis
• Knowledge of Iowa Department of Education Uniform Chart of Accounts
• Knowledge of Business and contract law
• Recordkeeping techniques

• Specific skill based competencies required to satisfactorily perform the functions of the job include:
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills
• Ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment
• Plan, direct, and supervise work
• Possess exceptional organization and attention to detail
• Administer and manage operational areas effectively
• Interacting effectively with students, teachers/staff, the community and parents
• Operating standard office equipment including using pertinent software applications
• Preparing and maintaining accurate records

• Specific ability based competencies required to satisfactorily perform the functions of the job include:
• Ability to prepare technical reports and/or to make public presentations on behalf of the district when needed.
• Foster collaboration and maintain effective working relationships with colleagues, consultants, contractors and public officials.
• Ability to balance a significant number of activities, meetings and/or events with daily responsibilities
• Ability to complete work in a timely manner flexibility to independently work with others in a wide variety of circumstances
• Ability to problem solve
• Ability to make decisions from both a strategic and tactical perspective
• Budget management and analysis
• Adaptability to changing work priorities

Working Environment

Mental Demands/Physical Demands/Environmental Factors:

The usual and customary methods of performing the position functions require the following physical demands: significant lifting, carrying, pushing, pulling, climbing, reaching, driving, standing and walking. Working conditions may include extreme temperatures and humidity. Hazards may include exposure to communicable diseases. This position requires one to maintain emotional control under stress.

Responsibility

Responsibilities include: working independently under broad organizational guidelines to achieve unit objectives; directing other persons within a department, large work unit, and/or across several small work units; directing the use of budgeted funds within a work unit; utilization of some resources from other work units is often required to perform the job’s functions. There is a continual opportunity to significantly impact the organization’s services.

Supervision

Carries out supervisory responsibilities in accordance with the organization’s policies and applicable laws. Is responsible for the overall direction, management, coordination, and evaluation of supervisors assigned to Accounting and Payroll.

Terms of Employment

Work year established by the Superintendent.

Clearances

Criminal Justice Fingerprint/Background Clearance

Evaluation

Job performance will be evaluated annually, as per district policies and procedures

The foregoing statements describe the general purpose and responsibilities assigned to this job and are not an exhaustive list of all responsibilities and duties that may be assigned or skills that may be required.

Approved by: Justin Mohr Date: August 2nd, 2024

Ankeny Community School District is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer. It is the policy of the District to provide equal employment opportunities and not to illegally discriminate on the basis of race, national origin, religion, sex, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, color, age or marital status in its employment and personnel practices. The job categories where the representative groups are underrepresented.