Director of Finance

Position Summary:
The Natchitoches Parish School Board is seeking a highly skilled, ethical, and results-oriented leader to serve as the Director of Finance. This position is responsible for the effective management and oversight of the district's financial operations, including budgeting, accounting, purchasing, payroll, audits, and financial reporting. The ideal candidate will be a strategic thinker with a deep understanding of public-school finance and a commitment to supporting educational excellence through sound fiscal stewardship.

Key Responsibilities:

• Develop, manage, and monitor the district's annual budget in collaboration with the Superintendent and School Board.
• Oversee all business operations including finance, accounting, payroll, accounts payable/receivable, grants, purchasing, and fixed assets. 
• Ensure compliance with federal, state, and local laws and regulations related to school finance.
• Lead financial planning efforts and provide financial forecasts to support strategic initiatives. 
• Prepare and present regular financial reports to the Superintendent, Board, and stakeholders. 
• Coordinate and support external and internal audits, ensuring timely and accurate responses. 
• Supervises and evaluate business office staff.
• Implement and maintain efficient financial systems, internal controls, and business procedures. 
• Serve as a resource to school administrators regarding financial policies and practices. 
• Support grant management and ensure appropriate use of funds. 
• Work collaboratively with other departments to support student learning through efficient allocation of resources.

• Bachelor's degree in Accounting, Finance, Business Administration, or related field with at least 15 hours of 300-level accounting coursework and at least 6 hours of 400-level coursework.
• Minimum of five years of experience in financial management, preferably in a public or educational setting.
• Strong leadership, organizational, and communication skills.
• Knowledge of governmental accounting standards (GASB) and Louisiana public school financial regulations.
• Proficiency in financial software, spreadsheets, and databases.

• CPA, MBA, or Master's degree in Business or Public Administration
• Experience with Louisiana public education school of finance and MFP
• Familiarity with Louisiana Department of Education reports and systems in Louisiana