ALLENDALE PUBLIC SCHOOLS
Position Posting
Position: Assistant Superintendent of Business & Finance (CFO)
Supervises: Payroll & Accountant Specialist; Operations Department
Terms of Employment: 52 weeks per year, salaried
Anticipated Start Date: January 2026
Posting Date: 10/30/2025 - 11/16/2025
Compensation: $120,000 - $145,998. This is a Tier 1 Salary Schedule position. The salary range for this position is based on experience, qualifications, and other factors determined by the superintendent.
Position Summary
The Assistant Superintendent of Business & Finance (CFO) is responsible for the overall financial operations of Allendale Public Schools. This position provides strategic leadership and oversight of the district’s financial management systems, including budgeting, accounting, investments, financial reporting, risk management, and compliance with state and federal requirements.
As a member of the Superintendent’s leadership team, the CFO collaborates across departments to support sound fiscal stewardship, long-term financial sustainability, and alignment of financial strategies with the district’s mission of supporting student achievement.
Essential Job Functions and Responsibilities
Develop, implement, and monitor the district’s annual operating budget and long-range financial plan to support alignment with the district’s strategic priorities.
Oversee all district financial operations, including accounting, payroll, purchasing, investments, and grant management.
Manage investments, cash flow, debt service, and bonding activities with prudence and transparency.
Ensure compliance with all applicable federal, state, and local financial regulations, including the Michigan School Accounting Manual (Bulletin 1022).
Coordinate and manage financial audits for transparency and accountability in district financial reporting.
Develop and recommend Board policies and administrative procedures related to business and financial operations.
Analyze financial data and prepare reports and presentations to inform decision-making by the Superintendent and Board of Education.
Lead the district’s risk management and insurance programs, including participation in relevant consortiums and committees.
Supervise the Payroll & Accountant Specialist, ensuring accurate payroll processing, financial reporting, and compliance with state and federal requirements.
Oversee the Operations Department, providing direction and oversight that supports effective facilities maintenance, capital planning, and custodial operations.
Collaborate with the Superintendent and Board in the development and oversight of bond projects, millage proposals, and long-range capital planning, including Debt Service, Sinking Fund, and Capital Project Funds.
Coordinate tax collection procedures, prepare tax resolutions, and ensure accurate and timely receipt of local and state revenues.
Provide financial modeling, projections, and reports for collective bargaining and long-term labor cost analyses.
Facilitate transparent community engagement around district finances, budget development, and capital planning.
Monitor and interpret legislation impacting school finance and advise the Superintendent and Board on potential implications for district operations.
Cultivate and maintain strong working relationships with auditors, financial institutions, investment advisors, insurance providers, legal counsel, and state and local officials.
Represent the district in business-related professional organizations, including the Michigan School Business Officials (MSBO) and Ottawa Area ISD Business Managers group.
Maintain current knowledge of public school funding laws, accounting practices, and emerging fiscal trends impacting Michigan districts.
Perform other duties as assigned by the Superintendent.
Note: The above description is illustrative of tasks and responsibilities. It is not meant to be all-inclusive for every task or responsibility.
Education and Experience Requirements
Required:
Bachelor’s Degree in Accounting, Finance, Business Administration, or related field.
Experience in school district finance, governmental accounting, or public sector financial management.
Michigan School Business Officials (MSBO) Chief Financial Officer certification required (or ability to obtain within one year).
Comprehensive knowledge of Michigan public school funding formulas, accounting standards, and regulatory compliance.
Strong analytical, organizational, and communication skills.
Preferred:
Master’s Degree in Finance, Business Administration, or Educational Leadership.
Certified Public Accountant (CPA), Certified Management Accountant (CMA), or MSBO Chief Financial Officer certification.
Experience with bond management, state aid funding, and financial audits within public education.
Minimum of five (5) years of progressive experience in school district finance, governmental accounting, or public sector financial management.
Supervisory Responsibilities
Direct supervision of the Payroll & Accountant Specialist
Oversight of Business Office personnel, contracted service providers, and consultants as assigned.
Oversee the Operations Department.
Physical Demands / Work Environment (ADA Information)
ADA Requirements: The physical demands, work environment factors, and mental functions described 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 essential functions.
Physical Demands: While performing the duties of this job, the employee is required to stand, walk, sit, use hands to fingers, handle, or feel, reach with hands and arms, climb or balance, stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl, talk, hear (in a quiet or noisy environment), taste and smell.
The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 25 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, and the ability to adjust/focus.
Work Environment: The noise level in the work environment is quite to moderate.
Mental Functions: While performing the duties of this job, the employee is required to compare, analyze, present, communicate both orally and in writing, copy, coordinate, instruct, compute, synthesize, evaluate, use interpersonal skills, compile, and negotiate.
Additional benefits
The position offers competitive Health Insurance benefits or CIL, paid sick time and paid vacation time, and tuition reimbursement.
Method of Application: Frontline/Applitrack (Internal/External)
Contact Person: Troy VanderLaan, Asst. Supt. of Human Resources [email protected]
Allendale Public Schools
10505 Learning Lane
Allendale, Michigan 49401
This position reports to the Superintendent of Allendale Public Schools, Dr. Garth Cooper.
FLSA Status: Exempt
APPLICATIONS: SUBMIT AN APPLICATION, INDIVIDUAL COVER LETTER, COPIES OF TRANSCRIPTS AND CERTIFICATIONS, MINIMUM OF THREE (3) PROFESSIONAL REFERENCES, AND RESUME THROUGH THE ONLINE APPLITRACK / FRONTLINE APPLICANT CENTER
Visit the district website: https://www.allendale.k12.mi.us/
Allendale Public School District provides equal employment opportunities (EEO) to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national origin, age, disability, genetic information, marital status, amnesty, or status as a covered veteran in accordance with applicable federal, state, and local laws.
Allendale Public School District complies with applicable state and local laws governing nondiscrimination in employment in every location in which the District has facilities, including, but not limited to, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, transfer, leaves of absence, compensation, and training.
