Chief Financial Officer
Not Disclosed•Full-TimeOn-site
location_onNorth Broadway, New Chinatown, Civic Center, Chinatown, Los Angeles, Los Angeles County, California, 90012, United States
About the Organization
Magnolia Public Schools is dedicated to providing a safe, nurturing, and high-quality college-preparatory STEAM educational experience for its students. As a leader in the public education sector, the organization is committed to long-term sustainability, fiscal discipline, and the strategic growth of its schools.
About the Role
The Chief Financial Officer serves as the senior financial leader and a key strategic advisor to the Deputy Superintendent, CEO, Board, Finance Committee, and the executive leadership team. This role is pivotal in connecting financial planning to school quality, enrollment trends, staffing models, and facilities obligations to ensure the organization's mission is supported by a robust financial foundation.
The CFO leads a responsive, agile, and service-oriented Finance Department, providing schools and Home Office departments with timely information, clear guidance, and decision-ready financial analysis. This leader strengthens budget ownership, financial transparency, and public stewardship across the organization. The position requires a strategic partner who can manage complexity, build trust, and protect public resources while implementing long-term strategic priorities.
The Day-to-Day
In this role, you will partner with the Deputy Superintendent and executive team to align financial planning, budgeting, and resource allocation with organizational priorities. You will lead multi-year financial planning and scenario modeling to support structural balance and responsible growth. Your day will involve overseeing core finance functions, ensuring compliance with federal, state, and local requirements, and maintaining strong internal controls to safeguard public resources.
You will work closely with school leaders and department heads to establish clear budget ownership models and provide actionable insights on enrollment, ADA, and LCFF revenue trends. Additionally, you will lead the financial planning for facilities, debt, and capital projects, ensuring affordability analyses and bond covenants are met. A significant portion of your time will be dedicated to building and developing a high-performing finance team grounded in accuracy, collaboration, and continuous improvement.
Hiring Process
Candidates for this position will be evaluated based on their strategic financial leadership experience, ability to navigate complex public funding environments, and commitment to the mission of Magnolia Public Schools. The selection process involves a review of qualifications and experience, followed by interviews with the executive leadership team and the Board Finance Committee.
Equal Opportunity Employer
Magnolia Public Schools is an equal opportunity employer. We consider qualified applicants regardless of background, race, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, national origin, disability, or veteran status. We are committed to fostering a diverse and inclusive environment where all employees can thrive.
Similar Job Opportunities
Skills, education and keywords
Skills: Budgeting, Forecasting, Accounting, Compliance, Internal Controls, Cash Management, Grants Fiscal Management, Debt Oversight, Capital Finance, Financial Reporting.
Education: Bachelor's degree in finance, accounting, business administration, public administration, or related field required; MBA strongly preferred.
Frequently asked questions about Chief Financial Officer at Magnolia Public Schools (MPS)
What does a Chief Financial Officer at Magnolia Public Schools (MPS) do?expand_more
Day-to-day, the Chief Financial Officer at Magnolia Public Schools (MPS) will lead financial strategy, multi-year planning, and scenario modeling to ensure long-term sustainability; oversee annual budgeting, forecasting, and monthly financial review cycles with variance analysis; manage core finance functions including accounting, payroll, audits, and internal controls; and lead facilities, debt, bond financing, and capital project financial planning and oversight.
What are the requirements for this Chief Financial Officer role?expand_more
To qualify for the Chief Financial Officer at Magnolia Public Schools (MPS) position, applicants should have: Bachelor's degree in finance, accounting, business administration, public administration, or related field; MBA, CPA, or related advanced credential preferred; Significant progressive financial leadership experience in public education, charter schools, nonprofit finance, or public-sector finance; Experience leading budgeting, forecasting, financial reporting, audits, compliance, internal controls, cash flow management, and long-range financial planning; Experience managing complex budgets, multi-site organizations, public funding streams, grants, payroll, procurement, facilities financing, and/or debt obligations; and Strong understanding of nonprofit accounting, public-sector finance, GAAP, audit processes, charter school finance, LCFF funding, ADA, enrollment-driven revenue, and public accountability standards.