Director, School Financial Services

This position directs the Bureau of School Financial Services (SFS) which is responsible for distributing over $8.4 billion in state and federal funds to public school districts and other entities annually; WUFAR (the state’s uniform financial accounting requirements); the collection, use and reporting of statewide school district financial and student membership data; school district revenue limits; and school district reorganization.

The bureau provides consultation to school districts, school board members, and CESAs on financial and business practices, management practices, statutory interpretation, school facilities, pupil transportation, unusually hazardous transportation issues, whole grade sharing, school board elections and school board relations; provides information and policy advice to the state superintendent, legislature, and interest groups; and completes statewide school expenditure and revenue reports for the federal government.

The director and two section leaders work as a leadership/management team.

Key responsibilities include

Providing strategic leadership and direction for the bureau, including establishing goals, policies, procedures, priorities, and leading and supervising bureau staff. Directing the administration of Wisconsin’s state general and categorical school aids and DPI’s responsibilities related to the calculation of school district revenue limits.

Overseeing the collection, analysis, auditing, and reporting of statewide school finance data and ensuring systems and processes support accurate state and federal aid calculations and financial reporting. Representing DPI and providing expert consultation and information to school districts, CESAs, school boards, legislators, professional organizations, state agencies, and other stakeholders on Wisconsin school finance, accounting, school district administration, and other statutory requirements.

This position is in the Education Administrative Director classification. Depending on qualifications, the salary will be between $58.00 - $61.00 per hour (approximately $120,640 - $126,880 per year). An additional hourly add-on of up to $1.00 may be available for holding a Certified Public Accountant (CPA) license. For current and eligible former State employees, compensation will be set in accordance with the State Compensation Plan effective at time of hire.

This position is in pay schedule 81, range 01. A two-year career executive probationary period will be required. Check out the excellent benefits this position offers on the Employee Trust Fund’s information page . The State of Wisconsin is a qualifying employer for the federal Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program .

Remote Work : This position allows for up to 90% remote work within the State of Wisconsin, with the expectation that the employee maintains secure, high-speed internet access. Remote work from neighboring states may be approved only in very rare and limited circumstances. Please note that remote work arrangements may be rescinded at any time based on business needs, and employees may occasionally be required to report to a Wisconsin work location on short notice.

Travel : This position is expected to travel approximately three to five times per year, typically to present at conferences or other professional events. Travel is largely within Wisconsin and generally does not require overnight stays. Headquarters : The position is headquartered at 201 W. Washington Ave. in Madison, WI, and employees are required to report there on their first day of employment.

In addition, the employee may need to report to their headquarter location as operational needs require. Reimbursement for traveling to or from the employee’s headquarters is not provided (e.g., mileage, meals, parking, lodging, etc.) Pre-hire requirements : A criminal background check will be conducted prior to an offer of hire.

A tuberculosis screen will be required. Legal authorization : Applicants must be legally entitled to work in the United States (i.e., a citizen or national of the U.S., without DPI sponsorship). The Department of Public Instruction does not sponsor visas, either at time of hire or at any later time.

Please address the following in your resume and/or letter of qualifications . A minimally qualified applicant must have all the below : Experience directing the review and completion of school districts required annual or membership reports. Experience interpreting and presenting or overseeing the collection of school financial data.

Experience providing consultative services to education partners (e.g.: Local Education and Cooperative Education Service Agencies, etc.) on financial reporting, state and federal aids entitlement, or accounting requirements. Experience performing formal supervisory activities (e.g., reviewing staff assignments, recruiting, training, identifying staff needs, etc.)

Well-qualified applicants will also have : Experience reviewing school district audit reports or audited financial statements. Experience administering or overseeing the revenue limit calculation per Wisconsin Statute s. 121.91. Experience directing the analysis of Wisconsin's equalization aid formula, including district costs, property value and student membership.

Certified Public Accountant ( CPA) license

For this position, please submit an updated resume and a letter of qualifications. The letter of qualifications should be limited to two pages . Any information that is included beyond the second page of the letter of qualifications will not be considered as part of the application review. Review our Application Tips page on the DPI website for additional guidance.

Applicants in the Wisconsin classified state service who have Career Executive status in the same or counterpart pay range who are eligible as a transfer should apply by emailing a resume addressing the qualifications outlined above to the HR recruiter listed below. Application materials will be evaluated, and the most qualified applicants will be invited to participate in the next step of the process.

References will be requested from top candidates once interviews have taken place. The State of Wisconsin offers a special program for qualified veterans with a 30% or greater service-connected disability. If you are a qualified veteran, please visit the Veterans Employment page for application instructions to be considered for the Veterans Non-Competitive Appointment program.

Once you have applied, please send an email indicating your interest in being considered for the Veterans Non-Competitive Appointment program to the HR staff listed in the​​ job posting. The State of Wisconsin is proud to be an equal opportunity workplace and is an affirmative action employer. We are committed to providing equal employment opportunities to applicants of any race, color, ancestry, religion, sex, national origin, sexual orientation, age, citizenship, marital status, disability, gender identity or Veteran status.

We also consider qualified applicants regardless of criminal histories, consistent with legal requirements. We provide reasonable accommodation for qualified applicants and employees with disabilities. Questions? Please contact the recruiter, Amanda Edl, at Amanda.edl@dpi.wi.gov.

The deadline for this announcement is 11:59 p.m. CST on Friday, October 23, 2026.