CFO Coaching as a Strategic Investment for Your School District

By Jim Schiele

What is CFO Coaching?

For Texas school districts, where state funding formulas and legislative changes frequently impact budgets, having a well-prepared CFO can mean the difference between financial stability and fiscal distress. Coaching ensures that financial leaders remain agile and equipped to address emerging challenges while aligning financial decisions with district goals.

The benefit of CFO coaching is that it’s tailored to the unique needs of each district and the experience level of each CFO. It offers personalized guidance to help finance leaders enhance their skills in budget management, compliance, financial forecasting, and strategic planning.

CFO coaching can help CFOs without specific school district experience with the tools and insights they need to make informed, strategic decisions. An ongoing program, CFO coaching takes a long-term approach to allow candidates to reach their full potential.

Key Benefits of CFO Coaching

• Ongoing mentorship
  CFO coaching provides ongoing mentorship for new CFO’s and Superintendents working with school finance.
• Enhanced Financial Literacy & Decision-Making
  CFO coaching strengthens financial literacy, helping CFOs interpret complex funding formulas, optimize resource allocation, and make data-driven decisions that benefit students and staff.
• Compliance and Risk Management
  Texas school finance laws are intricate and ever-changing. CFO coaching keeps financial leaders updated on regulatory requirements, reducing the risk of compliance issues and potential financial penalties.
• Improved Budget Planning and Efficiency
  Coaching can enhance the development of more effective budgeting strategies, maximizing resources, and focusing on the needs of students.  Budgeting is one of the most important functions of any district CFO and Superintendent and assistance in this area is critical.

Resources for Implementing CFO Coaching

School districts can implement CFO coaching in various ways, including mentorship programs, one-on-one coaching sessions, and partnerships with financial consultants specializing in public education.

Investing in CFO coaching is about strengthening the financial foundation of the entire school district. By equipping CFOs with the knowledge and skills needed by school finance personnel, Texas schools can improve their financial results.

• Linebarger’s Value-Added Services
  Our firm provides expert guidance on school finance. I can provide answers to specific questions or ongoing coaching services, our experienced PVS team can offer Property Value Study Appeals and Audits, and our TNT specialist Laurie Mann can take your questions about Truth-in-Taxation regulations.
• MoakCasey
  MoakCasey provides training on best practices in school finance, including journal entries, bank reconciliations, and fraud prevention. 
• Center for School Finance
  TASBO’s Center for School Finance provides resources, updates, and consultations to help school districts plan ahead and make informed financial decisions. 
• TASA Executive Coaching Network
  The Texas Association of School Administrators (TASA) offers executive coaching for school leaders, including CFOs, to enhance their leadership practices and achieve strategic goals. 
• School Finance Template Boot Camp
  TASA’s Boot Camp provides hands-on training for completing and updating the state funding template, project revenue, and monitoring state aid payments. 
• CFO Strategy Network
  This network, co-sponsored by the Texas Impact Network and the Texas Education Agency, offers peer advisory, expert engagement, and cross-district collaboration for CFOs. 

If I can support you in any way during this process, feel free to contact me for assistance.

Jim Schiele is Linebarger’s School Financial Consultant. He offers free assistance to Linebarger school district clients as they navigate budgets and meet financial deadlines. He can be reached at jim.schiele@lgbs.com.

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