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The School Board of Broward County values the Voice of the Stakeholder. We appreciate the input of the public and take all feedback into consideration. To share your feedback, please reference the options below to register to provide in-person comments on agenda items, submit a public written agenda comment, or participate in speaking on general subject matters of any concern.
I am deeply concerned by the decision to downgrade the requirements for the Director, Accounting & Finance to broaden the pool of candidates. Being one of the largest K-12 educational institutions in the country, we should uphold a higher standard of education and certification at every level; instructional and non-instructional.
Accounting Degree:-The Director of AFRD position should include at a minimum a degree in accounting which provides the foundation for the theory and practice of accounting. This is a basic requirement for most accounting jobs in other governmental entities in South Florida.
CPA License:- A CPA license provides knowledge of Accounting Theory, Practice as well as Business Law and Auditing. Maintaining a CPA license also provides ethical and legal requirements that someone holding that license must abide by. In addition, a CPA must maintain 80 hours of continuing education every 2 years to keep up with ever changing Governmental Accounting Standard Board (GASB) pronouncements, Legal and Ethical updates in the Accounting, Finance and Reporting arena. In summary it provides a higher degree of responsibility than someone who does not possess this license. Why would the District not want to have this level of professionalism when it has to present financial statements to the State, Bond Rating organizations as well as the Public?
Compensation:- Is this a compensation equity issue internally and or externally? Has the compensation department obtained or compared the salary of Directors of Accounting and Finance for governmental (Cities, Counties and other School Boards) in South Florida to determine whether the salary for this job is comparable to industry? 90% of the CPA’s who have left the District obtained higher paying jobs; did the District conduct exit interviews to identify and correct this issue?
Internal Candidates:- Did the District attempt to find any internal candidates for this position and if so, what were the results? How many internal candidates applied? What were their concerns? Were there any offers extended and if so, what was the reason for the District or candidates to not move forward?