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Education Finance Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Director of Finance

Chester, NY · Hybrid

$90K - $110K/yr

Qualifications BA of Accounting, Finance, or Related degree; higher education a plus 5+ years of FP&A or Finance Management experience Ability to work autonomously and communicate with executive ...

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Education Finance information

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$25K

$92.6K

$135.5K

How much do education finance jobs pay per year?

As of Jul 18, 2026, the average yearly pay for education finance in the United States is $92,631.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $75,000.00 and $109,000.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is education finance?

Education finance refers to the funding and financial management of educational institutions and systems. It involves securing, allocating, and overseeing funds to support schools, colleges, and universities, ensuring they have the resources needed for operations, staff salaries, facilities, and educational programs. Professionals in education finance may work in budgeting, financial planning, grants management, and policy analysis to make sure educational goals are met efficiently and equitably. This field plays a crucial role in promoting access to quality education and maintaining the financial health of educational organizations.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive in Education Finance, and why are they important?

To excel in Education Finance, a strong background in accounting, financial analysis, and budgeting—often supported by a degree in finance, accounting, or a related field—is essential. Familiarity with financial management software, data analytics tools, and compliance systems such as Banner or PeopleSoft is typically required. Outstanding analytical thinking, attention to detail, and effective communication skills help professionals collaborate with stakeholders and interpret complex financial data. These abilities ensure accurate financial planning, compliance, and resource allocation within educational institutions.

What are the typical daily challenges faced by professionals in Education Finance roles?

Professionals in Education Finance frequently manage budgeting constraints, shifting funding sources, and compliance with complex regulatory requirements. Balancing the needs of academic departments with available resources can be challenging, especially during budget cycles or periods of enrollment fluctuation. Collaboration with faculty, administrators, and external auditors is common, requiring strong communication and analytical skills. Staying current with funding policies and financial aid regulations is essential to ensure accurate reporting and effective allocation of resources.

What is the difference between Education Finance vs Education Administration?

AspectEducation FinanceEducation Administration
Required CredentialsBachelor's degree in finance, accounting, or related field; certifications like CPA or CFA beneficialBachelor's or master's in education, administration, or leadership; administrative certifications often preferred
Work EnvironmentFinancial offices, school districts' finance departments, government agenciesSchool districts, colleges, universities, educational institutions' administrative offices
Employer & Industry UsageEducational institutions managing budgets, government agencies overseeing fundingEducational institutions managing operations, staff, and policies

Education Finance focuses on managing budgets, funding, and financial planning within educational settings, while Education Administration involves overseeing the overall operations, policies, and staff management of educational institutions. Both roles require related credentials and often work within the same environments, but their core responsibilities differ significantly.

More about Education Finance jobs
What cities are hiring for Education Finance jobs? Cities with the most Education Finance job openings:
What states have the most Education Finance jobs? States with the most job openings for Education Finance jobs include:
Infographic showing various Education Finance job openings in the United States as of July 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% As Needed, 79% Full Time, 16% Part Time, 1% Temporary, and 3% Contract. Highlights an 96% Physical, 1% Hybrid, and 3% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $92,631 per year, or $44.5 per hour.
Education Finance Specialist 1, Education Finance Specialist Trainee 1, Education Finance Special...

Education Finance Specialist 1, Education Finance Specialist Trainee 1, Education Finance Special...

New York State

Albany, NY • On-site

$66K - $85K/yr

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, Retirement, PTO

Posted yesterday

New


New York State rating

7.7

Company rating: 7.7 out of 10

Based on 186 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

25th of 50 rated states


Job description

Duties Description The New York State Education Department's Office of Education Policy is seeking candidates to fill the position of Education Finance Specialist 1 in its recently established Federal Grants Office which is responsible for the administration of more than $3 Billion in federally funded grant programs each year. This office will develop written procedures to govern the administration and implementation of the funding to ensure compliance with all Federal statutory requirements, including compliance with the Uniform Grants Guidance; develop and implement monitoring procedures and protocols to ensure successful oversight of the funding; and develop and provide training and support to over 1,000 LEAs to help ensure they are successful in completing application forms for funding an successfully implement the programs. Duties of this position include, but are not limited to, the following: Assist in the administration, oversight, and implementation of fiscal programs and policies; Serve as a liaison between internal and external entities including, but not limited to, school districts, Boards of Cooperative Educational Services, and local education agencies; Assist in the administration and coordination of fiscal programs or activities including, but not limited to, allocating, monitoring, and tracking funds or expenditures within the Statewide Financial System (SFS); Assist in database systems development and/or maintenance activities for the management and reporting of Federal funds; Assist in the generation of federal allocations based on the prescribed methodology; Ensure appropriate usage of funds and compliance with various laws, rules, regulations, and other requirements; Assist in the evaluation of the effectiveness of programs through dynamic data collection and analysis; Implement various processes and procedures for the proper fiscal management of Federal funds; Review and approve applications for federal funding; Participate in the monitoring and oversight of Federal funds; Provide technical assistance and training to internal and external customers; and Prepare financial recommendations and reports.

Minimum Qualifications NY HELPS This title is part of the New York Hiring for Emergency Limited Placement Statewide Program (NY HELPS). For the duration of the NY HELPS Program, this title may be filled via a non-competitive appointment, which means no examination is required but all candidates must meet the minimum qualifications of the title for which they apply. At a future date (within one year of permanent appointment), it is expected employees hired under NY HELPS will have their non-competitive employment status converted to competitive status, without having to compete in an examination.

Employees will then be afforded with all of the same rights and privileges of competitive class employees of New York State. While serving permanently in a NY HELPS title, employees may take part in any promotion examination for which they are qualified. NON-COMPETITIVE MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS: To be considered for appointment through NY HELPS, or 55 b/c, candidates must meet the open-competitive minimum qualifications for this position.

The qualifications are: Appointment to Education Finance Specialist Trainee 1: Four years of experience calculating financial support, reviewing criteria and authorizing payments, auditing or reviewing fiscal transactions, monitoring and overseeing financial activity, or analyzing financial data in an educational entity regulated under federal or New York State education laws, rules, or regulations. * Appointment to Education Finance Specialist Trainee 2: Five years of experience calculating financial support, reviewing criteria and authorizing payments, auditing or reviewing fiscal transactions, monitoring and overseeing financial activity, or analyzing financial data in an educational entity regulated under federal or New York State education laws, rules, or regulations. * Appointment to Education Finance Specialist 1: Six years of experience calculating financial support, reviewing criteria and authorizing payments, auditing or reviewing fiscal transactions, monitoring and overseeing financial activity, or analyzing financial data in an educational entity regulated under federal or New York State education laws, rules, or regulations.

* *An associate degree may substitute for two years of experience; a bachelor's degree may substitute for four years of experience; a master's degree may substitute for five years of experience; and a doctorate may substitute for six years of experience. All candidates that have taken and passed the most recent Professional Career Opportunities (PCO) exam are encouraged to apply. COMPETITIVE MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS: Reassignment: Candidates must have one year of permanent competitive or 55b/c service as an Education Finance Specialist 1.

Eligible List Appointment: Candidates who are reachable on the New York State Education Department's Public Administration Trainee Transition (PATT) eligible list or the Professional Career Opportunities (PCO) or the Professional Career Opportunities (PCO) Select Titles eligible list may be considered for appointment. If you are on the Civil Service eligible list for this title, you may receive a canvass letter. You must complete and return it as instructed on the letter.

For a description of the minimum qualifications that candidates must possess to be appointed from the PCO Select Education Finance Specialist eligible list, please visit https://www.cs.ny.gov/pco/pco-title-details/title-info.cfm?jobcode=0213100&type=Select. Section 70.1 Transfer to Education Finance Specialist 1: Candidates must have one year of permanent competitive or 55 b/c service in a title SG-16 or above deemed eligible for transfer under Section 70.1 of the Civil Service Law. Section 70.1 Transfer to Education Finance Specialist Trainee 1: Candidates must have one year of permanent competitive or 55b/c service in a title SG-12 or above deemed eligible for transfer under Section 70.1 of the Civil Service Law

Section 70.4 Transfer to Education Finance Specialist Trainee 1: Candidates may be eligible for nomination for transfer under Section 70.4 of the Civil Service Law to Education Finance Specialist Trainee 1 if they are a current NYS employee with one year of permanent competitive or 55b/c service in a title SG-12 or higher AND have standing on the Professional Career Opportunities (PCO) eligible list or the Public Administration Traineeship Transition (PATT) eligible list AND possess a Bachelor's or higher degree. Section 70.4 Transfer to Education Finance Specialist 1: Candidates may be eligible for nomination for transfer under Section 70.4 of the Civil Service Law to Education Finance Specialist 1 if they are a current NYS employee with one year of permanent competitive or 55b/c service in a title SG-16 or higher AND have standing on the Professional Career Opportunities (PCO) eligible list or the Public Administration Traineeship Transition (PATT) eligible list AND possess a Bachelor's or higher degree AND have two years of professional work experience in an educational agency or facility regulated under federal or New York State education laws, rules, or regulations performing one or more of the following activities: calculating financial support, reviewing criteria and authorizing payments, auditing/reviewing fiscal transaction. Section 52.6 Transfer: Candidates must have one year of permanent competitive or 55b/c service in a title allocated salary grade 18 or higher eligible to transfer under Section 52.6 of the Civil Service Law

For information regarding the transfer options of your current title, please visit the Civil Service Career Mobility Office Website. https://careermobilityoffice.cs.ny.gov/cmo/gotit/title-search/index.cfm 55b/c Appointment: This position is eligible for 55b/c designation and candidates with 55b/c eligibility are encouraged to apply. Candidates must possess a current 55b/c eligibility letter and the following minimum qualifications: Appointment to Education Finance Specialist Trainee 1: Four years of experience calculating financial support, reviewing criteria and authorizing payments, auditing or reviewing fiscal transactions, monitoring and overseeing financial activity, or analyzing financial data in an educational entity regulated under federal or New York State education laws, rules, or regulations

* Appointment to Education Finance Specialist Trainee 2: Five years of experience calculating financial support, reviewing criteria and authorizing payments, auditing or reviewing fiscal transactions, monitoring and overseeing financial activity, or analyzing financial data in an educational entity regulated under federal or New York State education laws, rules, or regulations. * Appointment to Education Finance Specialist 1: Six years of experience calculating financial support, reviewing criteria and authorizing payments, auditing or reviewing fiscal transactions, monitoring and overseeing financial activity, or analyzing financial data in an educational entity regulated under federal or New York State education laws, rules, or regulations. * *An associate degree may substitute for two years of experience; a bachelor's degree may substitute for four years of experience; a master's degree may substitute for five years of experience; and a doctorate may substitute for six years of experience.

Additional Comments This will be a contingent permanent, competitive appointment or a contingent permanent, non-competitive appointment. For 55b/c appointment, candidates must possess the minimum qualifications, a current 55b/c eligibility letter and is subject to verification of applicant eligibility. Promotions and transfers may change appointees' negotiating unit.

Candidates should be aware that changes in negotiating units may affect their salary, insurance, and other benefits. Verification of degree will be required at the time of interview for all candidates. This position allows for the opportunity to telecommute up to 30% each bi-weekly pay period and is granted at the discretion of the supervisor and the appointing office.

Federal law may impose additional requirements or restrictions regarding positions that receive federal funding. This position may be filled as a traineeship. The starting salaries for this position are outlined below.

For current New York State employees, salary is based on the candidate's salary at the time of hire. Candidates appointed at the trainee level will be required to successfully complete the traineeship to advance to the full performance level title and salary. Current starting salaries: $53,764 (Trainee 1- NS equated to SG-14) $59,994 (Trainee 2 - NS equated to SG-16) $66,951 (Full Performance level SG-18) This position leads to a maximum salary of $85,138 based on annual performance advances and traineeship advances.

For new State employees appointed to graded positions, the annual salary is the hiring rate (beginning of the Salary Range) of the position. Promotion salaries are calculated by the NYS Office of the State Comptroller in accordance with NYS Civil Service Law, OSC Payroll rules and regulations and negotiated union contracts. New York State Education Department (NYSED) is an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer.

NYS Human Rights Law prohibits discrimination because of age, race, creed, color, national origin, sexual orientation, military status, sex, disability, predisposing genetic characteristics, marital status, domestic violence victim status, gender identity, prior conviction records, prior arrests, youthful offender adjudications, or sealed records. Interested in a job with New York State, but don't know where to start. Visit these links for information on working for New York State: https://www.cs.ny.gov/jobseeker/ https://www.cs.ny.gov/pio/publications/gettingajob.pdf Generous benefits of working for New York State, including, but not limited to, the following: Holiday & Paid Time Off Thirteen (13) paid holidays annually

Thirteen (13) days of paid vacation leave in year one, increasing to 20+ days with additional years of service. Five (5) days of paid personal leave annually. Thirteen (13) days of paid sick leave annually for PEF/CSEA and eight (8) days paid sick leave annually for M/C.

Annual professional leave and educational leave opportunities for eligible staff. Health Care Benefits Eligible employees and dependents can choose from a variety of affordable and generous health insurance programs. Family dental and vision benefits at no additional cost.

Additional Benefits Enrollment in the New York State pension system which has earned the distinction of being one of the best-managed and best-funded plans in the nation OR Optional Retirement Defined Contribution Plan with 8% salary match (eligibility requirements apply). NYS Deferred Compensation and an exclusive 403(b) Optional Retirement Savings Plan. Paid Parental Leave for all employees and Paid Family Leave (M/C Only).

Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF). Eligibility for various life insurance options. Some positions may require additional credentials or a background check to verify your identity.


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