Shannon Whitaker Collins
WILSON COUNTY SCHOOLS
Wilson
26
years of professional experience
Analytical, organized, and detail-oriented school finance executive with more than 26 years of progressive experience in public school finance and financial operations. Extensive expertise in GAAP, budgeting, financial reporting, grants management, payroll, purchasing, internal controls, compliance, insurance, cash management, and audit preparation. Proven leader with a strong record of managing complex financial operations, overseeing large public-sector budgets, and ensuring fiscal accountability and regulatory compliance. A strategic and collaborative financial leader recognized for sound judgment, operational efficiency, and the ability to translate complex financial information into clear, actionable guidance for executive leadership, principals, administrators, and staff. Successfully managed significant financial operations while maintaining strong internal controls and a commitment to transparency, accountability, and organizational success.
Work History
Chief Financial Officer / Finance Officer
3 Years 3 Months- Provide executive leadership and strategic oversight for the financial operations of a public school system.
- Directed budgeting, governmental accounting, financial reporting, payroll, purchasing, grant administration, cash management, insurance, compliance, and audit-related functions to ensure financial integrity and operational efficiency.
- Direct budgeting, governmental accounting, financial reporting, payroll, purchasing, grant administration, cash management, insurance, compliance, and audit-related functions.
- Currently manage $10,759,922 in federal funds, $101,132,574 in state funds, and $28,000,000 in local funding, and maintain $10 million in unrestricted fund balance.
- Generated more than $1 million in interest income in a single year through effective cash management and investment strategies.
- Provide strategic financial guidance to principals, administrators, school bookkeepers, and central office departments regarding budgeting, purchasing, compliance, and fiscal management.
- Managed school disaster recovery efforts (tornado and bus garage fire) and oversaw capital projects, including construction of one elementary school and design/implementation of another, ensuring timely completion and adherence to budget.
- Ensure compliance with GAAP, North Carolina requirements, Board policies, and applicable federal and state regulations across complex public-sector operations.
- Provided strategic financial guidance to principals, administrators, school bookkeepers, and central office departments on budgeting, purchasing, compliance, and fiscal management to enhance financial decision-making.
- Oversee audit preparation, financial reconciliations, corrective action processes, and the organization and retention of financial records.
- Analyze complex financial information and communicate financial risks, opportunities, and recommendations clearly to executive leadership and key stakeholders.
- Three consecutive years of clean external audits while at Wilson County Schools.
Finance Specialist
10 Months- Prepared and submitted accurate reports to state and federal agencies, grantees, and stakeholders, ensuring compliance with laws and regulations.
- Managed district’s fixed assets, conducted internal audits, and oversaw treasury functions to maintain financial integrity.
- Oversaw federal programs, ensuring compliance with guidelines and effective monitoring.
Accountant
2 Months- Executed various accounting tasks for the Executive Finance Director.
- Wrote procedures and implemented, trained, reconciled, and monitored the school district’s fixed assets.
- Developed and implemented procedures, trained staff, reconciled, and monitored school district’s fixed assets to maintain accurate records.
Chief Financial Officer
21 Years 6 Months- Advanced from middle school bookkeeper to Assistant Finance Officer, then Chief Financial Officer, demonstrating strong progression in financial expertise.
- Led accounting, budgeting, financial reporting, compliance, grants, payroll, purchasing, and audit processes; recognized by NC DPI for developing policies and procedures for management of school district’s fixed assets.
- Managed district’s financial affairs, overseeing budgeting, purchasing, payroll, accounts payable, fixed assets, internal audits, and treasury functions for $84,000,000 budget.
Education
Bachelor of Business Administration
Skills
LINQ Financial Systems
Strategic Planning
Budget Development & Administration
Cash Management & Investments
Financial Analysis & Forecasting
Professional Strengths
- Strategic financial leadership with a results-driven approach
- Complex budget and operations management across multi-fund environments
- Executive decision-making and sound financial judgment
- Change leadership through organizational challenges
- Stakeholder communication with executive leadership, administrators, board members, and staff
- High attention to detail with a commitment to fiscal accountability and transparency
- Process improvement focused on strengthening internal controls and advancing organizational success
- Student- and staff-centered service; committed to doing what is best for students and staff
Timeline
Chief Financial Officer / Finance Officer
WILSON COUNTY SCHOOLS
04.2023 - CurrentRead More
Finance Specialist
MOUNT AIRY CITY SCHOOLS
06.2022 - 04.2023Read More
Accountant
YADKIN COUNTY SCHOOLS
04.2022 - 06.2022Read More
Chief Financial Officer
SURRY COUNTY SCHOOLS
09.2000 - 03.2022Read More
North Carolina Association of School Business Officials' Academy Graduate
Read More
Campbell University
Bachelor of Business Administration
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