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School Business Official

School business officials provide leadership, financial direction and business expertise to publicly funded school authorities.

Also Known As

Chief Financial and Business Officer

NOC Codes

In Canada, the federal government groups and organizes occupations based on a National Occupational Classification (NOC) system. This alis occupation may not reflect the entire NOC group it is part of. Data for the NOC group can apply across multiple occupations.

The NOC system is updated every 5 years to reflect changes in the labour market. Government forms and labour market data may group and refer to an occupation differently, depending on the system used.

Here is how this occupation has been classified over time.

2006 NOC

  • 0014: Senior Managers - Health, Education, Social and Community Services and Membership Organizations

2006 NOC-S

  • A014: Senior Managers Health, Education, Social and Community Services and Membership Organizations

2011 NOC

  • 0014: Senior managers - health, education, social and community services and membership organizations

2016 NOC

  • 0014: Senior managers - health, education, social and community services and membership organizations

2021 NOC

  • 00013: Senior managers - health, education, social and community services and membership organizations

2023 OaSIS

  • 00013.00: Senior managers - health, education, social and community services and membership organizations
Duties
Updated Mar 05, 2021

School business officials are leaders and administrators. They may specialize in a particular area or work in several areas of public education administration. Duties and responsibilities therefore vary considerably from one position to another and from one school jurisdiction to another.

In the area of financial resource management, school business officials may:

  • Prepare annual budgets and financial statements
  • Provide financial management advice
  • Develop and recommend financial strategies
  • Develop technological solutions for problems
  • Conduct internal audits
  • Prepare grant applications

In corporate management and administration, school business officials may:

  • Initiate and participate in operational planning and policy development
  • Identify and apply constitutional rights and act as a liaison in other legal matters
  • Develop and manage information management systems
  • Oversee the implementation of legislated requirements such as freedom of information and protection of privacy requirements and occupational health and safety compliance
  • Evaluate plan and policy effectiveness for the jurisdiction

In human resource management, school business officials may:

  • Provide input when negotiating labour contracts
  • Motivate staff and provide leadership
  • Facilitate staff development
  • Ensure compliance with labour standards
  • Provide payroll and other human resource services

In facility management, and property acquisition and management, school business officials may:

  • Plan and manage construction, maintenance and facility operations
  • Manage purchasing processes for supplies, fixed assets and real estate

In risk management, school business officials may:

  • Develop appropriate programs
  • Ensure adherence to legal requirements for insurance coverage
  • Address safety and security needs

In student transportation, school business officials may:

  • Develop school bus routes
  • Supervise day-to-day operations
  • Purchase vehicles and supplies
  • Negotiate agreements
  • Ensure student safety

In public relations and communications, school business officials may:

  • Develop and maintain positive media relations
  • Prepare annual reports
  • Facilitate internal and external communication
Working Conditions
Updated Mar 05, 2021
  • Strength Required Lift up to 5 kg

School business officials usually work standard weekday hours in school board or jurisdiction offices. Senior officials must attend school board and public meetings, and overtime is often required to meet budget and other deadlines. Depending on the position, some travel may be required for meetings with other school jurisdictions and government departments.

Interests & Abilities

In Alberta, this occupation is part of 1 or more 2006 National Occupational Classification (NOC) groups. If there are multiple related NOC groups, select a NOC heading to learn about each one.

Senior Managers - Health, Education, Social and Community Services and Membership Organizations

2006 NOC: 0014

Interest Codes

Interest Codes for This NOC Group
DIRECTIVE

Interest in synthesizing information to authorize the establishment of departments and associated senior staff positions; to approve overall human resource planning; to co-ordinate the work of regions, divisions and departments; to select middle managers, directors and other executive staff; and to approve promotional campaigns

METHODICAL

Interest in establishing and organizing major departments and associated senior staff positions; and in formulating promotional campaigns

social

Interest in negotiating with a board of directors to formulate policies and programs; and in delegating representatives to act on behalf of the organization

Your Interest Codes

To identify or change your interest codes, complete the Interests Exercise in CAREERinsite.

Reading Interest Codes
A Quick Guide

The interest code helps you figure out if you’d like to work in a particular occupation. 

It’s based on the Canadian Work Preference Inventory (CWPI), which measures 5 occupational interests: Directive, Innovative, Methodical, Objective, and Social.

Each set of 3 interest codes for this NOC group is listed in order of importance.

A code in capital letters means it’s a strong fit for the occupation.

A code in all lowercase letters means the fit is weaker.

Learn About Interests

Traits & Skills
Updated Mar 05, 2021

School business officials need:

  • A commitment to lifelong learning
  • Leadership skills and initiative
  • Oral and written communication skills
  • Critical-thinking, strategic-thinking, logical-analysis, and problem-solving skills
  • Multitasking skills
  • Strong people skills
  • The ability to work alone and in a team
  • The ability to work in a political environment
  • High ethical standards

They should enjoy directing and supervising the work of others, having clear rules and organized methods to guide their activities, and negotiating with other administrators.

In Alberta, this occupation is part of 1 or more 2016 National Occupational Classification (NOC) groups. If there are multiple related NOC groups, select a NOC heading to learn about each one.

Top 10 Skills Employers Are Looking For

Senior managers - health, education, social and community services and membership organizations

2016 NOC: 0014

This chart shows which job skills are currently in highest demand for this occupational group. It was created using this occupation's 165 most recent Alberta job postings, collected between Sep 28, 2023 and Dec 20, 2024.

Review these skills to learn:

  • Whether or not this occupation matches your skill set
  • What training you may need to get these skills
  • What skills to highlight in your resumé, cover letter, and interview.
Tasks: Establish objectives for the organization and formulate or approve policies and programs
Tasks: Allocate material, human and financial resources to implement organizational policies and programs
Tasks: Represent the organization, or delegate representatives to act on behalf of the organization, in negotiations or other official functions
Tasks: Co-ordinate the work of regions, divisions or departments
Organized
Tasks: Authorize and organize the establishment of major departments and associated senior staff positions
Attention to detail
Computer and Technology Knowledge: MS Office
Accurate
Tasks: Establish financial and administrative controls; formulate and approve promotional campaigns; and approve overall human resources planning
Educational Requirements
Updated Mar 05, 2021
  • Minimum Education Varies

School business officials need a combination of related post-secondary education and experience. For example, those in financial management positions may require an accounting designation or an equivalent combination of training and experience. Those in corporate management positions may have certificates or degrees in public administration.

Most school business officials have a bachelor’s degree in business or commerce and an accounting designation (CPA). Some may have a master’s degree in business administration (MBA) or a master’s degree in public administration (MPA) or a related discipline.

Universities and colleges throughout the province offer 3- and 4-year degree programs in management and related disciplines.

To expand or narrow your program options, visit Post-Secondary Programs and start your search with:

Completing a program does not guarantee entrance into an occupation. Before enrolling in an education program, prospective students should look into various sources for education options and employment possibilities. For example, contact associations and employers in this field.

Certification Requirements
Updated Mar 05, 2021
  • Certification Provincially Regulated

Certain professional titles or duties within this occupation are protected by provincial legislation. Requirements vary if you use these titles or perform these duties.

The related legislation is shown below. If there are multiple related legislations, select a certification heading to learn about each one.

School Business Official

School business officials provide leadership, financial direction and business expertise to publicly funded school authorities.

Legislation

Certified School Business Official is a protected title under Alberta's Professional and Occupational Associations Registration Act [pdf] and the School Business Officials Regulation [pdf]. This means that to call yourself a Certified School Business Official (CSBO), you must be a registered member of the Association of School Business Officials of Alberta (ASBOA). You do not have to be registered if you do not call yourself a Certified School Business Official.

For information on what you need and other details, visit the certification profile School Business Official.

Employment & Advancement
Updated Mar 05, 2021

School business officials are employed by school authorities. Advancement opportunities depend on the size of the school jurisdiction and the school business official’s qualifications. Senior school business official positions require skills and knowledge related to most of the areas listed in the Duties section of this profile.

Industry Concentration

This section shows the industries where the majority of people in this occupation work. The data is based on the 2016 Census.

In Alberta, this occupation is part of 1 or more 2016 National Occupational Classification (NOC) groups.

Senior managers - health, education, social and community services and membership organizations
2016 NOC: 0014

100.1% of people in this occupational group work in:

NOC groups often include several related occupations. Although there is labour market data for the larger NOC group, this occupation makes up only a part of that group. It means data for this occupation may be different than the data shown. For examples, see Note.

3-Year Job Market Forecast

This section shows the short-term demand forecasted for this occupation in Alberta over a 3-year period. It also shows the number of people employed in the occupation.

In Alberta, this occupation is part of 1 or more 2021 National Occupational Classification (NOC) groups.

Senior managers - health, education, social and community services and membership organizations
2021 NOC: 00013
Medium
Demand
< 1500
Employed

Source: 2023-2025 Alberta Short-Term Employment Forecast

NOC groups often include several related occupations. Although there is labour market data for the larger NOC group, this occupation makes up only a part of that group. It means data for this occupation may be different than the data shown. For examples, see Note.

To see data for all occupations, visit Occupations in Demand.

5-Year Job Market Forecast

This section shows the employment outlook for this occupation in Alberta over a 5-year period.

Employment outlook is influenced by a wide variety of factors including:

  • Time of year (for seasonal jobs)
  • Location in Alberta
  • Employment turnover (when people leave existing positions)
  • Occupational growth (when new positions are created)
  • Size of the occupation
  • Trends and events that affect overall employment, especially in the industry or industries from the previous list

In Alberta, this occupation is part of 1 or more 2016 National Occupational Classification (NOC) groups.

Senior managers - health, education, social and community services and membership organizations
2016 NOC: 0014
2.4%
Annual Growth
(Average)
n/a
New Positions

Source: 2021-2025 Alberta Regional Occupational Demand Outlook

Annual growth is from 2021 to 2025. New positions created each year are in addition to job openings created by employment turnover.

NOC groups often include several related occupations. Although there is labour market data for the larger NOC group, this occupation makes up only a part of that group. It means data for this occupation may be different than the data shown. For examples, see Note.

Employment turnover is expected to increase as members of the baby boom generation retire over the next few years.

Related Alberta Job Postings
Wage & Salary
Updated Mar 05, 2021

In Alberta, this occupation is part of 1 or more 2016 National Occupational Classification (NOC) groups. If there are multiple related NOC groups, select a NOC heading to learn about each one.

Senior managers - health, education, social and community services and membership organizations

2016 NOC: 0014
Average Wage
$67.46
Per Hour
Average Salary
$131,655.00
Per Year
Average Hours
37.5
Per Week
Average Months on Payroll
12
Survey Methodology Survey Analysis

Source
2021 Alberta Wage and Salary Survey

NOC 0014 Wage Profile

Unless otherwise noted, the data shown here is for all industries and all regions in Alberta.

All wage estimates are hourly except where otherwise indicated. Wages and salaries do not include overtime hours, tips, benefits, profit shares, bonuses (unrelated to production), and other forms of compensation.

To see the full survey data for this NOC group, visit the wage profile.

Other wage sources
To make an informed wage and salary decision, research other wage sources [pdf] to supplement this data.

A: High Reliability
Data Reliability Code Definition

High Reliability, represents a CV of less than or equal to 6.00% and 30 survey observations and/or represents 50% or more of all estimated employment for the occupation.


Hourly Wage

For full-time and part-time employees
  • Low
  • High
  • Average
  • Median
Starting
Overall
Top

Hourly Wage

For full-time and part-time employees
Wages* Low (5th percentile) High (95th percentile) Average Median
Starting $34.62 $94.92 $59.23 $60.36
Overall $38.27 $107.08 $67.46 $64.90
Top $38.27 $120.88 $77.93 $70.03

Swipe left and right to view all data. Scroll left and right to view all data.

* All wage estimates are hourly except where otherwise indicated. Wages and salaries do not include overtime hours, tips, benefits, profit shares, bonuses (unrelated to production) and other forms of compensation.

Pay brackets for hourly wages

  • Starting pay: average pay offered for entry-level positions
  • Overall pay: average pay across all employees in this occupation
  • Top pay: average pay offered to top-paid employees

Industry Information

ALL INDUSTRIES
Information, Culture, Recreation
Finance, Insurance, Real Estate, Leasing
Professional, Scientific & Technical Services
Educational Services
Health Care & Social Assistance
Other Services (Repair, Personal Services and Related)

Skills Shortage

Employers that Recruited in the Last 2 Years
22%
22%)
Recruiting Employers that Experienced Hiring Difficulties
22%
22%
Employers with Unfilled Vacancies of over 4 Months
2%
2%
Vacancy Rate
1%
Related Post-Secondary Field of Study
  • Business, Management and Administrative Studies
  • Communications
  • Computer and Information Technology
  • Education and Library Studies
  • Social Sciences, Law and Religious Studies
Other Sources of Information
Updated Mar 05, 2021

Association of School Business Officials of Alberta website: asboalberta.ca

Get information and referrals about career, education, and employment options from Alberta Supports.

Updated Mar 05, 2021. The information contained in this profile is current as of the dates shown. Salary, employment outlook, and educational program information may change without notice. It is advised that you confirm this information before making any career decisions.

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