Financial Consulting Services
Expert support for budgeting, forecasting, and financial reporting
Student-Centered Services (SCS) partners with school districts to provide practical, hands-on financial consulting that supports long term stability, strategic decision making, and student-centered outcomes. Our team helps superintendents and business officials make sense of complex financial data, anticipate future needs, and communicate clearly with boards and communities.
Who We Are
Student-Centered Services (SCS) is a team of successful, award-winning current and former educators who have devoted their careers to serving students. Our consultants bring extensive experience as Superintendents and Assistant Superintendents, along with deep expertise in district-level functions such as:
- Business and finance services
- Human resources
- Instructional leadership
- Program and operational reviews
Many of our team members have held leadership roles in key organizations such as IASB, ISBE, IASA, LUDA, IASBO, ASBO International, AASA, and legislative advocacy groups like ED-RED, as well as other regional and statewide professional networks. This background provides SCS with strong local, state, and national connections and a broad reach in the educational consulting space.
What We Do
SCS champions student success by strengthening the systems that support teaching and learning. Our work includes:
- Financial and enrollment forecasting
- Budget and levy support
- Strategic planning
- Individual and team coaching
- Data-driven decision making
We are committed to helping districts create equitable, high-performing learning environments while operating with efficiency and clarity. Our services are customized to each district’s needs and designed to be both high quality and cost effective.
How We Can Help Your District
To allow superintendents and business offices to focus on student outcomes, SCS offers multiphase financial consulting services that can be tailored to your district.
Targeted Financial Services
In addition to the phased model, SCS can provide targeted support in specific areas of financial services. Potential focus areas include, but are not limited to:
Phase 1: Financial Health Review
SCS will review your district’s critical financial data to provide a high-level assessment of the key factors affecting your overall financial condition. This may include:
- Fund balance trends
- Revenue and expenditure patterns
- Evidence-Based Funding and other state revenue
- Overall financial indicators and risk areas
You will receive a clear summary of strengths, concerns, and items that may need closer attention.
Phase 2: Budget and Compliance Review
SCS will review you annual budget, tax levy, grant reporting, transportation claim, and other critical financial reports outside of basic financial reporting. This phase provides a high-level assessment of:
- Budget structure and alignment to priorities
- Tax levy and revenue projections
- Grant reporting and timelines
- Transportation claims and other required filings
We identify potential gaps, risks, and opportunities to improve accuracy, compliance, and clarity.
Phase 3: Ongoing Support and Advisory Services
In Phase 3, SCS will work with you to design a level of support that fits your budget and needs. This may include:
- Quarterly, monthly, bi-monthly, or weekly calls
- Regular check-ins with the superintendent and/or business office staff
- Standing agendas for monitoring cash flow, projections, and key deadlines
The specific scope of work is defined collaboratively with the district so that support is targeted, predictable, and aligned with your goals.
- Cash flow, investments, and debt management
- Collective bargaining and personnel cost analysis
- Multi-year financial forecasting
- Food service operations and financial performance
- Purchasing and supply management
- Operations and master facility planning
- Student activity funds and related internal controls
We work with district leadership to define the scope of work, timelines, and deliverables so that support is clear and actionable.
Dr. Susan Harkin
Dr. Susan Harkin partners with superintendents and business officials to support budgeting, forecasting, and financial reporting.