C | CESO Finance Team • CESO

Finance
Team

See our growing team of CESO Finance leaders.

Our CPA’s, payroll specialists, AP/AR experts and school operations team are built to provide you with the kind of thinking that can only come from people who not only understand schools, but also have deep experience solving full-spectrum financial challenges.

Finance Specialist

Jim Westrum

Since 2008, Jim served as the executive director of finance and business for WPS. With 30 years of school business management in Minnesota schools, Jim also has served the Hopkins, Orono, Osseo and Spring Lake Park school districts and has served as a resource for other school district’s business officials. Jim serves as the content area leader for Risk Management with the Association of School Business Officials (ASBO) International, is an ASBO faculty member for certification classes, and regularly presents continuing education for school business officials both in Minnesota and throughout the country.

Jim continually stays abreast of current and emerging issues by participating in continuing professional development including National ASBO Annual Meetings and Executive Leadership forums, Minnesota ASBO and Minnesota CPA conferences, and Minnesota School Boards Association (MSBA) Leadership Conferences. As a lifelong learner, leader, teacher and guide, Jim is committed to operational excellence and professional development.

Jim is the 2021 Minnesota Association of School Business Officials (MASBO) Outstanding Lifetime Contribution Award recipient, a 2014 ASBO Distinguished Eagle Award recipient, the 2013 MASBO School Business Official of the Year recipient, and is a past president of the Minnesota Association of School Business Officials (MASBO).

Finance Specialist

Kris Kratz

With over 15 years experience in finance, the past eight in district or school-adjacent roles, Kris brings a compelling mix of public and private sector knowledge to our CESO team. In her role at CESO, Kris provides leadership and guidance to district clients, communicating and advocating for accounting best practices, assisting with MDE reporting, project management, and more.

Kris holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Accounting with an emphasis in Information Systems from St. Cloud State University and is a member of the Minnesota Association of School Business Officials (MASBO).