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  • Head of Finance and Business Operations

Description

Position Title: Head of Finance and Business Operations
Reports To: Head of School
Work Hours: 7:30 a.m.– 4:00 p.m.
Work Calendar: 12 months

Job Summary: Oversees all aspects of school financial management and operations, ensuring adherence to accounting policy, established internal processes, banking rules, budget oversight and all strategic ad-hoc analysis regarding school initiatives and future planning. The Head of Finance and Business Operations is responsible for all financial aspects of the School, including accounting, budgeting, financial planning, audit preparation, banking, risk management, forward-looking analysis and board reporting. This role involves both high-level strategic work as well as day to day accounting tasks.

Essential Duties

  • Shows commitment to the school’s mission, purpose, leadership, and values.
  • Plans and prepares thoughtfully and with flexibility to serve internal, external counterparties and community families’ needs.
  • Demonstrates a commitment to inclusion, respect of individuality, and regard for dignity.
  • Professionally carries out responsibilities as defined in job description.
  • Is proficient with technology and demonstrates willingness to further develop technological skills, as applicable to position.

Primary Tasks

  • Conduct and/or oversee day-to-day financial operations including full accounting activities; financial investments; purchasing card program administration, general ledger, etc.
  • Prepare timely financial statements for budgets, forecasts,  investments, and capital projects for reporting to the Head of School, Finance Committee, and Board of Trustees.
  • Develop, propose, and implement board approved annual operations and capital budgets; provide recommendations for tuition increases, financial aid budget, and salary increases for future years.
  • Ensure all expenditures are consistent with approved budgets and that any deviations are approved by the appropriate authority.
  • Establish and maintain internal controls and safeguards for all financial aspects of the School, including receipt of revenue, investments, and all expenditures.
  • Maintain comprehensive property and liability insurance programs to adequately protect the School’s assets.
  • Maintain timely Accounts Payable and Accounts receivable processes to ensure all payables and receivables are properly handled and received on an ongoing basis
  • Maintain professional relationships with the School’s banks, insurance broker, attorneys, auditors, contractors, and accrediting organizations.
  • Ensure compliance with all tax laws and deadlines.
  • Coordinate and prepare financials and other schedules for annual independent audit process; interface with independent auditors to secure annual audit of the School’s financial position.
  • Manage the financial assistance process and work with families in need of financial assistance.
  • Actively participate in ongoing risk assessment and management across all aspects of the School.
  • Supervise and lead direct report(s) to ever increasing ownership and independence in their respective roles via regular feedback, encouragement, and annual evaluations.
  • Assist in assessing the effectiveness of all programs, policies, and procedures.
  • Work in collaboration with other members of the administrative team for the benefit of the School as a whole, in any capacity necessary.
  • Contribute to a safe, supportive school environment for all constituents by acting with compassion and integrity in all situations.
  • Contribute to a positive school culture by building collaborative, collegial, and respectful relationships with colleagues and overtly supporting teachers, administrators, and the Board of Trustees.
  • Model the mission, philosophy, and goals of the School to all staff, parents, students, and the community.

Qualifications:

  • Attention to detail, strong organizational skills, and ability to maintain confidentiality.
  • Proficiency with Excel, Google Drive (Sheets, Docs and online record retention)
  • Experience with Quickbooks and Credit card management platforms
  • Meticulous attention to detail
  • Bachelor’s degree in accounting, finance, or closely related field.
  • CPA preferred.
  • Private/independent school and/or non-profit experience preferred.
  • Audit experience a plus.
  • Excellent written and verbal communication skills; Customer service mindset.

Ongoing responsibilities include the following:

  • Provide timely and accurate reports for all budget holders and communicate any concerns regarding budget challenges or delinquent accounts.
  • Manage the student billing system including tuition, vendor payments and summer school payments.
  • Prepare and make bank deposits.
  • Review all vendor invoices and enter all checks into the accounting and banking systems.
  • Perform monthly bank reconciliations.
  • Manage re-enrollment financial projections and enter all student billing each spring
  • Assist leadership team with enrollment optimization modeling and analysis to maximize capacity and reduce expense basis

Physical Requirements and Work Environment:

  • Is able to work in a fast-paced environment, dealing with a variety of challenges and deadlines.
  • Occasionally, lifts up to 30 pounds.
  • Is able to stoop, bend, kneel, stand, walk, and reach.
  • May work in varied, extreme outside weather conditions during school events, special activities, and fundraising events.
  • May work at a desk and computer for an extended period of time.