Description
Job Summary
The Director of Finance & Accounting will oversee the financial health, regulatory compliance, and strategic fiscal planning of our educational institution. This role bridges the gap between technical accounting and executive leadership, managing day-to-day finance operations while serving as a key advisor to the School Administration, Superintendent, and Board of Directors. The ideal candidate blends robust accounting expertise with exceptional communication skills to translate complex financial data into actionable strategy.
Key Responsibilities
1. Financial Oversight, Control & Compliance
Oversee the month-end and year-end closing processes, ensuring absolute accuracy and integrity of all accounting records.
Manage the preparation, review, and filing of annual tax returns and external regulatory filings.
Serve as the primary point of contact for external auditors; lead the annual audit process and implement recommended internal controls.
Maintain, update, and govern the institution’s Chart of Accounts to ensure accurate tracking and reporting.
2. Team Management & Operations
Provide day-to-day leadership, mentorship, and direction to the finance and accounting team.
Establish workflows, set clear performance goals, and manage strict deadlines for reporting, billing, and payroll cycles.
3. Stakeholder Communication & Relationship Management
Build and maintain strong, collaborative relationships with school administration and leadership teams.
Act as the liaison between school operations and the finance team; actively gather feedback on operational pain points (e.g., student billing, fee collection, payment processing).
Translate administrative feedback into practical accounting process improvements and system implementations.
4. Budgeting & Variance Analysis
Lead the collaborative development of the annual draft and final operating budgets.
Guide and perform monthly Budget vs. Actual (BvA) variance analysis to identify trends, deficits, or surpluses.
Partner with department heads to provide guidance on budget management and cost-control strategies.
5. Executive & Board Reporting
Develop and deliver high-level Financial Planning & Analysis (FP&A) presentations for the Superintendent and the Board of Directors.
Present clear, concise monthly, quarterly, and annual financial statements to the Board, explaining the fiscal health, risks, and strategic outlook of the school.
What This Role Offers
Impact: Direct influence over the financial sustainability and resource allocation supporting student education.
Visibility: High-profile role with regular exposure to executive leadership, the Superintendent, and Board members.
Leadership: Opportunity to shape, mentor, and grow a dedicated finance team.
Specifics
Hours: Full-time, fully in-person, 12-months
Compensation: $55k - $75k annually, depending on qualifications and experience
Benefits: Medical, Dental, Vision, 403(b) contribution, Life, LTD, STD, ADD, Tuition Discount for children, lunch, vacation, holidays, FSA, HSA, HRA, EAP, Commuter
Requirements
Qualifications & Experience
Education: Bachelor’s degree in Accounting, Finance, or Business Administration (Master’s or MBA preferred).
Certification: CPA (Certified Public Accountant), CMA (Certified Management Accountant), CFA (Certified Financial Analyst) or related designation preferred.
Experience: 5–7+ years of progressive accounting/finance experience, with at least 2–3 years in a managerial or leadership role.
Industry Knowledge: Experience in K-12 education, higher education, or non-profit accounting (fund accounting) is strongly preferred.
Skills:
Advanced proficiency in ERP/accounting software and Excel.
Exceptional presentation skills with the ability to explain financial concepts to non-financial stakeholders (Board members, educators).
Strong diplomatic and relationship-building skills.
