Director of Finance

Primary Objective:

The director of finance is a leadership position charged with directing and overseeing all the financial activities of Whitefield Academy, preparing financial reports and summaries, and forecasting future financial needs. The director oversees the accounting department, budget preparation, and audit functions.  The position is responsible for financial matters and for establishing financial and administrative objectives, policies, programs, and practices consistent with the Board of Trustees policies and legal guidance. With continued growth in student enrollment, the director will be instrumental in anticipating needs and guiding the institution by aligning resources among departments to the strategic plan to include the development of faculty/staff, construction and renovation, management of financing and investments, and school-level initiatives.

Key Responsibilities:

 Leadership

• Serves in a key leadership position to collaborate with the head of school and leadership team in carrying out the mission of the school by helping shape strategic plans and initiatives
• Supports and collaborates with the head of school in planning and implementing a wide range of projects and initiatives
• Advises the finance committee of the Board of Trustees by providing direction and information regarding the financial condition, budget, investments, financing of major construction projects, and debt
• Forecasts and develops models to make recommendations and drive important and sound decisions related to tuition, financial aid, financing, investments, and resourcing new initiatives
• Works closely with the director of development to support fundraising initiatives
• Keeps current on trends to provide leadership in private independent school financial stewardship
• Reviews all contractual agreements before signature by the head of school to ensure favorable pricing, terms, and conditions

Budgeting & Accounting

• Leads all business office staff and functions of the school
• Protects and preserves the financial and physical resources of the school
• Prepares and oversees $26+ million annual school budgets
• Ensures financial monthly reporting is timely and accurate
• Establishes and maintains appropriate procedures and controls for all economic systems
• Oversees independent yearly audits of the financial statements and retirement plan
• Prepares and ensures accuracy of the annual Form 990 in conjunction with the tax accountants
• Establishes and maintains banking relationships, ensuring compliance with agreements
• Negotiates credit and banking services
• Assumes responsibility for budgeting and cash management for all capital and building projects

Risk Management & Safety

• Ensures adequate risk management coverage and process is in place
• Reviews annual insurance renewals to ensure the proper coverage for property & casualty, directors & officers, employment practices liability, student accident, worker’s compensation, etc.
• Coordinates with the director of operations to ensure the campus is at the forefront of the most effective school safety measures.

Student Billing and Financial Aid

• Administers the financial aid program, including application analysis, granting awards, and communication with applicants
• Oversees student billing and tuition collection to ensure timely cash flow and reserves

Minimum Qualifications:

• Education: Minimum of bachelor’s degree in accounting, business administration, or finance (master’s degree preferred)
• Experience: Minimum 7 years of financial and business management (private independent school experience preferred)
• Experience in leading and inspiring a team in setting strategic goals and implementing action plans to achieve objectives
• Demonstrated ability and initiative in managing multiple areas of operations
• Demonstrated skills defined within the content of the position description, including excellent interpersonal and written/verbal communication skills.
• High level of energy, initiative, enthusiasm, and collaboration

In addition, the person should:

• Commit to living his/her life under the lordship of Christ
• Model a consistent daily walk with Jesus Christ, and be a Christian role model in speech, actions, and attitudes, which contributes to the spiritual atmosphere of the school
• Believe and affirm the school’s Statement of Faith
• Commit to exhibiting Whitefield’s core value for our students to experience diversity that reflects the body of Christ and support the school’s diversity vision that aims at unity in Christ
• Demonstrate evidence of consistent spiritual activities such as worship at a local church, fellowship with the body of Christ, personal devotional time with the Lord, and individual study of scripture
• Evidence the fruit of the Spirit in the nurturing of relationships with other staff members, students, families, and the community at large
• Be actively involved in a local church

Work Environment and Physical Demands:

The work environment and physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to perform the essential functions of the job successfully. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. A request for reasonable accommodations must be submitted to the HR department.

Work for this position will take place primarily in an office, and secondarily in a classroom. The physical demands of this position include lifting up to 10 pounds regularly, up to 25 pounds intermittently, and up to 50 pounds rarely; carrying up to 10 pounds regularly, up to 25 pounds intermittently, and up to 50 pounds rarely; climbing/balancing, kneeling, crouching, and crawling rarely; pushing/pulling, bending, and stooping intermittently; reaching, sitting, walking, and standing regularly. To perform this job the person must be able to work for extended periods of time at a computer/keyboard; must be able to talk, hear, stand, sit, and/or walk for extended periods of time; and must possess normal manual dexterity and hand-eye coordination.

Nothing in this job description restricts the School’s right to assign or reassign duties and responsibilities to this job at any time. This description reflects management’s assignment of essential functions. It does not restrict the tasks that may be assigned. This job description is subject to change at any time.

To apply please go to www.whitefieldacademy.com under About Us/Employment Opportunities. Whitefield Academy is an equal opportunity employer.