Chief Financial Officer

South Kent School; Connecticut; On-site; USD 190,000 - 240,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance

Dental coverage

Vision coverage

403(b) retirement plan with employer 4

Tuition remission

Meals during academic term

Job summary

South Kent School seeks an experienced Chief Financial Officer to lead financial strategy and fiscal operations. You will report to the Head of School and drive transparent reporting, budgeting, and risk management to support the school's mission.

The role requires strong operational leadership, audit readiness, and expertise in GAAP and internal controls. Experience with endowments, investments, and benefits programs is valued.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in accounting or finance required.
• MBA, CPA or CMA designation preferred.
• Minimum five years of strong operations experience and/or at least 3 years in a senior management position.
• Familiar with GAAP concepts.
• Excellent interpersonal, written and verbal communication skills.
• Advanced proficiency with Excel.

Responsibilities

• Provide transparent financial reporting and support annual audits.
• Lead annual budget planning and long-term financial forecasting.
• Oversee the School's Business Office and internal controls per GAAP.
• Approve all financial obligations and manage banking relationships.
• Coordinate with Investment and Audit committees and outside counsel.
• Ensure compliance with state and federal reporting requirements.
• Oversee HR, payroll, benefits and 403(b)/457(b) plans.

Skills

GAAP knowledge

Financial reporting

Excel

Communication

Leadership

Budgeting

Strategic thinking

Audit readiness

GAAP controls

Education

Bachelor's in accounting or finance

MBA / CPA / CMA preferred

Tools

Blackbaud Financial Edge

Google Suite

Microsoft Office

Job description

Position: Chief Financial Officer

Supervisor: Head of School

Location: South Kent, Connecticut

Status: Full-Time

South Kent School prepares young men to succeed in college and thrive as thoughtful and engaged citizens in a rapidly changing and intensely competitive world.

South Kent School, established in 1923, is a college preparatory school for boys in grades 9 through 12, nestled in the hills of picturesque northwestern Connecticut. South Kent School's academic, athletic, and community life programs align to develop thriving young men. Using our contemporary expertise in male adolescent education, we are constantly evolving and adapting our instruction to ensure we are providing students with the skills and character development they need to succeed in college and the world beyond.

Job Summary

South Kent School is seeking an experienced Chief Financial Officer (CFO) to lead the school's overall financial strategy and fiscal operations. Reporting directly to the Head of School, the CFO is responsible for ensuring transparent financial reporting, leading annual budgeting and long-term financial planning, maintaining internal GAAP-compliant controls, managing risk, and serving as the liaison to key Board of Trustees committees. The ideal candidate brings strong operational leadership, expertise in audit readiness, and a passion for advancing South Kent School's mission of preparing young men to succeed in college and thrive as thoughtful, engaged citizens.

Responsibilities

• Provide transparent and accurate financial reporting that builds trust among administrators, staff, the Board of Trustees and ensures a successful annual audit.
• Lead the preparation of the annual budget, periodic forecasting, and long-term financial plans in conjunction with the Head and Finance Committee of the Board.
• Oversee the operations of the Business Office; maintain an effective system of internal controls and ensure that transactions are accounted for in accordance with GAAP.
• Approve all financial obligations of the School.
• Serve as primary liaison to the Finance, Investment, Audit, Pension, and Buildings & Grounds Committees of the Board of Trustees, working closely with Committee chairs and organizing agendas and meeting materials.
• Coordinate with the outside investment manager to execute the endowment and investment policy decisions of the Investment Committee, including endowment allocation, investment and reporting.
• Manage credit facilities and relationship with bank lenders including monitoring, and ensuring compliance with, loan covenants and ratios.
• Oversee risk management and the renewal of the School's property, casualty, health and liability programs.
• Coordinate with the School's outside counsel regarding all legal matters.
• Ensure that the School complies with all local, state, and federal reporting requirements.
• Oversee the Manager of Facilities regarding all aspects of plant operations including security, maintenance, construction, service contracts, etc.
• Oversee Human Resources and ensure the administration of sound and consistent employment policies, payroll, benefit programs and record keeping.
• Administer 403(b) and 457(b) plans and ensure compliance with fiduciary and regulatory requirements.
• Lead by example and operate and create an environment tightly aligned with the School culture and values of respect, transparency and accountability.
• Conduct monthly & quarterly close for audit preparation.
• All other duties as assigned

Requirements

A bachelor's degree in accounting or finance required.

MBA, Master of Accounting or CPA/CMA designation preferred.

Minimum of five years of strong operations experience and/or at least 3 years in a senior management position.

Familiar with concepts related to Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP).

Exceptional problem-solving skills.

Advanced proficiency with Excel is required.

Experience with accounting software Blackbaud Financial Edge preferred.

Excellent interpersonal skills with strong written and verbal communication skills.

Distinct organizational and management skills with the ability to prioritize tasks and delegate when appropriate.

High attention to detail and accuracy in record keeping.

Self-starter attitude; originates and develops constructive, creative ideas.

Ability to work effectively in a fast-paced environment with changing priorities.

Demonstrates the highest level of integrity and business ethics with a strong sense of confidentiality.

• Must have experience with Google Suite and Microsoft Office.
• Demonstrate support for South Kent's commitment to Diversity Equity and Inclusion.

Compensation

Compensation is competitive, ranging anywhere from $190,000-$240,000. Final base salary will be determined on several objective factors, including the candidate’s depth of experience, specialized certification, and relevant industry tenure.

Benefits

Our generous benefits package for full-time team members includes group health, dental, and vision coverage, a 403(b) retirement plan with an employer match, long-term disability insurance, tuition remission, and meals during the academic term.

The above is intended to describe the general content of and requirements for the performance of this job. It is not to be construed as an exhaustive statement of duties, responsibilities, or physical requirements. Nothing in this job description restricts the School's right to assign or reassign duties and responsibilities to this job at any time. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

South Kent School is an equal-opportunity employer. We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive and safe environment for all employees.