Chief Financial Officer

Bellarmine Preparatory School; Tacoma (WA); On-site; USD 155,000 - 185,000; Full time

Job summary

A private educational institution in Tacoma, WA, seeks a Chief Financial Officer to lead its financial operations and strategy. Responsibilities include managing risk, budgeting, and overseeing accounting while providing strategic guidance to the Senior Leadership Team. Ideal candidates should have extensive experience in financial leadership, preferably within educational or nonprofit sectors. This role offers a salary range of $155,000 – $185,000 along with the opportunity to make a significant impact on the institution's financial health and strategic direction.

Qualifications

• 15 – 20+ years of progressive financial accounting experience.
• 10+ years of senior financial leadership or comparable leadership experience.
• Demonstrated strength in business and financial management.

Responsibilities

• Accountable for financial and risk management operations of the school.
• Guide financial decision-making and enforce financial policies.
• Prepare and present financial statements and operating budgets.

Skills

Financial accounting experience

Strategic planning

Interpersonal and communication skills

Innovative and solutions-oriented

Education

Undergraduate degree in Accounting or related field

CPA license

Master’s degree in Accounting, Finance, or MBA

Tools

School management software

Job description

Overview

Position: Chief Financial Officer
Department: Administration – Executive
Supervisor: Dr. Kelly Goodsell, President
Salary: $155,000 – $185,000

JOB SUMMARY: Reporting directly to the President and serving as a member of the Senior Leadership Team, the Chief Financial Officer (CFO) serves as the senior business and financial leader for Bellarmine Preparatory School. The CFO provides strategic and operational leadership for the Business Office, including Human Resources, and is responsible for the overall budget and financial stewardship of the school in support of its mission and long-term sustainability. The CFO oversees the school’s Risk Management, Accounting, Student Accounts and Tuition Assistance, Payroll & Benefits, and Human Resources functions, ensuring strong financial controls, regulatory compliance, and effective business operations. In partnership with the President and Principal, the CFO provides strategic oversight and financial guidance for operational areas of the school, including facilities and capital planning. In this role, the CFO provides timely, accurate, and strategic financial information to the Senior Leadership Team, Trust Committee and Board of Directors to support informed decision-making. The CFO serves as the primary financial liaison to the Board Finance Committee and Bellarmine’s Benefactor Trust and works closely with school leadership to align financial strategy with institutional priorities and Jesuit values.

Responsibilities

• Accountable for the administrative, financial, and risk management operations of the school, including the development and execution of financial and operational strategies, performance metrics aligned to those strategies, and the established and ongoing development and monitoring of internal control systems designed to safeguard school assets and ensure accurate, transparent financial reporting.
• Safeguarding Assets and Financial Operations
• Guide financial decision-making by establishing, monitoring, and enforcing financial policies, procedures, and internal controls
• Support strategic forecasting, planning and monitoring for ongoing school improvement, growth and overall success
• Maintain full-charge accounting responsibility for the school
• Supervise Accounting and Human Resource departments
• Prepare and present financial statements, operating budgets, investment reports, and capital project updates for review with the Senior Leadership Team and Board committees
• Prepare the Annual Operating Budget for the school, working collaboratively with administrators and budget managers to ensure accountability and ownership of departmental budgets
• Monitor monthly budget performance by analyzing variances and initiating corrective actions as needed
• Financial Aid & Tuition Assistance – Maintain a tuition assistance program that provides a consistent, timely, and equitable process for applications, reviews, and awards
• Analyze applicable tuition models, enrollment trends, and financial aid strategies to ensure long-term viability
• Provide financial modeling, forecasting, and scenario analysis related to school operations
• Oversee administration of the annual tuition assistance program, ensuring alignment with institutional priorities and long-term financial sustainability
• Asset Protection, Risk Management & Cash Flow – Protect school assets through sound financial policies, internal controls, and reporting systems
• Manage relationships with outside insurance brokers for property, casualty, risk management, employee health insurance and other necessary contracts and agreements
• Oversee and manage cash management program and monitor the school’s cash flow in partnership with Finance Committee objectives
• Monitor all loans and indebtedness
• Serve as liaison for Food Services vendors
• Audits, Endowment & Compliance – Oversee and manage the annual independent external audit of financial records, including preparation of audit schedules and coordination with external auditors for the school’s financial statements, endowment, and retirement plan
• Provide accounting oversight, vendor support, and school liaison to the Trust of the school’s endowment
• Ensure compliance with all applicable city, state, and federal regulations
• Administration of the 403(b) retirement plan
• Ensure timely and effective negotiations and annual reviews of third party and/or vendor contracts
• Strategic Planning & Leadership – Actively participate in school-wide long-term strategic planning, to include new revenue opportunities
• Assist in formulating the school’s financial direction and support tactical initiatives
• Monitor and direct implementation of strategic financial and operational plans
• Develop long-range financial strategies and forecasting models for current operations and anticipated major capital projects
• Manage the capital request and budgeting processes
• Lead and maintain banking relationships
• Support the overall operational and financial vitality of the school
• Partner with VP of Advancement in supporting the school’s development, endowment, and campaign strategies and trends to meet short and long-term goals
• Partner with President and Principal in providing strategic financial oversight and guidance for operational areas of the school, including facilities planning and major capital initiatives
• Payroll, Benefits & HR Partnership – Oversee all payroll functions
• Partner closely with Human Resources leadership on benefits administration, retirement plans, compliance reporting, and financial data supporting workforce planning

Experience / Qualifications / Competencies

• 15 – 20+ years of progressive financial accounting experience
• 10+ years of senior financial leadership or comparable leadership experience
• Undergraduate degree in Accounting or related field required
• CPA license and/or Master’s degree in Accounting, Finance, or MBA strongly preferred
• Strong background in accounting; experience with fund accounting and endowment management strongly preferred
• Strategic thinker and planner with independent school management knowledge (preferred)
• Deep knowledge of GAAP as it applies to non-profits (restricted vs. unrestricted assets), capital campaign gifts, and grants
• Minimum of five years’ experience working in education and/or nonprofit organizations preferred
• Demonstrated strength in business, financial management, treasury and cash management
• Proficiency in school management software
• Superior interpersonal and communication skills to effectively engage with diverse stakeholders
• Demonstrated ability to be innovative, resourceful, collaborative, and solutions-oriented
• Commitment to promoting a culture of accountability, integrity, and teamwork
• Service-oriented approach to meeting the financial needs of employees, families, and Board leadership