Chief Financial Officer Liberty Classical Schools

Circe Institute; Atlanta (GA); On-site; USD 130,000 - 160,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, dental, and vision insurance

Disability insurance

Life insurance

403b retirement plan matching

Professional Development Opportunities

Job summary

Liberty Classical Schools, a nonprofit operator of K-12 charter schools in Atlanta, is seeking a full-time CFO. The Chief Financial Officer will lead financial vision and strategy, report to the CEO, and manage the finance team.

The ideal candidate should possess a bachelor's degree in accounting or finance, a CPA designation, and at least ten years of relevant experience. Benefits include competitive insurance, retirement plan participation, and professional development opportunities.

Qualifications

• Minimum 10 years of relevant financial management experience.
• Experience in education or a charter school system strongly preferred.
• Strong candidates will support the mission and vision of Liberty Classical Schools.

Responsibilities

• Lead and manage the Finance Team and all core financial operations.
• Advise the CEO and Board on sustainability, growth, and capital planning.
• Ensure compliance with financial policies and regulations.

Skills

Financial management

Budgeting

Strategic planning

Risk management

CPA

Compliance

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Accounting or Finance

Master’s degree (MAcc, MBA, or MPA)

Job description

Organization Overview Liberty Classical Schools (Liberty) is an Atlanta based nonprofit operator of K-12 American classical charter schools where the mission is to form knowledgeable, virtuous citizens. Liberty schools deliver a content-rich, American classical curriculum that cultivates intellectual and moral virtue while preparing students for responsible citizenship. In partnership with Hillsdale College and Charter School Growth Fund, Liberty operates Atlanta Classical Academy (founded in 2014), Northwest Classical Academy in Kennesaw, Georgia (2021), and Cherokee Classical Academy (2025). These schools serve approximately 2,000 students and maintain waitlists exceeding 4,000 students in aggregate. Liberty plans to expand to ten or more schools in the region. Position Summary Liberty seeks a full-time CFO to lead the financial vision, strategy, and execution of the growing, entrepreneurial nonprofit enterprise. The Chief Financial Officer (CFO) will report to the CEO and serve on Liberty’s senior leadership team. The CFO will lead Liberty’s central finance team and school-level business managers and support its school leaders, trustees, audit and investment committees, and major external partners. The CFO is primarily responsible for the planning, implementation, management, and administration of all the finance activities of the schools, including: business planning, financial reporting, audits, month-end closings, budgeting, forecasting, grant management, and negotiations. This is an on-site position in the Atlanta, GA area. The responsibilities of this role include, but are not limited to, the following: Finance Team Leadership & Operations:Lead and manage the Finance Team and all core financial operations, including reporting, payroll, and AR/AP, ensuring accuracy, accountability, and execution across all entities. Strategic Financial Leadership:Provide long-range financial strategy and advise the CEO and Board on sustainability, growth, and capital planning, including risk identification and financing opportunities. Budgeting & Forecasting:Oversee the development of annual budgets, multi-year forecasts, and scenario modeling to support organizational planning and resource allocation. Financial Reporting & Insights:Ensure timely, accurate financial reporting and deliver clear, actionable insights to leadership and the Board to inform decision-making. Compliance, Audit & Risk Oversight:Ensure compliance with financial policies and regulations; lead audits and oversee enterprise risk management, including insurance and regulatory adherence. Real Estate and New School Financing:Manage the acquisition and financing of new school properties via traditional commercial financing and/or tax exempt municipal bonds. Through underwriting and financial analysis, support Liberty’s new school growth plans. Systems & Process Optimization:Develop and refine financial systems, policies, and processes to strengthen internal controls, improve efficiency, and support scalable growth.

Qualified candidates will meet the following

• Bachelor’s degree in Accounting or Finance required; Master’s degree (MAcc, MBA, or MPA) preferred
• CPA designation preferred
• Minimum of ten years of relevant financial management experience required
• Experience working in education or a charter school system strongly preferred
• Prior experience in a high-growth, startup, or entrepreneurial environment a plus Strong candidates will support the school’s Mission: to improve the moral and intellectual character of the next generation in K-12 American classical charter schools that form knowledgeable, virtuous citizens. They will have enthusiasm for Liberty’s Vision: to be a nationally regarded network of K-12 American classical schools and serve as an incubator for growth and promotion of classical education. And they will embody Liberty’s organizational values.

Benefits at Liberty Classical Schools

Full-time, benefits-eligible employees are offered the following:

• Competitive medical, dental, and vision insurance options
• Long-term and Short-term disability
• Life insurance
• Participation in 403b retirement plan with up to 6% match
• Professional Development Opportunities

Additional Requirements

• Successful completion of a criminal justice fingerprint and background check prior to the start date of employment.
• Verification that the candidate is authorized to work in the United States.
• This is an on-site position located in the Atlanta, GA area.
• Equal Employment Opportunity Liberty Classical Schools is an equal opportunity employer. All aspects of employment are based upon personal capabilities and qualifications, without regard to race, color, religion, sex/gender, sexual orientation, national origin, citizenship status, disability, age, military status, marital status, genetic predisposition, or any other protected class as established by federal, state, or local law. Liberty Classical Schools | 100 Galleria Pkwy SE, Suite 500, Atlanta, GA | libertyclassicalschools.org