Director of Finance

Northern Seminary; Lisle (IL); Hybrid; USD 110,000 - 150,000; Full time

Job summary

Northern Seminary in Lisle, IL, seeks a Director of Finance to provide strategic and operational leadership of the finance function. You will partner with the President and senior leaders to steward resources and ensure regulatory compliance within a faith-based higher education setting.

The role oversees budgeting, GAAP reporting, cash flow, audits, Title IV compliance, and endowment activities, while building strong internal controls and collaborative relationships across the institution.

Qualifications

• Bachelor level degree in accounting/finance or related field.
• 7+ years in finance with at least 3 in a senior leadership role.
• Nonprofit and higher education financial management preferred.
• Experience with Title IV compliance and audits is a plus.
• CPA or MBA/MPA strongly preferred.

Responsibilities

• Provide leadership for all financial operations including accounting, budgeting, reporting, and forecasting.
• Supervise billing, payroll, cash flow, and annual budget process.
• Ensure GAAP and nonprofit accounting standards compliance and internal controls.
• Coordinate audits and liaise with external auditors and the Finance Committee.
• Advise leadership on enrollment, pricing, and financial strategy.
• Manage Title IV compliance, endowment activity, and grant financials.
• Collaborate with leadership to drive financial viability and institutional growth.

Skills

Nonprofit accounting

Fund accounting

GAAP reporting

Budget management

Regulatory compliance

Accounting software

QuickBooks

Populi

Paylocity

MS Office

Internal controls

Analytical thinking

Communication

Leadership

Education

Bachelor's in Accounting/Finance/BA

MBA/MPA preferred

CPA strongly preferred

Tools

QuickBooks

Populi

Paylocity

Microsoft Office

Job description

Position Information

Department: Business Ofice / Administration
FLSA Status: Exempt, Full-Time
Reports To: President
Efective Date: 10/01/2026

Position Summary

The Director of Finance at Northern Seminary provides strategic as well as working leadership across theinstitution's finance functions. This role is responsible for ensuring the financial health, regulatory compliance, andoperational efectiveness of the Seminary. The Director of Finance partners closely with the President and seniorleadership team to advance the Seminary's mission through sound stewardship of resources, people, and institutionalprocesses. As a member of the leadership team, this individual embodies the core values of Northern Seminary andcontributes to a culture of integrity, collaboration, and servant leadership.

Duties and Responsibilities

Finance & Accounting

• Provide overall leadership and strategic direction for all financial operations of the Seminary, including accounting, budgeting, financial reporting, and forecasting.
• Supervise financial reporting, billing, collections, student accounts, AP/AR, payroll, and budget preparation.
• Ensure full compliance with Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP) and nonprofit accountingstandards, including fund accounting requirements.
• Oversee preparation and presentation of monthly, quarterly, and annual financial reports to the President,Finance Committee, and Board of Trustees.
• Lead the annual budget development process in collaboration with department leaders; monitor financialperformance against budget and advise leadership on variances and trends.
• Provide multi-year financial forecasting and scenario planning to support strategic decision-making.
• Advise the President on financial implications of enrollment trends, tuition pricing, and program decisions.
• Manage daily cash flow to ensure suficient liquidity for Seminary operations and invest surplus funds appropriately. Tracking unrestricted and restricted resources available.
• Serve as the primary liaison with independent external auditors; oversee preparation of all audit work papers,updated policies, procedures, and ensure timely completion of the annual audit.
• Maintain the Seminary's internal control framework, including segregation of duties and safeguarding of assets.
• Maintain Title IV compliance and manage the federal loan and Northern Student Loan programs, includingpreparation and submission of loan requests, deferment forms, and compliance reporting.
• Serve as liaison with endowment managers to maintain accurate records of restricted and unrestricted funds;collaborate with leadership on endowment strategy and distributions.
• Oversee annuity reporting and provide support to the letter of credit process.
• Collaborate with department leaders to review and assess financial viability of all grant submissions.
• Advise the President, Board, and senior leadership on cash flow, investment priorities, and financial objectives.
• Provide financial analysis and data to support the President's planning processes.
• Analyze market trends and opportunities for financial viability and organizational growth.

Supervisory Responsibilities

• Directly supervises the accounting and operational staff.
• Recruits, hires, and evaluates direct reports; coordinates performance review processes.

Required Skills and Abilities

• Expert knowledge of nonprofit accounting, fund accounting, and GAAP financial reporting.
• Experience managing a multi-million dollar budget.
• Strong understanding of regulatory compliance in a higher education context.
• Proficiency in accounting software (QuickBooks), student information systems (Populi), HRIS platforms(Paylocity), and Microsoft Ofice Suite.
• Ability to develop, implement, and assess internal controls and institutional policies.
• Excellent analytical, problem-solving, and strategic thinking skills.
• Strong written and oral communication; ability to present complex financial data to non-financial audiences.
• Demonstrated ability to manage multiple high-priority projects simultaneously.
• High level of integrity, discretion, and ability to handle confidential information.
• Ability to build collaborative, trust-based relationships across all levels of the institution.

Education and Experience

• Bachelor's degree in Accounting, Finance, Business Administration, or a closely related field required; Master'sdegree (MBA, MPA, or similar) preferred. CPA designation strongly preferred.
• Minimum of seven (7) years of progressively responsible experience in finance and accounting, with at leastthree (3) years in a senior leadership role.
• Minimum of three (3) years of experience in nonprofit or higher education financial management.
• Demonstrated experience overseeing or managing human resources functions.
• Experience with Title IV federal financial aid compliance preferred.
• Experience working with a Board of Trustees/Directors and presenting financial information at the board level.
• Experience working in a faith-based or mission-driven institution preferred.

Core Values

• International, Interracial, Intercultural, and Mutual — Actively supporting a diverse and inclusive institution that reflects the breadth of Christ's church.
• Pastoral/Mission Mindset — Understanding and supporting the mission-driven nature of theological education.
• Servant Leadership — Approaching all responsibilities with integrity, humility, and a commitment to serving students, staf, and the broader community.
• Teachable — Maintaining openness, growth, and continued learning in relationship with God and the world.

Working Conditions

• Hybrid ofice environment; ability to work in a dynamic environment.
• Attendance at staff meetings (monthly), Board meetings, Finance Committee meetings, and other leadership gatherings as required.
• Extended periods of sitting and computer work.
• Must be able to lift up to 25 pounds occasionally. Must provide own form of reliable transportation.
• Some remote or flexible work arrangements may be available in alignment with institutional policy.
• Must comply with the Seminary Faith and Community Standard statements.