Finance Director

AWSNA: Assoc. of Waldorf Schools of N. America; Denver (CO); On-site; USD 90,000 - 110,000; Full time

Job summary

The Denver Waldorf School (DWS) in Denver, Colorado, invites applications for a full-time Finance Director to oversee budgeting, accounting, reporting, and compliance. The role partners with leadership and the Finance Committee to sustain fiscal health aligned with our mission.

Ideal candidates bring nonprofit finance experience within education, CPA preferred, and strong skills in budgeting, audits, and stakeholder communication.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree required; Master's degree strongly preferred in Business Administration, Accounting, or related field (CPA preferred).
• Extensive experience in nonprofit financial management, preferably within an educational environment.
• Strong understanding of financial systems, budgeting, reporting, and auditing processes.
• Proficiency with Google Suite, Microsoft Office Suite, and QuickBooks Online (relational database experience preferred).
• Ability to communicate effectively with diverse stakeholders, including faculty, staff, and parents.
• Knowledge of federal, state, and local financial regulations and laws applicable to schools.

Responsibilities

• Lead the development and management of the school's annual and five-year budgets in collaboration with the School Director and Finance Committee.
• Develop and implement financial policies and procedures to ensure long-term financial health and sustainability, including debt management and investment oversight.
• Collaborate with school leadership on tuition planning, financial aid, capital projects, fundraising initiatives, and strategic planning.
• Prepare and present monthly financial reports, annual budgets, financial forecasts, and analyses to school leadership and the Board of Trustees.
• Oversee all financial operations, including accounting, accounts receivable, accounts payable, payroll, cash management, and internal financial controls.
• Ensure timely completion of financial audits, tax filings, and compliance with all applicable federal, state, and nonprofit regulatory requirements.
• Manage the school's banking relationships, investments, major contracts, vendor relationships, insurance programs, and overall financial risk management.
• Oversee the school's 403(b) retirement plan and collaborate with Human Resources to ensure compensation and benefits remain fiscally responsible and aligned with the approved budget.
• Supervise Business Office operations, including Accounting, Human Resources, and Information Technology, ensuring efficient and collaborative support services across the school.
• Provide financial oversight and planning for capital projects, facilities initiatives, grants, school events, and other strategic initiatives.
• Serve as a member of the senior leadership team and participate in Board of Trustees and committee meetings, providing strategic financial guidance and recommendations.

Skills

Budgeting

Financial reporting

Auditing

Nonprofit financial management

Communication with stakeholders

Regulatory compliance

Education

Bachelor's degree

Master's degree preferred (MBA/Accounting)

CPA preferred

Tools

Google Suite

Microsoft Office Suite

QuickBooks Online

Job description

Opening Statement

The Denver Waldorf School (DWS) is seeking a qualified candidate to join our faculty as a full-time Finance Director. The Finance Director is responsible for overseeing the financial operations of The Denver Waldorf School, ensuring fiscal sustainability, and providing strategic leadership. This role manages budgeting, accounting, financial reporting, and compliance with federal, state, and local regulations. The Finance Director works closely with the School Director, Finance Committee, and Board of Trustees to align financial decisions with the school's educational mission and goals.

About

The Denver Waldorf School is a friendly and lively urban K-12 school with 300 students located in Denver, Colorado with the splendor of the Rocky Mountains just a short trip away. Founded in 1974, we are a fully accredited full member school of the Association of Waldorf Schools of North America, the Waldorf Early Childhood Association and the Association of Colorado Independent Schools.

Essential Job Duties

Key Responsibilities

• Lead the development and management of the school's annual and five-year budgets in collaboration with the School Director and Finance Committee.
• Develop and implement financial policies and procedures to ensure the long-term financial health and sustainability of the school, including debt management and investment oversight.
• Collaborate with school leadership on tuition planning, financial aid, capital projects, fundraising initiatives, and strategic planning.
• Prepare and present monthly financial reports, annual budgets, financial forecasts, and analyses to school leadership and the Board of Trustees.
• Oversee all financial operations, including accounting, accounts receivable, accounts payable, payroll, cash management, and internal financial controls.
• Ensure timely completion of financial audits, tax filings, and compliance with all applicable federal, state, and nonprofit regulatory requirements.
• Manage the school's banking relationships, investments, major contracts, vendor relationships, insurance programs, and overall financial risk management.
• Oversee the school's 403(b) retirement plan and collaborate with Human Resources to ensure compensation and benefits remain fiscally responsible and aligned with the approved budget.
• Supervise Business Office operations, including Accounting, Human Resources, and Information Technology, ensuring efficient and collaborative support services across the school.
• Provide financial oversight and planning for capital projects, facilities initiatives, grants, school events, and other strategic initiatives.
• Serve as a member of the senior leadership team and participate in Board of Trustees and committee meetings, providing strategic financial guidance and recommendations.

Qualifications

Requirements

Education And Experience

• Bachelor's degree required. Master's degree strongly preferred in Business Administration, Accounting, or related field (CPA preferred).
• Extensive experience in nonprofit financial management, preferably within an educational environment.
• Strong understanding of financial systems, budgeting, reporting, and auditing processes.
• Proficiency with Google Suite, Microsoft Office Suite, and QuickBooks Online (relational database experience preferred).
• Ability to communicate effectively with diverse stakeholders, including faculty, staff, and parents.
• Knowledge of federal, state, and local financial regulations and laws applicable to schools.

Physical Demands

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to stand, walk, use hands, reach with arms, stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl. The employee may need to be able to lift or move up to 20 pounds.

Work Schedule

Full-time, year-round, position requiring on-site presence during operational school hours, with some evening work for faculty/staff events and committee meetings.

Employment Details

Salary Description

$90,000 - $110,000 per year