Finance Director

Fredericksburg Christian; Fredericksburg (VA); On-site; USD 100,000 - 140,000; Full time

Job summary

Fredericksburg Christian is seeking a Finance Director to lead the business office, oversee budgeting and financial planning, and support the school’s mission. The role collaborates with the Head of School and Leadership Team to ensure accurate financial reporting and prudent stewardship of resources.

The Finance Director supervises accounts receivable, tuition billing, and donor software records, driving strong internal controls, compliance, and transparent communication with administrators and

Qualifications

• Requires Christian character and leadership in a school setting.
• Must have a bachelor-level accounting/finance education and strong budgeting skills.
• Experience with GAAP and financial reporting within an educational environment is preferred.

Responsibilities

• Lead the budgeting process and monitor department expenditures.
• Prepare financial statements and reports for the Head of School and Board.
• Ensure GAAP compliance and accurate accounting of school finances.
• Oversee accounts receivable, tuition billing, and cash management.
• Collaborate with leadership on financial planning and capital projects.

Skills

Budgeting

GAAP

Financial reporting

Leadership

Confidentiality

Education

Bachelor’s Degree in Accounting, Business, Finance or related field

Tools

Donor software

Job description

The Finance Director supports and advances the mission of FCS by being primarily responsible for the business department functions at FCS; works closely with the Head of School on matters of budgeting, finance and financial planning which reflect the school's philosophy and meet the needs of students; reports to the Head of School.

Functions as an active member of the Leadership Team, keeping the Head of School and Principals informed of needs and activities related to finances and budget

• Business Office Responsibilities
  • Works with the business office staff to provide financial statements to families
  • Insures that all business functions of the school are executed in a professional manner, and that generally accepted accounting principles are followed when dealing with school finances
  • Anticipate potential problems regarding school finances, and propose ways to solve them
  • Seek to ensure that all school personnel are using the utmost integrity when dealing with money and the accounting of it
  • Formulates a budget by consulting the Principals, Directors, and Department Heads in determining the needs of each department
  • Administers the budget by insuring that each department has a system and the knowledge necessary to spend according and within the limits of its assigned budget
  • Determines the future cash and borrowing needs of the school based on the development of facilities and of future building plans. The emphasis shall be placed on determining the capital outlay costs, as well as day to day operational costs associated with each and every aspect of the school’s pursuits, or current operations
  • Maintains, with assistance from the Information Technology Director, a computer necessary for the proper record keeping and communication between departments as well as business office personnel needs
  • Evaluates and consults with each of the persons responsible for business office functions, including accounts receivable, accounts payable, benefit administration and daily cash account
  • Conducts financial analyses of all new or changing program decisions that will affect the finances of the school
  • Transfers funds as needed between bank accounts to establish and maintain a strong financial position for the school
  • Maintains open and effective relationship with financial institutions doing business with FCS
• Accounts Receivable/Tuition and Billing
  • Oversees the tuition determination of each family, administration of the billing of tuition and the management of the FACTS Management Program for tuition payments
  • Advises the Accounts Receivable Receptionist on communicating with families whose accounts are past due by more than 30 days and keeps the Head of School apprised of these accounts
  • Oversees and assists with the preparation of reports by the Board of Directors and the Head of School
  • In the absence of the Accounts Receivable Receptionist, is available to answer any questions families may have regarding their tuition
  • Oversees the Variable Tuition Committee, schedules regular meetings and prepares all reports necessary for these meetings
  • Maintains open and frequent communication with families regarding their variable tuition applications, missing documents, statuses and rewards including informing families of awards in a timely manner
• Development
  • Oversees the accounting for activities which help raise funds for the school, including but not limited to, fundraising events such as banquets, solicitation letters, special events and other activities which raise funds to supplement the general operating budget
  • Enters and tracks pledges associated with capital campaigns
  • Records all donations in the school’s donor software and produces and sends receipts for each gift
• Budget
  • Oversees the preparation of the annual school budget, providing all necessary documents to the department administrators
  • Prepares an estimated budget to be submitted to the Board of Directors in November for the approval of tuition and salary increases
  • Schedules meetings in February with each department administrator, the Head of School, and Directors to discuss requests for the upcoming year and prepares a preliminary budget to import into the accounting software
  • Reviews the budget in September and makes adjustments based on actual enrollments, employees, etc., resulting in the final budget for the year
  • Generates and distributes monthly reports for each department showing all income and expense compared to monthly budgeted amounts
  • Approves all purchase orders prior to the items being ordered to be sure planned budgets are being adhered to; keeps records of these orders by department
  • Reconciles ordered items with actual costs at the end of each month, keeping a running balance of the amount left to be spent under each account
  • Reviews the income statement and balance sheet for accuracy each month and closes the month
  • Prepares the following reports after the month has been closed:
    • Balance sheet and Statement of Activities
    • Cash Analysis Report
    • Monthly Fund/Project Reports to be distributed to administrators, class organizations, etc.
  • Miscellaneous budget items
    • Is available to do projections for tuition income, payroll or any other items needed by the administration for short and long range planning
    • Prepares and distributes annual employee contracts
    • Provides financial reports on a monthly basis to the Administrators and Board as well as an end of the year audit/accounting firm
    • Works with the school accountant to close the fiscal year, making all necessary end of the year journal entries and provides the required reports and information to the accountant
    • Works closely with loan officers/bank officials and others with whom the school has contracted in the financing of school buildings and programs
    • Meets with the FCS audit Committee no less than two times per year to review budget and to review the school’s CPA annual audit
• General Responsibilities
  • Works closely with the Head of School regarding matters of general interest to the school program as a whole
  • Recommends changes in policy and procedures which affect the entire school program
  • Assists in interviewing and selecting new staff members for the Business Office
  • Directly supervises and regularly evaluates the Human Resources Coordinator, Accounts Receivable Receptionist, Accounts Payable Receptionist, Finance Consultant, Executive Assistant and Assistant
  • At the request of the Head of School, attends regular Board of Directors meetings and provides regular financial reports at such meetings
  • Keeps abreast of current and changing GAAP and FASB regulations to ensure the school is always in compliance
  • Assists and works closely with the Head of School regarding any major purchases such as land, buildings, equipment, and programming, etc.
  • Works closely with the Human Resource Coordinator and Insurance Agency to ensure the school and all of its property is completely covered and protected to the extent it can be
  • Works closely with the Human Resource Coordinator and Benefits Holding Company to ensure our 401K assets are being invested responsibly and in such a way that is reasonable for current market trends
  • Regularly evaluates and updates the school’s financial policies and communications
  • Works closely with the Head of School and Human Resources Coordinator on any personnel issues regarding probation, termination, etc.
  • Works closely with the Head of School on any legal issues including but not limited to subpoenas of staff members, acquisitions requiring legal counsel, and lawsuits or potential lawsuits involving the school

Requirements

The Finance Director should have the following qualifications:

• Committed Christian with a close personal walk with the Lord, maintained through personal routines (such as prayer and reading the Bible) and in the school setting (through regular participation in “Prayer and Share” devotional times and other spiritual development opportunities at the school) (1Thessalonians 5:11)
• Possesses Christian character qualities to serve as a role model for young people and readiness to share faith in Christ with students as part of our school’s mission (1 Timothy 4:12)
• Regular in attendance at a Christian, Bible-believing church, whose fundamental beliefs are not contrary to the FCS Statement of Faith (Hebrews 10:25)
• Commitment to a Biblical lifestyle, not promoting or engaging in actions, beliefs, or lifestyles contrary to biblical standards, such as premarital, extramarital, transgender, or homosexual behavior (Romans 12:1-2, I Corinthians 6:9-20, Ephesians 4:1-11, 5:3-5, I Thessalonians 4:3-8, I Timothy 4:12, II Timothy 2:19-22, I Peter 1:15-16, 2:15-17, I John 3:1-3)
• If married, demonstrates a solid commitment based on the principle of Mark 10:9 and a positive marital relationship
• Strong commitment to Christian education affirming that he/she is passionate about the intellectual and moral formation of students and Christian education as a profession, believes their ministerial role as an employee is a good use of time and talent to honor the Lord Jesus Christ, and understands that working at FCS is a Christian ministry position
• Knowledge and ability to convey Christian beliefs, teachings, faith, and values that are in alignment with the FCS Statement of Faith to students, with the goal of assisting students in the formation and maturity of their own Christian faith
• Bachelor’s Degree in Accounting, Business, Finance or related field
• Enthusiastic, sensitive, loving rapport with students, openness with parents and staff
• A high degree of accuracy, neatness and organizational skills
• Professional, reliable, committed to excellence in self and others
• Able to maintain confidentiality
• An effective leader who is able to take initiative to solve problems while also working closely and cooperatively with others
• Strong relational skills and ability to communicate clearly verbally and in writing