Finance Director

About the role

The Finance Director supports and advances the mission of FCS by being primarily responsible for the business department functions. This role works closely with the Head of School on matters of budgeting, finance, and financial planning, reflecting the school's philosophy and meeting the needs of students. The Finance Director reports to the Head of School and serves as an active member of the Leadership Team.

Responsibilities

Business Office

• Works with the business office staff to provide financial statements to families.
• Ensures all business functions are executed professionally and in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles.
• Anticipates potential financial problems and proposes solutions.
• Ensures school personnel maintain integrity in financial dealings.
• Formulates the budget by consulting Principals, Directors, and Department Heads to determine departmental needs.
• Administers the budget, ensuring departments adhere to assigned limits.
• Determines future cash and borrowing needs based on facility development and building plans, focusing on capital outlay and operational costs.
• Maintains a computer system for proper record-keeping and interdepartmental communication.
• Evaluates and consults with staff responsible for accounts receivable, accounts payable, benefit administration, and daily cash accounts.
• Conducts financial analyses of new or changing programs affecting school finances.
• Transfers funds between bank accounts to maintain a strong financial position.
• Maintains relationships with financial institutions.

Accounts Receivable/Tuition and Billing

• Oversees tuition determination, billing administration, and 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 informed.
• Assists with preparation of reports for the Board of Directors and Head of School.
• Available to answer family questions regarding tuition in the absence of the Accounts Receivable Receptionist.
• Oversees the Variable Tuition Committee, schedules meetings, and prepares necessary reports.
• Maintains communication with families regarding variable tuition applications, missing documents, and award statuses.

Development

• Oversees accounting for fundraising activities, including banquets, solicitation letters, and special events.
• Enters and tracks pledges associated with capital campaigns.
• Records all donations in the school’s donor software and issues receipts for each gift.

Budget

• Oversees preparation of the annual school budget and provides necessary documents to department administrators.
• Prepares an estimated budget for Board of Directors approval of tuition and salary increases.
• Schedules budget meetings with department administrators, the Head of School, and Directors to discuss upcoming year requests.
• Prepares a preliminary budget for import into accounting software.
• Reviews and adjusts the budget in September based on actual enrollments and staffing.
• Generates and distributes monthly reports showing income and expenses compared to budgeted amounts.
• Approves all purchase orders to ensure adherence to planned budgets and maintains records by department.
• Reconciles ordered items with actual costs monthly and tracks remaining budget balances.
• Reviews the income statement and balance sheet for accuracy each month and closes the month.
• Prepares monthly reports, including balance sheets, statements of activities, cash analysis, and fund/project reports.
• Provides financial projections for tuition income, payroll, and other items for short and long-range planning.
• Prepares and distributes annual employee contracts.
• Provides monthly financial reports to Administrators and the Board, as well as an end-of-year audit.
• Works with the school accountant to close the fiscal year and provides required reports.
• Collaborates with loan officers and bank officials for financing school buildings and programs.
• Meets with the FCS Audit Committee at least twice per year to review the budget and annual audit.

General Responsibilities

• Works closely with the Head of School on matters of general interest to the school program.
• Recommends policy and procedure changes affecting the entire school program.
• Assists in interviewing and selecting new Business Office staff members.
• Directly supervises and evaluates the Human Resources Coordinator, Accounts Receivable Receptionist, Accounts Payable Receptionist, Finance Consultant, Executive Assistant, and Assistant.
• Attends Board of Directors meetings and provides financial reports as requested by the Head of School.
• Stays abreast of current and changing GAAP and FASB regulations to ensure compliance.
• Assists the Head of School with major purchases such as land, buildings, equipment, and programming.
• Works with the Human Resource Coordinator and Insurance Agency to ensure comprehensive school coverage.
• Ensures 401K assets are invested responsibly and aligned with market trends.
• Regularly evaluates and updates the school’s financial policies and communications.
• Collaborates with the Head of School and Human Resources Coordinator on personnel issues, including probation and termination.
• Works with the Head of School on legal issues, including subpoenas, acquisitions, and lawsuits.

Requirements

• Committed Christian with a personal walk with the Lord, maintained through prayer, Bible reading, and participation in spiritual development opportunities at the school (1 Thessalonians 5:11).
• Possesses Christian character qualities to serve as a role model and readiness to share faith in Christ with students (1 Timothy 4:12).
• Regular attendance at a Christian, Bible-believing church aligned with the FCS Statement of Faith (Hebrews 10:25).
• Commitment to a Biblical lifestyle, refraining from actions contrary to biblical standards (Romans 12:1-2, 1 Corinthians 6:9-20, Ephesians 4:1-11, 5:3-5, 1 Thessalonians 4:3-8, 1 Timothy 4:12, 2 Timothy 2:19-22, 1 Peter 1:15-16, 2:15-17, 1 John 3:1-3).
• If married, demonstrates a solid commitment to marriage based on Mark 10:9.
• Strong commitment to Christian education, affirming its role in the intellectual and moral formation of students.
• Understands the role at FCS as a Christian ministry position.
• Ability to convey Christian beliefs, teachings, and values aligned with the FCS Statement of Faith.
• Bachelor’s Degree in Accounting, Business, Finance, or a related field.
• Enthusiastic, sensitive, and loving rapport with students, parents, and staff.
• High degree of accuracy, neatness, and organizational skills.
• Professional, reliable, and committed to excellence.
• Able to maintain confidentiality.
• Effective leader with initiative to solve problems while collaborating with others.
• Strong relational and communication skills, both verbal and written.
• Teachable spirit with a servant’s heart.