Financial Planning and Accounting Associate Director

About the role

The Financial Planning and Accounting Associate Director performs general accounting, budgeting and reporting responsibilities. This individual is proficient and knowledgeable with business and accounting procedures. This position is a key member of the business office team, reporting directly to the Head of Finance and Operations.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

• Assist in managing the annual operating budget process across all school departments ensuring alignment with the school’s strategic plan.
• Perform monthly variance analysis, identifying trends and providing corrective recommendations to department heads.
• Help maintain the school’s multi-year financial forecast, adjusting for shifts in enrollment, staffing, and economic conditions.
• Model various tuition-increase scenarios and their impact on net tuition revenue and market competitiveness.
• Ensure compliance with non-profit accounting standards (GAAP) regarding restricted and unrestricted funds.
• Aid in the preparation of materials for the annual audit and Form 990 filing.
• Conduct cost-benefit analyses for new academic programs, extracurriculars, or facility expansions.
• Perform benchmarking studies against peer schools (NAIS/local associations) regarding faculty compensation, benefits, and operational costs.
• Manage the financial lifecycle of capital projects, including debt service tracking and construction fund draws.
• Aid in the planning, budgeting, and logistics for school field trips, safeguarding the school against overages and ensuring successful execution.
• Build and update electronic payment links to support auxiliary and school activities; assist users with real-time transaction tracking, reporting, and prompt account reconciliation.
• Endowment accounting
• Manage the fixed asset register and accounting for monthly additions, disposals, depreciation and movement in construction-in-progress.
• Perform reconciliations including but not limited to bank accounts, restricted accounts and financial aid.
• Aid in the preparation of the month end close, including drafting journal entries, inputting cash receipts and drafting internal financial statements and reports.

Skills and Requirements

• BA or BS Degree in Accounting, Business or Finance is required
• Must have a minimum of 5 years of financial accounting and reporting experience ideally within a non-profit or independent school setting
• Ability to manage multiple projects independently in an environment with a high volume of transactions
• An understanding of internal controls is required and experience with accounting ERP system
• Mastery of Excel (complex modeling, macros, and data visualization).
• Excellent written and oral communications skills

To Be Considered

To be considered for the above-mentioned position, please submit the following items: a letter of interest, a resume, and email and phone contact information for three professional references, with at least one being supervisory in nature by the stipulated deadline. Incomplete applications will not be reviewed. We will contact those applicants whose skills and experience best match our needs. Due to the high volume of applications, we regret that we are not able to take or return phone calls regarding employment.

EEO

AIS is an equal opportunity employer. We are a diverse community of professionals that broadly reflects the people of the metropolitan Atlanta area and the United States at large. We aim to align our hiring process with our mission and institutional goals. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment and will not be discriminated against on the basis of race, color, religion or religious practices, sex, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, citizenship status, national origin, age, ability status, military status, unemployment status or any other category protected by applicable local, state, or federal laws. AIS takes affirmative action in support of its policy to employ and advance all qualified candidates.