Position Summary
The Chief Financial Officer is a key role and member of the leadership team, responsible for overseeing and managing all aspects of the school's financial operations and strategy. This role involves financial planning, risk management, reporting, and ensuring the institution's financial health and regulatory compliance. The ideal candidate must have an appreciation for and interest in the Holy Cross School mission and values with significant financial leadership experience, particularly in a large, not-for-profit organization.
This position reports to the President and works closely with school leadership to drive growth and strategic initiatives. The Chief Financial Officer directs, coordinates, maintains, manages, and controls finance and accounting processes and systems and creates, implements, and monitors finance policies and procedures, while serving as expert and resource in all aspects of finance and accounting.
The Chief Financial Officer assists in establishing and implementing major goals and objectives and ensures accurate internal and external recording and reporting of financial transactions in accordance with GAAP and established legal, regulatory, and school procedures.
This role is responsible for management and supervision of the finance staff and is a twelve-month, exempt position with expectations of working additional hours as needed, including evenings and weekends, to support all school needs.
Minimum Qualifications
•Bachelor's degree in accounting, business, or a related field; MBA and/or CPA preferred.
•10+ years of high-level accounting experience. 5+ years of supervisory experience.
•Proven experience as a CFO or senior fiscal management role.
•Demonstrated financial management and compliance experience.
•Demonstrated experience in business services, strategy, and operation, including business plan/model development, including contract development and management.
•Advanced experience with Microsoft Office applications and use of non-profit/fund-based accounting systems; Blackbaud Financial Edge NXT preferred.
Primary Duties and Responsibilities
Assumes responsibility for the planning, development, and implementation of effective finance and accounting strategies, policies, and procedures:
•Ensures that finance and accounting plans, goals, and policies are consistent with established School-wide goals.
•Ensures that policies are in accordance with evolving regulations, legal requirements, and industry trends.
•Assists leadership in developing short- and long-term goals and objectives for the Finance Department.
•Supervises the development and implementation of financial information and control systems, including general ledger, budgeting, forecasting, cost allocation, and other subsystems.
•Completes special accounting and finance projects as assigned.
Assumes responsibility for the effective preparation, maintenance, and reporting of internal and external financial records and analyses:
•Oversees the preparation of daily, monthly, annual, and other periodic financial statements and reports. Ensures that external document submissions and filings are accurate and timely.
•Coordinates tax reporting requirements. Works with external accountants to file required reports in support of school's tax-exempt status. Ensures timely preparation and filing of payroll taxes. Oversees the completion of required sales, use and property tax filings.
•Prepares and controls the school's operational and capital budgets, including the Finance Department budget and business plan.
•Oversees the annual audit. Ensures that accounting records and reports are in compliance with GAAP and all legal and government regulations. Cooperates with and assists external auditors as appropriate.
Assumes responsibility for all financing of school operations and cash management:
•Maintains banking relationship as well as operational, financial, and administrative controls/processes for the financial assistance (scholarship) program.
•Completes financial analyses of school's cash flow, investment strategies, banking relationships, debt management, etc. Develops and implements improvements as appropriate.
Assumes responsibility for overseeing daily operations and performing administrative functions for the Finance department:
•Ensures effective financial internal controls for the Finance Department and the School. Continually evaluates established finance and accounting related policies and procedures, and updates or modifies them, as necessary.
•Coordinates accounting information systems which track specific operational and financial data. Works to implement and update systems including general ledger accounting and financial reporting, payroll, fixed asset management, expense management, cash management, etc.
Assumes responsibility for establishing and maintaining effective communication and coordination with School personnel, departments, and management:
•Coordinates accounting functions with other departments, including:
o Advises department managers regarding accounting entries, reports, and comparative analyses.
o Interfaces with the IT Department in the development and implementation of efficient systems consistent with new software applications.
•Ensures that all employees are well informed of accounting policies, procedures, and regulations. Facilitates consistency at all levels of accounting operations.
•Attends and participates in meetings and committees, as appropriate, including but not limited to the Business Administration (BA) and Endowment subcommittee of the Board of Directors.
o Responsible for oversight of Endowment Committee, which was created to ensure endowments are properly tracked and reported and the awarding of financial aid and scholarships is in accordance with the terms of the respective agreements or awards.
o Ensure timely reporting of endowment balances, including awards, to all respective endowment donors.
Assumes responsibility for establishing and maintaining effective business relations with vendors, outside auditors and regulators.
•Serves as a liaison between the school and external auditors and regulatory authorities.
•Ensures appropriate levels of confidentiality regarding School's operations.
•Stays informed of trends and changes in the accounting and finance fields, including application of new accounting standards.
Effectively supervises Finance personnel, ensuring optimal performance.
•Oversees hiring and succession planning for the Finance Department. Assesses staffing requirements and fills open positions with qualified candidates.
•Provides leadership to finance personnel through effective objective setting, delegation, and communication. Conducts meetings to ensure that personnel are well informed of changes in programs, policies, and procedures.
•Conducts performance appraisals as assigned. Provides measurable feedback to finance staff and suggestions for improved performance. Formulates and implements employee corrective actions as needed.
•Trains, directs, and coordinates personnel. Ensures that training and development needs are met and provides assistance and support as needed.
Performs other duties as assigned.
Required Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities
•Thorough knowledge of financial and accounting practices and procedures. Understanding of 501(c)(3) organizational (Not-For-Profit) regulations and reporting requirements. Understanding of related auditing and IT functions.
•Strong oral and written communication abilities.
•Excellent analytical and technical skills.
•Ability to exercise extreme discretion and confidentiality.
•Excellent organizational skills and attention to detail; ability to manage multiple priorities effectively and efficiently while regularly meeting deadlines.
•Strong leadership and interpersonal skills with ability to work collaboratively with individuals and teams.
•Ability to champion and manage change.
•Ability to coach, manage and develop team members.
•Strong knowledge of industry best practices, standards, and regulatory requirements.
•Experience in a fast-paced, mission-driven environment; flexibility with an ability to maneuver effectively in the face of uncertainty and transition.
•Excellent presentation skills and ability to deliver complex financial information to non-financial personnel in a manner that is appropriate and easily understandable.
Compensation
Salary commensurate with qualifications and experience and a comprehensive benefits package will be provided.
To Apply
Interested and qualified candidates should submit the following materials to hr@holycrosstigers.com:
•Cover letter including salary requirement
•Current resume
•Annotated list of professional references with contact information. References will be contacted only with prior approval.
About Holy Cross School
Located in New Orleans, Louisiana, Holy Cross School, traces its history to 1849 and is the only Catholic, PreK - 12th grade, all boys' educational institution in Louisiana. Our development of boys to men centers on our overall educational philosophy in building the whole man: Mind and Heart, Body and Soul. Serving students in grades PreK - 12th grade, the Holy Cross School experience provides character and leadership development, unsurpassed facilities, exceptional arts, unequalled advanced placement opportunities, and a highly competitive athletics program.
