Chief Financial Officer

Position: Chief Financial Officer
Department: Administration – Executive
Supervisor: Dr. Kelly Goodsell, President
Salary: $155,000 – $185,000

JOB SUMMARY
Reporting directly to the President and serving as a member of the Senior Leadership Team, the Chief Financial Officer (CFO) serves as the senior business and financial leader for Bellarmine Preparatory School. The CFO provides strategic and operational leadership for the Business Office, including Human Resources, and is responsible for the overall budget and financial stewardship of the school in support of its mission and long-term sustainability.

The CFO oversees the school’s Risk Management, Accounting, Student Accounts and Tuition Assistance, Payroll & Benefits, and Human Resources functions, ensuring strong financial controls, regulatory compliance, and effective business operations. In partnership with the President and Principal, the CFO provides strategic oversight and financial guidance for operational areas of the school, including facilities and capital planning. In this role, the CFO provides timely, accurate, and strategic financial information to the Senior Leadership Team, Trust Committee and Board of Directors to support informed decision-making. The CFO serves as the primary financial liaison to the Board Finance Committee and Bellarmine’s Benefactor Trust and works closely with school leadership to align financial strategy with institutional priorities and Jesuit values.

CORE FUNCTIONS OR DUTIES
The Chief Financial Officer is accountable for the administrative, financial, and risk management operations of the school, including the development and execution of financial and operational strategies, performance metrics aligned to those strategies, and the established and ongoing development and monitoring of internal control systems designed to safeguard school assets and ensure accurate, transparent financial reporting.

MAIN FUNCTIONS
Safeguarding Assets and Financial Operations
Guide financial decision-making by establishing, monitoring, and enforcing financial policies, procedures, and internal controls
Support strategic forecasting, planning and monitoring for ongoing school improvement, growth and overall success
Maintain full-charge accounting responsibility for the school
Supervise Accounting and Human Resource departments
Prepare and present financial statements, operating budgets, investment reports, and capital project updates for review with the Senior Leadership Team and Board committees
Prepare the Annual Operating Budget for the school, working collaboratively with administrators and budget managers to ensure accountability and ownership of departmental budgets
Monitor monthly budget performance by analyzing variances and initiating corrective actions as needed

Financial Aid & Tuition Assistance
Maintain a tuition assistance program that provides a consistent, timely, and equitable process for applications, reviews, and awards
Analyze applicable tuition models, enrollment trends, and financial aid strategies to ensure long-term viability
Provide financial modeling, forecasting, and scenario analysis related to school operations
Oversee administration of the annual tuition assistance program, ensuring alignment with institutional priorities and long-term financial sustainability

Asset Protection, Risk Management & Cash Flow
Protect school assets through sound financial policies, internal controls, and reporting systems
Manage relationships with outside insurance brokers for property, casualty, risk management, employee health insurance and other necessary contracts and agreements
Oversee and manage cash management program and monitor the school’s cash flow in partnership with Finance Committee objectives
Monitor all loans and indebtedness
Serve as liaison for Food Services vendors

Audits, Endowment & Compliance
Oversee and manage the annual independent external audit of financial records, including preparation of audit schedules and coordination with external auditors for the school’s financial statements, endowment, and retirement plan
Provide accounting oversight, vendor support, and school liaison to the Trust of the school’s endowment
Ensure compliance with all applicable city, state, and federal regulations
Administration of the 403(b) retirement plan
Ensure timely and effective negotiations and annual reviews of third party and/or vendor contracts

Strategic Planning & Leadership
Actively participate in school-wide long-term strategic planning, to include new revenue opportunities.
Assist in formulating the school’s financial direction and support tactical initiatives
Monitor and direct implementation of strategic financial and operational plans
Develop long-range financial strategies and forecasting models for current operations and anticipated major capital projects
Manage the capital request and budgeting processes
Lead and maintain banking relationships
Support the overall operational and financial vitality of the school
Partner with VP of Advancement in supporting the school’s development, endowment, and campaign strategies and trends to meet short and long-term goals
Partner with President and Principal in providing strategic financial oversight and guidance for operational areas of the school, including facilities planning and major capital initiatives

Payroll, Benefits & HR Partnership
Oversee all payroll functions
Partner closely with Human Resources leadership on benefits administration, retirement plans, compliance reporting, and financial data supporting workforce planning

EXPERIENCE/QUALIFICATIONS/COMPETENCIES
15 – 20 + years of progressive financial accounting experience
10 + years of senior financial leadership or comparable leadership experience
Undergraduate degree in Accounting or related field required
CPA license and/or Master’s degree in Accounting, Finance, or MBA strongly preferred
Strong background in accounting; experience with fund accounting and endowment management strongly preferred
Strategic thinker and planner with independent school management knowledge (preferred)
Deep knowledge of GAAP as it applies to non-profits (restricted vs. unrestricted assets), capital campaign gifts, and grants
Minimum of five years’ experience working in education and/or nonprofit organizations preferred
Demonstrated strength in business, financial management, treasury and cash management
Proficiency in school management software
Superior interpersonal and communication skills to effectively engage with diverse stakeholders
Demonstrated ability to be innovative, resourceful, collaborative, and solutions-oriented
Commitment to promoting a culture of accountability, integrity, and teamwork
Service-oriented approach to meeting the financial needs of employees, families, and Board leadership