Riverbend School, Chief Financial Officer

Riverbend School is an innovative Toddler-8th Grade Montessori community located in Natick, MA. Our community of faculty and staff embrace teaching the whole child and supporting families while committing to their own ongoing growth and development as professionals and as human beings. Riverbend prides itself on its diverse and gender-inclusive staff and student population, and welcomes candidates from a variety of races, ethnicities, cultural backgrounds, gender identities, and sexual orientations.

Reports to: Head of School

Classification: Exempt

Supervises: Business Office Assistant, Facilities Manager, contracted technology vendors

Scope of work: As a member of the Senior Leadership Team, and responsible to the Head of School for financial, operational and personnel matters, the CFO establishes and upholds financial and administrative objectives, policies, programs, and practices consistent with the Board of Directors’ policies and legal guidance.  

Experience Requirements:

• 5+ years of experience in business or financial management role in a non-profit organization

• 3+ years of experience in independent schools 

• 3+ years of supervisory and management experience

• Deep understanding of effective fiscal management of an independent school, including GAAP

• Involvement in strategic planning, vision setting, and creative problem solving 

• Familiarity with modeling and long-range non-profit financial planning

• Commitment to working in a culturally diverse environment, embracing differences and valuing multiple perspectives

• Proven ability to build and maintain effective and professional relationships with administrators, faculty, students, parents, alumni, and guests through exceptional interpersonal skills

Additional Requirements:

• Proficiency with G-suite, Excel and Quickbooks; eagerness to learn the School’s management technology (FACTS, Campbrain) and HR software (Bamboo)

• Self-motivated with the ability to handle multiple, simultaneous, and complex projects

• Strong organizational and time management skills

• Excellent oral and written communication skills

• Excellent collaboration skills and a desire to lead a school as a member of the Senior Leadership Team

• Represent the school in the larger community in a positive manner that reflects the values of the school

• Experience in stewardship, cultivation, and generation of non-tuition revenue and capital funding preferred

Education/Certification Requirements:

• Master’s Degree in accounting, business, or finance required

General Responsibilities: 

The CFO is responsible for all areas of the accounting function, including developing and overseeing appropriate financial procedures and controls, financial reporting, development of and monitoring annual budget, and completion of annual audit. Additionally, the CFO supervises the Business Office Assistant and Business Office operations and oversees all aspects of HR and benefits administration. They are also responsible for long-range financial and facilities planning, managing capital projects, and setting and approving technology policies and technology spending. The CFO evaluates and oversees all insurance programs, and is responsible for risk assessment and management. In collaboration with the Director of Enrollment Management and Head of School, the CFO oversees financial assistance administration. In collaboration with the Director of Advancement, the CFO supports development and marketing initiatives through financial guidance and administrative support. The CFO regularly attends Finance Committee meetings and Board meetings when needed. As a senior leader of Riverbend School, the CFO works within a team of other senior leaders to establish an inclusive school culture and create a warm and welcoming School community.

Specific Responsibilities:

Constituent Relations

• Maintain collaborative relationships with the Board of Directors and Board Treasurer through regular attendance at Board and Finance Committee meetings

• Provide accurate, proactive and timely reporting on all financial matters

• Serve as chief advisor and thought partner to the Head of School on all financial and HR matters

• Support Riverbend employees through clear and kind communication, and by providing a quality employee benefit program, maintaining confidentiality on all HR matters, and meeting their budget needs

• Build positive relationships with families through timely review of their financial aid applications and kind and clear communication regarding all financial aspects of school enrollment

• Maintain positive relationships with town officials, landlords, vendors, auditors, lawyers and lenders

Administration

• Stay abreast of federal and state rules and regulations for employees (e.g., background checks)

• Oversee all HR functions, including preparing annual employment agreements, onboarding, and offboarding 

• Ensure proper administration of personnel policies and employee benefits (including but not limited medical/dental, flex plan, retirement) and comply with internal and external requirements.  

• Annually review benefit plans with insurance broker and compare plans for price and value 

• Explore additional avenues for benefits to employees

• Work with the Director of Auxiliary Programs to evaluate and administer all revenue-generating auxiliary programs and think creatively with the Director about potential new auxiliary programs

• Evaluate, purchase and oversee all insurance programs 

• Review and negotiate vendor contracts and establish bid procedures

• Work with the Facilities Manager in the maintenance and upkeep of school buildings and grounds at both the main and satellite campuses

• Work with the Head of School to prioritize capital projects and larger maintenance needs

• Evaluate safety and security risks and research and implement mitigating solutions

• Approve all technology spending and hiring of technology vendors

• Develop technology policies and ensure compliance with federal and state laws and regulations

• Serve as member of Senior Leadership Team and collaborate with other administrators on meeting school-wide goals

Finance

• Prepare quarterly financials including forecasting; flag potential problems and recommend corrective action 

• Establish written financial procedures, maintain internal controls as necessary, and maintain all financial records

• Supervise Business Office Assistant and assure accuracy and timeliness of completion of all accounting procedures 

• Attend Finance Committee meetings and report on the School’s fiscal health 

• Prepare annual budget in conjunction with the Head of School; present to Finance Committee for recommendation to the Board of Directors  

• Prepare financial statements and necessary schedules for the audit process; work with Auditors in their annual audit of the school’s finances and preparation of the School’s tax returns 

• Review and file tax forms prepared by auditors (Form 990 & Form PC)

• Prepare and file all annual forms including 3ABC (town of Natick), federal Form 720 (PCORI reporting), ACA forms 1094 and 1095

• Comply with all debt covenants and lenders’ requests for financial and tax information

•  In collaboration with the Individualized Family Tuition Committee, review and award financial assistance for all qualified applicants; send award letters and oversee the appeals process as necessary

• Oversee and process enrollment contracts and student billing

Professional Development

• Recognize the potential to be a thought leader in independent school finance and strategic planning, introducing and enacting initiatives when appropriate

• Model lifelong learning by actively seeking professional growth opportunities

• Attend in-service trainings as provided by Riverbend

• Attend conferences each year, when possible, to further professional development

• Articulate and work throughout each year to accomplish established goals

School and Workplace Culture

• Eagerly attend and contribute most school-wide events as a key member of a small leadership team

• Demonstrate a strong commitment to professional ethics

• Model the Montessori values of grace, courtesy, respect and empathy in visible daily actions

• Demonstrate commitment to open communications and conflict resolution efforts across the school community

• Protect the privacy and confidentiality of each student, family and staff member

• Willingly help with other duties when asked

Additional Opportunities

• Present at conferences

• Participate on a committee

It is expected that all administrators will function as self-directed members in a team effort. All activities and performances should meet appropriate professional standards and adhere to the philosophy and mission of the Riverbend School.

Commitment to DEIJ:

Riverbend School is committed to becoming an anti-bias and anti-racist community. All candidates must be committed to furthering this work by embracing differences; exploring and affirming the identities and intersections of all which include race, ethnicity, gender, sexual orientation, religion, socioeconomics, social class, family structures, learning differences, and differences in ability. Candidates must be comfortable working in a culturally diverse environment. 

We strongly encourage applications from people of color, LGBTQIA+ educators, or educators from communities that are historically underrepresented in independent schools. 

EEO Statement:

Riverbend School is committed to providing equal opportunity in employment. Riverbend strictly prohibits discrimination or harassment of any kind based on race, color, religion, creed, sex, pregnancy, national origin, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, physical or mental disability, genetic predisposition or carrier status, marital status, veteran status, or any other class protected under applicable federal, state or local law.

Please apply online using this link. Applications will be accepted on a rolling basis until the position is filled. Start date is flexible based on applicant's availability, with a preferred start date in June or July. 

Visit our website to learn more about Riverbend School