Director of Finance And Accounting

A mission of faithfulness

Steeped in the Catholic faith and educational tradition of St. John Bosco, Salesian High School is a home, a school, a parish and a playground. Our diverse community of young men preparing for college and meaningful careers are encouraged to become men of character, leadership and service in a global society. We foster life-long friendships in a welcoming family environment that stresses a rigorous curriculum, creative arts, strong athletics and service to others.

JOB DESCRIPTION

Job Title: Director of Finance & Accounting

Reports to: President

Supervises: Business Office staff (Finance Assistant) and outsourced accounting/advisory relationships

Status: Full-Time, Exempt · On-site, New Rochelle, NY

Role Focus

Salesian High School seeks a Director of Finance & Accounting to lead its Business Office and serve as the

School’s senior financial officer. Reporting directly to the President, the Director owns the full financial

function of the School — from day-to-day accounting operations through strategic budgeting, forecasting,

and multi-year financial planning — and serves as the primary financial liaison to the Finance Committee, the Audit Committee, and the Board of Trustees.

This is a hands-on leadership role in a lean environment. The Director consolidates responsibilities currently distributed across an in-house Controller and an outsourced accounting and fractional CFO engagement, and is expected to build a streamlined, well-controlled, and increasingly automated business office. The successful candidate is equally comfortable closing the books, presenting to trustees, negotiating a benefits renewal, and reengineering a process — and understands that in a school of this size, the financial leader does both the strategic and the practical work.

The Director joins the School at a moment of institutional momentum, with growing enrollment and an

ambitious strategic plan, and will be a key partner to the President and Board in ensuring the financial

discipline, transparency, and planning capacity that the School’s next chapter requires.

Key Responsibilities

Financial Leadership & Strategic Partnership

• Serve as the School’s senior financial officer and principal advisor to the President on all financial matters.
• Lead substantive forecasting, budgeting, and financial modeling, including multi-year and enrollment-driven scenario planning in support of the School’s strategic initiatives.
• Prepare and present financial reports, analyses, and recommendations to the Finance Committee and the Board of Trustees.
• Serve as a financial sounding board and coordination point across all departments of the School, including admissions/enrollment, advancement, academics, athletics, and facilities.
• Review contracts and significant commitments for financial impact and compliance.

Accounting Operations & Financial Reporting

• Maintain the general ledger and chart of accounts; supervise the monthly and year-end close processes.
• Prepare timely monthly financial statements with budget-to-actual and prior-year comparisons, and monitor operating results and cash flow throughout the year.
• Oversee accounts payable and bill payment, accounts receivable and student billing, and bank reconciliations for all accounts.
• Ensure accurate accounting for unrestricted and restricted funds, including scholarship, endowment-related, and capital gifts.

Budgeting, Forecasting & Analysis

• Lead the annual operating budget process in partnership with the President and department leaders.
• Maintain rolling forecasts and cash flow projections; identify variances early and recommend corrective action.
• Model tuition, financial aid, enrollment, staffing, and capital scenarios to inform administrative and Board decision-making.

Audit, Internal Controls & Compliance

• Own the annual independent financial statement audit end-to-end: planning, fieldwork coordination, schedule preparation, and resolution of findings, serving as the primary contact for the external auditors and the Audit Committee.
• Design, document, strengthen, and enforce internal controls appropriate to a lean business office, including separation of duties and transaction approval routines.
• Recommend and administer accounting policies and procedures, and ensure compliance with applicable regulatory, governmental, and reporting requirements.

Payroll, Human Resources & Benefits

• Oversee payroll processing and related tax filings and reporting.
• Own the School’s HR and benefits administration, including personnel records, onboarding/offboarding coordination, and employment-related compliance.
• Oversee the 403(b) retirement plan, including employee communication, compliance, and coordination with plan providers and advisors.
• Manage annual health insurance renewals and lead open enrollment in coordination with brokers and carriers.

Business Office Leadership & Process Improvement

• Lead, structure, and develop the Business Office team, including direct supervision of the Finance Assistant.
• Manage and right-size outsourced accounting and advisory relationships, transitioning functions in-house as capacity and systems mature.
• Automate and streamline business office workflows — bill pay, billing, reporting, and reconciliation — to reduce manual effort and redundancy.
• Maximize the School’s financial systems (including Blackbaud Financial Edge NXT) and drive integration across finance, advancement, and financial aid data.

Education, Experience & Competencies

• Bachelor’s degree in accounting, finance, or a related field required; CPA or master’s degree a plus, but not required.
• Significant progressive experience in accounting and finance, including leadership of an accounting function or business office; non-profit experience strongly preferred, and independent or Catholic school experience highly valued.
• Demonstrated success in a hands-on, roll-up-your-sleeves environment where the financial leader performs the work as well as directs it.
• Strong technical accounting knowledge, particularly non-profit fund accounting, and experience managing external financial statement audits.
• Experience with payroll administration and HR/benefits functions, including retirement plans and health insurance renewals, strongly preferred.
• Proven ability in budgeting, forecasting, and financial modeling, with strong Excel skills; experience with Blackbaud Financial Edge NXT strongly preferred.
• Track record of improving processes, strengthening internal controls, and introducing automation.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to present financial information clearly to non-financial audiences, including boards and committees.
• Highest regard for confidentiality and exemplary ethical standards.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities under deadline pressure, and a genuine appreciation for the mission and culture of a Catholic, Salesian school community.

Compensation & Benefits

The annual salary range for this position is $120,000 – $160,000, commensurate with experience and

qualifications. Salesian High School offers a comprehensive benefits package including health insurance, a

403(b) retirement plan with employer match, and paid time off consistent with the school calendar.

Application Instructions

To apply, please send a resume with three (3) references to:

Fr. James Heuser, SDB, President — jheuser@salesianhigh.org, or Salesian High School, 148 E. Main Street,

New Rochelle, NY 10801.