Madison Country Day School, a PreK-12 International Baccalaureate (IB) World School, is seeking an experienced Director of Finance. This position oversees both the day-to-day operations and long-term financial health of Madison Country Day School. The Director of Finance plays a strategic and hands-on role in sustaining the school’s financial stability and advancing its mission through effective fiscal stewardship.

DESCRIPTION

The Director of Finance reports directly to the Head of School and serves as a core member of the School Leadership Team. This role is responsible for planning, controlling, accounting for, and reporting all income, expenses, and contributed funds.

The Director of Finance oversees all functions of the Business Office, including, but not limited to: financial accounting and reporting; employee compensation and benefits; personnel policy administration; regulatory compliance at the local, state, and federal levels; risk management and insurance; auxiliary services such as transportation; and facilities leasing.

This position regularly attends Board of Trustees meetings to provide accurate, comprehensive financial information that supports the board in fulfilling its fiduciary responsibilities. The Director also participates in all Finance and Audit Committee meetings.

In addition, the Director of Finance maintains professional relationships with key external partners, including banks, legal counsel, auditors, insurance carriers, contractors, vendors, and regulatory agencies.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS 

The duties and responsibilities outlined are intended to be illustrative, not exhaustive; additional tasks may be assigned as appropriate.

Finance

• • Prepares and reviews financial reports and budget statements to inform and support decision-making by the Head of School, Board of Trustees, and relevant committees.
  • Provides regular updates to the Head of School and Board regarding the school’s financial status.
  • Monitors and manages all loans, lines of credit, and other forms of indebtedness to ensure responsible debt management and compliance with financial obligations.

Budget

• • Coordinates the development of the preliminary annual budget by compiling departmental requests and forecasting projected income and operating expenses.
  • Collaborates with the Head of School and department/division heads to evaluate and prioritize budgetary needs.
  • In partnership with the Head of School, formulates recommendations to the Finance Committee regarding tuition increases, the Tailored Tuition program budget, and staff compensation adjustments.
  • Prepares the final annual budget proposal for review and approval by the Finance Committee and the Board of Trustees.
  • Ensures that all expenditures align with the approved budget or are supported by pre-authorized exceptions from the appropriate authority.

Accounting

• • Establishes and maintains effective internal controls and procedures for all financial systems to ensure accuracy, integrity, and compliance.
  • Oversees all Business Office operations, including payroll, accounts payable and receivable, cash management, tuition assistance, general ledger, purchasing, employee benefits administration, tax reporting, and related accounting systems.
  • Ensures compliance with all applicable federal, state, and local regulations, including those related to the IRS, ADA, and OSHA.
  • Supervises internal audits of financial and accounting systems to ensure proper controls and reporting.
  • Manages the relationship with the school’s independent auditors, including coordinating the preparation of work papers for the annual audit. Responds to and implements, as appropriate, any administrative recommendations outlined in the auditor’s management letter.
  • Ensures that all donor-restricted contributions are properly classified and accounted for in accordance with donor intent and accounting standards.

Personnel Management

• • Establishes and supervises the administration of personnel programs and policies as they relate to hiring (domestic and international) and termination procedures, time off, Workers’ Compensation, safety, training, performance, evaluation, and compensation.
  • Conducts background checks on all prospective employees as part of the hiring process.
  • Oversees the secure maintenance and confidentiality of all personnel records.
  • Collaborates with the Head of School and the Board of Trustees to evaluate and implement employee benefit programs; recommends enhancements that improve value or reduce costs.
  • Manages the administration of employee benefits, including enrollment, claims processing, and compliance.
  • Provides guidance and support to employees regarding available benefit options and assists with claim procedures when appropriate.
  • Ensures that personnel policies align with and support the school’s mission and programs, and that all employment practices—such as hiring, compensation, training, advancement, contracts, and separation—comply with applicable state and federal regulations.

Student Billing & Tailored Tuition

• • Manages all aspects of student billing, including accounts receivable and the administration of Tailored Tuition awards.
  • Oversees the monitoring and collection of aged receivables to ensure timely and accurate account reconciliation.
  • Serves as the primary point of contact for families regarding financial matters related to enrollment, providing guidance with discretion and professionalism.
  • In partnership with the Director of Enrollment Management and the Head of School, reviews, analyzes, and approves individual Tailored Tuition awards to ensure equitable and mission-aligned distribution of financial assistance.

Risk Management

• • Collaborates with insurance advisors and brokers to maintain adequate, appropriate, and cost-effective insurance coverage, including general liability, property and casualty, directors and officers (D&O), and workers' compensation policies.
  • Coordinates inspections with government and insurance representatives to ensure compliance with all health, safety, and regulatory codes; ensures timely correction of any violations and submission of required reports.
  • Alerts the Head of School to any conditions or incidents that could pose safety risks or legal liabilities for the school.

Auxiliary Services

• • Oversees the procurement of books, supplies, and materials for all departments, ensuring cost-effectiveness and alignment with school needs.
  • Manages contracts and relationships related to 3rd party vendors, student transportation, food service, extended care programs, and summer programming, ensuring reliability, compliance, and budgetary alignment.

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES

• Business Office Manager & HR Liaison
• Front desk receptionists

ESSENTIAL SKILLS, KNOWLEDGE, AND ABILITIES

• Strong proficiency in accounting principles and financial analysis.
• Experience with contract negotiation and vendor management.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
• Proven ability to manage and support direct reports effectively.
• Demonstrated project planning and organizational skills.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite (particularly Excel); proficiency in QBO; experience with G Suite: ability to learn and implement new financial or school-specific software systems.
• Working knowledge of school operations and an understanding of confidentiality standards.
• Ability to build positive working relationships and collaborate effectively with a wide range of school stakeholders and community members.

QUALIFICATIONS

• A bachelor’s degree in finance, accounting, business administration, or a related field is required.
• CPA certification or a degree in accounting is strongly preferred.
• Minimum of five years of experience in accounting, finance, general management, or an equivalent field.
• Prior experience managing business operations in an independent school or nonprofit educational setting is preferred

About Madison Country Day School

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - ABOUT MCDS Madison Country Day School is Dane County’s only independent Pre-K–12 school, offering a challenging and comprehensive college?preparatory education, including the Madison, Wisconsin area’s only International Baccalaureate program. In an environment where each community member is truly known, MCDS students develop a deep knowledge base and life-long critical and creative thinking skills. At MCDS we are looking for energetic, flexible, and open-minded colleagues; motivated by new opportunities and challenges. We are seeking colleagues who are passionate about and committed to the mission and vision of Madison County Day School and able to demonstrate the values and traits of the International Baccalaureate Programmes and Learner Profile. Madison Country Day School’s vision is for all members of the school community to feel valued and supported as well as inspired to embrace the diversity of each person. MCDS respects, affirms, and protects the dignity and worth of each member of its community. We seek to establish a culture wherein every member feels safe, valued, and encouraged to participate in every aspect of the community. M...CDS embraces and celebrates diversity and does not discriminate on the basis of age, gender, race, color, religion, national or ethnic origin, or sexual identity in its hiring. Madison Country Day School is an Equal Opportunity Employer. In compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act, the School will provide reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities. MCDS does not discriminate on the basis of age, race, color, gender, religion, gender identity, sexual orientation, or national or ethnic origin in administration of its educational policies, hiring and employment practices, admission policies, scholarship and grant programs, or athletic and other school-administered programs.

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