Director of Finance

Posting Date May 15, 2025
Application Deadline June 15, 2025

Stratford Friends School is a leader and a pioneer in the education of children who learn differently. We are an independent coeducational day school serving students who are intelligent and imaginative but find it difficult to learn in a conventional classroom setting. Founded in 1976, the school enrolls 79 students in kindergarten through ninth grade. We are in Newtown Square, Pennsylvania.

Mission: Stratford Friends School educates students with language-based learning differences through a structured, multisensory program that celebrates students’ strengths, builds self-esteem, and develops self-advocacy. Our mission is to empower our students with the skills to be successful learners. SFS is a school committed to diversity, peacemaking, social justice, and the recognition of the spiritual dimension of life.

Guided by Quaker principles, the school provides individualized attention and instruction in a safe, intimate, and caring environment.

Job Description:

We are seeking a strategic, detail-oriented Director of Finance to oversee the financial and human resources functions of our independent school. This senior leadership role reports directly to the Head of School and works in partnership with the Board of Trustees and school leadership to ensure sound financial practices, operational excellence, and long-term sustainability in alignment with our school’s mission. This position actively participates in school activities throughout the year.

Key Responsibilities

Financial Strategy & Management

• Develop and manage the school’s annual operating and capital budgets in collaboration with the Head of School and the Board of Trustees.
• Provide timely and accurate financial reporting, including monthly financial statements, cash flow projections, and budget-to-actual performance.
• Manage the school’s general ledger and ensure proper classification and reconciliation of all income, expense, restricted, and unrestricted accounts in accordance with Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP).
• Establish internal controls and accounting procedures to safeguard assets and ensure compliance with applicable standards and regulations.
• Lead the preparation for the annual independent audit, including the year-end financial close, coordination with auditors, preparation of supporting schedules, and development of final audited financial statements and notes.

Account Reconciliation & Reporting

• Reconcile all bank statements and accounts monthly, including tuition payments, fundraising revenue, accounts receivable, and all operational income streams.
• Review journal entries, accounts payable activity, payroll reports, benefit invoices, and investment transactions.
• Ensure accurate reconciliation of accounts receivable, including tuition invoicing, collections, and aged accounts.
• Partner with Admissions and Advancement to reconcile all financial activity related to tuition, financial aid, giving campaigns, and grants.

Human Resources & Compliance

• Supervise payroll processing and timekeeping systems across departments.
• Administer employee benefit programs.
• Maintain and implement personnel policies and procedures related to hiring, compensation, evaluations, training, and termination.
• Serve as the school’s Benefits Administrator and liaison to PAISBOA HBT and other vendors.

Operational Oversight

• Oversee contracts and vendor relationships for outsourced services such as insurance, banking, custodial, construction, and legal services.
• Maintain appropriate insurance coverage (e.g., general liability, property, workers comp, auto, student accident, umbrella) to minimize the school’s risk exposure.
• Support capital planning, facilities projects, and technology infrastructure needs in collaboration with Directors of Facilities and Technology.
• Monitor and manage cash flow and short-term investments to ensure financial liquidity and security.

Board and Committee Engagement

• Serve as a strategic partner to the Head of School and a key advisor to the Board’s Finance Committee.
• Prepare timely financial materials and analyses for Board meetings and provide recommendations on long-term financial planning.
• Submit annual reporting to national and regional associations such as NAIS, NBOA, and PAISBOA.
• Collaborate with Advancement and Admissions leadership on financial modeling, enrollment projections, and contribution tracking.

All other duties as assigned.

Qualifications, Preferred Competencies and Personal Attributes:

• Minimum five (5) years' experience as either a Controller or Director of Finance; to include financial reporting, business analysis, internal control monitoring, financial systems integration, and budgeting/forecasting.
• Experience in an independent school, nonprofit or higher education setting strongly preferred.
• Demonstrated expertise in payroll and benefits management.
• Background in not-for-profit accounting is desirable and experience with the Blackbaud FENXT and Tuition Management system a plus.
• Ability to work as a team leader and as a contributing team member in an educational environment.
• Strong interpersonal skills to include being cooperative, congenial, and service-oriented and able to manage students in a courteous and effective manner.
• Proficiency with use of computer technology, office, and audiovisual equipment as they pertain to the essential functions of this position.
• Ability to organize and manage a multi-task environment to accomplish program goals safely and effectively.
• Ability to complete multiple tasks with minimal supervision, and work in an environment subject to interruptions.
• Outstanding communication skills to include the ability to use clear, concise, and grammatically correct written and verbal language in all aspects of professional interaction with students, parents, peers, administration, and the public

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to age, race, creed, color, national origin, ancestry, marital status, affectional or sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, disability, nationality, or sex.