Summary
Description
St. Mary’s Academy Overview:
St. Mary’s Academy, located in Englewood, Colorado is Metro Denver’s premier Catholic, Independent school offering rigorous academics in its co-ed PreSchool-Grade 8, and all-girls High School. SMA offers a safe, yet innovative program that embraces all student backgrounds, and fosters character and moral development from Pre-Kindergarten to graduation.
SMA is a close community where faculty and staff serve as role models for the students with a mission to foster excellence in each child through academic achievement, spiritual development, and service. The qualities of a strong work ethic, desire for personal growth, and commitment to life-long learning that St. Mary’s Academy expects of students are likewise an expectation for faculty and staff. Each day, too, is an opportunity to live the Loretto School Values of faith, community, justice, and respect.
SMA is committed to recruiting and retaining a diverse faculty and staff dedicated to their profession and the well-being of the St. Mary’s Academy community. St. Mary's Academy does not discriminate on the basis of age, color, sex, disability, marital status, national or ethnic origin, race, sexual orientation, or religion. This policy applies to all areas of student concerns: educational policies, admission policies (historically High School admission is open to women only), scholarship, and grant-in-aid programs, athletic and other school-administered programs as well as employee/personnel concerns. St. Mary's Academy is an equal-opportunity employer.
Job Description:
St. Mary’s Academy is seeking a Director of Finance. This full-time, 12-month, exempt position reports to the COO/Vice President of Operations. The ideal candidate will play a vital role in managing and overseeing the financial operations and strategies of the school while ensuring financial stability, optimizing resource allocation, and supporting the school’s mission. This position requires a strong financial acumen, leadership skills, and a deep understanding of the unique financial challenges faced by independent schools. Responsibilities include financial planning and control, financial statements, financial aid, wage and benefit administration, purchasing control, personnel administration, and other general administration.
Through regular conversations with SMA administration, St. Mary’s Academy staff learn and understand their job responsibilities. It has been a hallmark of staff throughout the history of SMA that their work goes beyond the classroom and includes not only the academic preparation of the student, but also the emotional, social and spiritual development of students. Additionally, staff at St. Mary’s Academy are enthusiastic and energetic and they find support for new ideas. This enthusiasm is encouraged and applauded at SMA. Staff members at St. Mary’s Academy are a supportive group. One does not have to look far to find a helping hand.
Major Duties and Responsibilities:
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Participate in establishing the strategic direction of the school.
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Oversee the accounting functions of the business office including cash management, student billing and collections, accounts payable, cash receipts, payroll, and monthly ledger journal entries and schedules.
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Establish appropriate financial controls to protect the financial assets of the school and ensure accurate financial reporting.
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Work with the Advancement office to ensure proper reporting of gifts.
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On a weekly basis or as needed, sign checks, approve purchase orders, and monitor expenditures against budget.
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Prepare and finalize monthly financial statements.
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Prepare the annual operating budget for the school, working with the appropriate managers.
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Review financial aid files and applications and work with the financial aid committee to determine financial aid awards. Assist in the development of financial aid policies with the goal of ensuring that available resources help as many students as possible in an equitable and consistent manner.
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Act as a liaison between the school and ACIS insurance trust.
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Serve as a liaison to the school’s finance committee, endowment committee, and the 403(b) committees.
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Record monthly endowment activity and generate endowment reports. Work with outside investment managers to ensure the required documentation is complete and the appropriate communication with the endowment committee occurs.
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Annually review the investment policy statements with the finance committee, 403(b) committee, and the Board of Trustees.
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Work with the student billing manager on collection efforts for student accounts and assist with special payment plans for families when necessary.
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Monitor cash flow and make necessary transfers and/or investments.
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Ensure the school follows PCI compliance.
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Review payroll data prior to transmission to payroll service.
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Oversee and supervise employee benefit programs. Be informed of possible benefit improvements. Annually update the employee benefits manual, obtaining legal review when appropriate.
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Monitor the school’s risk management policies. Ensure adequate liability insurance coverage is obtained.
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Assist in gathering data for NAIS and ACIS surveys as well as other annual surveys.
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Stay abreast of federal, state and local tax laws, and other government regulations that affect the school, such as those of the Internal Revenue Service, Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, Civil Rights Act, Occupational Safety and Health Act, wage and hour laws, and property tax law.
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Supervise and assist in the compilation of supporting material in preparation for the annual audit and file the annual IRS form 5578.
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Annually prepare bond compliance documents.
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Supervise employees in the business office.
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Adhere to and support the mission of St. Mary’s Academy.
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Other tasks as assigned.
Qualifications/Requirements:
Education and qualifications should include the following:
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BS in accounting or equivalent
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Master and CPA preferred
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At least five years of relevant experience, along with at least three years in a senior leadership position
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Prefer nonprofit accounting experience
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Prefer experience in a school setting
Salary/Benefits:
The salary range for this full-time, exempt position is $130,000 – $150,000. St. Mary’s Academy provides excellent benefits, including medical, dental, and life insurance, retirement, paid time off, tuition remission, and opportunities for professional development. In addition to federal holidays and school-based paid holidays, this position is eligible for an additional 20 days of paid vacation.
How to Apply:
Interested candidates should send a cover letter, and resume to JJ Cleaver, Administrative Assistant to Chief Operating Officer, at jcleaver@smanet.org.
