Business Manager

Reports to: Head of School
Status: Full-Time, Exempt
Member of: Administrative Leadership Team and Finance & Audit Committees
Position Summary
The Business Manager serves as a key member of The Gooden School’s administrative leadership team and works closely with the Head of School and Board of Trustees to ensure the school’s financial strength and operational efficiency. This position oversees all aspects of the school’s business operations, including finance, accounting, and budgeting, supporting Gooden’s mission of fostering respect for self, others, and the world.
Key Responsibilities
Financial Management & Accounting
Participate in all aspects of financial operations, including budgeting, accounting, payroll, purchasing, and reporting.
Ensure compliance with GAAP and all federal, state, and local regulations, including the completion of welfare exemption and statement of information. Demonstrate understanding of the concepts of cutoff and consistency.
Prepare and present monthly financial statements, operating reports, and projections to the Head of School and Finance Committee.
Prepare and record bank deposits; occasional in-person bank deposits and withdrawals
Record all credit card transactions and ensure that the books reflect the business nature of the transaction; manage credit card users to ensure appropriate credit limits
Manage cash flow, banking relationships, and investments; ensure adequate internal controls and audit readiness.
Understand the importance of internal control
Support annual audit and tax filings; coordinate with external accountants and auditors.
Reconcile with the Development Office to maintain proper documentation of donations and grants.
Assist in the preparation of surveys and information requests
Participate in student life, which includes, but not limited to, assisting with carline, lunch supervision, attending various student events,

Budgeting & Planning
Process invoices and generate vendor payments. Ensure that invoices are received and recorded on a consistent basis. Ensure that expenditure descriptions are meaningful.
Ensure that appropriate information is obtained from vendors.
Ensure compliance with policies regarding documentation of approvals.
Work with staff to properly classify expenditures.
Develop and manage the annual operating budget in collaboration with the Head of School.
Monitor spending and forecast trends to ensure financial sustainability, with the objective that the books and records should reflect the activities of the School
Human Resources & Compliance
In conjunction with the Director of Facilities and Safety and the HR Consultant
On-board new employees promptly and ensure that all forms have been completed and are reflected in the payroll system.
Process payroll and employee benefits, including health, retirement, and leave programs.
Follow up with employees to ensure proper accounting of time off
Responsible for retirement funding according to the IRS and best practices
Ensure that Open Enrollment changes are properly calculated and input
Work with Head of School to ensure that terminations are properly anticipated and accounted for.
Monitor retirement participation to ensure compliance
Support the Head of School with hiring, onboarding, and personnel policy implementation.
Ensure compliance with employment laws and maintain accurate employee records.
Maintain appropriate levels of insurance coverage (property, liability, D&O, workers’ compensation, etc.).
Safeguard confidential information and uphold the school’s core values in all business practices.

Student Billing & Financial Aid
Manage tuition billing and collections through FACTS or similar student-billing systems.
Review delinquencies on a weekly basis. Follow up with families. Meet with the Head of School to discuss status and resolution strategy.
Promptly bill auxiliary charges; work with staff to ensure that charges are processed on a timely basis
Ensure that the reports generated by the third-party billing system reconcile with the books
Work with Admissions during the enrollment season to update the enrollment contract and tuition changes
Work with Admissions to ensure families are billed properly and that the student count matches that of Admissions.
Oversee tuition assistance programs, including review and recommendations for awards.
Check the fees charged by the third-party billing systems. Investigate discrepancies promptly.
Administer tuition refund insurance and other student financial programs.

Qualifications
Bachelor’s degree in Accounting, Finance, or Business Administration
Minimum 5 years of relevant financial management experience, ideally in an independent school or nonprofit environment.
Proficiency with QuickBooks, Microsoft Office Suite, Google Workspace, and financial management software (experience with FACTS preferred).
Strong knowledge of accrual accounting and budgeting. Awareness of GAAP’s impact on the financial statements
Excellent organizational, analytical, and communication skills.
Commitment to ethical conduct, discretion, and confidentiality.

Core Competencies
Attention to Detail and Timeliness: Accurate, organized, and thorough. Understand the importance of timely recording
Ethics and Integrity: Models professionalism, discretion, and respect.
Communication: Clear, responsive, and collaborative. Able to identify and admit discrepancies and openly discuss remedies
Time Management: Prioritizes effectively to meet deadlines.
Initiative: Proactive, solutions-oriented, and forward-thinking.

Compensation & Benefits
The Gooden School offers a competitive salary commensurate with experience and a comprehensive benefits package, including health, dental, and vision insurance, retirement plan with employer match, tuition remission, professional development funding, and generous paid leave. $80,000-$100,000

Contact Information