Associate Director of Finance / Controller

Pay: $120,000.00 - $170,000.00 per year

Why This Is a Great Opportunity

• Step into a high-impact finance leadership role at a respected, mission-driven independent school.
• Work closely with senior leadership, the Finance Committee, and Board of Trustees on meaningful financial reporting and analysis.
• Join a collaborative business office where your accounting, controls, audit, budgeting, and nonprofit finance experience will directly support the school's long-term success.
• Enjoy a strong compensation package, meaningful benefits, and a hybrid schedule with typical business office flexibility of up to 2 remote days per week.
• Bring structure, insight, and leadership to a school environment that values innovation, community, and thoughtful stewardship.

Location: This is a hybrid role based in Chestnut Hill, MA, just outside of Boston. Hybrid flexibility is determined by department needs, with the Business Office typically allowing up to 2 remote days per week.

Note: Must have 5+ years of accounting or finance experience, with strong preference for nonprofit or independent school experience. CPA or MBA is strongly preferred.

About Us

Confidential Employer. We are a student-centered, future-focused independent school serving grades 6-12 just outside of Boston. Our community values innovation, collaboration, belonging, and real-world learning, and our Business Office plays a key role in supporting the financial strength and long-term mission of the school.

Job Description

• Manage core accounting functions within the Business Office and help ensure accurate, timely financial reporting.
• Prepare quarterly financial reports and support financial analysis for senior leadership.
• Coordinate the annual audit and serve as the primary liaison with external auditors.
• Support the CFOO with financial analysis, Finance Committee materials, and Board of Trustees reporting.
• Assist with student billing, collections, enrollment contracts, and financial aid accounting as needed.
• Partner with Admissions on enrollment-related finance matters.
• Work with Philanthropy and Engagement on gift accounting, pledges, endowment funds, releases, and related reporting.
• Monitor and report on departmental budgets across the school.
• Manage cash and credit card accounting, accounts payable oversight, bank reconciliations, journal entries, and monthly close activity.
• Maintain internal financial controls, financial documentation, and organized accounting processes.
• Oversee nonprofit compliance and filings, including IRS Form 990.
• Take on additional finance, accounting, and business office projects as assigned by the CFOO.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in accounting, finance, business, or a related field.
• CPA or MBA strongly preferred.
• 5+ years of accounting or finance experience.
• Nonprofit, independent school, private school, education, or mission-driven organization experience preferred.
• Strong understanding of financial reporting, audit coordination, budgeting, internal controls, and nonprofit compliance.
• High proficiency with Excel and accounting software.
• Blackbaud Financial Edge experience preferred.
• Strong analytical, communication, interpersonal, and organizational skills.
• Ability to work effectively with administrators, faculty, parents, students, and external partners.
• Flexible, adaptable, collaborative, and comfortable working in a community-focused environment.

Why You Will Love Working Here

• You will have a visible, trusted role supporting both day-to-day operations and long-term financial planning.
• You will work in a thoughtful, mission-driven school environment where finance directly supports students, faculty, and the broader community.
• You will partner with engaged leaders who value accuracy, transparency, collaboration, and sound financial stewardship.
• You will have the opportunity to bring process improvement, structure, and strategic insight to a respected institution.
• You will enjoy a professional environment that values belonging, innovation, flexibility, and a healthy sense of humor.

JPC-1038

Benefits:

• Dental insurance
• Paid time off
• Retirement plan
• Vision insurance