Finance Director Job Description
Position: Director of Finance, Lake Champlain Waldorf School (“LCWS” or the “School”)
Hired By: Hiring Committee Designated by Governance Council and The Board of Trustees with
representation from the Finance Committee
Supervised by and reports to: Administrative Director
General Statement of Duties: Responsibilities include supervising all business related activity of the
school for budgetary, regulatory and legal compliance, including the maintenance and creation of policies
and procedures to support the operations of the school and the application of internal controls to ensure
the integrity of all financial records. The Director of Finance works with third party bookkeepers, reports to
the Administrative Director, serves as a member of the Board of Trustees’ Finance Committee, and
prepares financial reports for the Board, CFO and other bodies as needed and in accordance with
reporting schedules provided by the School.
Distinguishing Features of the Position: This position is a key leadership position, and as such
requires the depth and commitment expected of all school leaders. The Finance Director works closely
with the faculty, staff, Governance Counsel, Board of Trustee and various committees in meeting the
objectives of Waldorf education.
Responsibilities of the Position: Depending upon assignment, duties may include, but are not limited
to, the following:
1. Planning - Prepare and annually update a five year rolling budget based on projected enrollment,
revenue and expenses. The five year plan will be used to inform the school’s Finance and Development
Review Committees to set their annual goals and objectives. The Board’s Finance Committee reviews the
Plan twice each year.
2. Budgeting - Supervise the creation and implementation of the School’s budget, including:
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Collection and submission of the budget to the Finance Committee for review and approval
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First level approval of items within budget guidelines
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Creation of budget vs actual reports for the Administrative Director, Finance Committee, and
Board review at intervals set by the Administrative Director.
3. Operations - Supervise daily financial, accounting, insurance, treasury, and tax reporting activity.
Ensure that proper internal controls are in place and effective to prevent fraud or other financial misdeeds
or irregularities. Ensure conformance with best practices in accounting.
Tuition Management: Enforce payment policies set by Finance Committee. Execute student contracts,
prepare tuition billing and payment schedules, consult the Tuition Adjustment committee on awards of
tuition adjustment, prepare invoices and manage collections.
Purchasing: Negotiate school contracts with the objective of implementing appropriate cost controls.
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Control school expenses including reviewing and authorizing, in advance, all unbudgeted school
expenditures not exceeding $1,000. Unbudgeted expenses projected to exceed $1,000 shall be
presented to the Governance Council for approval.
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Review invoices submitted by the Administrative Director or other authorized person(s) and
ensure that bills are paid as due and on a timely basis.
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Establish and maintain a purchase order system for all purchases made on behalf of the school.
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Work with faculty members to insure compliance with purchase order system.
Oversee the third party bookkeeper deliverables:
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Ensure the accuracy of the bookkeeper’s work and assist in revenue and expense classification.
Develop an accounting system with the bookkeeper to insure reporting in an informative and
consistent format.
Reconcile hourly employees to budgeted forecast on a quarterly basis.
Reconcile student class account reports and communicate year-to-date student fees and
expenses to the respective teachers on a monthly basis
Reconcile all other reports generated by the bookkeeper, as necessary.
Insurance: Oversee insurance contracts and coverage as necessary, including oversight of
compliance with insurance guidelines of all campus activity.
Point of Contact:
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Serve as contact point for major lenders.
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Serve as major contact point with Treasurer and Finance Committee and external auditors,
including investigation of accounting issues.
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Execute all other financial documents.
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In conjunction with the Treasurer and Finance Committee, oversee investment portfolios.
4. Human Resources: Oversee Human Resources deliverables and compliance:
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Complete paperwork for new employees, including W4, I9’s, payroll deposit paperwork,
criminal records check (finger printing) paperwork, provide assistance with timesheets,
insurance registration and paperwork related to tuition and remission,
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Support current employees with health insurance claims, Choice Care Card reimbursements,
payroll, reimbursements and workers compensation claims.
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Oversee the outside benefits manager. Ensure the benefits manager is providing competitive
pricing and options to faculty and staff participating in the benefits program.
5. Reporting
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Provide budget to actual reporting on a monthly, year-to-date and year-end forecasted fiscal
basis to various members of the School community in a timely manner so that work of the school
and day-to-day operations can proceed smoothly and sustainably.
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Oversee preparation of all tax reporting to local, state and federal agencies.
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Prepare all AWSNA and NESAC reporting (including annual report).
Meet regularly with key members of the Administrative Team and key School Committees to
provide financial updates and reconcile financial data as required. Act as the liaison between the
bookkeeper and the various school committees, faculty staff, and Governance Council needing financial
information. (Administrative Director will review any invoices where a potential conflict exists with the
Financial Director – currently competitive sports and buildings and grounds.)
Members of the Administrative Team:
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Meet with the Administrative Director regularly and keep the Administrative Director informed and
abreast of the school’s financial status.
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Meet no less than monthly with the Development Director to reconcile accounting and reporting to
Development Software Report and review year-to-date pledge activity versus the budget.
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Meet no less than monthly with the Admissions Director to reconcile enrollment data with
accounting for tuition collection and receivables.
Board of Trustees, Committees, Core Groups and Governance Council:
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Meet with the Treasurer no less than once a month and more frequently as deemed necessary to
achieve the objectives set out in this job description.
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Meet with each of the school’s Core Groups and the Finance Committee no less than once a
month.
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Provide a financial summary to the Governance Council no less than once a month.
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Provide feedback and explanation as requested by each of the Core Groups, Finance Committee,
the Governance Council and the Board of Trustees.
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Attendance at Board of Trustee meetings as needed for presentation of financial and other
information necessary to the Board of Trustee’s oversight of School operation.
Auditors and Bookkeepers:
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Prepare necessary reports and schedules for year-end audit and preparation of annual tax
returns. Work with the bookkeeper and auditors to complete the year-end audit in an efficient and
timely manner.
6. Buildings and Grounds
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Provide for current and project facilities repair and improvements to avoid higher repair
costs in the future.
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Support the school’s development plans for a common campus. Provide cost projects
and planning support as requested by the appropriate development task force.
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In coordination with the Development Director, develop a reasonable endowment
projection to assist in the sustainability of the school with the objective of being able to
maintain an accessible tuition policy.
Required Knowledge, Skills and Attributes:
Required:
● Extensive knowledge of accounting principles and practice.
● Ability to work under pressure and meet deadlines
● Ability to work cooperatively with a broad array of constituencies.
● Experience supervising an accounting department or third party services
● Knowledge of Vermont employment law.
Desired:
● Familiarity with Waldorf education.
● Familiarity with state regulations as they pertain to Vermont independent schools.
Experience: Progressively responsible related work experience, preferably 10 or more years, and ideally
at the Finance Director level.
Education: Minimum of BA or equivalent experience.
Competencies and Attributes: A dynamic leader who brings precision and authenticity to his or her role.
Strong business and management skills. Accessible and approachable, deals with people in a welcoming
and engaging way, and leads by example. Ability to communicate clearly. Responsive and non-reactive,
and leads with a balance of discipline and practicality. Integrity and Trust. Commitment to Personal
Development. Work/ Life Balance