Position: 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
  
  

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 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 with 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,, 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.
  
  

About The Gooden School

Since 1975, The Gooden School has dedicated itself to fostering a nurturing student-centered environment within a supportive, caring community. We believe high-quality education must be engaging, individualized, and inspiring. We value curiosity. We celebrate differences. We pride ourselves on our commitment to others. A Gooden graduate is a student of the world with a strong moral compass guiding them towards fulfilling and bright futures.

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