Chief Financial Officer

Siena Catholic Schools of Racine is seeking an experienced Chief Financial Officer who operates with high integrity and who shares the same mission, vision and values as we do.

Siena Catholic Schools of Racine comprises six elementary/middle schools and one high school that serve more than 1,600 students. Sharing your skills will guide the organization toward its goal of ensuring excellence in academics, nurturing faith formation, and developing healthy students. 

Siena's mission states, "Siena Catholic Schools of Racine ignites a spirit of excellence in faith, knowledge, and service, inspiring students to be who God created them to be."

Siena Catholic Schools of Racine share these values:

• Service: We serve God’s children through Catholic education.
• Education: We educate the whole child in mind, body, and spirit.
• Tradition: We honor our Dominican roots through prayer, study, service, and community.
• Collaboration: We work with families, parishes, and partners to build and strengthen communities.
• Innovation: We develop innovative thinkers and problem solvers.
• Excellence: We strive for excellence in all we do.

Scope and Summary:   The Chief Financial Officer (CFO) leads and is responsible for the finance function and strategic direction at Siena Catholic Schools of Racine. The CFO works with the President, Board of Directors, Board of Trustees, finance committee, and other key leaders to allocate resources aligned with meeting strategic and financial goals. The CFO ensures proper accounting systems are being followed to meet federal, state, and local financial compliance regulations. The CFO manages  staff and ensures that they follow and practice GAAP, internal controls, and other practices to ensure the integrity of and accuracy of financial processes and records in order to meet regulatory and audit standards. The CFO is part of the Senior Leadership Team reporting to the President, that informs and consults on key strategic goals, challenges, and approaches.

Qualifications/Expectations 

• CPA required
• MBA preferred
• Leadership and team management experience
• Great communication skills
• Broad knowledge of cash flow forecasting, strategic long-term financial planning skills, focus
• on accounting policies and procedures
• Ability to find innovative ways to solve budgeting and capital improvement constraints, and identify high risks
• Banking experience desired, including loans, deposits, and other processes/best practices. 
• Familiarity with School Choice Wisconsin and school accounting practices
• Practicing Catholic who is mission driven

Essential Duties & Responsibilities:

Accounting and Audit

• Establishes overall accounting, budgeting and financial reporting systems, policies and procedures, which will provide effective control and satisfy the informational requirements of the President and Principals, Boards, Committees, independent auditors and government agencies.
• Analyzes reports, project trends, and interprets the results of operations to the President, Principals, Boards and Committees.
• Establishes, directs and participates in the evaluation and the development of appropriate accounting software programs and updates to assure clarity, completeness of reports and efficiency of input/output.
• Monitors all staff utilizing the accounting software(s).
• Oversees the accurate and consistent recording and reporting of financial and accounting data processed by the Staff accountant, Accounting Analyst, Director of Admissions & Financial Aid, etc.

Budget and Financial Reports

• Oversees annual budgeting process by:
• developing assumptions;
• assisting instructional and administrative departments by providing forms, assumptions, projections, and consultations;
• assisting in generating projections for cash flow, income and expense accounts;
• coordinating capital expenditures;
• assisting in developing recommendations for tuition and fee scale;
• assisting in developing recommendations for salary, benefit ranges and scales.
• Presents the annual budget to the President, Principals, Boards and Committees with observations and recommendations.
• Directs the preparation of appropriate monthly, quarterly and annual financial statements for Departments, President, Principals, Boards and Committees.
• Monthly, analyzes and compares financial performance of operations with operating plans and budgets; reports and interprets the financial results of operations; reports significant trends, policies and strategies that will enhance overall accountability and operating efficiency.

Building Relationships:

• Works with the schools’ senior management team and the Director of Admissions & Financial Aid to identify viable enrollment goals at the beginning of each fiscal year.  Communicates progress regularly to key stakeholders, including senior administration, faculty/staff and the Siena Catholic Schools of Racine Board of Directors..
• Serves as a public spokesperson for Siena Catholic Schools of Racine at parish functions, community meetings, etc. 
• Leads Siena Catholic schools and the Finance Department in implementing sound financial practice that will help ensure sustainability and growth of Catholic education in our community.
• Acts as a  member of our school system’s leadership team, responsible for managing our accounting functions, as well as budget preparation, financial reporting, fiscal compliance, cash flow, and overseeing the Finance department staff.
• Recommends innovative ways to solve budgeting and capital improvement constraints, and  identify high risks.
• Possess excellent analytical abilities, robust knowledge of governance, risk, and controls, as well as proven experience developing positive relationships with internal and external stakeholders.
• Critically evaluates and advises on relevant accounting standards, regulation and reporting frameworks. 
• Enhances efficiency of accounting functions and ensures all aspects of the financial compliance, reporting, and accounting process are on track.

Qualifications: 

• Bachelor’s degree or greater in Finance, Accounting, or Business Administration. MBA preferred.
• Certification in Public or Management Accounting (CPA or CMA).
• Administration of School Choice Wisconsin program or other similar state parental choice program experience.
• 10 years in a senior role within an accounting function with 5 years in a management/leadership position.
• Strong communication skills.
• Banking experience desired, including loans, deposits, and other processes/best practices.
• Broad knowledge of cash flow forecasting.
• Public/nonprofit sector experience.
• Practicing Catholic strongly preferred.

Physical Requirements (The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job.  Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.)

• Communicate verbally; audible speech and good hearing and eyesight
• Read/interpret digital and paper documents
• Physical dexterity to operate computer and other equipment 
• Prolonged sitting (50% or more)
• Walking up and down stairs and on uneven surfaces
• Occasionally lifting (from ground and also overhead) and carrying up to 20 pounds

Work Relationships & Scope

Reports to the President.

Work Environment (The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job.  Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.)

Work is performed in a pleasant indoor office environment with travel to regular outside the office meetings and events. May be exposed to heat, cold, wetness and high humidity when traveling to, or at, events. Work hours are somewhat flexible and include some evenings and weekends. Ability to work longer hours, as needed.