About Montserrat

Montserrat College of Art in Beverly, MA was founded in 1970 and recently celebrated its 50th anniversary. The college has an enrollment of 370 students both domestic and international. Montserrat is a fully accredited college that offers a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree in 10 concentrations and five minors. The college offers robust, year-round, continuing education offerings throughout the year including summer programs for teens and children. Montserrat College of Art has a strong gallery and visiting artist program that is free and open to the public. Located in the coastal, historic city of Beverly, Montserrat offers the best of both worlds for its faculty, students and staff with access to the commuter rail (a 30-minute train ride to Boston) and three blocks to the Atlantic Ocean.

Position Summary

The Dean of Finance and Administration is the chief financial officer and oversees all aspects of the College’s operational finances with primary responsibilities for fiscal management of the College’s revenues and expenditures, strategic financial and capital project planning, budgeting, accounting and reporting. The Dean of Finance and Administration will also oversee the annual audit process. This position reports to the President and serves on the President’s Cabinet as well as the Board of Trustees committees,  which include the Executive Committee, Finance Committee, Investment Committee and Facilities Committee. The Dean of Finance and Administration works closely with the President, President's Cabinet and Board of Trustees to set strategic direction for the institution. The ideal candidate is a mission-driven, strategic thinker, has strong short and long-term fiscal planning success, ideally has working experience in the higher education sector, and showcases a demonstrated commitment to equity and inclusion. This candidate should have the ability to balance and prioritize the competing needs of the college as it continues to ensure long term financial security. This position will collaborate on an upcoming capital campaign. The Dean of Finance and Administration oversees the business office, bursar, facilities, and information technology department, and currently has five direct reports.

Responsibilities

Oversight of Finance Operations

• Ensure that finance staff maintains financial record systems in accordance with (GAAP) Generally Accepted Accounting Principles and monitor the use of all funds
• Serve as the key signatory for all major financial transactions
• Ensure that the college’s operations and activity remain compliant with nonprofit tax exemption and IRS requirements
• Manage the financial audit and related audits for the college
• Ensure adequate controls are installed and that documentation is approved and available such that all transactions of the College may pass independent audits; and develop detailed strategies to follow up on opportunities for improvement identified in management letters and related letters from the independent auditors
• Responsible for all insurance and risk management programs
• Responsible for the annual financial audit, financial aid audit, and 990 tax exempt tax return filing and auditor relationships
• Prepare short and long-range budget modeling based on the strategic plans, advancement campaigns and grant writing
• Assure the College’s financial reports are accurate and timely for College departments and the Board
• Prepare financial information for accreditors and organizations that request them (e.g., IPEDS)

Oversight of the Bursar, Facilities and IT

• Oversee all facilities planning for the College
• Review all formal finance and IT related procedures, processes, and administration, recommending improvements to the systems in place and managing the systems going forward
• Direct facilities and IT staff in the successful operation of their areas with a focus on customer service
• Work with the IT Director to migrate to a comprehensive college management information system
• Manage all leases, college properties, utility programs, solar installations and any new acquisition of properties that promote the advancement of the college

Board Related Functions

• Oversee and manage all financial affairs of Montserrat College of Art
• Work with the president and Board of Trustees’ Finance Committee on forecasting, modeling and analysis in order to establish a financial plan to support the strategic direction of the College
• Supervise the timely preparation of all financial reporting materials, metrics, and projections, for Montserrat College of Art’s president, senior management team, and the Board
• Prepare and present financial reports to the Finance, Facilities and Investment Committees of the Board of Trustees
• Work with the Investment Committee on investment policies and decision making with Montserrat College of Art’s outside investment management firm. Analyze with the Investment Committee the performance of the investments
• Develop with the President, President’s Cabinet and Departmental Managers an annual balanced budget with Board approval for the College

Additional Responsibilities

• Dedication to promoting diversity, equity and inclusion as it pertains to the college’s current strategic plan that includes hiring and training new and current staff and faculty as well as student enrollment initiatives
• Engage with Institutional Advancement to align annual and campaign fundraising plans and financial projections
• Keep current with higher education finances by attending professional education sessions sponsored by NACUBO, Private College Finance Officers, and bi-annual meetings for the AICAD Finance Officers
• Effectively communicate financial concepts and results to a wide variety of audiences with varying financial expertise
• Work on other financial projects as requested by the President