Job Bank

The White Mountain School seeks a Controller to advance the School during this exciting time. The Controller will work closely with the Head of School and Board of Trustee committees, in order to manage the financial and operational resources of the School in support of students and employees. The Controller is responsible for the planning, control, accounting and reporting of income, expenses, as well as contributed and invested funds of the school. 

The Controller manages all activities designated as Business Office responsibilities including the physical plant and grounds improvement planning, capital expenditures, risk management and insurance, transportation, facilities leasing, as well as city, state and federal government compliance.

The Controller attends all regular meetings of the Board of Trustees, in order to provide full, accurate and complete management and financial information as necessary to assist the board in meeting its fiduciary responsibilities. The Controller also attends all finance, property, risk management and benefits committee meetings and any ad hoc committees concerning finance, plant or compensation. The Controller maintains professional relationships with the school’s banks, lawyers, auditors, investment managers, insurance carriers, architects, contractors, vendors, and government regulators.

The Controller reports directly to the Head of School and will supervise 1-2 employees, to include the Bookkeeper.

The ideal candidate for this position:

• Has earned a Bachelor’s Degree in Accounting, Business Administration or a related subject;
• Has experience in financial management, bookkeeping, or non-profit accounting;
• Exercises strict confidentiality and a high degree of autonomy, personal initiative and ownership, under minimal direction;
• Is highly organized  and detail-oriented;
• Will represent the School in the larger community in a positive manner that reflects the values of the school;
• Demonstrates a high degree of cultural competency and demonstrated commitment to working with individuals from diverse backgrounds;
• Has strong technology skills, including ability to navigate Google Suite, Microsoft Office Suite, and various web-based portals’
• Experience using Blackbaud Financial Edge NXT, Raiser's Edge, Tuition Management is preferred, but not required;
• Experience in an independent school is preferred, but not required. 

This is a full-time, exempt, twelve month position. Days of work are Monday through Friday.

WHAT WOULD I DO?

The Controller will be responsible for the following:

Finance

• In collaboration with the Head of School and Board of Trustees, develop and oversee the School’s financial vision and capital improvement initiatives.
• Oversee annual operating budget, long-term projections, capital expenditures, strategic debt financing, and endowment management.
• Oversee and support Business Office operations, ensuring accurate and timely management of payables, collection of receivables, supervising student billing and spending accounts, and general accounting operations. 
• Review account reconciliations and prepare financial reports reflecting budget performance and cash flow to the Head of School, Board of Trustees, lenders, and other parties monthly.
• Oversee endowment management and reporting, including determining individual fund balances and distribution of annual draw.
• Ensure accurate recording and reporting of philanthropic support, including restrictions and completion of time/purpose restrictions prior to releasing funds.
• Communicate with budget managers to ensure accounting policy compliance and appropriate use of the School’s financial resources.
• Ensure completion of all state and federal reporting requirements to maintain tax exempt status.
• Secure debt as authorized by the Board of Trustees and maintain debt schedules and necessary reporting.
• Work closely with the Director of Admission to set enrollment and NTI goals, and review financial aid decisions.
• Work closely with the Director of Advancement to set fundraising goals, ensure pledge collections, and participate in donor cultivation and solicitation as appropriate.

Audit

• Lead the preparation of schedules and work papers for annual audit 
• Lead Form 990 preparation.
• Maintaining permanent office files for all audit schedules prepared by school.

School Operations & Affiliations

• Participate fully as a member of the Senior Leadership Team, collaborating with department leaders on projects and policies related to School operations.
• Collaborate with Facilities Manager on all capital projects, ensuring timely and on-budget completion. 
• Oversee auxiliary and summer camp programs, including contract negotiations, billing and collections, and campus coordination.
• Manage dining services relationship, including budget compliance, meal service, and customer-student service expectations.
• Ensure completion of all state non-public school certification requirements, including annual reporting.
• Complete annual ERISA and DOL requirements for retirement plan, ensure Board receives appropriate information to meet duties as Plan fiduciaries.
• Ensure completion of annual membership requirements for relevant professional associations.

Supervision & Compliance

• Directly manage up to two employees in the Business Office.
• In Collaboration with the Director of People and Culture, negotiate and secure employee benefit packages annually, assist with related communications to employees, and assure procedures and documents are properly managed for compliance purposes. 

Risk Management

• Collaborate with team members, advisors and brokers to ensure that adequate, appropriate and cost effective insurance is in force, including public liability, property and casualty, directors and officers, and Workers Compensation.
• In partnership with Facilities and Maintenance Manager, coordinate with various government and insurance inspectors to ensure that the school is operating consistent with health and safety codes.  Ensure that violations are corrected in reasonable time and that necessary reports are filed in a timely manner.
• Review and approve all contractual agreements on behalf of the School.
• Ensure any identified concerns identified through financial or safety audits are addressed.

About The White Mountain School

The White Mountain School Set among the beautiful mountains of northern New Hampshire, The White Mountain School is a college preparatory boarding and day school of 135 students in grades 9-12. Since our founding in 1886, we have remained true to the original focus of New England boarding schools: the development of mind, body and spirit. We develop the mind through our college preparatory curriculum and through a campus-wide ethos of inquiry and engagement in learning. We develop the body through sports and other physical activities, making full use of our spectacular natural setting. We develop the spirit through reflection, exploration of meaning and purpose, and service in the broader world.

Connections working at The White Mountain School