Director of Finance - Holton-Arms School

For 125 years, Holton-Arms School has remained at the forefront of education for young women and girls, offering time-tested and future-forward programming for generations of students. With its new strategic plan, the school is entering an exciting period of change.

As Director of Finance, you will play a pivotal role in advancing a strategic, modern finance function that supports the future of Holton’s education programs. Reporting to the Chief Financial and Operations Officer, you will oversee a $50M operating budget and $160M in assets while leading a team of three finance professionals for core accounting operations.

A key focus of your role will be bridging financial strategy with what is happening throughout the school, partnering closely with leaders across campus to connect financial resources with school operations and programming. You will oversee the development of the annual operating budget, help budget managers assess tradeoffs between program goals and spending, develop multi-year financial models for overall operations, including enrollment, capital investments, and strategic initiatives, and prepare reports and recommendations for the CFO/COO to evaluate and share with the Board.

As a strategic, hands-on leader, you will mentor and develop your team, elevate operational practices, oversee recordkeeping, monthly closes, and audit preparation, and ensure the highest standards of financial integrity and compliance. You will also lead the strategic evolution of financial systems to support real-time decision-making, strengthen cross-platform integration, and reduce manual processes.

How You’ll Make an Impact

Success in your first 1-2 years will be demonstrated by:

Serving as the primary finance and accounting operations leader, overseeing the work of the Controller, the Accounting Manager, and the Business Office Manager, adding financial planning and analysis capability to the team, and enabling the CFO|COO to focus on higher-level strategic decision-making.

Building financial modeling and forecasting capabilities grounded in the school’s current budget, financial position, and strategic priorities, and partnering closely with the CFO|COO to evaluate scenarios and prepare reporting and recommendations for executive leadership.

Leading the modernization of financial systems and reporting, including selecting and implementing a new general ledger accounting platform, redesigning the chart of accounts to provide more granular analysis, and evaluating and improving the integration of financial information across student billing, point-of-sale, accounts payable, payroll, credit-card processing, banking, and advancement platforms.

Work Environment, Salary, and Benefits

This position is full-time, 5 days a week on our Bethesda, MD campus.

The budgeted salary range for this position is $180K - $200K, with an outstanding benefits package including health insurance with a generous employer contribution to medical, dental, and vision; life and disability insurance; 403(b) retirement savings with an employer match and non-elective contribution; employee assistance program; tuition remission for eligible children; professional development opportunities; paid parental leave after one year of employment; paid vacation, sick, and personal days; and lunch provided on school days.

Responsibilities

Financial Operations & Team Leadership

Oversee daily financial operations, including general accounting, student billing, accounts payable, internal controls, and financial policies.

Provide oversight and guidance to the business office staff on financial reporting, accounting practices, reconciliations, and month-end close activities, while maintaining the hands-on accounting knowledge needed to support complex issues and operational needs when necessary.

Oversee gift accounting, fund accounting, transfers between funds, and investment accounting.

Lead and support the business office team, providing guidance, professional development, and coordination of day-to-day responsibilities.

Budgeting & Strategic Financial Planning

Oversee the annual budgeting process, partnering with the Controller, CFO|COO, and budget managers to evaluate requests, establish priorities, and align resources with institutional goals.

Partner with academic and administrative leaders to understand program objectives, operational plans, and resource needs, providing financial guidance that supports informed decision-making.

Analyze financial performance, identify trends and risks, and develop forecasts that reflect the operational realities and seasonal rhythms of an independent school.

Translate financial data into actionable insights, helping school leaders assess alternatives, evaluate tradeoffs, and make informed resource allocation decisions.

Prepare financial analyses, forecasts, reports, presentations, and recommendations to support School leadership.

Guide the development and use of multi-year financial models and scenario analyses to inform strategic initiatives, enrollment planning, facilities planning, fundraising, and financing strategies.

Partner closely with the CFO|COO to evaluate opportunities and assess the financial implications of organizational decisions.

Financial Systems & Process Improvement

Oversee financial systems and reporting structures, ensuring they meet the school’s operational and financial management needs and guiding enhancements as those needs evolve.

Partner with Technology, Advancement, Auxiliary Programs, and other departments to maintain reliable integration and consistent financial data between accounting and related operational systems.

Evaluate and improve financial workflows, including banking and payment-processing practices, to reduce manual processes and support efficient day-to-day operations.

Compliance, Audit & Risk Management

Provide oversight and review of the annual audit and Form 990 preparation, supporting the Controller's work and coordinating with external partners.

Prepare required financial reporting and supporting materials for rating agencies, bondholders, lenders, and other financing-related activities.

Manage the school's insurance program, including renewals, coverage reviews, and broker relationships.

Qualifications

10+ years of progressive finance and accounting leadership in a complex operating environment with multiple revenue streams and significant reporting requirements. Independent school, higher education institution, or a similar nonprofit organization preferred.

Strong technical accounting background, including oversight of financial operations, budgeting, forecasting, audits, internal controls, and fund accounting.

Demonstrated ability to analyze complex financial information, develop forecasts and scenario models, translate financial data into actionable insights, and communicate recommendations effectively to non-finance leaders and stakeholders.

Experience partnering with operational leaders, budget managers, or program leaders to support decision-making, evaluate resource needs, and align financial planning with organizational priorities.

Experience leading financial systems implementations, process improvements, or modernization initiatives.

Demonstrated ability to lead and develop a small finance or accounting team.

Bachelor’s degree in accounting, finance, business administration, or a related field required; advanced education or relevant professional training is a plus.

About The Holton-Arms School

Founded in 1901, Holton-Arms School is a nationally recognized independent school for girls in grades 3–12 that encourages young women to approach the world with curiosity, courage, and a sense of responsibility to use their talents for the greater good. Rooted in a long legacy of excellence and guided by future-forward thinking, Holton offers a vibrant, purpose-driven learning environment where students, faculty, and staff bring deep engagement, spirit, and passion to their work.

Staffing Advisors is committed to reducing bias in every aspect of the hiring process. We have long recommended a competency-driven approach to hiring. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, genetics, disability, age, veteran status, or any other basis protected by law. We encourage you to apply even if your experience is not a 100% match with the position description; we will consider people from a variety of backgrounds and career experiences.