Chief Academic & Financial Officer

Summit Academy O I C • Minneapolis, MN

3d • $180,000 - $205,000

About The Position

The Chief Financial & Administrative Officer (CFAO) leads Finance and Administration, supervising approximately 9–10 staff. Direct reports include the Senior Director of IT, Director of Forecasting, Planning & Analysis, Director of Facilities, Comptroller, and—once hired—the Director of Strategy. The CFAO establishes the function’s vision, operating rhythm, priorities, and performance expectations while leading enterprise budgeting, multi-year planning, rolling forecasts, cash-flow projections, and financial reporting.

The role ensures accurate accounting and timely close, strong internal controls, and compliance with GAAP and FASB standards. It leads external audit relationships, including the annual financial statement audit and Single Audit, and provides executive oversight of Title IV and Minnesota State Grant compliance. The CFAO also oversees IT strategy, cybersecurity, facilities planning, and related investments and operations.

Working closely with the President & CEO, Board, cost-center leaders, and colleagues across the organization, the CFAO builds financial ownership and accountability, connects financial planning to mission impact, and balances regulatory compliance with student access. The role calls for both enterprise-level strategic leadership and hands-on support during close, forecasting, and audit cycles.

Requirements

• Ten or more years of progressive finance/accounting experience, including at least five years leading teams or functions at a senior level.
• Substantive experience with federal Title IV financial aid in higher education, postsecondary career training, or another eligible institution.
• Proven success strengthening or rebuilding finance operations, controls, procedures, reporting, and team capability.
• Advanced experience in budgeting, forecasting, scenario planning, and advising cost-center or business leaders.
• Experience presenting financial information and recommendations to executive leadership and/or Boards.
• Deep knowledge of GAAP, FASB standards, nonprofit financial management, internal controls, and cash management.
• Demonstrated ability to move fluidly between executive strategy and hands-on execution.
• Bachelor’s degree in Accounting, Finance, Business, or a related field.
• Strong working knowledge of federal Title IV student financial aid regulations and compliance.
• Ability to interpret and operationalize evolving regulatory requirements.
• Exceptional judgment, integrity, communication, and collaboration skills.

Nice To Haves

• CPA and/or MBA or other relevant advanced degree.
• Leadership experience in higher education, career and technical education, workforce development, or a mission-driven education organization.
• Knowledge of Minnesota State Grant and Minnesota Office of Higher Education requirements.
• Three or more years of nonprofit financial leadership experience.
• Experience with government grants, restricted funding, philanthropy, foundations, donations, and development partnerships.
• Experience overseeing multiple administrative functions such as IT, facilities, strategy, risk, or business operations.

Responsibilities

• Set the vision, operating rhythm, priorities, and performance expectations for Finance and Administration.
• Directly supervise the Senior Director of IT, Director of Forecasting, Planning & Analysis, Director of Facilities, Comptroller, and, once hired, Director of Strategy.
• Assess finance capabilities, close gaps, standardize procedures, and reduce key-person dependency.
• Provide hands-on support during close, forecasting, and audit cycles.
• Lead enterprise financial strategy, annual budgeting, multi-year planning, rolling forecasts, cash-flow projections, and scenario analysis.
• Build a forward-looking forecasting discipline that connects funding changes to sustainability actions.
• Partner with cost-center leaders to establish financial goals, interpret variances, and build ownership of financial performance.
• Develop executive and Board reporting, dashboards, and financial narratives linking dollars to mission impact.
• Ensure accurate, timely accounting, month-end and year-end close, and financial reporting.
• Maintain internal controls, financial policies, procurement practices, and GAAP/FASB compliance.
• Lead external audit relationships, the annual financial statement audit, Single Audit, and corrective-action follow-through.
• Oversee banking, cash, investments, insurance, risk management, and major contracts.
• Provide executive oversight of federal Title IV financial aid controls, reconciliation, and audit readiness.
• Oversee Minnesota State Grant and other state financial aid requirements.
• Partner with program, enrollment, and student services leaders to balance compliance and student access.
• Oversee financial requirements for government grants, contracts, restricted contributions, and philanthropic funding.
• Provide executive oversight of IT strategy, cybersecurity, systems reliability, and technology investments.
• Oversee facilities strategy, leases, maintenance priorities, and capital improvements.
• Integrate Strategy into the portfolio once the Director of Strategy is hired.
• Participate in enterprise strategic planning and organizational effectiveness initiatives.

Benefits

• Paid time off accruing at 120 hours (three weeks) per year.
• 11 annual paid holidays and two annual scheduled paid mental health days.
• Eligibility to elect comprehensive health, vision, dental, and voluntary life insurance.
• Employer-sponsored life, short-term disability, and long-term disability insurance.
• Eligibility to participate in a 401(k) retirement plan with a 4% employer match, effective day one.
• Eligibility for an annual bonus based on organizational and employee performance.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Executive