Chief Financial & Administrative Officer

Summit Academy O I C • Minneapolis, MN

2d

About The Position

Summit Academy OIC is seeking a Chief Financial & Administrative Officer (CFAO) to lead Finance and Administration. The CFAO will supervise the Senior Director of IT, Director of Forecasting, Planning & Analysis, Director of Facilities, and Comptroller; the Director of Strategy will join the team once hired. The role provides leadership for approximately 9–10 staff across Finance and Administration.

The CFAO will set the function’s vision, operating rhythm, priorities, and performance expectations; lead enterprise budgeting, multi-year planning, rolling forecasts, cash-flow projections, and scenario analysis; and ensure accurate accounting, close, and reporting. The role maintains internal controls and GAAP/FASB compliance, leads external audit and Single Audit relationships, and provides executive oversight of Title IV and Minnesota State Grant compliance.

The CFAO also oversees IT strategy, cybersecurity, facilities planning, and related administrative functions. The role partners with the President & CEO, Board, and cost center leaders to promote financial ownership and accountability, connect financial plans to mission impact, and contribute to enterprise strategic planning and organizational effectiveness. The successful candidate will combine executive-level financial leadership with a practical willingness to support a lean team and engage hands-on 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 connecting 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 and 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 actively in enterprise strategic planning and organizational effectiveness initiatives.

Benefits

• Paid time off (PTO) accruing at 120 hours (3 weeks) per year.
• 11 annual paid holidays and 2 annual scheduled, paid mental health days.
• Eligibility to elect comprehensive health, vision, dental, and voluntary life insurance.
• Employer-sponsored life, short-term, 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