Chief Financial Officer

Great Hearts Academies•Fort Worth, TX

About The Position

Great Hearts Texas (GHTX) is a nonprofit network of public charter schools serving approximately 14,500 students across its schools and Texas Online, with approximately $170 million in annual revenue. The Chief Financial Officer is the organization’s senior finance leader, a member of the leadership team, and a strategic partner to the Superintendent and Board. The CFO is accountable for treasury, accounting, reporting, planning, controls, and financial compliance, leading through the finance team and external partners. The CFO will strengthen the finance organization, modernize financial systems and processes, and create a finance function that supports schools and organizational leadership. The role partners closely with the Superintendent, Board, headmasters, and operating leaders on resource allocation, school economics, facilities, and long-term financial sustainability. It requires technical depth, sound financial judgment, and the ability to build team ownership and deliver dependable operations. The position is based in San Antonio or Dallas, Texas, with regular presence with the finance team and travel to schools and meetings across the Dallas and San Antonio regions. Additional local travel may be needed for training and professional development. Employment is contingent upon successful criminal history background check and fingerprint clearance in accordance with state requirements. The employee must maintain confidentiality and professional standards.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in Accounting, Finance, Business, or a related field.
Progressively responsible finance and accounting leadership experience.
Demonstrated success rebuilding or strengthening teams, delivering dependable financial operations, and executing financial strategy.
Experience relevant to organizational complexity, including accounting, planning and analysis, cash management, controls, and financial strategy.
Ability to oversee accounting, audit readiness, and compliance through effective leadership and management.
Experience delivering systems or workflow improvements, including requirements assessment, investment judgment, implementation, staff adoption, and measurable operating results.
Strong financial modeling, forecasting, and analytical skills, including advanced Excel proficiency.
Ability to evaluate financial platforms, reporting tools, data structures, and integrations.
Ability to meet applicable employment, background-check, and fingerprinting requirements.
Ability to maintain confidentiality and professional standards.

Nice To Haves

CPA and/or an advanced degree such as an MBA.
Texas charter or school-finance experience.
Experience with complex or multi-site organizations, facilities financing, banking relationships, debt covenants, and bond financing.
Candidates from other sectors should demonstrate transferable operational leadership and the ability to build and lead a team with the required school-finance expertise while developing their own sector knowledge.

Responsibilities

Recruit, develop, and retain finance and accounting talent; establish clear responsibilities, decision rights, measurable goals, and disciplined performance management.
Build a cohesive finance team that streamlines processes and provides responsive support to schools and leadership.
Provide executive oversight of accounting, monthly close, financial reporting, payroll, payments, and receivable collections.
Set expectations for accuracy, timeliness, service, and controls; resolve accounting issues and maintain audit readiness and financial compliance.
Set and execute the vision for financial systems, integrations, and workflows; assess platforms and investments, prioritize improvements, and lead implementation and staff adoption.
Own budgeting, forecasting, cash management, and the integrated long-term financial plan; deliver against financial health targets and lead corrective action when needed.
Partner with the Superintendent, headmasters, and Board on school economics, resource allocation, facilities, and financial sustainability, presenting clear options and recommendations.
Maintain financing relationships, oversee covenant compliance with advisor support, and surface material risks early.
Ensure accounting and reporting comply with generally accepted accounting principles and applicable requirements.
Establish accountability for accurate and timely local, state, and federal financial submissions, including Texas Education Agency reporting.
Oversee annual financial audits, auditor relationships, and management’s response to potential stakeholder concerns.
Ensure appropriate expertise, processes, and controls for state, federal, and other grants, including budgeting, disbursements, accounting, reporting, and compliance with restrictions.
Partner with program and operating leaders on funding strategy and financial requirements.
Set treasury and liquidity strategy and oversee cash management, banking, debt, and financing arrangements.
Ensure effective controls to safeguard assets and support appropriate spending and procurement.
Partner with operating leaders and advisors on insurance and financial risk management; assess financial implications of facilities, construction, and other major commitments.
Provide financial insights and reporting to the Superintendent, Board, and school and operating leaders.
Coordinate with Great Hearts America on shared financial requirements and processes and maintain productive relationships with auditors, lenders, advisors, and external partners.