Director, Franchise Accounting

The Goddard School • Upper Merion Township, PA

10d

About The Position

Join the Goddard Systems, LLC (GSL) corporate team and help shape a nationally recognized leader in early childhood education! GSL supports approximately 700 Goddard School locations across the U.S., helping franchisees deliver high-quality, play-based learning to more than 100,000 children and families. Our corporate team drives the strategy, systems, and support that enable schools across the network to thrive! This role is responsible for leading financial reporting, accounting operations, audit activities, and financial support processes across The Goddard School franchise system and corporate schools. The role exists to strengthen financial accuracy, controls, reporting, and scalable processes while supporting growth initiatives and providing actionable financial insights to leadership. Through effective financial management and support of the franchise system, this role helps support Goddard's mission to partner to create joyful, supportive environments where children flourish.

Requirements

• Lead financial reporting and accounting processes across a multi-unit business environment.
• Analyze financial data and translate findings into actionable recommendations for senior leadership.
• Manage billing, collections, electronic payment processing, and related internal controls.
• Lead audit and compliance activities, including third-party audits and internal audit processes.
• Develop and implement accounting policies, procedures, and standardized financial practices.
• Lead cross-functional initiatives involving Finance, IT, operations, and franchise stakeholders.
• Develop and deliver financial training and guidance to internal and external stakeholders.
• Support financial analysis and modeling for growth initiatives and franchise transactions.
• Bachelor's degree in Accounting, Finance, or a related field.
• 10+ years of progressive accounting and finance experience, including leadership experience.
• Experience with financial reporting, billing and collections systems, payment processing, and internal controls.
• Strong analytical skills with the ability to translate financial data into actionable insights for senior leadership.
• Demonstrated ability to lead cross-functional initiatives and partner effectively with IT, operations, and franchise stakeholders.
• Excellent communication and training skills.

Nice To Haves

• Experience with franchise, multi-unit, or education-sector financial operations.
• Experience supporting corporate-owned locations or business units.
• Experience with grants and subsidy programs.
• CPA or MBA.
• Experience leading supply chain or system-wide operational initiatives.

Responsibilities

• Lead school financial reporting processes, including data integrity, exception reporting, analysis, and ongoing enhancements across the franchise system.
• Serve as the Accounting lead for the system's billing and collections module in partnership with Information Technology and School Support Services, including system enhancements, issue resolution, testing, and process optimization.
• Oversee electronic payment processing operations to ensure accuracy, efficiency, compliance, and effective internal controls.
• Lead the development and ongoing administration of the financial support model for corporate schools, including grants and subsidy programs.
• Lead the system-wide supply chain initiative and financial training initiatives in partnership with School Support Services.
• Develop and maintain standardized accounting policies, procedures, and best practices across the franchise system.
• Analyze system financial data to identify trends, risks, and operational opportunities and provide actionable insights to leadership.
• Lead coordination and oversight of third-party school audits and develop an internal audit program for compliance areas not covered by third-party audits.
• Support new growth models through financial modeling, analysis, and review, and provide financial guidance related to franchisee growth requests, transfers, and other franchise financial transactions.

What This Job Offers

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