Director of Finance

JAMES IRWIN CHARTER SCHOOL•Colorado Springs, CO

3d•$75,000 - $85,000

About The Position

James Irwin Charter Schools is committed to fostering academic excellence and character development in a supportive and challenging environment. We currently serve over 2,000 students in six schools across four campuses. We are seeking an experienced Director of Finance to join our team. The Director of Finance is responsible for the financial operations of the charter school and ensuring accurate reporting, strong internal controls, regulatory compliance, and effective stewardship of public funds. This role manages the accounting team and oversees core finance functions including monthly close, audits, grants reporting, budget support, purchase order and invoice approvals, and timely processing of accounts payable, accounts receivable, and payroll. The Director of Finance works closely with the Chief Financial Officer to support the annual budgeting process, staff training and development, and preparation of financial reports for leadership and the Board of Directors.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in Finance, Accounting, Business Administration, or related field required.
Minimum of 5 years of school finance experience, with at least 2 years in a leadership role required.
Experience with audits, grants management, budgeting, compliance reporting, and team supervision required.
Strong knowledge of accounting principles, financial reporting, budgeting, and internal controls.
Knowledge of compliance reporting, audit coordination, and grant accounting.
Ability to lead the monthly close process and improve financial operations.
Strong analytical, organizational, and problem-solving skills.
Ability to communicate financial information clearly to school leaders, board members, and non-financial staff.
Strong attention to detail and commitment to accuracy and deadlines.
Proficiency with financial systems, spreadsheets, and payroll/accounting software, specifically Specialized Data Systems and Paycom.
Ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced school environment.

Nice To Haves

Commitment to the mission of James Irwin Charter Schools and of public charter education.
High integrity and sound judgment in handling sensitive financial matters.
Collaborative leadership style with a service-oriented mindset.
Ability to coach, train, and develop staff while maintaining high standards of accountability.

Responsibilities

Lead and manage the school’s day-to-day finance and accounting operations.
Supervise, mentor, and develop the accounting team to ensure high performance, accountability, and continuous improvement.
Assist the Chief Financial Officer with staff training and professional development within the finance function.
Maintain strong internal controls, financial procedures, and sound business practices.
Ensure accurate and timely financial reporting for school leadership, the CFO, and the Board of Directors.
Oversee the monthly close process, including journal entries, reconciliations, accruals, and preparation of financial statements.
Ensure the general ledger is maintained accurately and in accordance with applicable accounting standards and school policies.
Monitor cash flow and support short- and long-term financial planning.
Coordinate and oversee annual financial statement audits and other required audits or reviews.
Ensure compliance reporting is completed accurately and on time in accordance with federal, state, local, and charter requirements.
Oversee financial tracking, reporting, and compliance for grants and restricted funds.
Maintain documentation and records necessary to support audit readiness and regulatory compliance.
Ensure timely and accurate processing of accounts payable, accounts receivable, and payroll.
Approve purchase orders and invoices, and monitor purchasing activity for compliance with budget and policy requirements.
Oversee related workflows, approvals, reconciliations, and controls.
Monitor outstanding receivables and support strong cash management practices.
Prepare regular financial reports, dashboards, and supporting analyses for the Board of Directors.
Assist the Chief Financial Officer in preparing presentations and materials for board meetings and leadership review.
Communicate financial information clearly and effectively to non-financial stakeholders.