Chief Academic & Financial Officer

The Chief Financial & Administrative Officer (CFAO) will directly supervise the Senior Director of IT, Director of Forecasting, Planning & Analysis, Director of Facilities, and Comptroller, with the Director of Strategy joining the team once hired — providing leadership for approximately 9–10 total staff across Finance and Administration.

Day to day, this leader will set the vision, operating rhythm, and performance expectations for the function; lead enterprise budgeting, multi-year planning, and rolling forecasts; and ensure accurate, timely accounting, close, and reporting. They will maintain strong internal controls and compliance with GAAP and FASB standards, lead the external audit and Single Audit relationship, and provide executive-level oversight of Title IV and Minnesota State Grant compliance.

Beyond finance, this person will oversee IT strategy, cybersecurity, and facilities planning, and will partner closely with the President & CEO, Board, and every cost center leader to build a culture of financial ownership and accountability across the organization.

Direct reports — approximately 9–10 staff across Finance and Administration

• Senior Director of IT
• Director of Forecasting, Planning & Analysis
• Director of Facilities
• Comptroller
• Director of Strategy

The CFAO will oversee a range of critical functions, with an emphasis on financial strategy, compliance, and operational excellence.

• Set the vision, operating rhythm, priorities, and performance expectations for Finance and Administration
• Directly supervise the Sr. Director of IT, Director of FP&A, Director of Facilities, Comptroller, and, once hired, Director of Strategy
• Assess finance capabilities, close gaps, standardize procedures, and reduce key-person dependency
• Remain close to day-to-day operations, providing 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, timely accounting, month-end/year-end close, and financial reporting
• Maintain strong 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-level oversight of federal Title IV financial aid controls, reconciliation, and audit readiness
• Provide oversight of 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

The ideal candidate brings postsecondary financial aid expertise, strong executive presence, and the patience and practicality to work alongside a lean team, someone equally comfortable setting enterprise financial strategy and getting into the details when the moment calls for it.

We recognize there is no single path to becoming an exceptional candidate. People bring different combinations of education, professional experience, community leadership, and lived experience.

If your background does not perfectly match every qualification below, but you believe your experience has prepared you to succeed in this role, we encourage you to apply. We value transferable skills, curiosity, and a demonstrated commitment to strengthening communities.

• 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

• 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

Please note that this job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee. Duties, responsibilities and activities may change at any time with or without notice. 

It is the policy of Summit Academy OIC to provide equal employment opportunity (EEO) to all persons regardless of age, color, national origin, citizenship status, physical or mental disability, race, religion, creed, gender, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity and/or expression, genetic information, marital status, status with regard to public assistance, veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local law. In addition, Summit Academy OIC will provide reasonable accommodations for qualified individuals with disabilities.