Company Overview:  Based in Fort Worth, Texas, and founded in 1966, Key School began as an after-school and summer program that focused on tutoring students with dyslexia. The founders, Mary Ann Key and Mildred Garner, through encouragement and support from Dr. John M. Richardson, designed the individualized program on the training they received at Texas Scottish Rite for Children’s Language Therapy program.  As word spread of this new, specialized way of teaching, demand exceeded what was offered in the summer program. To meet this need, a traditional nine-month school was added.

Key School gained its nonprofit status in 2005 and has served over 8,000 students with language-based learning differences such as dyslexia since its inception. Recognizing the community need to expand services beyond the school and summer program, Key expanded in 2018 to become the Key Center for Learning Differences (KCLD) while continuing Key School’s exceptional education program.

With a bright outlook for the future, Key Center successfully completed a capital campaign which allowed for the renovation of a new facility.  In the fall of 2021, the Center was relocated to the John M. Richardson Campus. This campus will accommodate Key School’s growth and allow the Key Center for Learning Differences to expand existing services through training and professional development for teachers, administrators, and parents.

Position:  Reporting to the Executive Director, and serving on the executive leadership team, the Director of Business & Operations will serve as the Center’s Chief Financial Officer and act as the principal decision maker for the Center’s financial affairs and oversee the day-to-day programs and activities of the Center as they relate to financial sustainability.  The successful candidate will manage and coordinate business operations, including business planning and budget preparation, business reporting and filings, human resources administration, payroll, accounts payable, accounts receivable, contract and grant accounting, and physical plant operations.  This individual will also be the primary  supervisor and evaluator for the Director of Human Resources and the Facilities Supervisor.

Responsibilities: 

• Prepare financial forecasts and budgets.
• Provide reliable financial information for the Board of Directors, its officers and committees, external auditors, and others internal and external to the Center as directed and necessary.
• Collaborate with the Board of Directors and finance committee to establish and review financial plan processes and compliance related issues.
• Oversee development and maintenance of the chart of accounts.
• Ensure internal financial control and financial regulatory compliance.
• Direct accounting and related fiscal activities including all general ledger activities, accounts payable, accounts receivable, payroll, bank deposits, reconciliation and financial reports.
• Manage month-end closing processes, including preparation of journal entries and account analysis; take responsibility for the details of cash control and management.
• Maintain orderly records of financial transactions, in compliance with the school’s policies and local, state, and federal requirements. Maintain a documented system of accounting policies and procedures.
• Perform funds management and investments with the guidance of the Board of Trustees and outside investment counsel.
• Prepare financial analyses, cost studies, financial plans, and other information for use by the Executive Director, Board of Directors, and operating management as needed.
• Assist with mechanics/report processing of various financial software accounting systems.
• Support committees of the Board of Directors as directed by the Executive Director.
• Assist the Executive Director with strategic, operational, and budget planning.
• Ensure the maintenance of ethical and legal standards in fiscal and business operations and regulations in areas of assigned responsibility.
• Attend required Center meetings and special events and follow center rules and procedures.
• Oversee purchasing, inventory control, buildings and grounds contract for service, housekeeping, auxiliary services, insurance, and regulatory compliance in those areas.
• Coordinate with the Executive Director, Head of School, Development and Admissions, Training and Outreach to evaluate current enrollment numbers and set future annual/semi-annual/quarterly enrollment goals.
• Collaborate with the “Tuition Task Force” to create a five-year tuition escalation program designed to increase overall employee compensation and benefits.
• Oversee the preparation and distribution of enrollment contracts; sign enrollment contracts and other contracts on behalf of the Center.
• Perform other accounting-related tasks and projects, as assigned, to meet the Center’s financial objectives.

Qualifications:

• CPA with a bachelor’s degree in Accounting, Business or Public Administration.
• Masters degree preferred.
• Ability to communicate effectively with Key Center and Key School representatives, parents, students, and representatives from the business community.
• Demonstrated ability to work as part of a team by being service-oriented, flexible, and reliable when helping co-workers accomplish their jobs at hand.
• Seasoned and mature leader with minimum of five to seven years of broad accounting and management experience; background in an educational institution or not-for-profit is a plus.
• Ability to communicate clearly and effectively in written and oral expression.
• Strong knowledge of business accounting policies, procedures, practices, and software programs.
• Solid analytical/problem solving skills and the ability to exercise sound business judgement and make decisions based on accurate and timely analyses.
• Ability to think and plan strategically and creatively.
• Excellent budgeting and financial reporting background.
• Ability to supervise and manage multiple functions and activities.
• Proficiency with Microsoft, Word, and Excel; enthusiastic learner for technology used in business processes; QuickBooks experience preferred.
• Knowledge and/or experience with benefit administration and other human resource management issues.
• Strong management skills and the ability to work closely with diverse groups of people, including employees at all levels, vendors, suppliers, and other outside professionals with whom the organization deals with on a regular basis.
• High level of integrity, dependability, and sound judgement; reliable ability to maintain confidentiality.

Interested applicants please send your resume and letter of interest to Ben Perryman at bperryman@whitneysmithco.com