Director of Finance

The Orchard School

Founded in 1922, Orchard is an independent, non‑sectarian, Progressive school for over 500 students in preschool through 8th grade. Orchard is committed to advance each student’s academic success, self‑confidence, open‑mindedness, ethical character, leadership, and love of learning. Located in north Indianapolis on a 43‑acre wooded campus with a state‑of‑the‑art facility, Orchard promises academic excellence through a well‑rounded education, engaging the natural curiosity of students in an active, child‑centered, and experiential learning environment.

We seek, and strive to maintain, a diverse and inclusive school community, and are committed to the principles that promote diversity, equity, and inclusion. We value the skills, knowledge and experiences a diverse workforce brings to our school.

The Orchard School seeks an experienced, mission‑driven, and collaborative Director of Finance to inspire and lead a dedicated team of finance professionals. The DoF reports directly to the Head of School and serves as a member of the Senior Administrative team. Primary responsibilities include development and management of the operating budget, oversight of all accounting and payroll functions, long‑term financial planning, legal and risk management.

S/he collaborates regularly with the financial aid and development offices to achieve institutional goals, and is a senior administrative liaison to committees on Finance, and Investment of the Board of Directors.

• Directly supervising the performance of the Controller and Accounting Manager
• Providing direct support to the Investment, Finance, and Audit Committees of the Board of Directors, including minutes, notification of meetings, agendas, reservations of meeting rooms, and providing related materials
• Educating all stakeholders in best business and financial practices

• Supervising the Business Office and its responsibilities, including accounting, collections, payables, borrowing, banking, risk management, payroll, and investment strategies and services
• Developing and presenting annually to the Board of Directors a corporate budget, and updating and maintaining the working budget throughout the year
• Overseeing bidding for services to include but not limited to auditing, copying services, payroll service, and banking
• Designing and implementing self‑insured employee health insurance plan
• Overseeing 403(b) fiduciary to ensure ERISA compliance
• Overseeing preparation of all work papers and documents the school’s various audits
• Ensuring the school’s purchase order system is consistently applied and that standards as set by the Board are clearly transmitted to employees
• Providing leadership and guidance to administrators relative to corporate and cost center budgeting
• Overseeing relationships with other vendors and school business partners, including the school’s endowment manager

• Preparing monthly special financial statements and reports for the school’s Directors & Cost Center Managers, Parents’ Association, Finance Committee, Investment Committee, Audit Committee, and Buildings and Grounds Committee. Also, as required, for the Board of Directors
• Maintaining the official policy handbook of The Orchard School
• Working closely with other members of the senior administrative team
• Maintaining official corporate documents of the school
• Other related duties as assigned

• BS or BA degree in accounting from a 4‑year accredited college required. Master’s degree preferred.
• At least 10 years of progressively responsible experience in financial management, with at least 5 years in a nonprofit organization
• Professional knowledge of GAAP required
• Strong working knowledge of EXCEL required
• Familiarity with business operations and the budgeting process at independent schools or non‑profits preferred
• Working knowledge of accounting software preferred
• Must protect confidential information and establish credibility
• Excellent interpersonal skills with an ability to interact with diverse personalities, demonstrating tact, flexibility and…