Santa Margarita Catholic High School
Chief Financial Officer
Santa Margarita Catholic High School, Rancho Santa Margarita, California, United States, 92688
Overview
Santa Margarita Catholic High School in Rancho Santa Margarita, CA is accepting applications for a Chief Financial Officer.
Position Title:
Chief Financial Officer (Full-time, 12-Month)
Job Classification:
Exempt
Department:
Business Office
Reports To:
President
Schedule:
Monday – Friday, occasional weekends and evenings
Pay Range:
$150,000 – $170,000 based on experience, education and qualifications
Supervisory Responsibility:
Business Office Staff, Campus Store Manager
Primary Purpose:
The Chief Financial Officer (CFO) is a member of the school’s administrative leadership team, working closely with the President to ensure the school’s financial health and long-term sustainability. The CFO provides strategic oversight and has primary day-to-day responsibility for planning, implementing, managing, and overseeing all financial-related activities. This includes direct responsibility for accounting, finance, forecasting, strategic planning, compliance, internal controls, and GAAP accounting, as well as oversight of business office functions, treasury services, and the campus store. In alignment with the school’s Catholic identity and the charism of Caritas Christi – the love of Christ – the CFO ensures financial stewardship is conducted with integrity, transparency, and fidelity to the school’s mission, while maintaining compliance with diocesan policies and reporting requirements.
Responsibilities GAAP Accounting
Engage external audit firm and oversee preparation of the annual financial report
Supervise the annual audit
Maintain financial records in accordance with GAAP
Treasury Services
Maintain banking relationships and ensure Santa Margarita Catholic High School (SMCHS) loan covenants are maintained
Arrange short- and long-term financing as needed
Serve as the school’s primary check signer
Financial Planning and Analysis
Lead development and dissemination of the budget
Collaborate with the President on master and strategic planning
Develop and maintain a forward-looking 5-year financial plan aligned with the overall school strategy
Accounting Oversight
Prepare monthly financial statements and executive reports for the President and Diocese CFO
Review month-end closing documents to ensure accurate journal entries and timely closing of books
Supervise Business Office staff, including hiring, training, and performance management
Oversee and review bi-weekly payroll processing
Oversee tuition receivables and tuition assistance programs
Maintain and monitor internal controls
Campus Store
Supervise the Campus Store Manager to ensure profitable operations
Assist with purchasing and pricing decisions as needed
Additional Duties
Perform other responsibilities as assigned by the President
Qualifications Required:
Bachelor’s degree, preferably in Accounting, Finance, or Business Administration
Minimum of 10 years of progressively responsible experience in financial management
Prior experience in educational or nonprofit organizations
Proven success in budgeting and forecasting, financial reporting and compliance, strategic financial planning, and managing audits and investments
Strong analytical, organizational, and leadership skills
Exceptional communication and interpersonal skills
Demonstrates confidentiality and integrity
Excellent prioritization and project management skills
Must be a team player and self-motivated
Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite and financial management software
Preferred:
Advanced degree or professional certification in business or finance, such as: MBA (Master of Business Administration), CPA (Certified Public Accountant), or CMA (Certified Management Accountant)
Demonstrated understanding of the Catholic faith, its teachings, and values
Physical Requirements Works extensively in an office environment, sitting and standing for long periods of time. Involves repetitive use of computers and telephones and requires the ability to communicate effectively. While performing the duties of this job, the employee will also be required to use hands to handle or feel, and to talk or hear. The employee is frequently required to reach with hands or arms, and occasionally required to walk, stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl. The employee must frequently lift and/or move up to 20 pounds and occasionally lift and/or move up to 35 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and the ability to adjust focus.
Benefits This position includes benefits as outlined in the SMCHS employee handbook.
To apply, please submit an application, cover letter, and resume to HR@smhs.org by October 13, 2025.
Note: This job posting is active as of the date of publication and may be removed after the stated deadline.
#J-18808-Ljbffr
Position Title:
Chief Financial Officer (Full-time, 12-Month)
Job Classification:
Exempt
Department:
Business Office
Reports To:
President
Schedule:
Monday – Friday, occasional weekends and evenings
Pay Range:
$150,000 – $170,000 based on experience, education and qualifications
Supervisory Responsibility:
Business Office Staff, Campus Store Manager
Primary Purpose:
The Chief Financial Officer (CFO) is a member of the school’s administrative leadership team, working closely with the President to ensure the school’s financial health and long-term sustainability. The CFO provides strategic oversight and has primary day-to-day responsibility for planning, implementing, managing, and overseeing all financial-related activities. This includes direct responsibility for accounting, finance, forecasting, strategic planning, compliance, internal controls, and GAAP accounting, as well as oversight of business office functions, treasury services, and the campus store. In alignment with the school’s Catholic identity and the charism of Caritas Christi – the love of Christ – the CFO ensures financial stewardship is conducted with integrity, transparency, and fidelity to the school’s mission, while maintaining compliance with diocesan policies and reporting requirements.
Responsibilities GAAP Accounting
Engage external audit firm and oversee preparation of the annual financial report
Supervise the annual audit
Maintain financial records in accordance with GAAP
Treasury Services
Maintain banking relationships and ensure Santa Margarita Catholic High School (SMCHS) loan covenants are maintained
Arrange short- and long-term financing as needed
Serve as the school’s primary check signer
Financial Planning and Analysis
Lead development and dissemination of the budget
Collaborate with the President on master and strategic planning
Develop and maintain a forward-looking 5-year financial plan aligned with the overall school strategy
Accounting Oversight
Prepare monthly financial statements and executive reports for the President and Diocese CFO
Review month-end closing documents to ensure accurate journal entries and timely closing of books
Supervise Business Office staff, including hiring, training, and performance management
Oversee and review bi-weekly payroll processing
Oversee tuition receivables and tuition assistance programs
Maintain and monitor internal controls
Campus Store
Supervise the Campus Store Manager to ensure profitable operations
Assist with purchasing and pricing decisions as needed
Additional Duties
Perform other responsibilities as assigned by the President
Qualifications Required:
Bachelor’s degree, preferably in Accounting, Finance, or Business Administration
Minimum of 10 years of progressively responsible experience in financial management
Prior experience in educational or nonprofit organizations
Proven success in budgeting and forecasting, financial reporting and compliance, strategic financial planning, and managing audits and investments
Strong analytical, organizational, and leadership skills
Exceptional communication and interpersonal skills
Demonstrates confidentiality and integrity
Excellent prioritization and project management skills
Must be a team player and self-motivated
Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite and financial management software
Preferred:
Advanced degree or professional certification in business or finance, such as: MBA (Master of Business Administration), CPA (Certified Public Accountant), or CMA (Certified Management Accountant)
Demonstrated understanding of the Catholic faith, its teachings, and values
Physical Requirements Works extensively in an office environment, sitting and standing for long periods of time. Involves repetitive use of computers and telephones and requires the ability to communicate effectively. While performing the duties of this job, the employee will also be required to use hands to handle or feel, and to talk or hear. The employee is frequently required to reach with hands or arms, and occasionally required to walk, stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl. The employee must frequently lift and/or move up to 20 pounds and occasionally lift and/or move up to 35 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and the ability to adjust focus.
Benefits This position includes benefits as outlined in the SMCHS employee handbook.
To apply, please submit an application, cover letter, and resume to HR@smhs.org by October 13, 2025.
Note: This job posting is active as of the date of publication and may be removed after the stated deadline.
#J-18808-Ljbffr