EXEMPT: 12-MONTH
START DATE: May 2025
MISSION
Wilmington Friends School offers a college preparatory curriculum—including athletics, the arts and community service—in which Quaker values and high expectations are mutually supportive. The defining belief of Quakerism is that there is “that of God” in everyone. That belief gives rise to a school community that welcomes a variety of faith traditions and where we share an obligation to seek and answer what is best in ourselves and in others. Students at Friends are challenged to realize their potential: as learners, well prepared to succeed in college and career; as leaders, recognizing their power and opportunity to be agents of change; and as active and responsible members of communities, from the classroom to the world. The school seeks to serve students, age two through grade twelve, who demonstrate ongoing promise in their ability to succeed at Friends, both academically and in meeting expectations for integrity and conduct.
SCHOOL DESCRIPTION (Annual Budget Oversight: $22 Million)
Wilmington Friends School is an independent Preschool to 12 Quaker, college preparatory, day school located in Wilmington, Delaware and enrolling approximately 730 students. We are committed to academic excellence and the Quaker values of simplicity, peace, integrity, community, equality, and stewardship. Our finance team drives strategic financial management and ensures rigorous stewardship of institutional resources in support of our educational mission.
POSITION OVERVIEW
The Controller serves as a key strategic financial leader, overseeing complex accounting operations, financial reporting, and audit processes while maintaining the highest standards of fiscal responsibility and regulatory compliance. This role requires deep technical expertise in non-profit accounting, financial systems integration, and strategic planning to support our school's long-term sustainability and growth.
KEY RESPONSIBILITIES
Financial Leadership and Strategy
As Charge Controller, you will orchestrate comprehensive financial operations including multi dimensional budgeting processes, sophisticated cash flow modeling, institutional financial reporting, and complex audit coordination. Your strategic counsel will be instrumental in advising the Director of Finance and Operations on matters including debt management, investment strategy, financial risk assessment, and long-range planning initiatives. A critical aspect of your role will be leading the Finance Department team, where you'll implement best practices in financial operations while fostering a culture of analytical rigor and professional development.
Financial Planning and Analysis
Your expertise will drive the development of sophisticated financial models incorporating multiple variables for enrollment forecasting, revenue projection, and scenario planning. You will oversee the implementation and management of advanced fixed asset tracking systems, multi year budgeting frameworks, and rolling financial projections. This includes designing and maintaining complex reporting systems to monitor departmental expenditures against budgets, creating detailed variance analyses, and developing actionable recommendations based on statistical trending and market analysis.
Risk Management and Compliance
You will serve as the primary architect of the institution's financial compliance framework, ensuring adherence to FASB guidelines, regulatory requirements, and industry best practices. This encompasses designing and implementing robust internal controls, maintaining GAAP compliance, and overseeing all aspects of financial reporting and disclosure. You will collaborate with multiple departments to develop comprehensive risk assessment protocols and establish metrics for monitoring and mitigating institutional financial exposure.
Audit Management and Oversight
You will lead all aspects of the annual audit process, including coordination with external auditors, preparation of comprehensive audit schedules, and management of the entire audit lifecycle. This involves overseeing the preparation of financial statements in accordance with GAAP, managing the development of footnotes and disclosures, and ensuring compliance with current accounting pronouncements. Your role includes implementing audit recommendations, strengthening internal controls, and maintaining documentation of accounting policies and procedures. You will also manage any special audits or reviews required for grants, government funding, or other specific purposes.
QUALIFICATIONS
The position requires a bachelor's degree in Accounting, Finance, or related field, with CPA or MBA strongly preferred. Candidates should have a minimum of 10 years of progressive financial management experience, with substantial exposure to non-profit accounting and educational institutions. Demonstrated expertise in audit management, financial systems implementation, and team leadership is essential.
Technical Skills
Personal Qualities
The successful candidate will combine technical expertise with strategic vision and collaborative leadership. We seek an individual who demonstrates intellectual curiosity, analytical precision, and the ability to communicate complex financial concepts to diverse audiences. The role requires someone who embodies professional stability, exercises sound judgment, and maintains an unwavering commitment to ethical principles and Quaker values.
Working Environment
Our school provides a professional environment that values intellectual rigor, continuous improvement, and work-life balance. We offer a competitive compensation package that includes:
EEOC STATEMENT
It is Wilmington Friends School’s policy to provide equal employment opportunity to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, sex (including pregnancy), religion, national origin, age, disability, genetic information, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital status, first responder status, or other protected status in accordance with applicable federal and state laws. It is the intent and resolve of Wilmington Friends School to comply with the letter and the spirit of the law in the implementation of all facets of equal opportunity. This equal opportunity policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment including, but not limited to, hiring, placement, training, promotion, compensation, termination, and retirement.
If interested and qualified, please send your resume to ShaQuan Buffaloe at sbuffaloe@wilmingtonfriends.org
About Wilmington Friends School
Founded in 1748, Wilmington Friends School (WFS) is the oldest independent school in Delaware and the eleventh oldest in the nation. WFS is a preschool through 12th grade Quaker day school enrolling approximately 700 students.
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