Sr. Finance Business Partner

Sr. Finance Business Partner

REPORTS TO:            Regional Head of FP&A |Dotted Line to Heads of School

STATUS:                     Exempt/Salaried
DIRECT REPORTS:    Yes

LOCATION:               On-Site | Bellevue Children’s Academy & Willows Preparatory School

COMPENSATION:    $125-135k USD (commensurate with education and experience)

About our Schools

Bellevue Children’s Academy (Preschool-4) and Willows Preparatory School (5-12) are private schools for children in Preschool through 4th grade (850 student) and 5th – 12th grades (250 students). We offer an individualized Preschool – 4th with an emphasis on core academic subjects. Our students are academically advanced, working at least one or two grade levels ahead of state expectations. Our curriculum is set against international standards, not state standards, further preparing our children to be dynamic and advanced thinkers and learners. Both schools are a member of the International Schools Partnership (ISP), a consortium of high performing international schools located across the globe.

Purpose of Role:

We are looking for a “hands-on, roll-up sleeves” Senior Finance Business Partner (SRFBP) who is a skilled Sr. Financial Planning Analyst who serves as a financial business partner to the Heads of Schools. This SRFBP will be responsible for providing relevant and proactive financial advice to support the Heads of School in effectively managing the schools’ finance (forecasting and budgeting) with a cost-control focus.  The SRFBP will be responsible for analysing financial data, detecting trends, and developing forecasts. In this role, you will be expected to provide accurate financial information to the Heads of School and their teams for decision-making purposes. You will also be responsible for identifying and analysing potential financial risks and opportunities.

To be successful in this role, the candidate MUST have the ability to not only be a strong financial analyst, but most importantly a dedicated financial partner to our Heads of School in supporting them in managing their school’s budget.

ISP Principles

Begin with our children and students. Our children and students are at the heart of what we do. Simply, their success is our success. Well-being and safety are both essential for learners and learning. Therefore, we are consistent in identifying potential safeguarding issues and acting and following up on all concerns appropriately.

Treat everyone with care and respect. We look after one another, embrace similarities and differences and promote the well-being of self and others.

Operate effectively. We focus relentlessly on the things that are most important and will make the most difference. We apply school policies and procedures and embody the shared ideas of our community.

Learn continuously. Getting better is what drives us. We positively engage with personal and professional development and school improvement.

Key Responsibilities:

Cash Flow and Capex

• Ensure that local cash management is optimized.
• Record and report local bank balances regularly.
• Record capital expenditure for all major projects and assess the impact of significant cash outflows on cash forecasts.
• Prepare & report cash flows accurately & timely, and that surplus cash is repatriated to the Parent company.

Finance Business Partnering

• Collaborate with Functional Heads on procuring items.
• Support the Head of Schools and the leadership team with strategic decision making.
• Collaborate and report to the Head of Schools on Actual and Budgeted financial activities.
• Collaborate and report to the Regional Finance team on all Actual and Budgeted financial activities.
• Assist Regional Finance Team with audit requests.
• Perform financial forecasting and budgeting to support business planning and decision-making processes.
• Analyze financial data and create financial models for forecasting, trending, and results analysis.
• Prepare financial reports and presentations to the schools’ Senior Leadership Team, the Regional Team, Group FP&A and Group Controlling.
• Develop, track, and maintain financial performance metrics (KPIs) to measure the effectiveness of business operations.
• Identify and recommend strategies to improve financial performance and reduce costs.
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams to support business initiatives and projects.
• Understand key business drivers.
• Assist with monthly close processes.
• Ensuring compliance with financial guidelines, company policies, and relevant legal regulations
• Stay up to date with industry trends and best practices in financial analysis and reporting.

Financial Planning & Budgeting

• Supporting the development and implementation of best financial practices.
• Completing the financial forecasting for both schools.
• Managing to, and partnering with the Heads of school to achieve the financial targets and objectives.
• Partner with the Heads of School to support financial decisions and budget process.
• Collaborate with Heads of school to successfully complete the preparation of both schools operating budget.
• Responsible for preparing financial reporting to share with Heads of School, Regional Teams and Group central teams.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Highly detailed-oriented, known for accuracy and high-quality work.
• Critical thinking skills, naturally inquisitive, ability to spot issues and bring resolution.
• Excellent organizational skills with the ability to pivot and reprioritize.
• Strong interpersonal, written, and oral communication skills.
• Strong teamwork and collaborative skills.
• Knowledge of general accounting principles, regulatory standards, and compliance requirements.
• Advanced skills MS Office, especially Excel including Vlookups and pivot tables.
• Hands-on experience with accounting software systems – i.e., Netsuite, etc.
• Ability to learn and operate computerized accounting programs.
• High degree of confidentiality related to sensitive information.
• Excellent aptitude for numbers and quantitative skills.
• Strong mathematical, analytical, problem-solving skills.
• Effective organizational, stress and time management skills.
• Demonstrates a sense of urgency and ability to meet deadlines.
• Ability to manage and prioritize multiple projects and deadlines.
• Ability to work independently and as a team member.
• Consistently interacts positively with internal and external customers.
• Ability to sit at a desk in front of a computer for extended periods of time.
• Work in a matrix environment.
• Proven track record in the ability to meet hard deadlines.

Experience & Requirements:

• Bachelor's degree in finance or accounting required.
• 5+ years of experience in financial analysis and planning or related field.
• Certified Public Accountant (CPA) or Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) designation preferred.
• Prior school or education industry accounting experience is a plus.
• Ability to produce and present financial modeling and budgeting.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills.
• Ability to present financial findings and recommendations to non-financial audiences.
• Ability to work independently and as part of a team.
• Proficiency in financial modeling and forecasting.
• Experience with budgeting and financial planning.
• Knowledge of Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP) and International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS).
• Experience with financial reporting and analysis.
• Detail-oriented and experience working in a fast-paced environment.

E-Verify Participation:
BCA, WPS and ISP U.S. participates in E-Verify and will provide the Federal Government with your form I-9 information to confirm that you are authorized to work in the U.S.

ISP Commitment to Safeguarding Principles

BCA, WPS and ISP is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. All postholders are subject to appropriate vetting procedures and satisfactory Criminal Background Checks or equivalent covering the previous 10 years’ employment history.

ISP Commitment to Diversity, Inclusion and Belonging

BCA, WPS and ISP is committed to strengthening our inclusive culture by identifying, hiring, developing, and retaining high-performing teammates regardless of gender, ethnicity, sexual orientation and gender expression, age, disability status, neurodivergence, socio-economic background or other demographic characteristics. Candidates who share our vision and principles and are interested in contributing to the success of ISP through this role are strongly encouraged to apply.