Business Manager

Overview

Fishburne Military School (FMS), the oldest and smallest all-male military boarding school in Virginia, seeks a new Business Manager to direct all aspects of its internal business operations and to join its management team for the 2026-27 school year. FMS serves young men in grades 6–12 with an optimal enrollment between 125–150 cadets/students, most of which board on campus, has 50 employees (mostly full-time), and an operating budget of approximately $5M.

Charitable giving is approximately $2M per year. The Business Manager reports to the school president and works closely with the finance committee of the board of trustees, especially its chair. The business manager shares an assistant with the Director of Admissions. Employment is full-time, 12 months per year, and renewed annually in advance of the new school year. Major duties of the role include.

• Supervises and manages the following:
  • Manage Accounts Receivable of Tuition and Student Accounts
  • Manage Accounts Payable and Vendor Contracts
  • Execute and oversee the payroll process utilizing a 3rd party payroll provider
  • Perform all school financial accounting functions in collaboration with outside Accounting
  • Monitors Cash Flow to include line of credit and long and short-term debt
  • Coordinates with board endowment committee and Advancement Office on tracking Designated Accounts and transfers to/from Endowment Account and advancement revenue (charitable giving)
• Responsible for Budgeting and Reporting:
  • Plans and directs the budget preparation and execution process
  • Prepares and presents quarterly and end of year Financial Statements, Income Statement and Balance Sheet
• Manages Human Resources program to include compliance with federal, state, and local laws:
  • Ensure “FMS General Employee Information Policies & Procedures” handbook is current
  • Manage vacation/sick day tracking system
  • Maintain master copy of all job descriptions to include FLSA classifications
  • Ensure proper storage of all personnel records
  • Track proper assignment of reporting officials and ensure timely completions of personnel evaluations
• Negotiates and manages execution of all service contracts and lease agreements
• Ensures completion of an annual full-opinion professional audit and submittal of annual tax returns
• Manages the Risk Management Plan
  • Negotiates and manages the school insurance programs
  • Ensure Risk Management Plan kept up to date
• Responsible for the employee benefit program:
  • Fiduciary responsibility for the 403(b) retirement program
  • Maintains current insurance programs: dental, life, health, & long-term disability
  • Oversees the Flexible Spending Account program
• Responsible for VAIS/NAIS Statistics requirements associated with accreditation requirements

As a boarding school, broad participation in the life of the school is an expectation to build relationships with cadets and employees to be successful in the role. Participation in weeknight and weekend duty rotations is expected. Occasional transportation of cadets in school vehicles is a requirement. While not an expectation, teaching one class to high school students is negotiable as is coaching.

There is no requirement to wear a uniform or accept a commission in the Virginia Militia. If a veteran, the business manager may wear their appropriate service uniform and rank. Some remote work is negotiable.

The ideal candidate possesses a college degree in accounting or finance and ten years’ experience in a business environment. Desirable skills include knowledge of accounting principles, procedures, and rules. Knowledge of financial software (experience with Blackbaud a plus). Knowledge of state and federal employment laws related to hiring and terminations; and safety and benefits. Proficient in the use of Microsoft business software or equivalent systems.

Familiarity with insurance and banking practices. Experience managing a small staff and working as a member of a larger management team. Compensation and benefits are consistent with other small Virginia boarding schools. Interested persons should send a letter of interest and resume to Colonel Randal

E. Brown (VA), President at rbrown.