Finance & Accounting Manager

Reporting to : Head of School  School Director

Direct reports : Asst Accounting Mgr and Accountant, Asst Finance Mgr, Finance Supervisor, Senior Purchasing Supervisor

Other key relationships : School Manager, School Director, Head of Primary, Head of Secondary, School Manager, Dept School Manager (Strategic&HR), HR manager, Senior Service Manager, Admission & Marketing Manager.

The Finance & Accounting Manager reports directly to the Head of School, the School Manager and the School Director (to be in compliance with Thai law) and is a member of the senior leadership team.

The Finance and Accounting Manager is responsible for overseeing all financial and accounting functions of the school. This includes financial planning, budgeting, reporting, and ensuring compliance with accounting standards, school policies, and local regulations and law. The position ensures the school's financial sustainability and accountability, providing management with accurate financial information and strategic advice to guide decision-making. It includes leading the finance team, overseeing and reviewing all financial operations.

Key Responsibilities

1. Financial Strategy and Planning

2. Develop and implement financial strategies aligned with the school's strategic plan and objectives.

3. Lead the annual budgeting process, forecasting, and long-term financial planning.
4. Provide financial analysis and recommendations to support management decisions and strategic initiatives.
5. Monitor financial performance and identify risks, opportunities, and cost efficiencies.
6. Lead the development, consolidation, and monitoring of the school's annual operating and capital expenditure budgets.
7. Work closely with department heads and academic leaders to ensure financial resources align with educational and operational priorities.
8. Provide monthly, quarterly and annual financial performance reports, highlighting key variances, risks, and opportunities.
9. Conduct long-term financial forecasting and scenario planning to support strategic goals, enrollment trends, and capital investments.
10. Manage cash flow projections and liquidity to ensure adequate funds for daily operations and future commitments.
11. Oversee bank relationships, investment accounts, and financial instruments to optimize returns and minimize risk.
12. Support the Head of School, School Manager, School Director and Board of Governors with data-driven insights and financial analyses for decision-making.

13. Coordinate with internal and external auditors to ensure compliance.

14. Accounting Operations

15. Supervise day-to-day accounting operations, including accounts payable, accounts receivable and payroll.

16. Review journal entries, reconciliations, and supporting documents to ensure data integrity.
17. Implement and maintain robust internal control systems and accounting procedures.
18. Ensure timely and accurate preparation of monthly and annual financial statements.
19. Ensure compliance with accounting standards, tax regulations, and relevant laws.
20. Liaise with external auditors, banks, and government agencies.
21. Manage cash flow, and investment activities to ensure adequate liquidity
22. Ensure optimal utilization of funds and proper authorization of expenditures.
23. Supervise the full spectrum of accounting operations, including general ledger, accounts payable/receivable, payroll, and fixed assets.
24. Ensure accurate and timely preparation of financial statements, management reports, and reconciliations.
25. Oversee month-end and year-end closing processes, ensuring proper cut-off and completeness of financial data.
26. Review and approve accounting transactions, journal entries, and expense claims for accuracy and compliance.
27. Maintain up-to-date accounting records and documentation in accordance with auditing and regulatory requirements.
28. Implement and maintain an effective chart of accounts tailored to the school's multi-departmental structure (academic, administrative, boarding, etc.).

29. Manage petty cash and ensure proper controls for disbursements and reimbursements.

30. Compliance, Audit, and Taxation

31. Ensure full compliance with local financial laws, accounting standards, tax regulations, and school policies.

32. Prepare and file all withholding tax, expat personal income tax and social security.
33. Liaise with external auditors during annual audits, ensuring timely and accurate submission of audit schedules and documentation.
34. Oversee internal audit activities and recommend improvements in internal control systems to safeguard school assets.

35. Keep abreast of changes in accounting, tax, and education-related financial regulations, and update policies accordingly.

36. Financial Policy, Controls, and Systems

37. Develop, implement, and update financial policies and standard operating procedures (SOPs) to ensure efficiency and transparency.

38. Establish robust internal controls to prevent fraud, misuse of funds, and accounting errors.
39. Ensure procurement and payment processes are transparent, properly authorized, and well-documented.
40. Oversee the implementation and maintenance of the school's financial and accounting systems (Netsuits, PBCS).

41. Lead initiatives to digitize and streamline finance-related workflows, including online payment systems for tuition and fees.

42. Tuition, Fees, and Revenue Management

43. Oversee the billing, collection, and reconciliation of tuition and other school fees.

44. Understand and comply with school policies for discounts, scholarships, and refunds in coordination with admissions and finance committees.
45. Monitor fee payments, identify overdue accounts, and implement follow-up procedures to minimize bad debt.

46. Coordinate with Admissions and Student Services to ensure accurate student billing and enrollment data.

47. Strategic and Operational Support

48. Participate in senior leadership meetings and contribute financial insights to school-wide planning and development.

49. Prepare business cases and feasibility analyses for new programs, facilities, and strategic initiatives.
50. Provide financial projections and analyses for enrollment changes or tuition adjustments.

51. Support grant applications, donor reporting, and partnerships by preparing financial documentation and reports as required.

52. Team Leadership and Development

53. Lead, supervise, train, develop, and evaluate finance and accounting staff to ensure competency, accuracy, and teamwork.

54. Foster a positive and professional work environment emphasizing ethical conduct and continuous improvement.
55. Identify and implement professional development opportunities for the finance team.
56. Collaborate with HR on payroll, benefits accounting, and staff expense reimbursements.
57. Work closely with other departments to ensure financial alignment with operational goals.

Qualifications and Experience

Education: Bachelor's or Master's degree in Business Management, Accounting, Finance, or related field.

CPA, ACCA, or equivalent professional certification preferred.

Experience: Minimum 10 years of progressive experience in accounting or finance, with at least 3 years in a leadership role.

Experience in the education sector or international organization is highly desirable.

Strong understanding of accounting standards (IFRS, Thai GAAP, or equivalent) and local tax regulations.

Skills and Competencies

Technical Skills:

• Advanced proficiency in accounting software
• Strong command of Microsoft Office Suite, especially Excel and financial modeling.
• Comprehensive knowledge of accounting standards and local tax regulations.
• Excellent analytical and problem-solving abilities with keen attention to detail.

Core Competencies:

• Collaboration: Works effectively across departments and with school leadership to achieve shared goals.
• Innovation: Continuously seeks to improve financial processes, tools, and systems for greater efficiency and impact.
• Outcome-Driven: Focused on achieving measurable results that align with the school's mission and objectives.
• Resilience, deal with setbacks and challenges calmly and effectively.
• Community Focus: Understands the needs of the school community and supports a service-oriented approach in all financial operations.
• Integrity & Ethics: Demonstrates transparency, honesty, and accountability in all financial dealings and decisions.
• Diversity & Equity: Promotes fairness and inclusivity in team management and financial policy implementation.
• Resilience: Maintains professionalism, sound judgment, and adaptability under pressure or changing circumstances.
• Strong Strategic, Commercial & Financial Awareness to improve effectiveness and profitability

• Agile - responds and adapts to changing circumstances, manages and solves problems by providing solutions.

• Strategic Thinking & Financial Insight

• Leadership & People Development
• Integrity & Ethical Conduct
• Attention to Detail and Accuracy
• Effective Communication and Collaboration

Working Conditions: Full-time, on-site position.

May require occasional extended hours during audits, budget reviews, or major reporting periods.

Confidentiality

The Finance & Accounting Manager should ensure confidentiality in all matters. They will have access to sensitive and highly sensitive information, systems and documentation. They should disseminate information about children, staff and the wider community with respect and appropriate levels of confidentiality.

Bangkok Prep Commitment to Safeguarding Principles

Bangkok Prep is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. All post holders are subject to appropriate vetting procedures and satisfactory Criminal Background Checks or equivalent covering the previous 10 years' employment history.