TAS is currently seeking a seasoned Chief Financial Officer (C.F.O.) to start from July 1, 2024.

Position Overview

The Chief Financial Officer (CFO) is responsible for managing the financial operations of the school, ensuring its financial health, stability and sustainability. This role will oversee all financial reporting, budgeting, forecasting, financial analysis, compliance requirements and operations of Human Resources and Technology departments. The CFO will work closely with other senior administrators to develop and implement financial strategies that support the school’s mission and strategic plan, with oversight by the Head of School. The CFO will oversee three administrators and approximately 50 staff members working in three departments – Finance, Human Resources, and Technology.

The school is seeking candidates who possess relevant experience in not-for-profit organizations, especially schools; work experiences in Asia and Taiwan; and, preferably, bilingual capability: English (required), Mandarin (desired).

Taipei American School

Taipei American School was founded in 1949 and is one of Asia’s top independent schools, offering an American-based Education to students in pre-kindergarten (KA) through Grade 12. The school offers both AP and IB courses for our students, allowing our learners to personalize their courses to their learning goals. As of November, 2023 enrollment is 2,365 students. The school will be conducting its Diamond Jubilee year-long celebration in school year 2024-25.

Our campus is located in a northern suburb of Taipei called Tianmu, and houses all three of our divisions - Lower, Middle, and Upper School.

School Mission

Taipei American School’s mission is to cultivate an enduring commitment to learning, personal well-being, and service. We provide a broad American-based education with a global perspective that develops students of character who are committed to making the world a better place.

Fast Facts

Founded: 1949
Total students (2023-24): 2,365
Total faculty headcount: 322
Total support staff headcount: 294
Student/teacher ratio: 7.8

School Leadership

David Frankenberg is to assume leadership of TAS on July 1, 2024, succeeding Evelyne Estey, interim Head of School. Mr. Frankenberg is currently Head of School at Drew in San Francisco, California, and has previously served as Secondary School Principal at Oakwood School in Los Angeles, as well as in a variety of roles – teacher, coach, and Dean of Students – at St. Andrew’s School in Buenos Aires, Argentina.

Key Responsibilities

The Chief Financial Officer reports to the Head of School and is the primary staff person liaising with the Management & Resources (M&R) and Audit committees of the Board of Directors. In addition to strategic and day-to-day management of three departments (Finance, Human Resources, Technology), the CFO will work closely with every senior member of the TAS team, especially with its COO.

Financial Management

• Develop and implement financial strategies that support the organization’s mission and goals
• Manage and oversee all financial operations, including accounting, budgeting, forecasting, and financial analysis
• Ensure the accuracy and completeness of all financial records, including the general ledger, all sub-ledgers (e.g., PP&E, accounts receivable, accounts payable, etc.), payroll, and financial systems
• Prepare and present financial reports to the Head of School and Board of Directors, providing analysis and recommendations, as needed
• Ensure compliance with all financial reporting and regulatory requirements, including tax filings, U.S. GAAP-compliant audits, and other reporting requirements
• Manage relationships with external partners, including banks, auditors, and other financial service providers

Budgeting and Forecasting

• Develop and oversee the annual budgeting process, working closely with the Head of School, the program managers and other stakeholders to develop realistic and achievable budgets
• Monitor actual performance against budget and provide regular updates and analyses to the Head of School and Board of Directors
• Develop and maintain financial forecasting models that support long-term financial planning and decision-making

 Strategic Planning and Leadership

• Work closely with the Head of School and administration leaders to develop and implement strategic plans and goals that support the organization’s mission and vision
• Provide leadership and mentorship to the Controller and the entire finance team, fostering a culture of continuous improvement and professional development
• Collaborate with other administration leaders to develop and implement strategies that support the organization’s mission and goals
• Represent TAS at various international and role-specific associations relative to the role of the CFO
• Monitor regulatory and best practice developments by belonging and contributing to listservs, such as National Business Officers Association (NBOA) or equivalent in Asia

Board Relations and Reporting

• Primary staff person to the M&R and Audit committees of the Board of Trustees
• Report on the financial performance of the organization to the Board of Directors, including regular updates on budget performance, forecasts, and financial risks and opportunities, and the preparation and presentation of U.S. GAAP-compliant audited financial Statements
• Collaborate with the Head of School to develop and implement financial policies and procedures that align with the organization’s values and strategic goals, with oversight by the Board of Directors · Represent the organization at internal and external events and meetings, providing financial guidance and support as needed

 Tax Filing and Compliance

• Oversee the timely and accurate filings of tax documents or those required by regulatory bodies in all required jurisdictions
• Manage relationships with external auditors and other financial service providers to ensure compliance with all reporting and regulatory requirements
• Ensure compliance with the filing requirements of all appropriate Taiwan, US tax returns and other U.S. reports (403b retirement audits and other IRS filings) and compliance with all current rules and regulations

Human Resources (HR) and Technology Infrastructure and Data (TI&D)

• Supervise HR activities; including compensation, benefits, employee relations, recruitment, and immigration
• Oversee employee compliance with school policies and practices.
• In coordination with school-wide data management: provide ad hoc analyses as required; work on budgets and projections; complete industry surveys; and help automate processes to minimize data entry
• Work with the Deputy Head of School and Human Resources to ensure sound management and tracking, and support the strategic and effective evolution of the School’s Professional Development program
• Supervise TI&D operations, including the Director of Technology
• Work with the Chief Operating Officer and Director of Technology in establishing capital project spending priorities, overseen by the M&R Committee and Board of Directors; assist in budgeting and tracking implementation
• Work with the Finance, HR teams and Director of Technology to review the IT architecture and platforms supporting Finance and HR processes and develop a plan to upgrade platforms, where appropriate

 Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Accounting, Finance, or related field; MBA or CPA (U.S.) strongly preferred
• At least 10 years of progressively responsible experience in financial management, with at least 5 years in a not-for-profit organization, preferably in education
• Proven track record of successful financial management, including experience developing and implementing financial strategies, managing budgets, and overseeing financial reporting and compliance
• Strong leadership and management skills, with experience building and leading high-performing teams
• Excellent analytical, problem-solving, and decision-making skills
• Strong communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to communicate financial information to non-financial stakeholders
• Passion for the mission and work of the organization
• Passionate interest in mentoring others and working as a team
• Strong communication skills, both written and verbal, are key to the position. Proficiency in Mandarin would be a distinct asset although not a requirement.

To Apply

Interested and qualified candidates should submit the following documents (preferably in PDF format) through this online link.  

• A cover letter expressing interest in this position
• A current and comprehensive résumé
• A list of five professional references with name, relationship, phone number, and email address of each (references will not be contacted without the candidate’s permission)