Director, Franchise Accounting

Join the Goddard Systems, LLC (GSL) corporate team and help shape a nationally recognized leader in early childhood education!

GSL supports approximately 700 Goddard School locations across the U.S., helping franchisees deliver high-quality, play-based learning to more than 100,000 children and families. Our corporate team drives the strategy, systems, and support that enable schools across the network to thrive!

Position Summary

This role is responsible for leading financial reporting, accounting operations, audit activities, and financial support processes across The Goddard School franchise system and corporate schools. The role exists to strengthen financial accuracy, controls, reporting, and scalable processes while supporting growth initiatives and providing actionable financial insights to leadership. Through effective financial management and support of the franchise system, this role helps support Goddard's mission to partner to create joyful, supportive environments where children flourish.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead school financial reporting processes, including data integrity, exception reporting, analysis, and ongoing enhancements across the franchise system.
• Serve as the Accounting lead for the system's billing and collections module in partnership with Information Technology and School Support Services, including system enhancements, issue resolution, testing, and process optimization.
• Oversee electronic payment processing operations to ensure accuracy, efficiency, compliance, and effective internal controls.
• Lead the development and ongoing administration of the financial support model for corporate schools, including grants and subsidy programs.
• Lead the system-wide supply chain initiative and financial training initiatives in partnership with School Support Services.
• Develop and maintain standardized accounting policies, procedures, and best practices across the franchise system.
• Analyze system financial data to identify trends, risks, and operational opportunities and provide actionable insights to leadership.
• Lead coordination and oversight of third-party school audits and develop an internal audit program for compliance areas not covered by third-party audits.
• Support new growth models through financial modeling, analysis, and review, and provide financial guidance related to franchisee growth requests, transfers, and other franchise financial transactions.

Core Skills

• Lead financial reporting and accounting processes across a multi-unit business environment.
• Analyze financial data and translate findings into actionable recommendations for senior leadership.
• Manage billing, collections, electronic payment processing, and related internal controls.
• Lead audit and compliance activities, including third-party audits and internal audit processes.
• Develop and implement accounting policies, procedures, and standardized financial practices.
• Lead cross-functional initiatives involving Finance, IT, operations, and franchise stakeholders.
• Develop and deliver financial training and guidance to internal and external stakeholders.
• Support financial analysis and modeling for growth initiatives and franchise transactions.

Supporting Skills  

• Experience with franchise, multi-unit, or education-sector financial operations.
• Experience supporting corporate-owned locations or business units.
• Experience with grants and subsidy programs.
• CPA or MBA.
• Experience leading supply chain or system-wide operational initiatives.

Minimum Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in Accounting, Finance, or a related field.
• 10+ years of progressive accounting and finance experience, including leadership experience.
• Experience with financial reporting, billing and collections systems, payment processing, and internal controls.
• Strong analytical skills with the ability to translate financial data into actionable insights for senior leadership.
• Demonstrated ability to lead cross-functional initiatives and partner effectively with IT, operations, and franchise stakeholders.
• Excellent communication and training skills.

Success in This Role

• Establish strong oversight of school financial reporting and improve visibility into data accuracy, exceptions, and system-wide financial trends.
• Strengthen billing, collections, payment processing, and related controls in partnership with IT and School Support Services.
• Establish effective financial support processes for corporate schools and related grant and subsidy administration.
• Implement or enhance audit, compliance, and standardized accounting processes across the franchise system.
• Build strong cross-functional relationships and provide leadership with actionable financial insights that support operational decisions and growth initiatives

Physical Requirements

• Ability to perform work in the position's primary work environment.
• Ability to remain stationary and operate a computer and other standard office technology for extended periods.
• Ability to communicate effectively in person, virtually, by telephone, and in writing with employees, franchise stakeholders, and other business partners.
• Ability to occasionally move files, documents, and office materials necessary to perform essential job functions.
• Ability to travel periodically for business meetings, training, and Company events, as needed.

The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed and are not intended to be an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, skills, duties, or physical requirements associated with the position.

There will be periodic requirements to travel for in-person events, at the discretion of your manager or the requirement of the company.