POSITION: VP of Finance and Accounting
LOCATION: DSST: Home Office located in Denver, CO
SALARY: $132,500 - $160,000 based on relevant experience up to 10 years.
STATUS: Full time year-round, benefits eligible, exempt, in-person position with three days per week onsite at the DSST: Home Office and two days of flexible off-site work
START: Immediate
The VP of Finance and Accounting is a strategic leader responsible for ensuring DSST’s financial health and direction stays aligned with DSST’s mission to eliminate educational inequity through a transparent budgeting process, robust financial reporting, and ensuring compliance with all external financial metrics. The VP of Finance and Accounting will partner closely with the COO and other Senior Leadership Team members to provide financial updates, risks, opportunities, and direction to the organization.
KEY ROLES & RESPONSIBILITIES
Organizational Financial Management (35%)
Provide strategic financial leadership to DSST through appropriate budget targets and provide guidance to the Chief Operating Officer and other members of the Senior Leadership Team to ensure the short-term and long-term financial strength of the organization
Oversee the financial planning cycle processes including annual budgets, quarterly mid-year forecasts, and annual long-term forecasts
Leverage knowledge of financial reporting to identify strategic opportunities to Senior Leadership Team and other network budget owners
Develop strong financial reporting systems that provide up to date, accurate, and actionable financial data to end users
Enhance and monitor staff planning and salary models
Update financial policies to ensure alignment between budgets and the mission critical work of the organization
Oversight of Accounting Operations (35%)
Lead the annual audit process to ensure auditors have all information requested to perform the audit in a timely manner
Work proactively with our audit partners throughout the year to understand changes in reporting requirements and changes are made internally to capture newly required information
Coordinate the preparation of all required tax returns
Clearly define, document, and communicate accounting functions and internal control procedures to all staff as necessary
Understand and research the evolving landscape in the financial risk, internal controls, and accounting standards space and make recommendations for appropriate action to the COO
Provide leadership on GAAP and GASB standards and communicate necessary information to Senior Leadership Team and network staff as needed
Partnerships (15%)
Develop and maintain strong relationship with school district leaders
Finalize, share and present financial information to the Board of Directors and relevant committees of the Board
Oversee the banking relationship for the network
Sit on the DSST 401K Committee to provide oversight of the network retirement plan
Sit on the DSST Workday Governance Committee to provide oversight on the network’s use of Workday and lead any change efforts related to the financial functional areas.
Team Leadership (10%)
Lead the accounting and finance teams to achieve network, organizational and department goals. Develop Manager of Accounting and Sr Manager of Finance to achieve personal and professional goals
Define and track Finance Department OKRs to ensure highest leverage workstreams are prioritized and executed
Manage Finance Department budget
Additional Duties (5%)
Model our Core Values, Commitment to the Human Condition, and our commitment to equity as a Leader within the Network
Play an active leadership role in building and sustaining Home Office culture
Engage with our school communities to actively build relationships between our schools and the home office
Participate in & support the execution of Home Office & Network-wide events
Minimum Qualifications
Bachelor’s Degree from an accredited college or university
10+ years of Accounting or Finance related experience, preferably in the education or non-profit sector
5+ years of progressive leadership experience in the Accounting or Finance space
6+ years experience in team or department management
6+ years experience managing multiple projects, work streams, or initiatives
6+ years of demonstrated success in meeting or exceeding multiple team/department goals
Ability to take full ownership and responsibility for the success of multiple departments, priorities, and goals
Excellent written and oral communication skills particularly when communicating with senior leaders
Excellent organization, time management, and follow-through; a high sense of urgency
Full commitment to DSST’s mission, vision, and core values
Who We Are
At DSST Public Schools, we are proud to achieve transformational results for our 7,500+ students — 97% of whom attend a Green (top-rated) school. Just as important is how we achieve them: values-centered, human-focused, and together.
We invite educators and leaders who share our belief that there is more in us — more brilliance, more courage, more possibility — to join us.
Our Impact
100% of DSST graduates have been admitted to college or a postsecondary program
15 of 16 schools rated Green on the 2024–25 SPF
9 out of 10 DSST families would recommend DSST to a friend
95%+ of staff say their managers check in regularly and care about them as people
Why Work at DSST?
At DSST, our Quantum 5 Culture defines how we help every team member grow, belong, and thrive.
Comprehensive Compensation & Benefits: Competitive pay and a Total Rewards package that includes fertility and adoption support, educator-focused mental-health care, and everyday perks like Safeway grocery discounts.
Growth & Opportunity: Weekly 1:1 coaching, data-driven feedback, and clear career pathways such as Apprentice Teacher and Emerging Leader.
Rewards & Recognition: Core Value and TOAST Awards, milestone celebrations, and the signature Flower Person Award honoring staff who help our community flourish.
Whole Human Wellness: Access to the Therapist of Color Collaborative, Wellness Wednesdays, comprehensive health coverage, and six weeks of paid parental leave.
Thriving in Colorado: Time to recharge with 11+ weeks off each year, relocation support for out of state applicants, and local discounts that help you enjoy life in our beautiful sunshine filled state.
Learn more about our Quantum 5 Culture and Compensation & Benefits.
Equal Employment Opportunity and Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion
DSST Public Schools is proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer and does not exclude participation in, deny benefits to or discriminate on the basis of, race, color, religion, National origin, sex (including pregnancy and related conditions, sexual orientation, or gender identity), Age (40 and older), Disability, Genetic information (including employer requests for, or purchase, use, or disclosure of genetic tests, genetic services, or family medical history), retaliation for filing a charge, reasonably opposing discrimination, or participating in a discrimination lawsuit, investigation, or proceeding in admission or access to, or treatment or employment in its programs and activities.
Physical Demands
The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to talk and hear. This position is active and may require standing, walking, bending, kneeling, stooping, and crouching throughout the day. The employee must lift and/or move items up to 30 pounds. The employee must have sufficient hand, arm, and finger dexterity to operate a computer keyboard and other office equipment. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and ability to adjust focus.