People

Joelle Verbestel

SNR Financial Consultant

PBO Advisory Group

Joelle Verbestel is a senior finance consultant at PBO Advisory Group, based in San Diego, California. With over 20 years of experience, she specializes in areas like financial and budget reporting, internal controls, system implementation and HR/payroll. Her previous roles include positions at Mental Health Systems, Partnerships With Industry, the San Diego Housing Commission and the Barona Band of Mission Indians.

Online Courses

Budget Meets Mission: School Finance for Non-Business Leaders

Understand the independent school business model, learn to be a good steward of your school's financial resources and work more collaboratively around financial issues.
Engaging in Difficult Conversations with Employees

Learn to engage with employees in an empathetic manner while still clearly conveying important information and safeguarding your school from liability.
Human Resources Fundamentals for Independent Schools

Learn how to address day-to-day human resources challenges such as evaluation and termination, FMLA, the ADA and employee classification.
Leave Law Boot Camp

Learn about best practices related to employee leave and how federal leave laws intersect and overlap.
Long-Range Financial Modeling

Learn how to customize and manipulate NBOA's Long-Range Financial Model, a powerful financial planning tool for your school.
Measuring Financial Health with the Composite Financial Index

Calculate your school's Composite Financial Index (CFI) score — a tool trusted in higher education for decades — and learn how you can use the score and its 4 underlying ratios to think strategically about your school's financial strengths and weaknesses.
Nonprofit Accounting Fundamentals for Independent Schools

Learn the fundamentals of nonprofit accounting and reporting by exploring governance structures, internal control strategies, financial statements and compliance essentials.
Payroll Best Practices for Independent Schools

Learn about best practices related to payroll including employee classification and overtime pay, deductions and taxability and the complexity of calculating a faculty member’s final paycheck when they leave mid-year.
Safeguarding the Future: Enterprise Risk Management

This course will equip school leaders to identify, document and strategically manage the risks facing independent schools. It covers the principles of enterprise risk management (ERM) and provides tools and resources to institute an ERM program.
Stewarding Donor Dollars: Financial Principles for Contributions

Learn best practices related to gift reporting, compliance and donor stewardship, as well as how to develop a successful and strategic partnership between the financial and development functions at your school.
Strategic HR Leadership

Learn to develop and communicate your school's personnel management strategy and to be responsive to a changing market.
The Business and Art of Financial Aid

Learn tactical best practices related to the financial aid process to enhance the strategic partnership between the business and admissions offices and ensure long-term success.
Wage and Hour Boot Camp

Learn the ins and outs of wage and hour law, including the aspects that are unique to educational environments.

Past Webinars

Facing the Aftermath of Disaster: Lessons & Preparedness Strategies This item is protected

February 6, 2026

Hear firsthand experience navigating the Palisades Fire and discover practical lessons in evacuation, business continuity, board governance and emergency response planning to help your organization prepare for the unexpected.
Business Office & Admissions Partnering on Net Tuition Revenue This item is protected

January 23, 2026

It’s essential to manage enrollment and financial aid in a consistent, sustainable and predictable way — but doing so can be complex and challenging. Learn how established sustainable net tuition revenue targets support mission, program and budget.
Optimizing the Auxiliary Workforce: Compliance, Culture & Sustainability This item is protected

January 9, 2026

This webinar invites school leaders to rethink auxiliary staffing — across summer, afterschool, enrichment and other programs — as a lever for sustainability, compliance and culture-building.
The Fine Art of Handling Conflict for Business Officers This item is protected

December 5, 2025

This webinar will equip attendees with practical strategies to navigate disputes with clarity and confidence, and offers actionable insights on handling complaints and resolving conflict in ways that foster collaboration and strengthen relationships.
Tuition, Trends, Trouble: What College Closures Signal for Independent Schools This item is protected

November 21, 2025

Explore financial sustainability for independent schools by analyzing college closures. Learn strategies to navigate risks and build resilience based on what may be gleaned from higher ed’s warning signs.

Net Assets Articles

Immigration Enforcement: What Independent Schools STILL Need to Know

February 10, 2026

Growing concerns about immigration enforcement underscore the need for clear protocols, informed staff and steady leadership in independent schools.
Redesigning Your Chart of Accounts: The Steps to Success This item is protected

February 9, 2026

To redesign your chart of accounts, schools need a clear strategy, the right expertise and a focus on usability.
Byte-Size AI: Legal Insights and Development Wins This item is protected

February 4, 2026

Hopkins School has tapped generative AI to do initial legal research and queries, and also used it to meet donor interests efficiently and with real depth, among other uses.
Healthy Alternatives: The Health Insurance Trust Model This item is protected

February 3, 2026

Independent schools are using benefits trusts to smooth rate increases and retain surplus.
Healthy Alternatives: Creating a MEWA This item is protected

January 29, 2026

Pooled benefit strategies can smooth renewal volatility, though shared governance means individual employers may need to compromise on coverage choices.

FEATURED

Plan Smarter with the Fully Updated and Expanded NBOA Long-Range Financial Model

The upgraded LRFM helps you model tuition, staffing, and revenue over 10 years. Build confidence in your school’s financial decisions—before they’re made.

RECENT DISCUSSIONS

NBOA CAREERS

Business Officer

Ojai Valley School
Payroll, 401K and Benefits Coordinator

The Windward School
Associate Director College Counseling

Woodberry Forest School

VISIT CAREERS

Joelle Verbestel

Online Courses

Budget Meets Mission: School Finance for Non-Business Leaders

Engaging in Difficult Conversations with Employees

Human Resources Fundamentals for Independent Schools

Leave Law Boot Camp

Long-Range Financial Modeling

Measuring Financial Health with the Composite Financial Index

Nonprofit Accounting Fundamentals for Independent Schools

Payroll Best Practices for Independent Schools

Safeguarding the Future: Enterprise Risk Management

Stewarding Donor Dollars: Financial Principles for Contributions

Strategic HR Leadership

The Business and Art of Financial Aid

Wage and Hour Boot Camp

Past Webinars

Facing the Aftermath of Disaster: Lessons & Preparedness Strategies This item is protected

Business Office & Admissions Partnering on Net Tuition Revenue This item is protected

Optimizing the Auxiliary Workforce: Compliance, Culture & Sustainability This item is protected

The Fine Art of Handling Conflict for Business Officers This item is protected

Tuition, Trends, Trouble: What College Closures Signal for Independent Schools This item is protected

Net Assets Articles

Immigration Enforcement: What Independent Schools STILL Need to Know

Redesigning Your Chart of Accounts: The Steps to Success This item is protected

Byte-Size AI: Legal Insights and Development Wins This item is protected

Healthy Alternatives: The Health Insurance Trust Model This item is protected

Healthy Alternatives: Creating a MEWA This item is protected

FEATURED

Plan Smarter with the Fully Updated and Expanded NBOA Long-Range Financial Model

RECENT DISCUSSIONS

NBOA CAREERS

Business Officer

Payroll, 401K and Benefits Coordinator

Associate Director College Counseling

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