People

Tom Arnold

Chief Financial and Operating Officer

Western Reserve Academy

Hudson, OH

Thomas Arnold is chief financial officer and operating officer at Western Reserve Academy, which he joined in 2014. He previously worked at Robert Morris University and Chatham University and as vice president for finance and administration at Shady Side Academy. Arnold leads all areas of finance, facilities and auxiliary operations as well as ensures compliance in all human resources, risk management and legal matters. The recipient of Crain's CFO of the year award, Arnold serves on the board of directors for NBOA and as program coordinator for the Association of Business Officers of Preparatory Schools (ABOPS). He holds an MBA.

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

Blending Respect and Efficiency in the Business Office This item is protected

February 20, 2026

Join members of NBOA’s volunteer Human Resources Council for a practical discussion on strategies to safeguard your working hours without compromising collegial relationships —all while saving time.
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.

Net Assets Articles

Sharing a Director of Sustainability This item is protected

March 5, 2026

Two schools jointly hired for this single position, which has propelled both schools’ sustainability goals.
Paid-Time-Off Benefits: 2024-2025 Benchmarks This item is protected

February 27, 2026

Shifts from the 2022-23 school year were generally small, with notable increases in parental leave and decreases in sick leave.
What Disney’s New CEO Can Teach Us About Beloved Leadership

February 24, 2026

His focus on not just the customer but also the employee experience may resonate with independent schools looking to retain faculty and staff.
Low and No-Cost Strategies to Retain Teachers This item is protected

February 23, 2026

When the demand for high-quality teachers became greater than the supply, leaders at the Frances Xavier Warde School developed a new teacher retention system.
Transition Tips from an HR Expert This item is protected

February 23, 2026

Seven people‑centered steps to help CFOs transition smoothly to a new school.

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

Aftercare Assistant (Part-Time)

Lake Highland Preparatory School
Facilities Technician AM Supervisor - Facilities

Lake Highland Preparatory School
Administrative Coordinator to the Office of Mission & Ministry

Stuart Country Day School of the Sacred Heart

VISIT CAREERS

Tom Arnold

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

Blending Respect and Efficiency in the Business Office This item is protected

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

Net Assets Articles

Sharing a Director of Sustainability This item is protected

Paid-Time-Off Benefits: 2024-2025 Benchmarks This item is protected

What Disney’s New CEO Can Teach Us About Beloved Leadership

Low and No-Cost Strategies to Retain Teachers This item is protected

Transition Tips from an HR Expert This item is protected

FEATURED

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

RECENT DISCUSSIONS

NBOA CAREERS

Aftercare Assistant (Part-Time)

Facilities Technician AM Supervisor - Facilities

Administrative Coordinator to the Office of Mission & Ministry

Become an NBOA Member