Net Assets

Leadership

2023 NBOA Annual Meeting: Movers & Shakers & Builders & Makers: Suneel Gupta

Opening keynote speaker Suneel Gupta shares insights on instilling wellness into organizational culture and winning internal buy-in for new ideas.

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Leadership

Today’s Price for Timeless Value

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Leadership

2023 NBOA Annual Meeting: Movers & Shakers & Builders & Makers: Suneel Gupta 11 min read

Opening keynote speaker Suneel Gupta shares insights on instilling wellness into organizational culture and winning internal buy-in for new ideas.

Voices from the Field

Leadership
| Professional Development

The Business Office of One 7 min read

Business officers who are their school’s sole employee in finance share the highlights, challenges and opportunities they see.

CEO Notebook

Change Management
| Leadership

Too Important To Fail: Communicating Change 4 min read

Change is always hard, but some approaches are more painful to stakeholders than others.

CEO Notebook

Leadership
| Membership

Ingredients for Leadership: People, Mood Check, Time 4 min read

Our most critical issues cannot be solved without leadership that that takes time to listen.

The University of Southern California admissions staff in 1992.

Other Duties As Assigned

Admission
| Leadership

Beyond Gatekeeping 6 min read

Once an admissions “roadrunner,” this leading enrollment officer continually evolved in her role as the field did the same.

Voices from the Field

Leadership
| Membership

Given a Second Chance 6 min read

Following a serious heart attack, this business officer restructured his work so that he can continue living to his fullest.

Feature

Communication
| Leadership

The Collaboration Conversation 9 min read This item is protected.

Three business officers in Northern California banded together to improve transportation for their schools. Now a larger group of 20 is considering solutions across the business office.

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Boards and Trustees
| Governance
| Leadership

Business Office Basics: New Trustee Orientation by the CFO 3 min read

To lay the foundation for a strong relationship, consider how to present key points at the appropriate level.

CEO Notebook

Culture
| Human Resources
| Leadership

Leaders Are Not Responsible for Success. They Are Accountable for It. 5 min read

Four insights can help us meet the calls for leadership that have only been growing louder in recent years.

Culture
| Diversity and Inclusion
| Technology

Digital Accessibility: Operational and Cultural Considerations 7 min read This item is protected.

When those overseeing physical and digital accommodations work together, the impact on school culture is stronger and more inclusive.

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Culture
| Leadership

Business Office Basics: Entry Interviews 3 min read

Former long-time business officer, recent interim CFO, and founding member of NBOA Jim Pugh shares wisdom he has collected in his decades of service to independent schools.

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Diversity and Inclusion
| Legal
| Technology

Digital Accessibility: Legal Considerations 10 min read This item is protected.

Recent ADA guidance puts new emphasis on making websites and digital assets accessible to all.

Leadership
| Membership

NBOA Leadership Academy Takes Root 4 min read

The program’s success indicates that business office leaders and staff alike have an appetite for the executive skills to help advance their schools.

CEO Notebook

Legal
| Risk Management

Defending Our Independence 6 min read

If courts deem that independent schools receive federal funds simply due to our tax-exempt status, are we truly independent anymore?

Other Duties As Assigned

Accounting
| Leadership
| Membership

A Seat at the FASB Table 4 min read

This business officer represents independent schools on the FASB Not-for-Profit Advisory Committee.

CEO Notebook

Culture
| Leadership

Spend a Minute Thinking, Gain an Hour’s Insight 4 min read

To enhance productivity and creativity for all employees, consider building in time to zoom out, reflect and refuel at work.

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Culture
| Diversity and Inclusion

The Business Case for DEI: Structural Solutions 17 min read This item is protected.

Business officers are helping schools move beyond aspirational goals toward real change.

Projections

Culture
| Employment

Show Them More Than the Money 7 min read

Increasing compensation is only one factor in teacher and staff retention. Consider how your school articulates value proposition to faculty members and listens to their concerns.

CEO Notebook

Diversity and Inclusion
| Leadership

Bring Your Whole Self to Work, and Others Will Too 4 min read

As school leaders face another summer of employee “churn,” it is essential to ensure everyone feels comfortable in the school community to improve their chances of retention.

CEO Notebook

Culture
| Membership

Business Officers Make the Best Company 4 min read

As new business officers gathered last week to learn and connect, we were reminded of the incredible community business officers have created.

Projections

Budget
| Financing

Today’s Price for Timeless Value 6 min read

Resist letting fears of escalating inflation hijack your tuition-setting and budget-setting conversations this school year.

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Budget
| Forms
| Planning

Business Office Basics: The Department Budget Request Form 4 min read

Distributing a budget request form in the fall will build good will across the school and give you a comprehensive view of school needs and wants.

Strategies

Budget
| Enrollment

The Cost-Per-Enrollment Calculation 5 min read This item is protected.

While the calculation requires collaboration, the results can help schools achieve their goals more efficiently.

Budget
| Financing
| Investments

Independent Schools Brace for the Headwinds of Inflation 5 min read This item is protected.

To react quickly and appropriately to new market conditions, independent schools should understand inflation trends and prepare for potential outcomes.

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Accounting
| Financing
| Procedures

Business Office Basics: The Monthly Operating Statement (P&L) and Quarterly Balance Sheet 4 min read

These financial reporting strategies can help business officers and their finance teams focus on value-added initiatives and strategic work to to improve their school's governance and control.

Facilities
| Planning

Wellness by Design: Ideas and Actions for a Healthier Campus 7 min read

To help combat adolescent stress and to give both students and staff a breather, schools are investing in school wellness centers that emphasize connectedness.

CEO Notebook

Reports
| Research

Context Makes School Data Actionable 4 min read

When presented with purpose, financial data can make all the difference in preparing your school for the road ahead.

Other Duties As Assigned

Accounting
| Leadership
| Membership

A Seat at the FASB Table 4 min read

This business officer represents independent schools on the FASB Not-for-Profit Advisory Committee.

Strategies

Investments
| Policy
| Risk Management

Developing a Cryptocurrency Policy 3 min read This item is protected.

Accepting cryptocurrency is relatively straightforward, but holding it requires careful consideration.

Image of Zoe Schwam coaching hockey at Portledge School

Other Duties As Assigned

Accounting
| Membership

If the Hat Fits, Wear It 3 min read

Holding roles as diverse as hockey coach and human resources director, this now director of financial reporting has deep connections across her school.

CEO Notebook

Membership
| Planning

NBOA’s New Strategy Begins and Ends With You 5 min read

Member insights were crucial in developing NBOA’s new strategic framework – and we’ll need your feedback today and going forward to assess its progress.

Photo of the Pine Crest School business office staff.

Voices from the Field

Cash Management
| Reports

The 2022 recipient of the Ken White Distinguished Business Officer Award, Nancy Greene, is known for mastering advanced strategies in finance and risk, and communicating their importance to colleagues and peers.

Diversity and Inclusion
| Endowment

Room to Grow: Becoming an Anti-Racist Institution 4 min read

Miss Porter’s School has leveraged its large endowment and operating budget to challenge systemic racism. Miss Porter's is one of three schools to receive this year's Innovation Excellence Award.

CEO Notebook

Budget
| Change Management
| Leadership

Low-Cost, High-Impact Innovation 5 min read

As we move away from the forced changes of pandemic years and into intentional innovation, consider a few low- to no-cost efforts successfully undertaken by colleges and universities.

Membership
| Planning

Strategies: Strategic Financial Planning for School Business Leaders 3 min read

NBOA’s latest book provides key considerations to help professionals new to independent school business succeed in their leadership roles.

Cash Management
| Financial Aid

Business Intelligence: Pandemic Predictions and Outcomes in School Finance 4 min read

Mid–2020, business officers predicted a bumpier outcome for FY21 than came to pass. Deficits and cash draws were smaller, while aid awards were higher.

Employee Benefits
| Tax

Tax Implications of Head-of-School Compensation Packages 6 min read

Fringe benefits included in head-of-school packages may help attract strong candidates, but be aware of compliance issues.

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Accounting
| Audit

2022 Accounting and Tax Updates and Reminders for Independent Schools 7 min read

A number of areas, including leases and employee retention credits, may require renewed attention this year.

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Boards and Trustees
| Gift
| Leadership

Other Duties as Assigned: Who’s Asking? 5 min read

A strong relationship with a long-time donor made this business officer the best person to make a major ask to fulfill a pressing need.

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Accounting
| Tax