Financial Management

CEO Notebook  

  • Gift
  • | Governance

Dialing Back Donor Dollar Expectations

Charitable giving by individuals declined last year and may continue to do so into the future. What does the trend mean for independent schools?
2 min read
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  • Facilities
  • | Planning

Gathering Constituent Input for a Successful Master Plan

Collaborative processes can help ensure new campus facilities align with a school’s mission.
2 min read
  • Endowment
  • | Investments

Rethinking Investment Strategies

Many independent schools face financial challenges related to cash reserves, endowment depletion and operations. Finding ways to align enterprise considerations and investment strategies can help address these issues, sa
2 min read

Projections  

  • Budget
  • | Technology

It’s Time to Commit

From the archives: How can online learning simultaneously mitigate the financial pressures facing our schools and reinforce our ability to personalize the learning experience?
4 min read

CEO Notebook  

  • Budget
  • | Planning

Your Everyday Pursuit of Financial Health

A few tools can help school leaders and the board understand long-term school finances more clearly, talk more productively and act more proactively.
3 min read
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  • Audit
  • | Budget

Accounting Standard Updates Enter Second Year

Expense Classifications
4 min read
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Business Intelligence  

  • Endowment
  • | Investments

Business Intelligence: Schools’ Endowment Assets Grew 7.4 Percent in Fiscal 2018

Commonfund report also provides 10-year analysis going back to 2009, when returns averaged -18 percent.
3 min read
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  • Budget
  • | Facilities
  • | Key Facilities

All In: Total Cost of Ownership at Independent Schools This item is protected.

School facilities are notorious for hiding their true costs. A total cost of ownership approach can help you avoid surprises and make decisions that pay off years down the line.
15 min read
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Strategies  

  • Audit
  • | Facilities

Strategies: Blueprints and Checkboxes: Simplifying the Facilities Audit

With an affordable in-house audit, both your facilities team and your service providers will become more familiar with your campus and more invested in it too.
3 min read
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  • Planning
  • | Risk Management

The Fires Next Time: Climate Change and Business Continuity

Ensuring business continuity in the era of climate change requires thinking ahead to potential worst-case weather scenarios, and budgeting accordingly.
16 min read

CEO Notebook  

  • Leadership
  • | Planning

Where to Start with Mergers and Acquisitions? Three Considerations

Conversations around school mergers have shifted from reactive to proactive. It’s not about failure, but rather preparing for the future.
3 min read
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  • Facility Rental
  • | Financing

Found Money: Untapped Income Opportunities

Look closer. Could there be untapped income opportunities in your facilities, your programs, your operating cash and reserves?
12 min read
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  • Accounting
  • | Audit

Making a Statement This item is protected.

Near and distant changes to not-for-profit audits should provide greater transparency and consistency in describing school finances. “It’s an opportunity to pause and consider things from an enterprise perspective.”
12 min read
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Strategies  

  • Accounting
  • | Audit

Strategies: the Magic Binder

Reconciling every accounting fund every month may sound onerous, but it saves time and headaches down the line — especially during the annual audit.
4 min read
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  • Facilities
  • | Financing

A Capital Plan This item is protected.

From bridge financing to a unique co-location partnership, schools’ construction financing strategies reveal new levels of creativity, resourcefulness and fiscal prudence.
14 min read

CEO Notebook  

  • Budget

Three Positive Trendlines on the Cusp of Spring

Data show independent school finances improved last year, in terms of net tuition revenue, expendable financial resources and annual giving. 
3 min read
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  • Extended Day
  • | Planning

Extended Day, Extending the Brand

After-school programming can and should be much more than an afterthought. This school’s robust and thoughtful program is a powerful differentiator that fosters enrollment growth.
12 min read
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  • Endowment
  • | Investments

Coveting Thy Neighbor’s Returns

Jumping into private equity may look enticing, but it’s better to stick to the basics when investing for your school, according to Permanens.
3 min read
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Risk & Compliance  

  • Planning
  • | Risk Management

Risk & Compliance: Jump-Starting Enterprise Risk Management

Knowing the top risks other independent schools face can help your school avoid getting stuck in the early phases of a risk management program.
4 min read
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Business Intelligence  

  • Planning

Business Intelligence: Independent School Finances Gained Ground in Fiscal 2018

Data from NBOA’s Business Intelligence for Independent Schools reveals modest financial gains for schools on almost all fronts.
4 min read

ON THE HORIZON

15

years is the target ceiling for a school plant's financial "age."

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