Independent school business offices must balance efficiency, oversight, and strong segregation of duties, regardless of size. The session explores how staffing structures can support or weaken internal controls as schools grow, contract, or reorganize. Using real school examples, presenters will highlight common control breakdowns and practical ways to reassign responsibilities when ideal staffing is not possible. Participants will consider how outsourcing, shared services, and enhanced oversight can strengthen accountability while improving workflow. Attendees will leave with actionable ideas for right-sizing their business office, reducing risk, and building a more resilient finance function aligned with their school’s needs.
Learning Objectives:
Participants will learn how to evaluate business office staffing structures to identify segregation of duties gaps, recognize common internal control weaknesses, and assess where additional oversight may be needed.
Participants will learn practical strategies for reallocating responsibilities, strengthening oversight, and maintaining effective internal controls when staffing levels, school size, or organizational structures change.
Field of Study: Business Management & Organization Delivery Method: Group Internet Based Program Level: Basic Prerequisites: None Advanced Preparation: None Recommended CPE Credits: 1.2
Dr. Theresa Foy is Chief Financial and Operating Officer at Green Vale School, an independent school serving students from pre-nursery through eighth grade, where she oversees finance, human resources, facilities, and food services. Before joining Green Vale, Theresa held CFOO roles at Collegiate School and Buckley Country Day School. Earlier in her career, she spent many years in corporate leadership at Cablevision, including launching and leading MSG Varsity, an Emmy-winning network covering high school sports. Theresa serves on NBOA’s Board of Directors and is a trustee and finance committee chair at Archbishop Molloy High School. She previously served on the NYSAIS Business Affairs Council and is an active participant in NYSAIS accreditation visits. Theresa holds a bachelor’s degree from Providence College, an MBA from NYU Stern, and a doctorate in education from the University of Pennsylvania, where her dissertation examined hiring practices for women leaders in education.
Pamela MacAffer
Assistant Head of School for Finance and Operations
Rye Country Day School
Pamela Goldman MacAffer returned to Rye Country Day School in July of 2021 to assume the senior administrative position of Assistant Head for Finance and Operations. Prior to this, Ms. MacAffer served primarily as the Chief Financial and Operations Officer at The Albany Academies (The Albany Academy and Albany Academy for Girls). In this leadership role, she was responsible for managing all aspects of the school's daily operations, annual budgeting, financial reporting, and human resources. During her tenure, she oversaw eight multi-million-dollar capital projects. In 2007, Ms. MacAffer also played a major role in the successful merger of The Albany Academy and Albany Academy for Girls. Ms. MacAffer’s involvement in school life extends beyond business operations. She has served as Dean of Students, Director of Enrollment Management, Faculty member in Leadership and Economics, Advisor, and Chief Development Officer at Albany Academy for Girls. She possesses broad and deep knowledge about various aspects of independent school communities.
CPE Information NBOA is registered with the National Association of State Boards of Accountancy (NASBA) as a sponsor of continuing professional education on the National Registry of CPE Sponsors. State boards of accountancy
have final authority on the acceptance of individual courses for CPE credit. Complaints regarding registered sponsors may be submitted to the National Registry of CPE Sponsors through its website: www.nasbaregistry.org.
SHRM Information NBOA is recognized by SHRM to offer SHRM-CP or SHRM-SCP professional development credits (PDCs). Webinars that have met SHRM's criteria to be pre-approved for recertification credit will be noted above. For
more information about certification or recertification, please visit www.shrmcertification.org.
HRCI Information NBOA is a recognized provider of recertification credits. Webinars that have met the HR Certification Institute's criteria to be pre-approved for credit towards aPHR™, PHR®, PHRca®, SPHR®,
GPHR®, PHRi™ and SPHRi™ recertification will be noted above.
A research report analyzing trends across 18 key financial and operational indicators over five years. Use this report to benchmark performance, stress-test assumptions and make informed decisions, as external forces continue to challenge long-term financial sustainability.
