Fishburne Military School (FMS), the oldest and smallest all-male military boarding school in Virginia, seeks a new Business Manager to direct all aspects of its internal business operations and to join its management team for the 2026-27 school year. FMS serves young men in grades 6 – 12 with an optimal enrollment between 125 – 150 cadets/students, most of which board on campus, has 50 employees (mostly full-time), and an operating budget of approximately $5M. Charitable giving is approximately $2M per year. The Business Manager reports to the school president and works closely with the finance committee of the board of trustees, especially its chair. The business manager shares an assistant with the Director of Admissions. Employment is full-time, 12 months per year, and renewed annually in advance of the new school year. Major duties of the role include.  

• Supervises and manages the following:
• Manage Accounts Receivable of Tuition and Student Accounts
• Manage Accounts Payable and Vendor Contracts
• Execute and oversee the payroll process utilizing 3^rd party payroll provider
• Perform all school financial accounting functions in collaboration with outside Accounting.
• Monitors Cash Flow to include line of credit and long and short-term debt.
• Coordinates with board endowment committee and Advancement Office on tracking Designated Accounts and transfers to/from Endowment Account and advancement revenue (charitable giving) 
• Responsible for Budgeting and Reporting:
• Plans and directs the budget preparation and execution process.
• Prepares and presents quarterly and end of year Financial Statements, Income Statement and Balance Sheet. 
• Manages Human Resources program to include compliance with federal, state, and local laws:
• Ensure “FMS General Employee Information Policies & Procedures” handbook is current
• Manage vacation/sick day tracking system.
• Maintain master copy of all job descriptions to include FLSA classifications
• Ensure proper storage of all personnel records.
• Track proper assignment of reporting officials and ensure timely completions of personnel evaluations.
• Negotiates and manages execution of all service contracts and lease agreements.
• Ensures completion of an annual full-opinion professional audit and submittal of annual tax returns. 
• Manages the Risk Management Plan
• Negotiates and manages the school insurance programs.
• Ensure Risk Management Plan kept up to date.  
• Responsible for the employee benefit program:
• Fiduciary responsibility for the 403(b) retirement program.
• Maintains current insurance programs: dental, life, health, & long-term disability.
• Oversees the Flexible Spending Account program.
• Responsible for VAIS/NAIS Statistics requirements associated with accreditation requirements.

As a boarding school, broad participation in the life of the school is an expectation to build relationships with cadets and employees to be successful in the role. Participation in weeknight and weekend duty rotations is expected. Occasional transportation of cadets in school vehicles is a requirement. While not an expectation, teaching one class to high school students is negotiable as is coaching. There is no requirement to wear a uniform or accept a commission in the Virginia Militia. If a veteran, the business manager may wear their appropriate service uniform and rank. Some remote work is negotiable.

The ideal candidate possesses a college degree in accounting or finance and ten years’ experience in a business environment. Desirable skills include knowledge of accounting principles, procedures, and rules. Knowledge of financial software (experience with blackbaud a plus). Knowledge of state and federal employment laws related to hiring and terminations; and safety and benefits. Proficient in the use of Microsoft business software or equivalent systems. Familiarity with insurance and banking practices. Experience managing a small staff and working as a member of a larger management team. Compensation and benefits are consistent with other small Virginia boarding schools. Interested persons should send a letter of interest and resume to Colonel Randal E. Brown (VA), President at rbrown@fishburne.org.

About Fishburne Military School

Located in downtown Waynesboro, Virginia, in the bucolic Shenandoah Valley 30 minutes from Charlottesville, Fishburne Military School is a private non-profit non-sectarian boarding school for boys in grades 7 – 12. Ideal enrollment is between 150 – 175 cadets comprised mostly of domestic boarders but also including day and international students. It is governed by an independent board of trustees comprised of alumni and past parents. Fishburne is the oldest military boarding school in Virginia (1879) and the board is committed to its small scale and all male mission. When founded, FMS was modeled after nearby Virginia Military Institute and Fishburne’s iconic barracks quadrangle reflects this. The relationship between the two schools remains close. As a non-sectarian school, the FMS Army JROTC program is part of US Army Cadet Command and rated an honor school of distinction. FMS is accredited by VAIS and is a member of NAIS and TABS. ******************************************************************************************************************************************************* Fishburne embraces its new brand … We see what’s great in you. The student body is comprised of a... core of young men with an affinity for the military and a desire to get an early start on this career. Along with this group are many other boys who were overlooked in their previous settings and not growing to their potential. With its small scale and structure, individual attention, and dedicated faculty and military staff, all of whom understand leveraging relationships to develop young men; Fishburne excels at enabling its cadets to reach their full potential. FMS has a conventional college prep curriculum, but one which is evolving in new and exciting ways with community partners and to develop life skills in our boys. Required athletics and physical training produce not just resilient young men but several each year who go on to play collegiate sports. The vast majority of FMS graduates will go on to civilian higher education. A significant number each year do matriculate to one of the US Service Academies or military colleges. Some boys will elect military enlistment to obtain GI Bill benefits before going to college and still others may pursue specialized technical training. ******************************************************************************************************************************************************* FMS is a small close-knit community that feels like family and this is certainly true of the employees. Most FMS administrators, faculty, and staff are dedicated educators without military experience. The personnel of the Army JROTC Department and Commandant’s Office all possess military backgrounds and direct the Corps of Cadets. In the spirit of “bricks & mortar do not a school make”, these professionals are a great strength. Fishburne offers a wonderful opportunity for educators to join a unique team.

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Connections working at Fishburne Military School