Financial and Tax Reporting Manager

Title: Financial and Tax Reporting Manager

Department/Location: Finance / St. Louis, MO

Position Type: Full-time, 12-month

Summary

The Financial and Tax Reporting Manager advances Principia by leading and directing all aspects of the Corporation’s non-payroll tax reporting and external financial reporting. 

Reporting to the CFO, this position plays a critical role in ensuring the integrity, accuracy, and compliance of financial and tax reporting while supporting sound financial decision-making across the institution.  The Manager collaborates closely with the Finance team, Audit Committee, external auditors, banking partners, and internal stakeholders to uphold strong financial governance, regulatory compliance, and operational effectiveness. This role also serves as a key backup to the Chief Financial Officer (CFO), performing CFO responsibilities in their absence or as delegated.

Success in this role requires strong technical accounting and tax expertise, attention to detail, sound judgment, and the ability to maintain complex processes with discretion and accuracy. It also calls for a proactive, service-oriented mindset, effective communication, and the ability to build collaborative relationships across the organization.

Who We Are

At our award-winning Early Childhood through grade 12 Principia School in St. Louis, Missouri, and top-ranked Principia College in Elsah, Illinois, Principia faculty and staff make up a close-knit community of educators, coaches, and professionals taking a distinct approach to education—blending academic excellence with Christian Science-based character education. Principia’s team of over 500 employees supports not only Principia School and Principia College, but also a worldwide network of alumni and friends. 

Principia employees are part of an engaging academic community preparing students to be tomorrow’s leaders, thinkers, and changemakers. We strive to create a collaborative and inclusive environment where everyone feels they belong and are valued.

Primary Responsibilities

• Prepares workpapers in connection with annual audits and tax return processes, including financial and compliance audit of The Principia Corporation, 403(b) audit and Form 5500, IRS Form 990, and College reporting to IPEDs and the Higher Learning Commission 
• Supervises and participates in the preparation of nonresident alien tax returns for Upper School and College students and faculty, including preparation of state tax returns for students with income in multiple states
• Manages day-to-day banking functions and relationships, including preparation of required lender reports and year-end documentation  
• Monitors trust accounts and prepares required reporting to ensure accuracy and compliance 
• Conducts accounting and tax research and evaluates the need for external professional support  
• Evaluates financial operations and recommends process improvements to enhance effectiveness, efficiency, and service delivery 
• Maintains internal controls and ensures the integrity and accuracy of financial data and reporting processes 
• Serves as staff liaison to the Audit Committee and participates in Finance and Facilities Committee meetings. 
• Assists and supports the CFO in business operations of the institution
• Maintains a cohesive team environment

Core Competencies 

Principia values the unique strengths each employee brings to their role. The following competencies are especially important for success at Principia:

• Continuous Learning & Expertise: Demonstrates mastery in your area of responsibility and seeks opportunities for professional growth and development. 
• Accountability & Results Orientation: Manages time and priorities effectively, meets commitments, and consistently delivers high-quality outcomes.
• Problem Solving & Judgment: Approaches challenges thoughtfully, considers multiple perspectives, and makes sound, timely decisions that support institutional goals.
• Proactivity & Ownership: Takes initiative, anticipates needs, and drives projects forward with minimal supervision while taking responsibility for outcomes.
• Excellence & Attention to Detail: Produces accurate, polished, and high-quality work; continuously looks for ways to improve systems, processes, and results.
• Service Orientation: Builds positive, supportive relationships and responds promptly and professionally to the needs of students, colleagues, and other stakeholders.
• Collaboration & Collegiality: Works cooperatively across departments and teams; values input from others and contributes to a positive, respectful environment.
• Communication: Shares information clearly and concisely; listens carefully to others and adjusts communication style for different audiences and situations.
• Inclusion & Belonging: Demonstrates respect for all people; values diverse perspectives and fosters a culture of inclusion, belonging, and mutual respect.
• Leadership: Inspires and guides others with clarity, compassion, and accountability; supports individual and team growth in alignment with Principia’s mission and goals.
• Culture & Team Building: Fosters a culture of trust, collaboration, and open communication; demonstrates genuine care for team members’ well-being and development.
• Resource Stewardship: Manages budgets, time, and resources responsibly and strategically to achieve departmental and institutional objectives.

Minimum Qualifications

• Student of Christian Science preferred
• Supportive of Principia’s guiding statements as articulated here https://www.principia.edu/about/guiding-statements ;
• Bachelor’s degree in accounting, business, or related field; Master’s degree preferred
• Certified Public Accountant (CPA) designation
• Demonstrated knowledge of generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP) and financial reporting requirements 
• Minimum of 8 years of progressively responsible experience in accounting, auditing, or financial and tax preparation, research, and reporting; experience within not-for-profit or education environments preferred
• Experience in financial and business management 
• Demonstrated ability to assemble, analyze, and prepare reports and financial statements involving complex financial data 
• Proficiency with automated accounting systems, spreadsheets, databases, and ERP platforms 

The statements above describe the general nature and level of work, but are not a complete list of responsibilities and are subject to change at the discretion of Principia. 

Compensation and Benefits

We offer a competitive starting salary range for this position: $90,463 - $101,771 annually, commensurate with experience and qualifications.

In addition to salary, our comprehensive total rewards package includes:

• Generous Employee Tuition Discount: Enjoy a 90% discount on tuition (pro-rated for part-time staff) for your eligible children enrolled from Pre-K3 through College (infant and acorn programs excluded). 
• Relocation: Principia provides a relocation reimbursement of up to 12% of your annual salary when moving from outside a radius of more than 50 miles. 
• Professional Development: Access to learning opportunities, training programs, and career growth support.
• Comprehensive Benefits: Learn more about all our benefits here, including comprehensive health, dental, and vision plans, paid time off, a 403(b) retirement plan with Principia matching, and more. 

Equal Opportunity 

Principia, a mission-driven institution, believes every person has the right to an equitable and respectful educational environment and workplace. Principia does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, ethnicity, gender (identity or expression), sexual orientation, family status, disability, age, or military or veteran status. 

In hiring, admissions, and related decisions, Principia—as an institution with a religious mission—gives preference, where appropriate, to Christian Scientists.