MELISSA HABER
Summary
Skilled financial manager with expertise in accounting, budgeting, and audits. Demonstrates proven leadership in supervising and developing accounting teams, fostering collaboration, and implementing strategic financial plans that strengthen organizational performance.
Overview
17
17
years of professional experience
Work History
Chief Financial Officer
The Gunston School
Centreville, Maryland
07.2021 - Current
- Oversee full accounting cycle including general ledger, accounts payable/receivable, monthly close, and financial reporting, ensuring compliance with GAAP standards.
- Manage annual financial audits and serve as primary liaison with external auditors and regulators, ensuring accurate reporting and timely completion.
- Direct preparation of IRS Form 990 and coordinate multi-state tax filings, maintaining compliance with federal and state regulations.
- Supervise and develop accounting staff, fostering a culture of accountability, accuracy, and continuous improvement.
- Administer and optimize financial systems and automated accounts payable and spend management platforms, streamlining processes and improving efficiency.
- Develop and monitor multi-million-dollar budgets, providing financial modeling and analysis to support strategic decision-making.
- Implement and monitor robust internal controls to safeguard assets, strengthen compliance, and enhance operational efficiency.
- Monitor cash flow and optimize return on short-term investments to support liquidity and organizational priorities.
- Collaborate cross-departmentally with a customer service mindset, ensuring compliance with financial policies while providing clear, timely, and actionable financial insights that support colleagues and senior leadership in achieving organizational goals.
- Oversee school operations including facilities, risk management, insurance, human resources, and benefits administration, ensuring compliance, safety, and effective service delivery.
- Serve as primary staff liaison to Board committees, providing financial reporting, planning models, and operational updates to support governance and long-term strategy.
Assistant Head of School for Finance and Operations
Kent School
Chestertown, Maryland
07.2016 - 06.2021
- Oversaw the day-to-day operation of the school including finance, facilities and security, budgeting and planning, purchasing, technology, endowment, risk management, legal, housekeeping, human resources, summer programs, transportation, and related interactions with parents, faculty, staff, administration, and Board of Trustees.
- Oversaw the full accounting cycle including general ledger, accounts payable/receivable, monthly close, and financial reporting, ensuring compliance with GAAP standards.
- Managed annual financial audits and served as primary liaison with external auditors and regulators, ensuring accurate reporting and timely completion.
- Directed preparation of IRS Form 990 and coordinated multi-state tax filings, maintaining compliance with federal and state regulations.
- Administered and optimized financial systems.
- Developed and monitored multi-million-dollar budgets, providing financial modeling and analysis to support strategic decision-making.
- Monitored cash flow and optimized return on short-term investments to support liquidity and organizational priorities.
- Collaborated cross-departmentally with a customer service mindset, ensuring compliance with financial policies while providing clear, timely, and actionable financial insights that supported colleagues and senior leadership in achieving organizational goals.
- Served as primary staff liaison to Board committees, providing financial reporting, planning models, and operational updates to support governance and long-term strategy.
Director of Admission
Indian Creek School
06.2014 - 06.2016
- Directed admissions operations, including recruitment, enrollment, and re-enrollment, while partnering with senior leadership to align enrollment goals with strategic and financial priorities.
- Collaborated with the Business Office, Financial Aid, and IT teams to streamline admissions and re-enrollment processes, leveraging new technologies to improve communication and efficiency.
- Produced, analyzed, and presented admissions statistics, benchmarking data, and trend reports to senior leadership and the Board of Trustees to inform decision-making.
- Developed and managed the admissions budget, supervised staff and volunteers, and coordinated open houses, fairs, and recruitment events to attract and retain mission-appropriate students.
- Fostered collaborative relationships with families, faculty, trustees, and alumni to strengthen retention and advance the school’s enrollment strategy.
Associate Director of Finance and Operations
Indian Creek School
Crownsville, Maryland
06.2011 - 07.2014
- Managed Business Office operations including payroll, tuition billing, accounts receivable, and expense transactions, ensuring accuracy and compliance.
- Oversaw departmental budgets, capital asset procurement and depreciation, vendor contracts, and insurance policies to safeguard assets and support financial accountability.
- Coordinated the annual audit, re-enrollment contracts, and compliance reporting (IRS, NAIS, AIMS, Maryland DOE), ensuring timely and accurate submissions.
- Implemented and optimized financial and operational systems providing training and support to improve efficiency.
- Partnered with the Head of School, CFO, and board committees on budgeting, financial analysis, and strategic planning to guide decision-making.
- Supervised staff across finance and operations while maintaining compliance with employment laws, internal controls, and risk management protocols.
Executive Assistant to the Director/Outreach Coordinator
Stanford University
Pacific Grove, California
10.2008 - 05.2010
- Oversaw sponsored research funds, including procurement, budget monitoring, and financial management.
- Coordinated student admissions, recruitment events, and re-enrollment activities in collaboration with academic and business office staff.
- Produced financial, enrollment, and community benchmarking reports while managing newsletters, websites, and publications to communicate results and initiatives.
- Represented the institution in cross-campus partnerships, community programs, and public events, strengthening relationships with stakeholders and enhancing institutional visibility.
Education
Doctor of Education - K-12 Educational Leadership and Policy
Vanderbilt University
05.2026
Master of Science in Education - Educational Leadership, Data Based Decision Making and Organizational Improvement
Johns Hopkins University
05.2012
Bachelor of Science - Business Management
University of South Carolina
05.2007
Skills
- Excellent data handling and analysis skills
- Microsoft Office Suite (Excel, pivot tables)
- ADP Payroll
- Quickbooks Pro
- Blackbaud Financial Edge & Raiser's Edge
- Continuous learning mindset
Board Service
- Treasurer, Kent County Chamber of Commerce, 2023 - Present
- Finance Committee Member, Kent School, 2021 - Present
Timeline
Chief Financial Officer
The Gunston School
07.2021 - Current
Assistant Head of School for Finance and Operations
Kent School
07.2016 - 06.2021
Director of Admission
Indian Creek School
06.2014 - 06.2016
Associate Director of Finance and Operations
Indian Creek School
06.2011 - 07.2014
Executive Assistant to the Director/Outreach Coordinator
Stanford University
10.2008 - 05.2010
Doctor of Education - K-12 Educational Leadership and Policy
Vanderbilt University
Master of Science in Education - Educational Leadership, Data Based Decision Making and Organizational Improvement
Johns Hopkins University
Bachelor of Science - Business Management
University of South Carolina
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