Skip to main content
HomeAISH Leadership Series - Box4 Finances
_Finance_Course_Card_3.png

ALIGNING YOUR MISSION AND YOUR FINANCES

Financial literacy is a critical skill for school leaders and board members striving to make mission-aligned, strategic decisions.

AISH offers two complementary courses designed to build financial confidence and competence across experience levels. The Basics in Financial Management of International Schools course provides foundational knowledge for those new to school finance, including principals, new Heads, board members, and finance team members. The Advanced Topics: Aligning Mission and Finances course is designed for experienced leaders and board members ready to tackle complex financial decisions and long-term planning.

Past participants have found it valuable for members of the school's leadership team to take the course together including principals, finance staff members, deputy heads, and board members. The course is also helpful for Finance directors new to the business of education.

Leadership teams may also take the courses together at a discounted group rate. Please contact office@academyish.orgfor more information.

THE BASICS OF FINANCIAL MANAGEMENT

Strong financial stewardship is essential to a school’s success—and every leader and board member plays a role. This course introduces the fundamentals of financial management in international schools, tailored for those new to the business side of education. Topics include budgeting, financial reporting, cash flow, and aligning resources with strategic goals.

Over four modules (approximately 4 hours per week), participants will engage with video lessons, curated readings, reflective exercises, and three live discussions. Content is differentiated by role—principal, new director, finance leader, or board member—allowing participants to tailor their learning.

Whether you're a principal, a new Head, a finance team member, or a board member, this course equips you with the practical tools and shared vocabulary to better understand your school’s financial landscape and support mission-driven decision-making.


NEXT COURSE: October 16 - November 7, 2025

COST: $395 (AISH Members); $595 (Non-Members)

REGISTER

 

ADVANCED PRINCIPLES IN FINANCIAL MANAGEMENT

This advanced course is designed for experienced school leaders and board members ready to strengthen the alignment between their school’s mission and its financial strategy. Through four differentiated modules (4 hours/week), participants explore complex financial topics such as revenue-cost analysis, multi-year compensation and budgeting, capital development, and data-informed budgeting.

With asynchronous learning and three live cohort sessions, the course offers opportunities to reflect on your school’s current practices, compare them with best-practice principles, and identify strategic next steps.

Ideal for Heads of School, experienced directors, board members, and leadership teams, this course supports deeper collaboration across roles to ensure that financial decisions advance the long-term health and vision of the school.


2025-2026 Dates:  November 10 - December 6  OR February 16 - March 13, 2026

COST: $395 (AISH Members); $595 (Non-Members)

REGISTER: November 2025                                                                 REGISTER: February 2026

 

MEET YOUR INSTRUCTOR:

DR. ALAN KNOBLOCH

 

A former supervisor commended Alan for being someone who can translate school finance to the educators and the business of education to Board members. Alan has over 20 years experience as a school administrator working in the Middle East, Asia, and Africa. 

 

 

 

He has worked with Board Finance Committees at three different schools and, as a Deputy Superintendent at the Shanghai American School, he was named Chief Budget Officer in charge of an annual budget in excess of $100 million. Dr. Knobloch is the current Head of School of the International School of Hamburg in Germany. 

 

 

 

During his tenure as Director of the International School of Dakar, ISD significantly improved staff compensation, completed a $7.5 million construction project, while increasing the school’s financial reserves due to effective long-range financial planning and strong internal controls. Contact Alan at aknobloch@ishamburg.org.