Back Office and CFO Support for Schools, Charters, Nonprofits, and Mission-Driven Organizations
We provide the infrastructure behind impact—so you can close faster, stay audit-ready, and focus on mission instead of spreadsheets.
Trusted by Leading Schools, Charters & Nonprofits
Who We Serve
Specialized back-office leadership for schools, charters, nonprofits, and mission-driven organizations
Schools & Charter Schools
End-to-end financial operations for school and charter leaders who need clarity, confidence, and control.
- Audit-ready monthly close
- On-time CA compliance (CALPADS, P1/P2, SACS)
- Clear cash forecasting
- Board-ready financials
Nonprofits & Mission-Driven Organizations
Financial clarity and operational stability so you can focus on impact, not spreadsheets.
- Restricted vs unrestricted tracking
- Grant reporting + audit-ready docs
- Board-ready cash + runway forecasting
- Clean close and clear narratives
Our Services
Process optimization, financial orchestration, and leadership skilling—all in one partner
Accounting, Finance + Budgeting
Accurate books, on-time closes, audit readiness, and flexible budget models with monthly forecasting.
Accounts Payable
Streamlined, paperless AP with approval workflows, audit trails, and controlled payment execution.
Reporting + Compliance
Board-ready deliverables and on-time submissions including CALPADS, SACS, grants, and filings.
HR + Payroll
Payroll setup and processing, retirement reporting, employee self-service portal, digital onboarding, and salary schedules.
Attendance Accounting
Paperless monthly reports and P1/P2/Annual submissions with accuracy and compliance assurance.
Executive Strategy
Strategic financial partnership for leadership and boards with ongoing guidance and scenario planning.
Why Harness?
Founded in 2023 by a seasoned school leader and former C-level executive, Harness was built to give schools, charters, nonprofits, and mission-driven organizations a smarter, more strategic approach to back-office support. We focus on the right steps and processes so you'll better understand your financial position—with reports that are easy to track and read.
- Small, agile, and deeply experienced—we provide personalized support that larger firms can't match
- Cutting-edge tools and AI-powered systems—modernizing outdated processes to make operations faster and clearer
- First-hand industry knowledge—we understand the challenges schools, charters, and nonprofits face because we've lived them
- Commitment to clarity and care—your mission is our priority
- Focused on skilling and training—empowering your team to become better stewards of their financial responsibilities
Our Team
About Our Founder
Carrie Wagner, CPA, MBA
Carrie Wagner founded HARNESS in 2023 to reimagine back-office support for mission-driven organizations—delivering expert financial and strategic guidance so they can focus on what truly matters: their impact.
Prior to HARNESS, Carrie founded the Girls Athletic Leadership School Los Angeles (GALS), the first all-girls charter middle school in LA. She previously served as COO of Bright Star Schools, CFO/COO of Citizens of the World Charter Schools, and spent 9 years at ExED as President and COO.
Carrie holds an M.B.A. from UCLA Anderson, a B.S. in Accountancy from Notre Dame, and an M.A. in Spiritual Psychology from the University of Santa Monica. She is a Certified Public Accountant (CPA).
Ready for Financial Clarity?
Schedule a no obligation 15-minute discovery call. We'll discuss your needs, confirm fit, and outline next steps.
Book Your Discovery Call