Business Manager

Ambition Preparatory Charter School is deeply committed to ensuring that every student in grades K-8 receives the high-quality education they deserve. Our mission is to provide students with the academic skills and self-discipline needed for college and life success through high-quality instruction, intensive academic supports, and hard work. We are a new college preparatory elementary and middle school serving the students of Jackson, MS.

Responsibilities

• Work with the schools leadership team and back office to prepare the annual budget, and when approved, submit all required budget reports
• Submits State and Federal applications and reporting (i.e. Title, CSP, IDEA Part B, Child Nutrition Program, etc.)
• Oversees all grants management and compliance
• Monitor expenses and ensure adherence to the approved budget
• Prepare financial information and reports as requested by ED, COO, MDE, authorizer, lenders, and various state agencies
• Work with the COO and ED, keeping them apprised of unforeseen expenditures or budget overages, and working together to study program feasibility or requested resources
• Assist and cooperate with outside auditors and the Charter School Authorizer in the conduct of approved audits or review of the School’s fiscal records
• Supports the HR Department with the process of monthly payroll on schedule
• File all required state and federal payroll tax reports
• Assist HR in the management of benefit programs, including retirement, health, and life insurance programs
• Oversee the cash management process
• Coordinate purchasing, bidding, and contracts
• Review invoices and credit card statements, ensuring proper documentation, pay bills in a timely manner, and record expenditures
• Submit grant reimbursement requests to MDE
• Work with the back office to prepare monthly bank reconciliations
• Ensure accounting is consistent with Federal requirements
• Track and file sales tax reports
• Work with the HR office as needed regarding finances, state and federal reporting, and student/staff data systems and records
• Assist with the preparation and planning of financial operations for middle and high school growth
• Assist the COO and Child Nutrition Manager with Child Nutrition Programs and oversight of the National School Lunch Program (including meal applications, required reporting, etc.)
• Assist with policy development and compliance related to financial management
• Supervise administrative staff
• Any other duties assigned by the Chief Operations Officer or Executive Director

Requirements

• Bachelor’s Degree, required
• Master’s Degree, preferred
• At least 5 years of experience working with school accounting, grant compliance, and budget management

Skills

• Strong interpersonal skills with the ability to develop productive working relationships with stakeholders across functional and organizational lines
• Understanding of general accounting principles and federal grant compliance
• Exceptional project management skills with an ability to manage multiple priorities simultaneously
• Meticulous attention to detail with an ability to produce high-quality work in a dynamic environment
• Articulate, professional demeanor with strong self-confidence and initiative
• Team player capable of working both collaboratively and independently
• Strong problem-solving skills
• Demonstrated passion for Ambition Prep’s mission and high standards of excellence
• Strong computer skills, including Google Admin, Microsoft Excel, Word, and PowerPoint
• Innovative, creative, organized, and willing to take risks
• Ability to take constructive feedback and quickly incorporate feedback
• Unwavering commitment to Ambition Prep’s mission, students, families, and community through the implementation of policies and procedures
• Belief that every student can learn at an advanced level regardless of race, culture, or socioeconomic status
• Ability to efficiently adapt in an ambiguous, fast-paced, start-up environment
• Team-oriented with a professional level of growth mindset, maturity, flexibility, promptness, commitment, and organization
• Receptive to constructive feedback with the ability to remodel positive behavior precisely and effectively keeping the common goal of every student in mind