School Controller/ Accounting

Core Responsibilities

• Execute fund accounting processes, carefully tracking restricted, temporarily restricted, and unrestricted revenue.
• Maintain the general ledger with clean records, recording everyday transactions, and completing timely month-end closes.
• Reconcile donor databases with the accounting system to ensure fundraising records perfectly match financial reports.
• Oversee enrollment contracts, tuition billing and fee collections, serving as a compassionate yet structured point of contact for families regarding payment plans.
• Process bi-weekly payroll and manage benefits administration for faculty, staff, and hourly school personnel.
• Execute accounts payable (A/P), verify department budgets, and reconcile school credit cards and reimbursement requests.
• Monitor daily cash flow, especially through seasonal cycles, to ensure steady operating liquidity throughout the school year.
• Prepare financial statements monthly including balance sheet, income statement and departmental budget performance for the President, CFO and the Board of Trustee’s Finance Committee.
• Aid with the annual operating budget in close collaboration with academic department heads and school leadership.
• Lead annual audit preparation, acting as the primary point of contact for external auditors.

Qualifications And Skills Required

• Experience: 4+ years of professional accounting experience, with a heavy preference for backgrounds in non-profits, independent schools, or small-business environments.
• Education: Bachelor’s degree in Accounting, Finance, or a related field.
• Technical Mastery: Solid understanding of non-profit accounting standards (FASB/GAAP) and net asset classifications.
• Software Skills: Experience with non-profit accounting platforms (e.g., Sage, Blackbaud Financial Edge) and tuition management portals (e.g. FACTS).

Preferred Qualifications

• Prior experience managing school-specific operations like student billing, financial aid allocations, or vendor contracts.
• Active CPA or accounting certifications are a plus, but practical non-profit experience is valued most.

Key Competencies

• Mission-Driven Mindset: Passion for supporting a student-centered educational environment and working with a diverse community.
• Discretion & Confidentiality: Absolute integrity when handling sensitive student financial aid files and employee payroll records.
• Adaptable Autonomy: Comfort wearing multiple hats in a small office environment where no task is too small.

Benefits

Tuition Discount: This position qualifies for a dependent student tuition discount benefit of 50% during the first three years of employment and 100% thereafter.