Senior Specialist, Finance Operations

The Senior Specialist, Finance Operations at Success Academy is responsible for managing, modernizing, and elevating the company's financial obligations and operational workflows. This role involves transitioning from standard transactional processing to high-level departmental oversight, focusing on maximizing end-to-end efficiency, championing artificial intelligence and automation innovations, and optimizing the comprehensive monthly closing process.

About the Role

We are a large, fast-growing, and high-performing network of public charter schools dedicated to providing every student with a fair shot at reaching their potential. The ideal candidate will be a proactive problem-solver with deep technical and accounting proficiency, paired with a collaborative leadership mindset.

Responsibilities

• Identify, evaluate, and implement pioneering ideas and AI-driven solutions to streamline the entire invoice-to-pay lifecycle and enhance overall departmental efficiency.
• Oversee the review, coding, and processing of high-volume vendor invoices, ensuring total precision, utilizing automated validation tools, and securing proper internal departmental approvals.
• Manage and optimize weekly payment runs via ACH, wire transfers, and checks to balance cash flow priorities with strong vendor relationships.
• Direct monthly vendor statement reconciliations and spearhead the resolution of complex discrepancies or past-due balances across all operating accounts.
• Maintain secure digital and physical financial records to ensure rigorous data integrity. Manage 1099 filings, ensure total accuracy in AI-driven data extraction, and lead annual audit preparations.
• Serve as the primary senior point of contact for complex vendor inquiries and internal departmental billing strategy, while mentoring and leading the day-to-day work of the finance team.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in Accounting, Finance, Business Administration, or a related field.
• 5+ years of progressive experience in Accounts Payable, operational accounting, or finance operations.
• Demonstrated success leading or contributing to finance transformation initiatives, including process redesign, system implementation, or automation efforts.
• Experience working in complex, high-volume environments where accuracy, speed, and compliance are critical.
• Advanced Excel proficiency (e.g., PivotTables, XLOOKUP/VLOOKUP, data modeling, and reconciliation).
• Hands-on experience with enterprise financial systems such as NetSuite, SAP, Workday, Coupa, Zip, or similar ERP/procurement platforms.
• Exposure to or strong interest in modern AP automation tools, including OCR-based invoice processing, intelligent matching engines, and workflow automation solutions.
• Comfortable working with data to diagnose issues, improve processes, and support decision-making.

Qualifications

• Exceptional organizational skills with a proven ability to manage competing priorities in deadline-driven environments.
• Meticulous attention to detail, especially in financial reconciliation, reporting, and compliance-related work.
• Natural problem-solver who actively identifies inefficiencies and implements scalable, technology-enabled solutions.
• Clear, confident communicator who can influence and collaborate across finance, operations, HR, and school leadership teams.

Skills

• Advanced Excel proficiency (e.g., PivotTables, XLOOKUP/VLOOKUP, data modeling, and reconciliation).
• Hands-on experience with enterprise financial systems such as NetSuite, SAP, Workday, Coupa, Zip, or similar ERP/procurement platforms.
• Exposure to or strong interest in modern AP automation tools, including OCR-based invoice processing, intelligent matching engines, and workflow automation solutions.
• Comfortable working with data to diagnose issues, improve processes, and support decision-making.

Benefits

Success Academy offers a full benefits program and opportunities for professional growth. Exact compensation may vary based on skills and experience. This position is not bonus eligible. Compensation Range: $115,000 - $130,000 USD.

Pay

Exact compensation may vary based on skills and experience. This position is not bonus eligible. Compensation Range: $115,000 - $130,000 USD.

Schedule

Not specified.

Benefits

Success Academy offers a full benefits program and opportunities for professional growth. Please refer to the Benefits section for details.