Senior Accountant

Senior Accountant

Providence RI

Reports To: School Business Manager/CFO
Employment Status: Full-time, permanent, 12 months

Position Overview:

Provide technical accounting and procedural support to the business manager in all aspects of the school’s budget, general ledger, and grant management in addition to financial and state reporting for a Rhode Island public high school. Perform professional accounting work of a relatively complex nature. Apply principles of accounting to analyze financial information and prepare monthly financial reports and annual financial statements by compiling information, preparing profit and loss statements, and utilizing appropriate accounting control procedures.

Essential Responsibilities:
● Provide technical and professional accounting and procedural support to the business manager in the execution of control functions, systematic recording of financial activity, and reporting of such activity, with specific emphasis on the completion of the annual financial statements and related audits.
● Provide technical and professional accounting and procedural support to the business manager in the execution of a systematic review and approval of cash transactions and the management of cash balances.
● Manage and maintain general ledger and resolve any discrepancies. Perform journal entries, adjusting entries, closing entries, and reversing entries as needed.
● Work in conjunction with the Accounts Payable Manager to expedite accounting functions such as clarification of account codes, administration of purchase orders, vendor maintenance, journal entry input, and the review and approval of check batches.
● Supervise the input and handling of financial data and review for accuracy and conformity with generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP) governmental accounting standards board (GASB) fund accounting and the Rhode Island Department of Education’s (RIDE’s) Uniform Chart of Accounts (UCOA).
● Upload financial statements and other financial information to the Rhode Island Department of Education’s (RIDE’s) data warehouse.
● Prepare and manage E-Rate funding.
● Monitor and review accounting and related system reports for accuracy and completeness. Ensure information submitted publicly is accurate and complete.
● Monitor and reconcile complex bank accounts weekly. Transfer funds as needed.
● Reconcile payroll and accounts receivable/payable system with general ledger. Conduct periodic reviews of the general ledger system and financial data generated by payroll and accounts receivable/payable staff to ensure conformity and compliance with generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP) governmental accounting standards board (GASB) fund accounting and the Rhode Island Department of Education’s (RIDE’s) Uniform Chart of Accounts.
● Manage and remit employee retirement funds to TIAA biweekly.
● Oversee the management of grants. Monitor financial compliance with applicable regulations. Develop grant budgets with program directors and assist with the grant application process. Prepare, coordinate and file grant reports and fund requests.
● Recommend and implement accounting methods and policies to ensure conformity with generally accepted accounting principles; research and implement changes in legislative and governmental pronouncement as it relates to governmental reporting.
● Establish, maintain, and coordinate the implementation of accounting control procedures. Recommend and implement changes in internal control and operating systems. Recommend areas to be considered for internal audit, prepare audit programs and conduct internal audits.
● Coordinate annual A-133 audit; oversees the selection process for new auditors; prepare work papers, schedules, and other information for auditors and assist independent auditors, as needed.

Other Duties and Responsibilities:
● Provide appropriate support and act as a backup to the accounts payable/receivable and payroll/benefits staff as needed.
● Provide appropriate support in the initiation, preparation, and issuance of standard practices and procedures related to all accounting matters.
● Provide appropriate support to the business manager in the establishment and coordination of relationships with numerous audit functions.
● Perform other duties as required.

Required Qualifications & Skills:
● Bachelor's degree in accounting or related field with a minimum of five years of professional accounting experience, preferably in elementary/secondary education; or any equivalent combination of acceptable education and experience providing the knowledge, abilities, and skills cited above;
● Experience with fund accounting required;
● CPA preferred;
● Knowledge of Tyler Technology Infinite Visions financial systems preferred;
● Experience with personal computers and printers, and with word processing, spreadsheet, and database management software;
● Ability to communicate effectively verbally and in writing and to follow directions and established plans in the completion of assignments;
● Excellent interpersonal skills and demonstrated ability to be a team player.

Licenses, Tools, and Equipment:
Personal computers, printers and word processing, database management, and spreadsheet software.

Environmental Conditions:
This position is not substantially exposed to adverse environmental conditions.

$60,000 - $80,000 per year, plus benefits including medical, dental, vision, 7.5% 403(b) retirement contribution, school vacations, and additional PTO