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Senior Manager of Accounting and Finance
Department: Accounting (Client Services)
Location: Hybrid
Employment Type: Full-Time
Reports To: President
Pay: 100K – 130K depending on experience
Role Purpose
The Senior Manager of Accounting and Finance is responsible for full financial oversight of assigned school clients. This role owns the complete school financial cycle, including budgeting, audit coordination, and board-level financial reporting and presentations.
This is a senior, client-facing leadership role focused on school financial management, while also supporting corporate-level accounting functions as needed. The position leads financial strategy and execution for schools, while ensuring strong coordination across accounting operations.
Scope of Responsibility
- Acts as the financial owner for assigned school clients across multiple states
- Oversees delivery of all services outlined in client financial service agreements
- Manages and mentors accounting staff supporting school clients
- Serves as the primary point of contact for school leadership on financial matters
- Represents the organization in board and finance committee meetings
Key Responsibilities
School Financial Cycle Ownership
- Lead and manage the full annual financial cycle for assigned schools, including:
- Annual budgeting process (development, iteration, and board approval)
- Ongoing forecasting and reforecasting
- Year-end close and audit preparation
- Coordination and ownership of the annual independent audit process
- Ensure alignment between budget, actuals, and long-term financial sustainability
- Partner with school leadership on financial strategy and planning
Client Financial Oversight (Schools)
- Provide financial oversight for multiple school clients across different states
- Ensure budgets, forecasts, and financial reports are accurate, timely, and compliant
- Monitor cash flow, funding timing, and financial risks
- Proactively identify issues and provide recommendations to school leadership
Contract & Scope of Work Management
- Ensure financial services delivered align with executed agreements
- Identify out-of-scope services and communicate internally for adjustments
- Maintain clear documentation of responsibilities, timelines, and deliverables
- Partner with leadership to ensure services are appropriately scoped and delivered
Team Leadership & Quality Control
- Manage accounting staff supporting school clients
- Review and approve work related to:
- Accounts payable and receivable
- Payroll review and funding entries
- Grant tracking and reporting
- Bank reconciliations and general ledger activity
- Ensure transactional work is accurate and timely
- Establish standards, checklists, and review processes
- Provide hands-on support as needed to meet deadlines and maintain quality
Financial Reporting & Board Presentation
- Prepare monthly financial reporting packages for school boards
- Present financial results to boards and finance committees
- Explain variances, risks, and projections to non-financial stakeholders
- Translate financial data into clear, actionable insights
- Support school leadership in financial decision-making
- Develop dashboards and customized reports
Compliance, Audit & Grant Oversight
- Ensure compliance with state and federal school finance requirements
- Oversee grant compliance (e.g., Title I, II, III, IV, IDEA)
- Lead the annual audit process, including preparation, auditor coordination, and resolution of findings
- Support GASB 68 and 75 reporting requirements
- Maintain adherence to internal controls and financial policies
Corporate Accounting Support
- Support corporate-level accounting and financial management as needed
- Assist with consolidation, reporting, and special projects
- Provide insight from school-level operations to inform broader financial strategy
Customer Satisfaction & Relationship Management
- Serve as a trusted financial advisor to school leadership
- Maintain strong client relationships and high satisfaction levels
- Address issues proactively and escalate when appropriate
- Support financial literacy and informed decision-making
Role Expectations Around Transactional Work
This role is not primarily responsible for routine transactional data entry (AP/AR/payroll), but provides backup support as needed to ensure continuity, accuracy, and timeliness.
Required Qualifications
Experience
- 6–10+ years of progressive accounting or school finance experience
- Experience as a senior accountant, fiscal officer, or school finance lead strongly preferred
- Experience supporting charter schools or public-sector education preferred
- Demonstrated experience managing staff and reviewing work
- Multi-state school finance experience is a plus
Technical Expertise
- Strong knowledge of school finance, budgeting, and compliance
- Experience with grant accounting and reimbursements
- Audit coordination and leadership experience
- Advanced Excel and financial reporting skills
- Experience with QuickBooks or similar systems
Professional Skills
- Strong client-facing and presentation skills
- Ability to clearly communicate complex financial information
- Highly organized with strong attention to detail
- Proactive, solution-oriented mindset
- Ability to hold teams accountable and drive results