Accounting Specialist

Job Description

Job Description

Job Title: Accounting Specialist (“Specialist”)

Department: Finance

Classification: Full time, Non-exempt, Benefits-eligible

Reports to : Chief Strategic Financial & Operations Officer

Pay Rate : Minimum: $45K, annualized and start rate depends on qualifications

For more information about Austin Waldorf School, Inc. visit Home - Austin Waldorf School. Austin Waldorf School, Inc. does not discriminate on the basis of any legally protected category.

Applicants who are selected for an interview will be required to read the full Job Description.

The job may close prior to any posted close date. Time is of the essence in submitting your application.

General Description

The Specialist supports the financial operations of the School by performing a variety of accounting, bookkeeping, and administrative tasks. This role typically focuses on processing financial transactions, maintaining accurate records, reconciling accounts, and ensuring compliance with internal policies and accounting standards. The Accounting Specialist works under the direction of the Chief Strategic Financial & Operations Officer (CSFOO) to support month‑end and year‑end closing activities, provide accurate reporting, and help maintain the overall integrity of the School’s financial data.

Education and Basic Requirements

1. High School Diploma or GED.

2. Three (3) years of successful accounting experience in work with similar responsibilities and duties.

3. Successfully pass background and credit checks.

4. Must possess a valid Class C Texas Operator's License with a satisfactory driving record.

Preferences

1. Bachelor's Degree in Accounting from an institution accredited by the U.S. Department of Education.

2. Knowledge of QuickBooks and ADP.

Required Knowledge, Skills and Abilities (advanced unless otherwise noted)

1. Knowledge of accounting principles and practices including GAAP, GASP, relevant federal and state laws, School ordinances, policies and procedures.

2. Acquire and maintain a working knowledge of the School's financial software.

3. Proficient in Google Sheets and other Google Workspace tools used for financial documentation and team collaboration.

4. Understand and apply established rules to the maintenance and production of financial records.

5. Excellent oral and written communication skills.

6. Strong math, analytical and problem solving skills.

7. Ability to communicate clearly and concisely, both orally and in writing.

8. Establish and maintain effective working relationships.

9. Ability to be on time and regular in attendance, work occasionally after hours or weekends, and attend meetings as needed.

10. Be flexible and organized to handle other assignments.

11. Possess a keen eye for detail and use diligence in identifying and correcting errors.

12. Use logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions or approaches to problems.

13. Ability to perform a broad range of complex financial, accounting and administrative responsibilities independently with limited supervision.

Physical and Mental Requirements

The Specialist must have and/or meet the following physical and mental requirements with or without reasonable accommodation.

1. The ability to learn, understand, remember, and communicate information about the job.

2. The ability to understand the meaning of and use and speak words understandably and effectively in the English language.

3. Good hearing and listening abilities, that is, must be able to hear spoken words from co-workers, supervisors and others.

4. Good motor coordination skills, that is, must be able to coordinate his or her eyes, hands and fingers rapidly and accurately in order to handle precise movements such as typing.

5. Make and use repetitive hand motions over an extended period, as when typing.

6. Work effectively under pressure and deadlines.

7. Sit, stand, move around, bend, reach, grasp, stretch, push and pull, and remain sitting or upright for extended periods of time in one room.

8. Must be able to lift or move objects weighing as much as 20 pounds.

9. The activities and the approximate amounts of time required per day for each are shown below. The percentages may not sum to one-hundred (100) percent.

a. Sitting - 65%

b. Bending - 5%

c. Standing - 5%

d. Lifting and moving objects up to 20 pounds - 5%

e. Pushing or pulling - 5%

f. Reaching - 5%

g. Moving within and without the office environment - 10%

Essential Job Duties

The Specialist must satisfactorily perform the following essential job duties in the areas shown below with or without reasonable accommodation.

Accounts Payable

Take ownership of accounts payable including the receipt of invoices. timely payment of vendors and organization of electronic storage. Knowledge of QuickBooks (both Desktop and Online) and Google Drive is a plus.

1. Invoice entry and accounts payable processing of payments

   1. Check writing

   2. Payments through vendor portals

   3. Tracking autopay for some vendors

2. Vendor record creation and maintenance

3. Reimbursements

4. Substitute Teacher pay

5. Independent Contractor payments

6. Monthly bank reconciliations

7. Monthly filing of sales tax reports and payments

Payroll

Own the payroll processing function and become the go-to person on campus for payroll-related questions.

1. Semi-monthly payroll processing

2. Time entries - manual entries (such as some paper timesheets)

3. Employee reimbursement entries

4. Changes to employee compensation, taxes, and benefit deductions

5. Quarterly and annual payroll tax filings

6. Payment to employee benefits vendors

Benefit administration

Full understanding of the employee benefit package so that you can on-board new employees and guide them through benefit selection. For existing employees, you become the source for employees to turn to when they have questions.

1. Medical, dental and vision insurance

2. 403(b) Retirement

3. Flexible Spending Accounts (FSA)

4. Work with third party benefit administrators

5. Other ancillary employee benefits

Other Areas

The Specialist assists the CSFOO as needed.

General Duties

With or without reasonable accommodations, the Specialist must:

1. Assist others, be helpful, cooperative and courteous, and demonstrate a good attitude in all interactions with others.

2. Communicate effectively with the CSFOO, co-workers and others (internally and externally) in order to provide, exchange, and/or verify information, answer inquiries, address issues, or resolve and/or report problems or complaints.

3. Use good judgment and make good decisions in matters related to the job.

4. Follow School and department policies and procedures and the instructions of the CSFOO.

5. Discuss matters affecting the job or performance with the CSFOO.

6. Be punctual and attend, work regularly; work additional hours as required, and attend meetings. In-person, onsite attendance is a requirement of the job.

7. Dress appropriately and in compliance with School policy.

8. Demonstrate initiative and diligence in the prompt and proper completion of all job duties, whether or not listed in this Job Description.

9. Safeguard School property and recognize and report needed repairs.

10. Work safely, follow safety rules and training, and maintain a clean, safe work environment.

11. Maintain confidentiality with regard to all School business.

12. Perform additional duties as assigned.