Staff Accountant II

Staff Accountant II

Guadalupe Centers Charter Schools (GCCS) serves more than 1,600 students from PreK–12 and is a free, open-enrollment public charter school system located in Kansas City, Missouri. Over 97% of our students identify as Latinx, and many are bilingual or English learners. Our network includes Guadalupe Centers Elementary School, Guadalupe Centers Middle School, and Guadalupe Centers High School.

GCCS grew out of Guadalupe Centers' educational programs — part of the longest continuously operating agency serving the Latinx community in the United States since 1919. Our deep community roots shape our mission: to prepare all students academically, socially, and emotionally for college, career, and life success.

Position Summary

The Staff Accountant II is a mid-level accounting professional responsible for independently owning the organization's payroll operations, payroll tax compliance, and related regulatory reporting. This role ensures payroll is processed accurately, on schedule, and in full compliance with federal and state requirements, while maintaining strong internal controls and audit-ready documentation.

In addition to payroll ownership, this position serves as a key accounting operator for payroll-related general ledger activity, reconciliations, statutory deductions, and financial controls. The role also supports grant accounting compliance by reviewing coding, validating allocations, and ensuring proper treatment of restricted funds in accordance with grant agreements.

This position plays a critical role in maintaining data integrity across payroll and accounting systems, supporting month-end close activities, and preparing schedules and documentation for internal and external audits.

Reports To: VP Controller

Supervisory Responsibilities: Staff Accountant I

Duties/Responsibilities:

Payroll Administration & Oversight

• Manage full-cycle payroll processing and end-to-end payroll administration
• Ensure payroll deadlines are met and payroll runs are executed accurately and on schedule
• Prepare and process year-end reporting, including W-2s and 1099s, ensuring accuracy and compliance with IRS and state requirements

Payroll Tax Compliance & Reporting

• Prepare, review, and submit federal and state payroll tax filings
• Ensure compliance with all payroll tax regulations and reporting requirements
• Monitor regulatory changes affecting payroll tax compliance

Garnishments & Statutory Deductions

• Administer employee garnishments, including setup, calculation, and remittance
• Ensure compliance with all court-ordered and statutory wage deductions
• Maintain accurate records and reporting for garnishment activity

Grant Compliance & Oversight

• Interpret grant agreements and ensure proper accounting treatment in accordance with funding requirements
• Review, validate, and approve grant coding and transactions entered by Staff Accountant I
• Ensure proper allocation of expenses to grants, projects, and funding sources prior to reporting or audit submission
• Prepare and/or review grant financial reports, reimbursement requests, and required compliance filings
• Perform detailed reconciliations between grant records, sub-ledgers, and the general ledger
• Serve as primary preparer for grant audit schedules and respond to auditor inquiries
• Identify compliance risks, restricted fund issues, or misallocations and escalate as appropriate

Reconciliations & Financial Controls

• Perform monthly state tax reconciliations and resolve variances
• Reconcile payroll-related liability accounts, including benefits and insurance deductions
• Reconcile insurance billing statements to payroll benefit deductions and general ledger records
• Perform monthly bank statement reconciliations and investigate reconciling items
• Manage purchasing card (P-card) controls, including maintenance of cardholder limits and system oversight
• Schedule and coordinate payment of the Arvest purchasing card statement
• Reconcile all purchasing card activity (approximately 18 cards), ensuring proper coding, documentation, and policy compliance
• Investigate and resolve payroll and accounting discrepancies
• Ensure all reconciliations are completed in accordance with internal control standards and month-end close deadlines

Payroll Systems & Data Integrity

• Serve as system administrator for payroll platforms (TCP/SUI or equivalent)
• Perform mass import and setup of new and returning employees for new fiscal year
• Update all benefit plans in the payroll system for the new benefit year, ensuring accurate deductions, eligibility settings, and plan configurations
• Maintain data integrity across payroll systems and accounting records
• Troubleshoot payroll system issues and coordinate system updates or corrections

Accounting, Financial Reporting & Audit Support

• Assist in the preparation of monthly and year-end financial statements, including supporting schedules and reconciliations
• Perform advanced account reconciliations and financial analysis support
• Prepare documentation and schedules for internal and external audits and compliance reviews
• Support month-end and year-end close activities related to payroll and general ledger accounts
• Provide supporting analysis for financial reporting accuracy and variance explanations

Required Skills/Abilities:

• Strong knowledge of payroll processing, payroll tax regulations, and compliance requirements
• Ability to independently manage payroll cycles, tax filings, and statutory reporting obligations
• Strong understanding of GAAP, general ledger accounting, account reconciliations, and month-end close processes
• Proficiency in Microsoft Excel and accounting/payroll systems
• Strong analytical, organizational, and problem-solving skills
• Ability to manage multiple priorities and meet deadlines with a high degree of accuracy and accountability
• Ability to work independently while maintaining confidentiality and professional judgment
• Effective verbal and written communication skills
• Demonstrates high integrity, confidentiality, and ethical judgment in handling sensitive financial and employee data
• Maintains strong attention to detail with a commitment to accuracy in all financial and payroll-related processes
• Proactively identifies discrepancies, control gaps, and opportunities for process improvement
• Dependable and accountable, consistently meeting deadlines without compromising quality
• Demonstrates ownership of responsibilities and follows through on issues to resolution
• Maintains composure and professionalism in high-pressure, time-sensitive payroll and close cycles
• Collaborates effectively across accounting, HR, and operational teams
• Demonstrates sound judgment in interpreting policies, procedures, and regulatory requirements
• Adapts to changing priorities while maintaining control and organization of workload

Education & Experience

• Bachelors degree in Accounting, Finance, or related field required
• 3–5 years of progressive accounting experience
• Strong experience in payroll processing, payroll tax filings, and compliance required

Physical Requirements:

• Prolonged periods sitting at a desk and working on a computer.
• Must be able to lift up to 15 pounds at a time.
• Must be able to access and navigate all areas of the school and other facilities as needed.

Application Process:

Please complete an online application at Attach your resume, cover letter, transcripts, and certification (if applicable).

Equal Employment Opportunity Statement:

Guadalupe Centers Charter Schools (GCCS) is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We strongly encourage applications from women, minorities, veterans, and individuals with disabilities. We do not discriminate based on race, color, religion, gender, national origin, age, disability, genetic information, sexual orientation, or veteran status. We also prohibit retaliation against individuals who bring forward complaints or participate in investigations of discrimination.