Senior Accountant

Position Description The Senior Accountant is a key member of the Business Office responsible for maintaining the integrity of the School’s accounting records and supporting timely, accurate financial reporting. Reporting to the Chief Financial Officer, the Senior Accountant performs complex general ledger accounting, month-end and year-end close activities, account reconciliations, fixed-asset accounting, cash and investment reconciliations, audit preparation, and financial analysis. The role also supports tuition and auxiliary-program accounting, restricted and donor-designated funds, payroll and benefits reconciliations, and departmental budget monitoring. Essential Duties and Responsibilities Lead assigned components of the monthly, quarterly, and fiscal yearend close, including preparation and review of journal entries, accruals, deferrals, allocations, and supporting schedules. Maintain the general ledger and perform timely reconciliations of bank, investment, payroll, benefits, tuition, accounts receivable, accounts payable, debt, prepaid expense, fixedasset, and other balancesheet accounts. Prepare recurring and ad hoc financial statements, management reports, account analyses, and budgettoactual reports for the Controller, Chief Financial Officer, and department leaders. Investigate account variances, unusual transactions, and reconciling items; document findings and resolve discrepancies promptly. Maintain the fixedasset ledger, including capitalization, depreciation, disposals, constructioninprogress activity, and reconciliation to the general ledger. Support accounting for tuition, enrollment deposits, financial aid, auxiliary programs, summer programs, transportation, food service, athletics, fine arts, facility rentals, and other School activities. Ensure accurate accounting for gifts, grants, endowment activity, donor restrictions, boarddesignated funds, and releases from restrictions in coordination with Advancement and the Controller. Reconcile payroll files, benefit deductions, employer contributions, retirementplan activity, and payrollrelated general ledger accounts in partnership with People Operations and Payroll. Assist with annual operating and capital budget development, forecasts, departmental budget monitoring, and preparation of variance explanations. Prepare audit schedules and supporting documentation; respond to auditor requests and assist with the annual financial statement audit, employee benefit plan audit, and other compliance reviews. Support preparation of IRS Form 990, 1099 reporting, sales and use tax filings, propertytax or exemption documentation, and other required reports assigned. Monitor compliance with generally accepted accounting principles, nonprofit accounting standards, School policies, donor restrictions, and established internal controls. Recommend and implement improvements to accounting processes, documentation, workflows, and financial systems while maintaining appropriate segregation of duties. Provide professional, timely support to faculty, staff, families, vendors, auditors, and other stakeholders regarding financial questions within the scope of the role. Assist in training, guiding, or reviewing the work of accounting staff as assigned; serve as a resource on accounting procedures and systems. Maintain complete, organized, and confidential financial records in accordance with recordretention requirements. Perform other duties and special projects assigned by the Controller or Chief Financial Officer. Qualifications Bachelor’s degree in Accounting, Finance, Business Administration, or a closely related field required. CPA, CPA candidate, CMA, or master’s degree in accounting or finance preferred. Minimum of five years of progressively responsible accounting experience, including significant generalledger, close, reconciliation, and financialreporting responsibilities. Experience in an independent school, higher education, nonprofit organization, or similarly complex organization preferred. Solid knowledge of U.S. GAAP; familiarity with nonprofit accounting, netasset classifications, donor restrictions, grants, and endowments strongly preferred. Experience supporting external audits and preparing complete, wellorganized audit schedules. Advanced proficiency in Microsoft Excel, including pivot tables, lookup functions, formulas, data analysis, and financial schedules. Experience with accounting or enterprise resource planning systems; experience with tuitionmanagement, expense management, payroll, or fundraising systems preferred, such as Sage Intacct and Ramp. Ability to communicate financial information clearly to colleagues who may not have an accounting background. Equivalent combinations of education and relevant experience may be considered. High degree of accuracy, organization, analytical ability, and attention to detail. Sound professional judgment, integrity, discretion, and commitment to confidentiality. Ability to manage multiple deadlines and shifting priorities during peak accounting and Schoolcycle periods. Collaborative, collegial, and serviceoriented approach when working with faculty, staff, families, and external partners. Commitment to continuous improvement, consistent documentation, and strong internal controls. Physical Requirements and Work Environment Work is primarily performed in a professional office environment with frequent computer use and extended periods of sitting. Must be able to communicate effectively in person, by telephone, through video conferencing, and in writing. Must be able to review detailed financial information on computer screens and in printed documents. Ability to move about a 66acre campus and travel between School buildings as needed for meetings, inventory review, or operational support. Ability to lift and carry files, records, or office materials weighing up to 20 pounds occasionally. Occasional extended hours may be required during yearend close, audits, budget preparation, special projects, or other peak periods. This job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties, or responsibilities that are associated with the position. Other duties, responsibilities, and activities may change or be assigned at any time with or without notice. Saint Mary's Hall reserves the right to modify, interpret, or apply this job description as necessary to meet the operational needs of the School. Employees may be assigned additional duties and responsibilities at any time, with or without notice. Interested candidates are invited to submit electronically a cover letter expressing the reasons for their interest in the position and a current résumé. #J-18808-Ljbffr