Senior Staff Accountant

Senior Staff Accountant

Convent of the Sacred Heart is New York City's oldest independent school for girls. As an independent, Catholic school, educating students in Pre-K through 12, we are part of an international network of 160 schools. We are committed to a set of principles shared by all Sacred Heart Schools. Known as the "Goals and Criteria," these principles articulate the core components of a Sacred Heart education and charge our community with a unified educational mission. At the heart of our philosophy is the belief that each child possesses unique gifts. Our job is to unearth those gifts, nurture them, and empower each child of the Sacred Heart to share those gifts with the global community. Convent of the Sacred Heart is committed to building a community that is anti-racist, anti-bias, fair, inclusive, and welcoming to everyone and seeks candidates who connect to our Mission and Goals.

Position: Senior Staff Accountant

Reports to: Controller

FLSA: Exempt, full-time

Salary Range: $110,000 - $120,000 annually

Start Date: Monday, October 5, 2026

Summary: Reporting to the Controller, this position leads the full billing-to-cash cycle, including student billing, cash receipts, payment application, collections, reconciliations, and reporting. The Senior Staff Accountant also performs month-end closing duties, maintains accurate accounting records, prepares journal entries and financial reports, and supports audits and budget activities. The ideal candidate is service-oriented, highly analytical, knowledgeable in GAAP (Generally Accepted Accounting Principles), and effective in a collaborative, mission-driven environment.

Key Responsibilities

• Accounts Receivable & Billing: Manage the accounts receivable and student billing process, including student billing and reconciliation using financial management software, ensuring accurate tuition and fee assessments and real-time account tracking.
• Collections & Account Management: Monitor aging and past-due balances, conduct timely and professional follow-up, and document approved payment arrangements.
• Billing Accuracy & Issue Resolution: Serve as the primary contact for billing and receivable inquiries. Partner with families and other stakeholders to resolve account discrepancies, and communicate balances, due dates, and payment options.
• General Ledger Maintenance: Post journal entries accurately and in a timely manner.
• Month-End & Year-End Close: Assist in the monthly and annual close processes, ensuring all financial data is recorded in accordance with established schedules.
• Controls & Process Improvement: Maintain billing and receivables procedures, support strong internal controls, identify opportunities to improve accuracy and efficiency, and provide documentation related to receivables for audits and year-end reporting.
• Account Reconciliations: Reconcile the accounts receivable subledger to the general ledger and perform reconciliations for bank accounts, credit cards, fixed assets, and other subsidiary ledgers. Research and resolve discrepancies promptly.
• Financial Reporting: Assist with monthly financial statements, variance analysis, and departmental budget-to-actual reports.
• Audit Preparation: Assist with annual internal and external audits by preparing schedules and gathering requested documentation.
• Budget: Post entries for departmental budgets and reconcile budget variances.
• Reporting and Analysis: Prepare recurring financial and budget reports and analyses.

Required Qualifications

• Education: Bachelor's degree in accounting, finance, or a closely related field.
• Experience: 3 to 10 years of progressive accounting experience.
• Knowledge: Solid understanding of US GAAP and non-profit accounting.
• Technical Skills: Proficiency in Microsoft Excel and experience with billing, accounts receivable, and accounting systems such as Blackbaud, Workday, Oracle, or Sage.
• Soft Skills: High level of accuracy, strong attention to detail, demonstrated integrity and sound judgment when handling confidential information, excellent written and verbal communication skills, and the ability to manage multiple deadlines effectively.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience in a non-profit, educational, healthcare, or other mission-driven organization.
• Experience with Blackbaud.
• Experience with accounts receivable, billing, collections, and reconciliations.
• Experience working with cross-functional teams outside of the finance department.

It is the policy of Sacred Heart to provide equal employment opportunity to all employees and applicants. This means that all employees and applicants will be treated on an equal basis without regard to race, religion, color, creed, gender, gender identity or expression, transgender status, national and ethnic origin, ancestry, disability, age, military or veteran status, marital and partnership status, citizenship status, caregiver status, sex (including pregnancy), sexual orientation, sexual and reproductive health decisions, height or weight, predisposing genetic characteristics, criminal history, actual or perceived domestic violence victim status, or any other characteristic protected by applicable state, federal or local law (collectively referred to herein as "Protected Classifications"). In addition to the Protected Classifications set forth in this EEO Policy, the School also prohibits any form of discrimination or harassment based on being a certified medical marijuana patient, pre-employment marijuana testing, unemployment status, sexual and reproductive health decisions, salary history, arrest or conviction, or domestic violence victim status in accordance with state law. This policy applies to all terms, conditions and privileges of employment, including but not limited to: hiring, training, faculty development, transfers, promotion, compensation, benefits, educational assistance, employee facilities, termination, and retirement.