Senior Accountant

Description

Position Summary

We are seeking an experienced and highly organized Senior Accountant to join the Business Office at Southwest Christian School. This position is responsible for key accounting functions including account reconciliations, journal entries, payment-service activity, fixed assets, tax and audit preparation, payroll accounting, and financial recordkeeping associated with various departments. The Senior Accountant will work closely with Business Office leadership and departments throughout the school to maintain accurate financial records, strengthen accounting processes, and support timely financial reporting.

The successful candidate will combine strong technical accounting skills with a collaborative and service-oriented approach. This person will take ownership of assigned accounting areas, identify discrepancies before they become problems, maintain well-organized documentation, and build productive relationships with colleagues across the school. Just as importantly, the Senior Accountant will recognize that accurate financial stewardship is an important part of supporting the school's Christian mission and the students, families, faculty, and staff it serves.

Essential Responsibilities

• Prepare monthly bank reconciliations and investigate and resolve reconciling items
• Record and reconcile activity from payment platforms and services, including Stripe, Square, Jumbula, Hudl, and similar systems
• Record and reconcile transactions related to donations, banking activity, and investments
• Prepare advanced recurring and other journal entries
• Prepare and file applicable sales tax returns
• Maintain fixed asset records, including additions, disposals, and related accounting activity
• Prepare schedules, reconciliations, supporting documentation, and other PBC ("prepared by client") materials for annual tax return preparation
• Coordinate and prepare PBC schedules and documentation for the annual financial statement audit.
• Maintain and reconcile accounting records related to various school departments and programs including but not limited to Advancement, Athletics, Booster Club, PTO
• Lead month-end and year-end close processes
• Research accounting discrepancies and recommend corrections or process improvements
• Support Business Office leadership with financial reporting, analysis, and other accounting projects as needed

Requirements

Education & Experience

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in accounting, finance, or a closely related field
• Relevant professional accounting experience with demonstrated responsibility for general ledger accounting, reconciliations, and journal entries
• Strong understanding of generally accepted accounting principles and accounting controls
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills with exceptional attention to detail
• Proficiency with Microsoft Excel and accounting systems
• Ability to independently prioritize responsibilities and meet monthly, annual, audit, and tax deadlines
• Strong written and verbal communication skills
• Ability to maintain strict confidentiality regarding financial, employee, donor, and family information

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience with QuickBooks; experience with a system implementation from QuickBooks to NetSuite, Intacct, or similar software highly preferred
• Accounting experience within a nonprofit organization; experience in a private or independent school is highly preferred
• Experience preparing supporting schedules and documentation for external audits and tax filings
• Familiarity with contribution/donation accounting and reconciling records with various school programs
• CPA or progress toward CPA certification is a plus

Personal & Spiritual Characteristics

• Is deeply committed to a consistent daily walk with our Savior, Jesus Christ, through prayer, devotional study, and church membership
• Demonstrates the spiritual maturity, academic ability, and personal leadership qualities to “train up a child in the way he should go” (Proverbs 22:6)
• Possesses the ability to work gracefully with faculty and school staff in a supporting role to encourage a unified and successful educational program
• Cooperates with administrators, department chairpersons, and other school leadership to implement policies and procedures as they pertain to the daily operation of the School
• Follow Matthew 18 principle in dealing with conflict with faculty and staff
• Demonstrates the ability to accept and carry out responsibilities and make competent, professional decisions
• Eagerly participates in professional development activities and the evaluation process with a desire to grow professionally, spiritually, and personally throughout the career in education
• Maintains a professional personal appearance that is a Christian role model of cleanliness, modesty, good taste, and is in accordance with school policy

Work Environment

The work environment at Southwest Christian School is consistent with a typical school setting. The employee normally works indoors but may be required to be outdoors in unpredictable temperatures to occasionally monitor outdoor activities, attend programs, or move between buildings. The noise level in the environment is usually low to moderate but may become loud occasionally. The employee is required to interact with others within the school community, including parents and other caregivers. Reasonable accommodations can be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of the position.

Additional Duties / Responsibilities

This job description is not intended to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that may be required as an active participant in the mission of Southwest Christian School. Additional duties are regularly performed by the individuals currently holding this position and additional duties may be assigned.