Accounting Manager - George Walton Academy

Overview

George Walton Academy is an independent, coeducational, college-preparatory school with an enrollment of over 750 students in Pre-K3 through 12th grade. Located in Monroe, Georgia, GWA is committed to the intellectual, social, and moral growth of its students. Emphasizing Judeo-Christian values, the school's mission is to provide challenging instruction, engaging experiences, and global perspectives designed to inspire lives of intellectual curiosity, integrity and purpose.

Accounting Manager

Reporting directly to the Chief Financial Officer, the Accounting Manager is an integral part of the Business Office and is responsible for supporting all accounting policies and procedures, ensuring that strong internal controls and effective transaction processing protect the assets of the school and result in meaningful, timely and accurate financial reporting. The Accounting Manager provides the accounting, purchasing, accounts payable, accounts receivable and student billing operations and is responsible for assisting in audit and budgeting activities.

The Accounting Manager must be comfortable with accounting, budgeting, financial analysis, verbal, written and presentation communication, and overall management of business office responsibilities.

Essential duties of the position:

• Ensure adherence to established accounting policies and procedures and implement internal control improvements, when necessary.
• Manage the accounts payable and accounts receivable process.
• Manage student billing and related receivables.
• Crosstrain on finance functions including payroll, accounts payable, budgeting, accounts receivable and student billing.
• Reconcile bank and credit card accounts monthly.
• Coordinate annual budget preparation with the CFO and Senior Leadership.
• Assist in preparation of monthly financial and budget variance reports, investment and capital project reports for review and approval by the CFO.
• Maintain a system of internal controls and approvals for cost and control of assets that ensures integrity and effective processes for ordering, purchasing, delivery and expense reimbursement.
• Maintain customer confidence and protect operations by keeping financial and personnel information confidential.
• Assist with auxiliary programs with accounting support by communicating accounting policies to employees and ensure compliance with such policies.
• Handle month-end and annual closing processes.
• Handle special projects in financial accounting.
• Stay current on new regulations in GAAP, relevant non-profit accounting issues and private school industry trends and activities.

Additional Duties and school-wide expectations:

• Support the mission and vision of the school.
• Model positive behavior, consistent with community expectations and school policies.
• Take initiative, ownership, and investment as a staff member in displaying positive work ethics and behaviors and encourages this attitude in others.
• Complete all work and assigned tasks in a timely, efficient, accurate and organized manner.
• Build positive interpersonal relationships with colleagues by establishing effective communication through listening, responsiveness, openness, availability, and approachability.
• Show flexibility and adaptability in performing duties to respond to changing needs, situations, and personalities.
• Develop and maintain a broad knowledge of George Walton Academy.

The ideal candidate will possess the following:

• Bachelor's degree in accounting or finance
• Relevant work experience in integrated accounting software systems
• Independent school or higher education experience
• Strong accounting software knowledge - QuickBooks, FACTS Tuition Management
• Effective interpersonal, oral, and written communication skills, especially when presenting financial information to the administration and Board of Directors
• A strong work ethic and positive attitude
• Strong Emotional Intelligence (EQ) and the capacity to work well with others across functional departments of the school
• An ability to work in challenging, sensitive, and confidential situations.
• Ability to organize and prioritize assignments, manage, and perform multiple tasks.

GWA offers a competitive salary and benefits package commensurate with degrees and work experience and taking into account the candidate's ability to make a significant impact on the institution.