Staff Accountant

Company Description

Uncommon Schools is a nonprofit network of high-performing, public charter schools providing an outstanding K-12 education in historically under-resourced communities. We have proudly built schools that reflect our student population, with more than 60% of our teachers and staff across our network identifying as a person of color. Uncommon currently manages 57 schools serving more than 21,000 students in six cities: Boston, Camden, New York City, Newark, Rochester, and Troy. We are proud that Uncommon graduates persist in and graduate from college at five times the rate of their peers nationally. We achieve this by offering strong academic, co-curricular, and social-emotional learning that prepares students for success in college and beyond.

Job Description

The Uncommon Accounting team is based in New York City and provides support to 2,500+ staff members across 55 schools and the Home Office (HO). Working in close collaboration with regional and school leaders, as well as HO managers, the team provides high-quality Accounting services. The team works closely with Uncommon’s other teams including Human Resources and Finance. To learn more about Uncommon click here uncommonschools.org/our-schools/uncommon-cities.

The Staff Accountant will support the Senior Associate Director of Accounting on all aspects of accounting functions including, but not limited to month end reporting, supporting the accounts payable/receivable functions of schools or Home Office, preparing materials for the annual audit process and working closely with the Finance team. The Staff Accountant will work closely with the members of the team to ensure accurate recording of the financial operations of the organization and assist with team initiatives and projects as needed. Regular communication with school-based staff (DOO, OM) handling multiple school locations (for Home Office-communicate with HO departments)

Core Duties & Responsibilities 

• Manage accounting functions for the Home Office/schools within the Uncommon Schools organization
• Maintain financial record keeping and reporting systems
• Oversee receivables, payables, cash receipts, and cash disbursements transactions
• Ensure accurate recording of transactions in the general ledger and make adjusting entries as needed
• Produce accrual based accurate and timely monthly financial statements including balance sheets, profit/loss statements, and transaction reports
• Review donations and grants received and record applying non-profit accounting rules (HO ADA only)
• Prepare and post journal entries including monthly and yearly closing entries
• Prepare monthly bank reconciliations and follow up on unusual items
• Perform monthly ledger closing and reconcile ledger accounts
• Prepare information and provide support to outside accountants for 990 filing
• Prepare accounting records and workpapers for annual audit
• Maintain fixed asset and associated depreciation schedules
• Maintain monthly rent and lease schedules and updated on an annual basis or as needed per contracted terms
• Maintain and enforce Uncommon’s fiscal policies and procedures and other internal guidelines
• Conduct research required for strategic team initiatives, special projects, and other special requests
• Perform various accounting, administrative and other related duties as assigned and required by the role 

Qualifications

Required Skills & Abilities

• In-depth understanding of accounting principles 
• Strong ability to read, understand, and identify issues in financial statements
• Experience with accounting systems. (Work Day, MIP)
• Experience working in a multi-site organization preferred
• Skilled in use of MS Excel
• Proficient in MS Office Suite 
• Strong communication skills; written and verbal
• Focused, keen attention to detail and follow-through
• Strong organization, time management and work prioritization skills
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills
• Ability to work well on a team and participate in team initiatives and projects
• Ability to work autonomously, as well as take direction as needed 

Preferred Skills/Abilities

• Experience in reviewing and recording grants and donations applying non-profit accounting rules

Education Requirements

• Bachelors Degree in Accounting 

Experience Requirements

• Minimum 2-3 years of accounting experience (non-profit organization a plus) 
• Knowledge of non-profit accounting rules applicable to donations and grants received (a plus)
• Experience in K-12 public education preferred.

In-person Requirement

• This is a hybrid position, the person in this role will work from our office, located in lower Manhattan, twice a week on Mondays & Wednesdays