Working with the Chief Financial Officer and the Business Office Associate, this position will be responsible for administering all aspects of the accounting function including payroll processing for transmittal to the payroll service, financial reporting, and month end close. This position directs technical financial and enrollment activities of the School by performing the following duties.
Essential Duties and Responsibilities:
Payroll:
Responsible for all aspects of employee payroll, including contractor payments, W2 and 1099 preparation, and reconciling and processing employee benefit and retirement plan premiums and payments.
Process payroll on a semi-monthly basis for transmittal to payroll service, perform bank transfers, and record journal entries.
Review timesheets for errors, resolve any issues, calculate overtime, and train new employees on the timesheet system.
Respond to any staff questions regarding pay stubs.
Reconcile the quarterly form 941 to the General Ledger.
Process 403(b) account contributions and employer match and transfer data to vendor within 2 days of payroll processing.
Calculate and adjust employee benefit premiums as needed, and reconcile with vendor billing.
Cash / Revenue:
Prepare and enter cash receipts journal entries, research entries as needed, code deposits, and organize all supporting documentation.
Track and reconcile tuition payments on a monthly basis.
Track A/R and contact accounts to arrange payment.
Prepare and enter journal entries for pledge receivables, anticipate, schedule, and perform bank account transfers with approval from the CFO, and track all donations. Work with the CFO to move funds to the Foundation.
Month End Close / Financial Reports:
Responsible for timely completion of monthly financial statement closing process and bank statement reconciliation for the School, Foundation, and Parents Association.
Perform the operating cash account reconciliation and related journal entries.
Calculate monthly depreciation and record journal entry.
Perform various detailed month-end allocations for fringe benefits, shared costs, and indirect cost allocations.
Prepare and enter all month end reconciliations and journal entries.
Perform various account reconciliations and work to resolve any discrepancies.
Produce complex financial and enrollment reports as requested.
Review investment activity on a monthly basis, recording activity to the general ledger and maintaining a roll-forward of investment activity in connection with the audit process.
Actively participate in budget preparation and monitoring budget to actual performance on a monthly basis, research and explain variances.
Responsible for reviewing the General Ledger detail each month as part of the monthly close.
Registrar:
Responsible for tracking, maintaining, reconciling, and reporting student enrollment data, tuition payments and receivables on a monthly basis, and handling all aspects of tuition collection.
Track and report on tuition payments made through online system.
Responsible for coordinating all aspects of the student financial aid process.
Respond to transcript requests and monitor transcript holds.
General:
Responsible for preparing the majority of materials required for the annual audit and required tax filings, and coordinating with the CFO and external auditors as necessary.
Assist in the development, documentation, and communication of policies, procedures, and control points for all aspects of financial accounting and reporting.
Establish relationships with banking and investment service providers.
Responsible for maintenance, organization, and records retention of all financial and enrollment files.
Maintain a strong working knowledge of overall operations and activities in order to provide timely, meaningful reviews of School’s financial results and progress in its various programs and activities.
Maintain active communication throughout the organization in order to stay abreast of activities impacting the business office and to ensure that necessary personnel throughout the School are receiving timely, accurate, and useful information from the business office.
Responsible for keeping up to date on current and new laws concerning payroll practices, applicable taxes, non-profit accounting, etc. as well as seeking professional development opportunities to continue to grow skills.
Qualifications:
Education and Experience:
Bachelors Degree in Accounting, an advanced degree is preferred.
At least five years of relevant, hands-on experience in complex accounting environment with the ability to generate multi-company financial reporting and analysis.
Experience with and firm understanding of current GAAP standards and accounting best practices, laws, and regulations.
Non-profit accounting experience including thorough understanding of managing restricted funds preferred.
Knowledge and Skills:
Strong computer skills in a Microsoft Windows environment, including advanced Excel skills. In-depth knowledge of BusinessWorks or similar accounting software required.
Strong technical, analytical, problem-solving, and communication skills.
Strong interpersonal skills, including the desire to ask questions and learn from co-workers.
Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
Strong administrative and data management skills.
Abilities:
Ability to make accurate arithmetic calculations, type with speed and accuracy, operate 10 key by touch, and maintain a high level of attention to detail.
Ability to demonstrate accuracy and thoroughness while meeting operational deadlines, and monitor own work to ensure quality.
Ability to identify issues, propose solutions, and utilize available resources and sound judgment to resolve.
Ability to interpret complex laws, regulations, and/or policies
Ability to manage priorities and workflow.
Ability to maintain a high level of confidentiality, and display sound judgment and sensitivity in difficult conversations regarding tuition and financial aid.
Ability to work effectively and relate well with a variety of others including superiors, colleagues, parents, and individuals inside and outside the School. Exhibits a professional manner in dealing with others and works to maintain positive and constructive working relationships.
Ability to effectively resolve problems or issues by using judgment that is in consistent with standards, practices, policies, procedures, regulations, or government law.
Ability to remain open to others’ ideas and exhibits willingness to try new things.
Ability to adapt to changes in the work environment, manage competing demands and is able to deal with frequent change, delays, or unexpected events.
Ability to reasonably anticipate organizational/departmental needs and propose new processes and procedures to meet those changing needs.
Physical Skills and Abilities:
Depending on the assignment, this position frequently involves standing, walking, sitting, and manipulating (lifting, carrying, moving) light to medium weights of 10 - 50 pounds in the course of coordinating work. This position also frequently involves finger dexterity, feeling, repetitive motions, talking, hearing and visual acuity, and may sometimes involve stooping, kneeling, and crouching in the course of coordinating work.
Working Conditions:
Work is performed in a normal office setting with minimal exposure to health or safety hazards. Substantial time is spent working on a computer.
Nothing in this job description restricts management’s right to assign or reassign duties and responsibilities to this job. Duties and responsibilities may be subject to change at any time due to reasonable accommodation or other reasons.
About The Emery Weiner School
The Emery/Weiner School, a private, college-preparatory middle and high school located in Houston, TX, is different! First, we provide the finest academics; second, we educate the whole child; third, we maintain a unique student culture; and fourth, we do all of this in an environment that is framed by and infused with progressive and pluralistic Judaism. Our academic program encompasses traditional and progressive methods. For instance, we stress skills such as writing and reading, but also engage in experiential learning and regular field trips. Our approach to Judaic studies is a modern one, which seeks to make the material and the traditions relevant for each student. And our culture is one that empowers students in order to create in each a sense of responsibility not only for their school community, but for the greater community at-large.
