Accountant I

Altus Schools; San Diego (CA); On-site; USD 55,000 - 75,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical insurance

Dental insurance

Vision insurance

Life insurance

Job summary

Altus Schools in San Diego, CA seeks a Finance Administrator/Accountant I to perform a wide range of accounting duties supporting instructional operations, compliance, and student services. The role covers month-end close, budgeting, reconciliations, and audit support with emphasis on nonprofit accounting.

Strong Excel and ERP skills required; a four-year degree in finance or accounting is required. This is a 12-month, 100% onsite contract with competitive benefits and opportunities to impact

Qualifications

• Candidates must hold a four-year degree in finance, accounting or related field.
• Experience with nonprofit accounting, preferably in charter schools, is required.
• Proficient in Microsoft Excel and ERP/financial systems.

Responsibilities

• Perform month-end, quarterly and annual close activities including reconciliations and journal entries.
• Assist with budgeting and information synthesis for management.
• Reconcile cash and balance sheet accounts and prepare financial reports for government agencies.
• Support annual financial audits and related activities.
• Perform other duties to support Altus Schools' operations and compliance.

Skills

Accounting principles

Non-profit accounting

Excel

ERP / financial systems

Oral and written communication

Team collaboration

Education

Bachelor's degree in finance or accounting

Tools

ERP software

Financial systems

Job description

IMPORTANT NOTICE: This application must be completed in a single session. You will not be able to save your progress, so please ensure you have enough time to complete the entire application and have all required documents ready to attach before beginning. Incomplete submissions cannot be saved or resumed.

Application Preparation Checklist (Before You Begin)

To complete this application in one session, please have the following items ready to upload:

• Copy of Transcripts Unofficial or official college transcripts for all coursework completed.
• Letters of Recommendation Three letters of recommendation on letterhead written within the past two years, including one from a direct supervisor.
• Resume
• Cover Letter

In addition, you will be asked to respond to six long-answer questions.

BASIC FUNCTION/DESCRIPTION OF POSITION

Under the Finance Administrator, the Accountant I position will perform a wide variety of accounting duties, effectively communicate with peers, handle both routine and non-routine tasks and continuously work to improve internal processes. This position provides accounting support necessary to sustain instructional operations, educational programs, and student services within Altus Schools’ flex-based instructional and independent study model. Responsibilities include financial monitoring and reporting activities that support instructional continuity, compliance, and educational program implementation.

Responsibilities

• Monthly, quarterly and annual close activities that include account reconciliation, journal entries, fixed asset management, cash flows and other related duties
• Budgeting activities that include budget creation, monitoring and synthesizing of information to management
• Reconcile cash and balance sheet accounts
• Preparation of technical reports for various government agencies at the federal, state and local levels
• Use of technical accounting system(s) to record accounting transactions, create ad hoc financial reports and monitor GL activity
• Support with annual financial interim and final audit activities
• Performs other duties and responsibilities as assigned to meet the operational, educational, business, compliance, and student service needs of Altus Schools. Such duties will be consistent with the employee's qualifications and the general nature and level of the position.

Knowledge, Abilities, and Requirements

• Have a working knowledge and understanding of financial and accounting principles
• Prior experience with non-profit accounting, preferably with California charter schools
• Ability to explain or describe a topic, issue or problem to your audience effectively and concisely
• Moderate to advanced experience in Microsoft Excel, financial systems, ERP software or other enterprise systems
• A four-year degree from an accredited college or university in finance, accounting or related field
• Understand and carry out oral and written directions
• Establish and maintain cooperative working relationships with those contacted in the course of work.
• Work effectively and collaboratively with groups that are both within and outside of your functional area.
• Ability to maintain reliable on-site attendance and punctuality in accordance with assigned work schedule.
• Possession of a valid California driver’s license and reliable transportation.
• TB Clearance
• Obtain Criminal Justice Fingerprint/Background Clearance through the DOJ and FBI

WORKING CONDITIONS

Environment: Indoor, office setting; exposure to computer screens; travel between sites as needed.

Physical Requirements: Hearing and speaking to exchange information with staff and external persons; seeing to read, proofread, perform clerical tasks, and work on a computer screen; intermittent sitting, standing, and walking throughout the workday; dexterity of hands and fingers to operate a computer keyboard and other office equipment; kneeling, bending at the waist, and reaching overhead, above the shoulders, and horizontally to retrieve and store files and supplies; lifting and carrying light objects; driving a vehicle to attend visits at resource centers, external venues, and staff meetings.

Work Location and Operational Requirements

This position is primarily performed in an in-person educational environment to support the operational, instructional, compliance, and student service needs of Altus Schools. While limited remote work flexibility may be authorized at the discretion of management based on operational needs, staffing levels, and organizational priorities, such arrangements are not guaranteed and may be modified, suspended, or discontinued at any time, with or without notice.

The employee may be required to work onsite up to five (5) days per week to support school operations, instructional continuity, student services, compliance functions, audits, payroll processing timelines, ADA-related activities, staff support, meetings, training, and other operational requirements necessary for the effective functioning of the schools.

The ability to report onsite as assigned is considered an essential function of this position and is necessary to support collaboration, responsiveness, operational efficiency, supervision, and continuity of educational services.

LOCATION

12-Month Workday Contract – 100% onsite (Monday-Friday)

COMMENTS AND OTHER INFORMATION

Join Our Award-Winning Team at Altus Schools!

Altus Schools is a network of innovative, WASC-accredited public charter schools dedicated to transforming the lives of students in grades TK-12 through personalized education. For more than 30 years, Altus has redefined what learning can look like - offering students a flexible, individualized approach that meets them where they are and helps them achieve their personal and academic goals.

Our award-winning program features:

• Customized course plans built around each student’s needs and interests
• One-on-one teacher support in a caring, inclusive environment
• Individualized college and career planning to prepare students for the future
• Flexible scheduling that empowers students to take ownership of their learning

Altus Schools is proud to be a two-time recipient of the Malcolm Baldrige National Quality Award (2015 and 2021) - the nation's highest honor for performance excellence. As the first K-12 school system to earn this distinction and the only educational organization to receive it twice, Altus sets the benchmark for quality, innovation, and continuous improvement in education.

Our unique University Model blends independent study with in-person labs and tutorials at safe, modern, and technology-rich resource centers across San Diego County, Riverside County, and San Bernardino County. Together, our educators, students, and families create a collaborative community that inspires success and lifelong learning.

Join Altus Schools - where innovation, support, and excellence come together to help every student thrive.

For more information visit our website at: altus4u.com

SELECTION PROCESS

Qualified applicants will first complete a brief work-styles/behavioral survey. Candidates who successfully complete this initial phase will be invited to a panel interview with School Administrators. Candidates recommended from the first interview will advance to a final interview with the Deputy Superintendent School Services and Founding Director, and the Superintendent School Services and Founder. Candidates advancing through interviews must provide a complete list of current and prior school employment per SB848 requirements.

Please note that not all applicants will be invited to interview, and only those selected will be contacted regarding next steps. Hiring decisions are based on the full evaluation process, and we do not discuss our hiring decisions with applicants.

COMPENSATION AND BENEFITS

Compensation and Benefits: Employees are eligible for coverage beginning the first day of the month following sixty (60) days of employment. The benefits package includes medical, dental, vision, chiropractic, and life insurance, and a variety of employee-paid voluntary benefits. The benefits are 100% employer-paid for the employee and all eligible dependents!

Equal Employment Opportunity

Equal Employment Opportunity: Altus Schools is an equal opportunity employer. It is our policy to afford equal employment and advancement opportunity to all qualified individuals without regard to race, color, gender, sex, sex stereotype, religious creed, marital/registered domestic partner status, age, national origin or ancestry, physical or mental disability, medical condition, genetic information, sexual orientation, military and veteran status, or any other consideration made unlawful by federal, state, or local laws. This policy extends to all job applicants and employees and to all aspects of the employment relationship, including the hiring of new employees and the training, transfer, promotion, discipline, termination, compensation and benefits of existing employees.