Accountant / Payroll Specialist

MN Association of Charter Schools; Stillwater (MN); On-site; USD 70,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

St. Croix Preparatory Academy in Stillwater, MN, is seeking an Accountant/Payroll Specialist to support accounting, payroll, budgeting, and financial operations. The role may be filled as Accountant, Payroll Specialist, or blended Accountant/Payroll based on qualifications.

The candidate will handle general ledger entries, payroll processing, reporting, audits, and grant accounting while ensuring internal controls and regulatory compliance. Exempt, 12-month, full-time position.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Accounting, Finance, Business Administration, or related field; equivalent experience may be considered.
• Experience with Skyward PAC and/or Skyward SMS required.
• Experience with UFARS accounting and reporting.
• Experience in accounting, payroll, bookkeeping, or financial management.
• Experience in Minnesota public school or charter school finance.
• Strong attention to detail and commitment to accuracy.
• Excellent analytical, organizational, and problem-solving skills.
• Strong verbal and written communication skills.
• Proficiency in Google platforms, Microsoft Excel and Microsoft Office applications, and database management.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities and deadlines while maintaining confidentiality.

Responsibilities

• Accounting and Financial Operations: Prepare and maintain general ledger entries; Process bank transactions and payments; Code and reconcile FeePay transactions; Process credit card and electronic bank payments; Assist with monthly and annual financial reporting; Support year-end audit preparation and auditor requests; Assist with grant accounting and financial compliance activities; Maintain strong internal controls and financial accuracy.
• Payroll Administration: Process bi-weekly payroll accurately and timely; Maintain payroll records, deductions, benefits, and employee earnings information; Reconcile payroll liabilities and benefit accounts; Ensure compliance with payroll tax reporting requirements; Generate payroll reports and support annual payroll reporting processes; Collaborate with Human Resources regarding employee compensation, benefits, and payroll-related matters.
• Student Activities and Travel Accounts: Manage financial activities associated with student travel programs and fundraising events; Process payments to travel vendors and reimbursements as appropriate; Allocate applicable fundraising proceeds and account credits; Reconcile activity and athletic accounts; Track activity expenditures against approved budgets; Manage coach and advisor stipends and activity payments.
• Food Service and Special Programs: Assist with food service financial reporting and analysis; Assist with required food service submissions and reconciliations; Reconcile special program and partner organization financial activities as assigned.
• Budgeting and Financial Planning: Assist in monitoring of departmental and program budgets; Support annual budget preparation.
• School and Community Support: Assist with school events and other business office initiatives; Coordinate financial aspects of designated school programs and activities; Provide excellent customer service to employees, families, vendors, and community stakeholders.

Skills

Attention to detail

Analytical skills

Communication skills

Excel

Google platforms

Office applications

Problem-solving

Education

Bachelor's degree in Accounting, Finance, Business Administration, or related field

Tools

Skyward PAC

Skyward SMS

UFARS accounting

Microsoft Excel

Google platforms

Job description

Salary Notes $70,000-$90,000 Depending on Qualifications and Experience

Work Commitment

Work Commitment Full-Time

Organization: St. Croix Preparatory Academy
Position: Accountant / Payroll Specialist
Location: Stillwater, Minnesota
Position Type: Full-Time, 12-Month Position
FLSA Status: Exempt
Reports To: Director of Finance

Position Summary: St. Croix Preparatory Academy, a K-12 public charter school serving the Stillwater area, seeks a highly organized and detail-oriented professional to support the school's accounting, payroll, budgeting, and financial operations. Depending on qualifications and experience, the position may be filled as an Accountant, Payroll Specialist, or a blended Accountant/Payroll role.

The successful candidate will provide accurate financial reporting, payroll administration, account reconciliation, budgeting support, and customer service while helping ensure the school's financial resources are managed effectively and in compliance with applicable regulations.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

• Accounting and Financial Operations
• Prepare and maintain general ledger entries.
• Process bank transactions and payments.
• Code and reconcile FeePay transactions.
• Process credit card and electronic bank payments.
• Assist with monthly and annual financial reporting.
• Support year-end audit preparation and auditor requests.
• Assist with grant accounting and financial compliance activities.
• Maintain strong internal controls and financial accuracy.

Payroll Administration:

• Process bi-weekly payroll accurately and timely; this includes TRA/PERA filing/payment, UIMN reporting, IRS filing/payment, 403(b) funding, HSA funding, MNPFML, paid time off reconciliation.
• Maintain payroll records, deductions, benefits, and employee earnings information.
• Reconcile payroll liabilities and benefit accounts.
• Ensure compliance with payroll tax reporting requirements.
• Generate payroll reports and support annual payroll reporting processes.
• Collaborate with Human Resources regarding employee compensation, benefits, and payroll-related matters.

Student Activities and Travel Accounts:

• Manage financial activities associated with student travel programs and fundraising events.
• Process payments to travel vendors and reimbursements as appropriate.
• Allocate applicable fundraising proceeds and account credits.
• Reconcile activity and athletic accounts.
• Track activity expenditures against approved budgets.
• Manage coach and advisor stipends and activity payments.

Food Service and Special Programs:

• Assist with food service financial reporting and analysis.
• Assist with required food service submissions and reconciliations.
• Reconcile special program and partner organization financial activities as assigned.

Budgeting and Financial Planning:

• Assist in monitoring of departmental and program budgets.
• Support annual budget preparation.

School and Community Support:

• Assist with school events and other business office initiatives.
• Coordinate financial aspects of designated school programs and activities.
• Provide excellent customer service to employees, families, vendors, and community stakeholders.

Qualifications

Required Qualifications:

• Bachelor's degree in Accounting, Finance, Business Administration, or related field; equivalent experience may be considered.
• Experience with Skyward PAC and/or Skyward SMS required.
• Experience with UFARS accounting and reporting.
• Experience in accounting, payroll, bookkeeping, or financial management.
• Experience in Minnesota public school or charter school finance.
• Strong attention to detail and commitment to accuracy.
• Excellent analytical, organizational, and problem-solving skills.
• Strong verbal and written communication skills.
• Proficiency in Google platforms, Microsoft Excel and Microsoft Office applications, and database managment.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities and deadlines while maintaining confidentiality.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Experience with payroll processing and related compliance requirements.
• Experience supporting annual audits and financial reporting.
• Experience working with databases and student information systems.
• Strong customer service orientation and ability to work collaboratively with staff, families, and community partners.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

• Knowledge of administrative, accounting, and clerical procedures.
• Strong information management and organizational skills.
• Professional presentation and interpersonal abilities.
• Initiative, reliability, and sound judgment.
• Effective time management and stress management skills.
• Ability to work independently while contributing positively to a team environment.

Institution Description

St. Croix Preparatory Academy is a public charter school serving students in grades K-12 in Stillwater, Minnesota. The Academy's mission is to develop learners into intellectually, socially, and morally responsible individuals through a rigorous classical education in a supportive learning environment.