Accounting Manager

Phillips Exeter Academy; Exeter (NH); Hybrid; USD 141,000 - 148,000; Full time

Job summary

Phillips Exeter Academy seeks an Accounting Manager to lead the finance team, ensuring GAAP compliance and strong internal controls. You will manage the general ledger, close processes, and financial reporting for the Academy.

You will collaborate with budget holders, oversee audits, and guide staff through accounting workflows using Blackbaud SIS and related systems. CPA and 10–15 years' experience preferred.

Qualifications

• GAAP concepts and standards knowledge
• Experience leading accounting function and internal controls
• Experience with audits and financial reporting
• Ability to work with students and staff; confidential
• Excellent communication and problem-solving skills
• Strong organizational skills and multi-tasking

Responsibilities

• Lead and support the Director of Finance, Controller and CFO as part of the senior finance team.
• Oversee the general ledger and ensure accurate financial information.
• Develop and document procedures, controls, and workflows for accounting processes.
• Design data flows from subledger ERP systems into the accounting suite (Blackbaud SIS, Enrollment Management and Tuition Management).
• Coordinate and prepare documentation for interim and annual audits with external auditors.
• Provide leadership and project management for finance system projects.
• Execute internal control audit requests from the Controller.
• Maintain strong internal control environment for key accounting cycles.
• Oversee daily staff activities and month-end close processes.
• Review general ledger entries and month-end reconciliations.
• Maintain segregation of duties in requisition to payment processes.
• Oversee inventory accounting and reflect it in the general ledger.
• Serve as finance liaison for procurement and inventory management.
• Oversee 1099 reporting and IRS filings.
• Oversee escheatment and filings with states.
• Support accounting staff and manage billing, A/R, cash receipts, A/P, travel/expense.
• Conduct performance evaluations and training for staff.
• Manage billing and collections across all accounts receivable including tuition and campus charges.
• Oversee Tuition Refund Program and financial aid postings.
• Manage accounts payable and reimbursements.
• Oversee corporate credit card program integration with bank/system.
• Engage in parent collection communications when escalation needed.
• Maintain compliance with GAAP and accounting procedures.

Skills

GAAP knowledge

Leadership

MS Office

SharePoint

Communication skills

Analytical thinking

ERP systems

Oracle Cloud Fusion

Team management

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Finance/Accounting

CPA preferred

Tools

Oracle Cloud Fusion

MS Office

ERP systems

SharePoint

Job description

Job Details

Title: Accounting Manager

Reports to: Controller

Schedule: Full time, 40 hours week, 12 months year. Schedule may vary according to departmental and Academy needs.

Salary range: $141,000 - $147,800 based on relevant experience and education.

Pay Group: Bi-Weekly (Salaried)

Type: Regular

Status: Full-Time

Fiscal Year Weeks: Full year (52 weeks)

Class: Staff

Department: Finance

Location: Hybrid

Position Purpose: Provides leadership and works collaboratively with the finance department and budget holders. Must possess a thorough understanding of generally accepted accounting principles and is responsible for internal controls, general ledger, accounting procedures, and financial statement reporting for the Academy.

Job Responsibilities

• Member of the senior finance team providing support for the Director of Finance, Controller and CFO.
• Oversees the general ledger accounting system ensuring complete and accurate financial information.
• Identifies, develops and enhances procedures, policies, controls and documentation, ensuring continuous greater efficiencies and accounting controls.
• Responsible for designing work flows, data flows and underlying control environment from subledger ERP systems into the financial accounting suite. (Blackbaud SIS, Enrollment Management and Tuition Management)
• Responsible for preparation and gathering required documentation for the interim and annual audits, working with outside auditors.
• Provides leadership and project management over finance and accounting system projects as requested.
• Executes internal control audit requests from the Controller.
• Responsible for ensuring a strong internal control environment underlying the key accounting cycles.
• Oversees the daily activities of staff and ensures month-end and close processes and reports are completed timely and accurately.
• Coordinates and participates in review of general ledger accounting entries and month end reconciliations.
• Maintains appropriate segregation of duties throughout the requisition, purchasing, receiving, invoicing, and payment processes.
• Oversees inventory accounting and ensures inventory balances are accurately reflected in the general ledger.
• Serves as the finance liaison for procurement, improving purchasing procedures, inventory management, and related system controls.
• Oversees annual 1099 reporting and ensures timely IRS filing.
• Oversees abandoned-property escheatment and ensures timely filing with the appropriate states.
• Provides assistance to members of the accounting team.
• Directs, oversees and develops the accounting staff for billing and accounts receivable, cash receipts, accounts payable, and travel and expense management.
• Conducts performance evaluations for direct reports.
• Coordinates training programs for new staff and identifies training needs for current staff.
• Responsible for managing billing and collections of all Accounts Receivable including tuition, summer school, children’s center, rentals, other campus charges, deposits and faculty mortgages.
• Oversees the Tuition Refund Program, the processing of student refunds, the posting of Financial Aid awards and other campus charges.
• Responsible for managing accounts payables including invoices, expense report processing and reimbursements.
• Oversees the corporate credit card program and integration with the bank and finance systems
• Engages in parent collection communication when escalation is needed.
• Understands and keeps current with generally accepted accounting principles.
• Ensures completeness of accounting procedure documentation.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

Knowledge, Skills and Competencies

• Knowledge of generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP), theories, practices, and standards.
• Strategic high-level thinking coupled with the attention to detail necessary for successful planning and execution.
• Respect for diversity of identities and experiences, an orientation toward equity and inclusion, and cultural competency in all aspects of Academy life.
• Ability to prepare and effectively present both oral and written information concerning activities and operations to internal and external constituents.
• Knowledge of personnel management, supervision and staff training.
• Ability to demonstrate broad conceptual judgment, initiative and ability to deal with complex accounting issues while engaged in detailed, critical and confidential aspects of accounting.
• Proficient in MS Office, SharePoint, report writing tools and ERP systems.
• Experience with Oracle Cloud Fusion preferred.
• Willingness and ability to learn additional applications as needed.
• Strong interpersonal skills with ability to develop and maintain collegial relationships.
• Excellent communication (written and verbal) skills.
• Demonstrated ability to work with students by building trust and credibility.
• Excellent analytical and problem solving skills as well as a strong customer focus.
• A strict adherence to confidential policies is required.
• Ability to work independently and handle multiple priorities and deadlines simultaneously.
• High degree of organizational skills with the ability to be flexible and multi-task with accuracy.
• Ability to follow verbal and written directions, maintain a professional demeanor and restraint at all times, including stressful situations.

Direct/Indirect Reports

Accounts Receivable & Billing Specialist, Disbursements Specialist, Accounts Payable Specialist

Position Requirements

Education

• Bachelor’s degree required, preferably in the field of Finance, Accounting, or related discipline.
• CPA preferred.

Experience

• 10 - 15 years’ experience with an emphasis on internal controls, financial statement preparation, annual audits, accounting information system projects.
• 5 years’ experience managing an accounting function.
• Experience working with adolescents in an educational setting preferred.

Additional Requirements

• Successfully complete a criminal background check (reviewed every 5 years).
• Successfully complete a credit record check.