Business Manager

Ambition Preparatory Charter School; Jackson (MS); On-site; USD 90,000 - 140,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive salaries

Equal opportunity employer

Job summary

Ambition Preparatory Charter School seeks a Finance Leader to manage the annual budget, grants compliance, and financial reporting across state and federal programs. You will work with the COO and Executive Director to monitor expenses, prepare reports, and support audits.

The role requires 5+ years in school accounting and strong collaboration with HR, back-office teams, and state agencies. A master’s degree is preferred, and GAAP knowledge is essential.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree required; Master’s preferred.
• 5+ years in school accounting, grant compliance, and budget management.
• Strong interpersonal skills for stakeholder collaboration across functions.
• Knowledge of federal grant compliance and general accounting principles.
• Superior project management with attention to detail in a dynamic environment.

Responsibilities

• Prepare annual budget with leadership and submit reports after approval.
• Submit State and Federal applications and reporting (Title, CSP, IDEA Part B, etc.).
• Oversee grants management and compliance.
• Monitor expenses and ensure adherence to the budget.
• Prepare financial reports for ED, COO, MDE, lenders, and other agencies.
• Assist HR with monthly payroll and related tax reports.
• Oversee cash management, purchasing, and contracts.
• Coordinate with auditors and the authorizer during audits and reviews.
• Support financial operations planning for school growth and nutrition programs.

Skills

Budget management

Grants compliance

Financial reporting

GAAP basics

Project management

Team collaboration

Advanced Excel

Google Admin

Education

Bachelor’s degree

Master’s degree (preferred)

Tools

Google Admin

Microsoft Excel

Word

PowerPoint

Job description

Responsibilities and Duties

• Work with the schools leadership team and back office to prepare the annual budget, and when approved, submit all required budget reports
• Submits State and Federal applications and reporting (i.e. Title, CSP, IDEA Part B, Child Nutrition Program, etc.)
• Oversees all grants management and compliance
• Monitor expenses and ensure adherence to the approved budget
• Prepare financial information and reports as requested by ED, COO, MDE, authorizer, lenders, and various state agencies
• Work with the COO and ED, keeping them apprised of unforeseen expenditures or budget overages, and working together to study program feasibility or requested resources
• Assist and cooperate with outside auditors and the Charter School Authorizer in the conduct of approved audits or review of the School’s fiscal records
• Supports the HR Department with the process of monthly payroll on schedule
• File all required state and federal payroll tax reports
• Assist HR in the management of benefit programs, including retirement, health, and life insurance programs
• Oversee the cash management process
• Coordinate purchasing, bidding, and contracts
• Review invoices and credit card statements, ensuring proper documentation, pay bills in a timely manner, and record expenditures
• Submit grant reimbursement requests to MDE
• Work with the back office to prepare monthly bank reconciliations
• Ensure accounting is consistent with Federal requirements
• Track and file sales tax reports
• Work with the HR office as needed regarding finances, state and federal reporting, and student/staff data systems and records
• Assist with the preparation and planning of financial operations for middle and high school growth
• Assist the COO and Child Nutrition Manager with Child Nutrition Programs and oversight of the National School Lunch Program (including meal applications, required reporting, etc.)
• Assist with policy development and compliance related to financial management
• Supervise administrative staff
• Any other duties assigned by the Chief Operations Officer or Executive Director

Required Experience

• Bachelor’s Degree, required
• Master’s Degree, preferred
• At least 5 years of experience working with school accounting, grant compliance, and budget management
• Strong interpersonal skills with the ability to develop productive working relationships with stakeholders across functional and organizational lines
• Understanding of general accounting principles and federal grant compliance
• Exceptional project management skills with an ability to manage multiple priorities simultaneously
• Meticulous attention to detail with an ability to produce high-quality work in a dynamic environment
• Articulate, professional demeanor with strong self-confidence and initiative
• Team player capable of working both collaboratively and independently
• Strong problem-solving skills
• Demonstrated passion for Ambition Prep’s mission and high standards of excellence
• Strong computer skills, including Google Admin, Microsoft Excel, Word, and PowerPoint
• Innovative, creative, organized, and willing to take risks
• Ability to take constructive feedback and quickly incorporate feedback

To be a part of the Ambition Prep team, it is required that all candidates possess an unwavering commitment to Ambition Prep’s mission, students, families, and community through the implementation of policies and procedures. You must share the belief that every student can learn at an advanced level regardless of race, culture, or socioeconomic status. It is required that you have the ability to efficiently adapt in an ambiguous, fast-paced, start-up environment. Candidates must be team-oriented and can display a professional level of a growth mindset, maturity, flexibility, promptness, commitment, and organization. Each candidate must also be receptive to constructive feedback with the ability to remodel positive behavior precisely and effectively keeping the common goal of every student in mind.

Compensation

Ambition Preparatory Charter School offers competitive salaries and benefits commensurate with experience. Ambition Preparatory Charter School is an Equal Opportunity Employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, national or ethnic origin, age, disability, pregnancy, or veteran status.