Finance Administrator

Altus Schools; San Diego (CA); On-site; USD 140,000 - 190,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical insurance

Dental insurance

Vision insurance

Life insurance

Chiropractic benefits

Employer-paid benefits

Job summary

Altus Schools seeks a senior leader to direct the Business Services department, ensuring financial stability and compliance with California education requirements. You will supervise payroll, AP, budgeting, and attendance accounting while shaping fiscal policy and reporting.

This 12-month, 100% onsite role requires collaboration with the leadership team to carry out Altus' mission and strategic initiatives.

Qualifications

• BS in Accounting/Finance or equivalent.
• CPA is preferred or required.
• Experience with California Education Code and regulations.
• Minimum of ten years of professional experience.
• Minimum of five years in financial and operations management in education or nonprofit.

Responsibilities

• Plan, organize, and oversee the operations of Altus Schools' Business Services department.
• Develop and monitor the annual budget; present recommendations to the Board.
• Oversee Payroll, Accounts Payable, Budget/Financial, and Attendance Accounting.
• Coordinate audits and ensure compliance with fiscal reports.
• Lead finance staff evaluations and professional development.
• Communicate with administrators and external partners to align finance with strategic goals.

Skills

Finance Leadership

Budget Management

Public School Finance

Audits

Compliance

Excel Expert

Staff Oversight

Contract Review

Communication

Policy Development

CA Ed Code

Education

BS in Accounting/Finance

CPA preferred

CA Education Code experience

10+ years professional exp.

Tools

Advanced Excel (Pivot Tables, VLOOKUP, XLOOKUP)

Job description

BASIC FUNCTION/DESCRIPTION OF POSITION:

As part of the Altus Schools Leadership Team; plan, organize, and oversee the administration and operations of the Business Services department for Altus Schools. Assure financial stability; contribute to the strategic direction of Altus Schools in carrying out the Mission, Vision, and Strategic Initiatives. Supervise and maintain appropriate records and compliance practices for the Business Services department.

REPRESENTATIVE DUTIES:

• Plan, organize, and administer the successful implementation of school finance best practices; contribute to the strategic direction of Altus Schools in carrying out its mission, vision, and strategic initiatives.
• Oversee the development of the annual budget; monitor income and expenditures; prepare budget recommendations for the Board; maintain current knowledge of fiscal-related issues.
• Assist in the development of the Local Control Accountability Plan (LCAP).
• Attend a variety of local, city, county, state, and federal meetings as assigned; attend conferences and workshops. Make presentations and conduct assigned meetings, prepare agendas, review minutes, and provide information and guidance as necessary.
• Prepare and maintain a variety of records and reports including budgets, property contracts, legislative updates, and other reports related to assigned functions; direct the preparation and maintenance of a variety of narrative and statistical reports related to business operations.
• Assist in the coordination of the investments and cash funds.
• Review and submit mandated fiscal reports.
• Annual review of job functions and evaluations of finance team members.
• Responsible for renewal of vendor contracts.
• Review audit report and federal and state tax forms
• Provide technical expertise, information, and assistance to the Leadership Team regarding assigned functions; participate in the formulation and development of fiscal policies, procedures, personnel and programs.
• Communicate with other administrators and outside organizations to coordinate activities and programs, resolve issues and conflicts, and exchange information.
• Monitor all categorical budgets.
• Monitor open purchase orders.
• Oversee the Payroll, Accounts Payable, Budget/Financial, and Attendance Accounting Departments.
• Oversee the development of the annual student attendance calendar.
• Oversee ADA; project annual ADA; conduct internal attendance audits.
• Coordinate external audit and implement audit procedures.
• Review and analyze Senate Bill 740 criteria and requirements for compliance annually.
• Work alongside other organizations that support the school.
• Perform assigned duties related to contracted agreements entered into by employer.
• Oversee the Payroll, Accounts Payable, Budget/Financial, and Attendance Accounting Departments.
• Oversees and administers the daily activities of the Finance Department.
• Perform other duties as assigned or changed with or without notice.
• Maintain consistent and regular attendance.

KNOWLEDGE, ABILITIES, REQUIREMENTS:

• Administration of California public school finance and business operations.
• Independent study program requirements in California.
• Principles and practices of administration, supervision, and training.
• Applicable laws, codes, regulations, policies, and procedures affecting school Business operations.
• Budget preparation and control.
• School business management including finance, and facility acquisitions.
• Oral and written communication skills.
• Interpersonal skills using tact, patience, and courtesy.
• Plan, organize, and administer the successful implementation of the Business operations of Altus Schools.
• Ability to plan and set a financial strategy.
• Plan, organize, and direct complex projects.
• Provide creative and effective solutions for meeting the financial needs of Altus Schools.
• Supervise, evaluate, and maintain performance and compliance records of assigned staff.
• Communicate effectively both orally and in writing.
• Interpret, apply, and explain rules, regulations, policies, and procedures.
• Establish and maintain cooperative and effective working relationships with others.
• Analyze situations accurately and adopt an effective course of action.
• Meet schedules and timelines.
• Work independently with little direction.
• Plan and organize work.
• Ability to manage diversity.
• Prepare comprehensive narrative and statistical reports.
• Oversee the maintenance of a variety of reports and files related to assigned operations and activities.
• Advanced Excel skills: Pivot Tables, Flash Fill, VLOOKUP, XLOOKUP, Filters, SUMIFS, Power Pivots, etc.
• Ability to create advanced Excel templates that are easy to use and can be incorporated into work processes
• Possession of a valid California driver's license and reliable transportation.
• TB Clearance
• Obtain Criminal Justice Fingerprint/Background Clearance through the DOJ and FBI

EDUCATION AND OR/EXPERIENCE:

• BS in Accounting, Business Administration with an emphasis in accounting, or finance, or CPA is required.
• Experience with California Education Code, and federal and state regulations
• Experience with public finance transactions
• Minimum of ten years of overall professional experience
• Minimum of five years of financial and operations management with a school district, charter school, nonprofit, major company, or division of a large corporation.
• Minimum of five years of progressive senior responsibilities in developing and building out financial reporting structures.

WORKING CONDITIONS:

ENVIRONMENT: Office setting; exposure to computer screens; travel between sites as needed. PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS: Hearing and speaking to exchange information with staff, external persons and vendors;seeing to perform assigned duties; sitting extended periods of time; dexterity of hands and fingers to operate acomputer 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 light objects; driving a vehicle to visitresource centers/offices and attend meetings as needed.

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.

Please note that not all applicants will be invited to interview, and only those selected will be contacted regarding next steps. Hiring decisions are made 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: 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.