Senior Accountant

Meeting Street Schools; Town of Charleston (NY); On-site; USD 86,000 - 105,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health, Dental, Vision, and Pet Insur.

Life Insurance and Disability

Employee + Family Wellness

Tax-Favored Spending Accounts

Job summary

Meeting Street Schools seeks a Senior Accountant to oversee key financial operations and ensure accurate financial reporting. This role includes managing month-end and year-end close processes and providing technical guidance to the accounting staff.

The ideal candidate will have a bachelor's degree in a related field, 5–7 years of progressive accounting experience, and a strong commitment to the organization’s mission of empowering students. A comprehensive benefits package is included.

Qualifications

• Minimum of 5–7 years of progressive accounting experience.
• Solid understanding of GAAP and experience in Governmental & Fund Accounting.
• Proven experience preparing and reviewing journal entries, account reconciliations, and financial statements.

Responsibilities

• Lead and oversee month-end, quarter-end, and year-end close processes.
• Prepare, review, and approve journal entries and financial statements.
• Analyze financial data to support budgeting, forecasting, and decision-making.

Skills

Leadership

Analytical Skills

Problem-solving

Communication

Organizational Skills

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Accounting, Finance, Business, or related field

CPA or progress towards CPA

Tools

Microsoft Excel

Cloud-based ERP or accounting systems

Job description

Who We Are

Meeting Street Schools is a groundbreaking network of four South Carolina schools with a mission of “empowering children with the excellent, life-changing education they deserve.” We were founded in 2008 to give hard-working students the opportunity to receive an education that will transform their lives. We are ambitious in our commitment to families, and we expect the same in return. We value exceptional teaching, life-changing student achievement, innovation and a growth mindset, and gratitude and responsibility.

Who We're Looking For

We exist to change the status quo in education, and we seek individuals who strongly align with our mission. We look for those who refuse to compromise and see education as the gateway to opportunity. We hold high expectations for ourselves and our students. Our team strives to meet a bar of excellence, and we constantly challenge ourselves to get better and evolve our approach. High performers and leaders are encouraged to apply.

The Role

The Senior Accountant serves as a lead accounting professional responsible for overseeing key financial operations for Meeting Street Schools. This role ensures the accuracy, integrity, and compliance of financial reporting, supports audits and analysis, and provides technical guidance to accounting staff. The Senior Accountant acts as a lead resource, providing oversight and support to the Staff Accountant and Financial Analyst to ensure consistency, quality, and adherence to established accounting standards and processes. This position requires a seasoned accounting professional with strong technical expertise and proven experience in identifying and leading process improvements to enhance efficiency, accuracy, and internal controls.

Core Responsibilities

• Lead and oversee the month-end, quarter-end, and year-end close processes, ensuring accuracy, timeliness, and completeness of financial results.
• Prepare, review, and approve journal entries, account reconciliations, federal grant reimbursements, and financial statements.
• Provide day-to-day guidance and technical oversight to the Staff Accountant and Financial Analyst, reviewing work for accuracy and consistency.
• Analyze financial data and trends to support budgeting, forecasting, and strategic decision-making.
• Ensure compliance with GAAP, internal accounting policies, and applicable regulations.
• Identify, design, and lead process improvement initiatives to strengthen accounting operations and improve efficiency.
• Evaluate and enhance internal controls, recommending and implementing updates as needed.
• Serve as a key contact for external auditors, preparing supporting documentation, and coordinating responses.
• Collaborate with the Vice President of Accounting and Finance to prepare management reports, financial dashboards, and presentations for senior leadership.
• Participate in the development and implementation of accounting policies, procedures, and systems to support organizational growth.
• Provide mentorship and training to accounting team members, fostering professional development and knowledge sharing.

Skills & Characteristics

• A commitment to the mission and core values of Meeting Street Schools and an unwavering belief that all students can succeed.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities with accuracy and composure, supported by strong organizational, analytical, and problem-solving skills.
• Demonstrated commitment to accuracy, timeliness, continuous learning, integrity, confidentiality, and technical and ethical excellence in accounting practices.
• Collaborative, team-oriented professional with clear and proactive communication skills.

Educational Background & Experience

• A bachelor’s degree in Accounting, Finance, Business, or a related field is required.
• CPA or progress towards CPA is strongly preferred.
• Minimum of 5–7 years of progressive accounting experience, with demonstrated responsibility for month-end and year-end close processes.
• Solid understanding of GAAP; with Governmental & Fund Accounting experience.
• Proven experience preparing and reviewing journal entries, account reconciliations, and financial statements.
• Demonstrated experience setting expectations, modeling best practices, and promoting accountability and consistency across accounting processes.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Excel and experience with cloud-based ERP or accounting systems (e.g., Intacct, NetSuite, QuickBooks Online, etc.).

Compensation and Benefits

The salary range for the Senior Accountant is $86,000 - $105,000, and is commensurate with experience.

Additionally, Meeting Street Schools offers a comprehensive benefits package, including but not limited to:

• Health, Dental, Vision, and Pet Insurance
• Life Insurance and Disability
• Employee + Family Wellness
• Tax-Favored Spending Accounts (FSA/HSA)

Equal Employment Opportunity

Meeting Street Schools is an equal employment opportunity employer. Employment decisions are based on merit and business needs, and are not based on race, color, sex (including pregnancy, childbirth, and related medical conditions), citizenship status, national origin, ancestry, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, age, religion, creed, physical or mental disability, marital status, veteran status, uniformed service, political affiliation, genetic information, or any other factor or characteristic protected by applicable law.

Meeting Street Schools is a groundbreaking network of four South Carolina schools with a mission of “empowering children with the excellent, life-changing education they deserve.” We were founded in 2008 to give hard-working students the opportunity to receive an education that will transform their lives. We are ambitious in our commitment to families, and we expect the same in return. We value exceptional teaching, life-changing student achievement, innovation and a growth mindset, and gratitude and responsibility.