Staff Accountant

LEARN Charter School Network; Chicago (IL); On-site; USD 56,000 - 76,000; Full time

Job summary

LEARN Charter School Network in Chicago is seeking an experienced Staff Accountant to maintain the integrity of the organization's financial records with a focus on general ledger, month-end close, reconciliations, and payroll analyses. This in-person role collaborates across departments and supports audits within a nonprofit setting.

The ideal candidate has about three years of accounting experience, a solid GAAP background, and strong Excel/ERP skills, enabling accurate financial reporting and

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Accounting or Finance required.
• Approximately 3 years of progressive accounting experience.
• Strong knowledge of general ledger, reconciliations, and month-end close.
• Experience reconciling payroll-related accounts and analyzing payroll data preferred.
• Excellent attention to detail and ability to manage multiple priorities.

Responsibilities

• Prepare journal entries with supporting documentation.
• Maintain and reconcile general ledger accounts.
• Perform month-end and year-end close activities with accruals and reconciliations.
• Analyze account activity and investigate variances.
• Review payroll-related balance sheet accounts and resolve discrepancies with Payroll team.
• Assist with pension contributions and 403B contributions.
• Review bi-weekly payroll and back-up Payroll Supervisor as needed.
• Support annual financial audit with schedules and documentation.
• Ensure GAAP compliance and assist with special projects.

Skills

General ledger

Month-end close

Payroll reconciliation

GAAP knowledge

Excel

ERP systems

Education

Bachelor's degree in Accounting or Finance

Tools

ERP systems

Payroll systems

Job description

Founded in 2001, LEARN is a non profit network of PreK-8th grade elementary schools that is creating measurable, transformational change in the lives of its students. We currently educate 4,100 students, a majority low-income, minority student population (88% and 98%, respectively), across 12 campuses across Chicago, Lake County, and Washington D.C.Our schools provide a rigorous educational program that is built upon an intimate understanding of each student’s individual learning style and academic needs. We are guided by five core values which include: expectations of high achievement; mutual respect; the development of a safe and nurturing environment; active family involvement; and the positive development of the Whole Child.LEARN alumni graduate college at 2x the rate of their peers, exceeding city, state and national averages. Our college graduation rate is 10 points above the national average for all students regardless of socio-economic status or ethnicity. We are proud to be closing the achievement gap.What You’ll Do:LEARN is seeking an experienced Staff Accountant. You will be responsible for maintaining the accuracy and integrity of the organization's financial records, with a strong emphasis on general ledger accounting, month-end close, account reconciliations, financial reporting, and payroll reconciliations. The ideal candidate has approximately three years of accounting experience, possesses strong analytical skills, and is comfortable working independently while collaborating across departments. This is not a remote opportunity, you will be working in person 4 days a week.Key Responsibilities include but not limited to :Prepare journal entries, ensuring accuracy and appropriate supporting documentation.Maintain and reconcile general ledger accounts.Perform month-end and year-end close activities, including accruals, balance sheet reconciliations, and financial analysis.Analyze account activity and investigate variances, recommending corrective actions as needed.Review payroll-related balance sheet accounts, including accrued payroll, payroll tax liabilities, benefits payable, and other payroll-related accruals, resolving discrepancies in partnership with the Payroll team.Assist with submitting pension contributions and 403B contributionsReview bi-weekly payroll and back-up the Payroll Supervisor, if support is neededSupport the annual financial audit by preparing schedules and providing supporting documentation.Ensure compliance with company accounting policies and Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP).Assist with special projects and ad hoc financial analyses as assigned.You’ll be a great fit if you have:Bachelor's degree in Accounting or Finance required.Approximately 3 years of progressive accounting experience.Strong knowledge of general ledger accounting, account reconciliations, and month-end close.Experience reconciling payroll-related accounts and analyzing payroll data preferred.Solid understanding of GAAP.Advanced proficiency in Microsoft Excel, including PivotTables, XLOOKUP/VLOOKUP, and complex formulas.Experience with ERP/accounting systems and payroll systems is preferred.Strong analytical, organizational, and problem-solving skills.Excellent attention to detail and commitment to accuracy.Ability to manage multiple priorities and meet deadlines.Excellent written and verbal communication skills.Experience in nonprofit, education, or multi-entity accounting is a plus.Experience supporting annual financial audits.Familiarity with payroll and benefit reconciliations.Benefits Summary:We offer a comprehensive and competitive benefits package for all full time employees, including:Medical, Dental and Vision InsurancePaid vacation, personal days, sick days, paid holidaysShort and long term disabilityPaid life insurancePet Insurance403B Contribution + 4.5% matching as eligibleThis job description is not intended to be a complete list of all responsibilities, duties or skills required for the job and is subject to review and change at any time, with or without notice, in accordance with the needs of LEARN Charter School Network. Since no job description can detail all the duties and responsibilities that may be required from time to time in the performance of a job, duties and responsibilities that may be inherent in a job, reasonably required for its performance, or required due to the changing nature of the job shall also be considered part of the jobholder’s responsibility.All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, family medical history, disability or veteran status.