Staff Accountant

Meeting Street Schools; Town of Charleston (NY); On-site; USD 64,000 - 77,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health, Dental, Vision, and Pet Ins.

Life Insurance and Disability

Employee + Family Wellness FSA/HSA

Retirement Plans

Job summary

Meeting Street Schools is seeking a Staff Accountant to manage core day-to-day accounting for its nonprofit entities. The role emphasizes accurate financial records, GAAP compliance, and timely reporting to support leadership decisions.

The ideal candidate will be detail-oriented, proactive, and capable of working across multiple departments. A Bachelor’s degree in accounting and 1–2 years of experience are required, along with proficiency in Excel and cloud ERP systems.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Accounting, Finance, Business, or related field.
• 1–2 years of accounting or bookkeeping experience, preferably in a multi-entity environment.
• Solid understanding of GAAP and financial reporting principles.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Excel and cloud-based ERP or accounting systems (e.g., Intacct, NetSuite, QuickBooks Online).

Responsibilities

• Support day-to-day accounting functions across multiple affiliated nonprofit organizations.
• Record monthly transactions, accruals, and fixed asset activity in the general ledger.
• Prepare month-end and year-end account reconciliations, including bank accounts, credit cards, and balance sheet accounts.
• Investigate and resolve discrepancies in a timely and accurate manner.
• Manage the accounts payable process to ensure proper vendor setup, accurate expense and project coding, appropriate approvals, and compliance with policies.
• Review and approve employee expense reports in accordance with guidelines.
• Prepare and post journal entries for accurate financial reporting.
• Assist with month-end and year-end close processes, including accruals and audits.

Skills

Accounting knowledge

Analytical thinking

Attention to detail

Time management

Communication

Multi-entity accounting

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Accounting/Finance/Business

Tools

Excel

Intacct

NetSuite

QuickBooks Online

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 students we serve deserve schools that operate with the same excellence we expect in the classroom. This role makes that possible. The Staff Accountant owns core day-to-day accounting functions across Meeting Street Schools, a nonprofit entity. This position is responsible for maintaining accurate financial records, ensuring compliance with accounting standards, and providing timely reporting to support strategic decision-making. The right person is detail-oriented, proactive, and eager to learn, with a strong sense of accountability and a commitment to the organization’s mission. If keeping the books clean is how you contribute to purpose-driven work, this role is for you.

Core Responsibilities

• Support day-to-day accounting functions across multiple affiliated nonprofit organizations.
• Record monthly transactions, accruals, and fixed asset activity in the general ledger.
• Prepare month-end and year-end account reconciliations, including bank accounts, credit cards, and balance sheet accounts.
• Investigate and resolve discrepancies in a timely and accurate manner.
• Manage the accounts payable process to ensure proper vendor setup, accurate expense and project coding, appropriate approvals, and compliance with organizational policies.
• Review and approve employee expense reports in accordance with internal guidelines.
• Prepare and post journal entries to ensure accurate and complete financial reporting.
• Assist with month-end and year-end close processes, including accruals, adjustments, and audit preparation.
• Maintain up-to-date and compliant financial records in accordance with GAAP and internal policies.
• Support the preparation of internal and external financial reports for leadership and stakeholders.
• Collaborate with team members across departments to gather financial data, reconcile variances, and strengthen accounting processes.
• Monitor accounting data to identify trends, variances, and opportunities for improved efficiency or accuracy.

Education and Experience

• Bachelor’s degree in Accounting, Finance, Business, or a related field (required).
• Minimum 1–2 years of accounting or bookkeeping experience, preferably in a multi-entity environment.
• Solid understanding of GAAP and financial reporting principles.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Excel and experience with cloud-based ERP or accounting systems (e.g., Intacct, NetSuite, QuickBooks Online, etc.).
• Experience supporting month-end close, account reconciliations, and financial reporting.

Skills & Characteristics

• A commitment to the mission and core values of Meeting Street Schools and an unwavering belief that all students can and will succeed
• Ability to balance multiple priorities while maintaining accuracy and composure.
• Strong organizational, analytical, and problem-solving skills with a focus on process improvement.
• Commitment to accuracy, timeliness, and continuous learning in accounting practices.
• Collaborative mindset with clear communication and a team-oriented approach.
• Proactive communication style and willingness to learn and grow within a collaborative team.
• Strong analytical skills, attention to detail, and ability to meet deadlines.
• High degree of integrity, confidentiality, and commitment to technical and ethical excellence.

The starting salary for the Staff Accountant position is between $64,000 and $77,000 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)
• Retirement Plans

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.