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Accounting Manager, Full-time, 12-month, Exempt

Founded in 1961, Sandy Spring Friends School is a progressive, coed, academically-rigorous day and boarding school serving students from age three through 12th grade. The campus is located on 140 acres in the historic Sandy Spring area of Montgomery County, Maryland, and the School is approved by the Maryland State Board of Education and accredited by the Association of Independent Maryland Schools.

Our school’s culture, rooted in the idea that collaboration engenders achievement, can be traced to our Quaker heritage and abiding belief in the Quaker values of simplicity, equality, integrity, stewardship of the environment, and peaceful resolution of conflict.

Summary: Sandy Spring Friends School seeks candidates for the position of Accounting Manager. This role supports the day-to-day integrity of the school's accounting records — including general ledger accounting, account reconciliations, and month-end close — while helping strengthen the school's financial policies, procedures, and internal controls. Working closely with the Controller to professionalize and streamline the accounting function, the Accounting Manager oversees a small team spanning Accounts Payable, Accounts Receivable, and General Ledger, and reports directly to the Controller. SSFS is eager to consider applications from traditionally underrepresented groups.

Essential Responsibilities:

• Own the month-end and year-end close process, including sub-ledger reconciliations and proper accounting treatment of entries.

• Supervise the AP, AR, and General Ledger team, ensuring accurate coding, timely processing, and adherence to internal controls.

• Compile, analyze, and prepare general ledger journal entries — including fixed asset and payroll entries — and maintain related documentation.

• Perform and review reconciliations for all balance sheet accounts (cash, clearing accounts, prepaids, accruals, deferred revenue, fixed assets, etc.) and maintain related schedules, ensuring proper capitalization and depreciation treatment.

• Assist with payroll-related GL entries and reconciliations in coordination with HR and Payroll, and support HR in reconciling employee benefits administration.

• Assist the Controller with the monthly financial statement package, the annual financial audit, and preparation of supporting audit schedules and documentation.

• Reconcile donations, pledges, and gift activity, partnering with Advancement to ensure donation accounting is recorded accurately and properly classified.

• Oversee student billing in coordination with Admissions, ensuring charges and payments are recorded correctly with proper revenue recognition, and work directly with parents to resolve billing inquiries.

• Support cash management, including bank reconciliations and monitoring of banking controls.

• File sales and use tax returns and prepare year-end 1099 filings.

• Review, update, and help implement internal financial controls, and help document and improve accounting procedures, the chart of accounts, and the month-end close checklist as the school builds out its finance infrastructure.

• Provide departmental budget support and ad hoc financial analysis.

• Participate in school-wide committee work.

• Other duties as assigned.

Knowledge and Skill Set Requirements:

• Bachelor's degree in Accounting, Finance, or a related field required; CPA certification or candidacy preferred.

• Minimum of five years of progressively responsible accounting experience, preferably in an independent school or nonprofit setting, with strong knowledge of GAAP, and internal controls

• Prior experience in an educational institution setting, with exposure to Advancement accounting (donation, pledge, and gift accounting), is strongly preferred

• Proficiency in Microsoft Excel and Google Workspace; experience with Veracross or similar nonprofit accounting software is a plus.

• Excellent organizational, communication, and time management skills, with the ability to manage multiple priorities and deadlines.

• Commitment to professional growth, adaptability, diversity and inclusion, and support for Quaker beliefs, values, and practices.

Summary of Benefits:

Salary: $95,000–$110,000 yearly

At SSFS, we offer a competitive benefits package designed to support your health, well-being, and professional growth. Our benefits include:

• Comprehensive Insurance: Medical, dental, and vision coverage to keep you and your family healthy.

• Disability & Life Insurance: Short-term and long-term disability coverage, along with life insurance for peace of mind at no cost to employees.

• Retirement Savings: 403(B) plan with employer contributions to help you save for the future.

• Paid Time Off: Generous paid time off, including holidays and parental leave.

• Employee Assistance: Access to our Employee Assistance Program (EAP) for personal and professional support.

• Tuition: Financial aid available to children of SSFS employees.

• Childcare Discounts: Discounted After Care and Summer Camp programs for employees' children.

• Convenience Perks: Free parking, free lunch, and access to our library and gym facilities.

• Professional Development: Opportunities for growth through tuition reimbursement, wellness programs, and ongoing professional development initiatives.

• Campus Amenities: Work in a beautiful, historic campus with walking paths. We are a smoke-free, environmentally conscious community.

Physical Requirements: