Accountant, Corporate Office

Under the direction of the Director of Finance, the Accountant is responsible for processing payroll with our ADP vendor, accounts payable, accounts receivable, grants receivables/payables, and monthly account reconciliations. This position provides guidance and administrative support to the Director of Finance and may serve in the capacity of the Director of Finance during the Director’s absence. This fast-paced position requires a working knowledge of school and grant policies and procedures as well as the vision and foresight to help Northwest Indiana Charter School achieve its mission.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS (Specific assignment will include some or all the following):

● The Accountant reports directly to and assists the Director of Finance in overseeing and working with all school departments to achieve departmental and district-wide objectives, while supporting strategic plans, and executing policy initiatives and priorities driven by the Executive Director.

● Work within the accounting department to ensure proper recording of all accounting transactions.

● Provide highly responsible administrative staff assistance to the Director of Finance, assists in implementing goals and objectives for the NWILCS.

● Participates in the development and monitoring of the Annual Budget.

● Assists in the development and implementation of NWILCS policies and procedures designed to improve operations, minimize operating costs, and effect greater utilization of resources.

● Work with school operations managers on problems relating to financial transactions.

● Be heavily involved in providing and reviewing grant financial updates monthly.

● Professionally represent NWILCS at gatherings, forums, and conferences.

● Conduct and attend meetings; prepare written reports; the keeper of records on school activities to align with performance management expectations.

● Maintain a review of departmental expenditures to ensure budget adherence.

● Perform additional duties as required or assigned.

MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS OF WORK:

• Possession of a bachelor’s degree in accounting, business administration, or a similar area from an accredited college or university.
• Must possess five (5) or more years working for a school district, including three (3) or more years of work experience in a charter school environment.
• Must possess a valid driver’s license and a safe driving record.
• Possess the knowledge, skills, and abilities in the following areas:
• Ability to communicate with professionalism to diverse groups, including the public, staff, contractors, the school board, and other key stakeholders.
• Knowledge of modern principles and practices of school/charter administration.
• Ability to follow oral and written instructions, ability to meet deadlines and work under pressure.
• Ability to effectively execute the Accountant’s duties.
• Excellent communication, written, and presentation skills.
• Possession of strong team player skills and ability to develop effective partnerships.
• Ability to create project plans and manage multiple projects simultaneously.
• Strong analytical and critical thinking skills.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with other employees, and school administration.
• Ability to respond to Executive Director concerns and needs in a timely manner.
• Deep understanding of school operations, services, and activities.
• Excellent organization, decision making, and time management skills.
• Critical thinking and problem-solving skills.
• Ability to adapt to changing goals and initiatives.
• Advanced leadership and management skills.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS OR WORK:

The ability to work in a primarily sedentary position, with the ability to occasionally use force to exert up to twenty pounds. The ability to lift, carry or otherwise move objects, books, materials, etc. using up to ten pounds of force frequently, and/or a negligible amount of force constantly to move objects. The employee is subject to inside environmental conditions: protection from weather conditions, but not necessarily from indoor temperature changes. There are no environmental hazards associated with this classification.

SUPERVISION:

Reporting to the Director of Finance, the individual has contact with staff at all levels, and uses the necessary resources to meet and achieve goals and/or objectives. Work assigned through specific projects and customer requests. The employee is responsible for prioritizing work tasks, and for identifying and utilizing the appropriate resources to resolve a problem or situation. Work performance reviewed through observation, completion of projects, status reports, conferences, and meetings. Guidance provided through the school code, operating practices and procedures, and other resources applicable to specific projects assigned. Work evaluated at least annually.