Reports to: Assistant Head of School for Finance and Operations

Direct Reports: Payroll Manager & Human Resource Specialist, Accounts Receivable/Accounts Payable Manager, Accounting Assistant

FTE: Full-Time, Year Round

University Prep is seeking a talented, engaging, and compassionate Controller. We look for staff and faculty who share our belief that a culturally rich and inclusive school community provides students with the best possible environment for a quality education. We need a leader who understands best practices in accounting and finance and thrives on working independently as well as part of a team. If that sounds like you, we’d like to hear from you.

Who We Are:

University Prep (UPrep) is a 6-12 independent school in northeast Seattle, WA, one of the country’s most dynamic cities. We offer an intellectually rich education that fosters deep inquiry and critical thinking that is powered by student engagement. Our students graduate prepared for college and life. UPrep is a strong and vibrant community of students, families, faculty, staff, and alumni that joins together to support our students in becoming caring and productive adults. UPrep is a place where all students and families have equitable access to all the school has to offer, and we aspire for all community members to feel like they belong. Diversity, equity, and inclusion are embodied in all facets of our school culture. We believe that our shared values of integrity, respect, and responsibility are essential to accomplish our mission to develop each student’s potential to become an intellectually courageous, socially responsible citizen of the world.

Job Summary:

Under minimal supervision, is responsible for all aspects of maintaining the company financial systems and coordinating all accounting functions of the Business Office. Prepares financial statements and supporting financial analysis to assist management. Manages the Payroll Manager & Human Resources Specialist, Accounts Receivable/Accounts Payable Manager and Accounting Assistant.

Specific Responsibilities:

Monthly (or as needed)

• Performs accounting, finance, and financial analysis functions for the Business Office
• Prepares monthly detailed financial reports, financial statements, and schedules
• Responsible for overall management of the schools accounting software system (MIP) and its interface with other computer systems within the school.
• Maintains fiscal policies and procedures and ensures appropriate accounting principles and standards, and federal, state, and local codes are followed
• Leads the preparation of annual operating budgets, ensures monthly reporting to budget managers, and oversees budget adherence by departments
• Plans, organizes, and coordinates the monthly close process
• Prepares/reviews balance sheet account analysis to ensure accuracy of financial statements
• Reviews and approves general journals and payroll journal entries prepared by others, for accuracy, proper documentation and correct posting
• Prepares appropriate journal entries required for month end and year end close process
• Monitors internal control policies and procedures to ensure adequate internal controls are maintained
• Reconciles all cash and investment accounts
• Assists in Treasury & Cash Management
• Maintains all accounting for investment accounts in compliance with the schools Investment Policy Statement, including the allocation of earnings and fees and distributions from each account
• Reconciles general ledger account balances to various subsidiary subsystems ledgers balances such as Development database to Business Office MIP general ledger monthly; reconciles other ongoing campaigns as required; maintains detailed sub ledgers for all campaigns
• Reviews and supervises tuition and auxiliary billing including assisting with communications and collections
• Maintains a complete understanding of budget detail; ensures appropriateness of actual information to budget
• Maintains Fixed Asset schedules according to policy; ensures that Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP) are followed to ensure for timely and accurate capitalization of long-term assets, for the retirement of disposed assets, and accurate calculation of depreciation of capital assets
• Participates as staff support to the Finance Committee and Investment Committee, prepares meeting materials with direction from the Assistant HOS for Finance and Operations, records and prepares committee minutes
• Compiles the month-end financial package for the Board and Finance Committee
• Prepares debt covenant and debt compliance calculations
• Maintains unclaimed property policy and procedures according to the State of Washington’s Revised code of Washington (RCW)

Annually

• Plans, organizes, and coordinates fiscal year end close process
• Prepares and assists in the insurance renewal process including preparation of the renewal application
• Prepares/reviews Balance Sheet account analysis and related income statement accounts to ensures accuracy of information for annual audit
• Coordinates the annual financial statement audit; reviews all audit schedules prior to submission to auditors
• Coordinates the annual Form 990 filing including preparation of the annual tax form organizer
• Reviews benefit plan audit schedules and reviews benefit plan Form 5500 before filing
• Compiles all financial statement information and gathers statistical data from other departments for NAIS DASL data collection, as well as other surveys or compliance reports
• Assists in preparing, maintaining, and updating the long-range financial plan and Board dashboard
• Maintains CPR/First Aid certification

Ongoing

• Hires, mentors, trains, organizes, and develops the Payroll Manager/Human Resources Specialist, Accounts Receivable/Accounts Payable Manager and Accounting Assistant; ensures effective business practices, furthers their professional development and supports the goals of the school; completes Performance Evaluations and provides regular feedback
• Researches and implements special projects in the Business Office as assigned by the Assistant HOS for Finance and Operations; is responsible for recommending applicable system changes that would enhance daily operations of the Business Office
• Manages all facility rentals; communicates with prospective renters using school facility rental philosophy as a guide for renter approval; prepares and administers facility rental agreements
• Maintains 100% confidentiality at all times
• Establishes and cultivates community relations by maintaining open dialogue with all of the school’s constituencies
• Actively participates in the full life of the school
• Vigorously engages in their own professional development; is a life-long learner who enhances their skills, using state-of-the-art technologies to maintain high standards of performance to efficiently and effectively produce work products
• Is familiar with and complies with all policies and regulations as put forth in the school’s documents
• Since safety and security are everyone’s responsibility, takes all necessary and reasonable precautions to protect students, faculty, staff, equipment, materials and facilities
• Performs other duties as assigned

Education & Experience:

• Bachelor’s degree in Accounting required
• 5+ years of work experience in non-profit sector, plus supervisory experience at an increasingly responsible level, required
• A CPA and experience with MIP software is highly desired

Required Knowledge, Skills & Abilities:

• Excellent verbal and written communication skills
• Strong attention to detail
• Strong analytical skills, self-motivation, creativity and the ability to work with minimal supervision
• Ability to work and communicate well with all levels of faculty and staff
• Ability to work and communicate well with students and their parents
• Ability to maintain confidential information
• Flexibility, maturity, and a sense of humor
• Commitment to diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging
• Proficient at working in a Microsoft Windows environment, using Office, including Outlook; ability to master common automated systems for record keeping, and confidently learn new technology; experience with school-focused technology is a plus; advanced knowledge of Excel required
• Ability to sit and keyboard up to 8 hours per day
• Ability to provide clear understandable training to users of software applications both expert and nontechnical
• Strong organizational skills necessary to manage multiple responsibilities projects and communicate results
• Customer service skills such as follow-up, discretion, patience, etiquette, communication, and professionalism
• Ability to deal with others with tact, diplomacy, and courtesy
• Ability to meet strict deadlines

Compensation & Benefits:

Salary is $130k-$155k based on education and years of experience. This is a year-round position. UPrep offers a comprehensive and generous benefits package intended to support and promote the health and well-being, work/life balance, and financial security of our faculty, staff, and their families. Benefits are listed on our careers page and include: Medical, Dental, and Vision Insurance, Employer-Seeded Health Savings Account or Health Reimbursement Account, Flexible Spending Accounts, Employer-Paid Long-Term Disability Insurance, Employee Assistance Program, Employer-Paid Life Insurance, Voluntary Life Insurance, 401(k) Retirement Savings Plan with employer contribution and match after one year of service, Paid Time Off, Paid Parental Leave after one year of service, and Professional Development opportunities.

Click on Apply Now, complete our online employment application, and upload your résumé and a cover letter telling us why you are interested in and qualified for this position.

Position open until filled. No phone calls or drop-ins please.

University Prep does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national or ethnic origin, religion, creed, age, gender, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity, veteran’s status, disability, use of a trained service animal, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state, or local laws. This policy applies to admissions and administration of all its programs, as well as to all areas of employment.

www.universityprep.org