Staff Accountant

Job Description

Job Description

Position Summary

The Staff Accountant at the Flint Center for Educational Excellence plays a pivotal role in ensuring the organization’s financial health and operational efficiency, with a primary focus on supporting 16 school-based community education sites. Reporting to the Controller, this position is responsible for managing day-to-day accounting processes, preparing and monitoring site-level budgets, maintaining compliance with internal controls, and supporting accurate financial reporting. The Staff Accountant collaborates closely with the Controller, Chief Operating Officer (COO), Community School Directors, and other budget managers to provide financial guidance, training, and support while fostering a culture of accountability and transparency.

A key aspect of this position involves providing training to Community School Directors and other budget managers, including holding open office hours to build their capacity in managing budgets effectively and adhering to financial controls. The Staff Accountant will serve as a liaison between site-level leadership and central leadership by monitoring budgets, identifying variances, resolving discrepancies, and ensuring timely communication of financial updates.

The Staff Accountant will supervise the accounts payable/receivable functions, assist with external audits, manage grant reimbursements (e.g., Child Care Development Fund subsidies), and identify opportunities for process improvements. By serving as a trusted resource for financial management across the organization, the Staff Accountant will contribute significantly to the Flint Center’s mission of delivering high-quality community education programs that positively impact students and families.

This position is based in Flint, MI with the opportunity for a hybrid work schedule if needed. We are open to discussing flexible arrangements that balance remote work with on-site responsibilities, depending on the needs of the role and qualifications of the individual.

Key Responsibilities

Accounting and Financial Management:

• Manage monthly accounting processes for 16 community education sites, including journal entries, purchase orders, GL reconciliations, and forecasts.
• Prepare account reconciliations and investigate discrepancies.
• Assist with month-end close processes for all community education sites.
• Manage pre-paid expenses and accrued expenses with proper documentation.
• Prepare and review bank reconciliations.

Budgeting and Compliance:

• Assist in the preparation and monitoring of site-level budgets for 16 community schools.
• Review site-level Community School Action Plans to ensure alignment between program activities, projected expenditures, and approved budgets
• Approve site-level purchase orders, check requests, receivers, employee reimbursements, and orders.
• Monitor site-level budgets, identify variances, and report them to the Controller.
• Ensure compliance with financial controls and GAAP standards.
• Assist in developing, implementing, and monitoring internal controls to safeguard organizational assets.
• Assist with external year-end audits by preparing necessary work papers.
• Collaborate with the Chief Operating Officer (COO), Controller, and grant agencies to address grant management issues promptly.

Accounts Payable/Receivable:

• Supervise the activities of the Accounts Payable and Receivable Clerk.
• Serve as backup for accounts payable functions.
• Support invoicing and accounts receivable processes as needed.
• Prepare and manage reimbursement requests for the Child Care Development Fund (CCDF) scholarship and other sources, including reconciling accounts receivables and outstanding claims/payments received.

Training and Staff Support:

• Provide guidance, support, and training to Community School Directors and other budget managers on budgets, accounts, reports, and accounting software usage.
• Hold open office hours to support Community School Directors and other budget managers in building their capacity to manage budgets effectively and comply with internal controls.
• Perform business office processes with an eye for improvements while ensuring proper controls are in place.

Minimum Qualifications

A minimum of 3 years of experience working as a staff accountant or related financial role

A minimum of 2 years management leadership experience

Preferred Qualifications

Experience in nonprofit accounting