The posting
The Director of Accounting leads the accounting function and its team of eight. Reporting to the CFO, this leader owns the month-end close, the general ledger, payroll and accounts payable oversight, grant ledgers, and the audit process. The accounting itself is not complex. The challenge is volume, structure, and scale. This leader will build the systems, processes, and team that let accurate work happen on time without burnout. This is a hands-on role. The right person leads the team and does the work alongside them. They are organized, steady through change, and good with people. They see where the department needs to go and build the path to get there.
Key Responsibilities
Team Leadership and Change Management
- Lead and rebuild the team. Supervise five direct reports and a department of eight. Set clear expectations, coach, and hold the team accountable.
- Put the right people in the right seats. Assess the current structure, fill gaps, and hire as the organization scales.
- Lead from inside the work. Roll up your sleeves during close, payroll, and audit. Model the standard you expect.
- Steady the department. Reduce overload through clear workflows, deadlines, and communication. Rebuild trust and morale.
- Grow people. Cross-train staff, document procedures, and create real paths for promotion from within.
- Lead through change. Guide the team through growth, new school launches, and evolving processes.
Month-End Close and General Ledger
- Build the close. Design and own a structured month-end close process. Target: complete, reconciled books within 10 to 15 days of month end.
- Maintain the general ledger. Ensure accurate accruals, reconciliations, fixed assets, and intercompany and management-fee allocations between the management organization and each school.
- Manage volume across entities. Standardize the chart of accounts, close calendar, and reporting formats across all schools.
Payroll and Accounts Payable
- Oversee payroll. Own payroll accuracy and timeliness. Payroll reports directly to this role.
- Oversee accounts payable. Lead the AP Supervisor and team of three. Build workflows that keep up with volume.
- Strengthen controls. Maintain internal controls over cash, payroll, procurement, and disbursements.
Grants and Restricted Funds
- Maintain grant ledgers. Track restricted funds and ensure spending matches approved budgets.
- Support drawdowns. Oversee federal grant reimbursements and drawdowns and reconcile grant activity to the ledger.
- Partner with the grants lead. Work cross-functionally on grant budgets, allowability, and reporting. [Confirm division of duties]
Systems and Process
- Get the most out of Workday. Partner with the internal Workday team. Identify where the system and processes need to go and build the plan to get there.
- Automate the routine. Replace manual, spreadsheet-dependent work so the team spends time on analysis and review.
- Support new school launches. Set up accounting for new schools, including entity setup, opening balances, and first-year audit readiness.
Reporting, Audit, and Cross-Functional Partnership
- Partner on board reporting. Provide accurate financial statements and analysis to the CFO and Director of FP&A, who lead board work.
- Translate the numbers. Explain financial results in plain language to school leaders and colleagues new to finance.
- Lead the audit. Serve as primary contact for external auditors. Manage PBC lists, workpapers, and fieldwork.
- Meet state and authorizer deadlines. Ensure timely, accurate financial filings in each state.
- Build relationships. Work closely with FP&A, HR, operations, and other directors. Learn the whole business.
What Success Looks Like
First 3 to 6 months A documented month-end close process is in place. Payroll and AP run on predictable workflows. The team has clear roles, deadlines, and communication. Relationships with fellow directors are established. 9 to 12 months Close runs consistently in 10 to 15 days. The team is right-sized and stable after growth, with the right people in the right seats. Staff no longer feel overwhelmed. Workday processes support scale across all schools.
Required Qualifications
- Bachelor's degree in Accounting from an accredited institution.
- 5 to 10 years of progressive accounting experience, including ownership of a monthly and annual close.
- Experience directly supervising accounting staff and setting clear expectations. [Confirm minimum years]
- Working knowledge of payroll, accounts payable, and accounts receivable.
- Command of debits, credits, and accounting workflow from transaction to financial statement.
- Ability to read, prepare, and explain financial statements to non-financial audiences.
- Understanding of restricted funds and federal grant drawdowns.
- Experience leading or supporting an external financial statement audit.
- Ability to pass a criminal background check and any fingerprint clearance required Preferred Qualifications
Candidates who do not meet every preferred qualification are encouraged to apply.
- Master's degree in Accounting or a related field.
- Accounting experience in K-12 education, charter schools, or charter management organizations (highly preferred).
- Nonprofit accounting experience, including restricted fund accounting.
- CPA license or CPA eligibility.
- Experience with Uniform Guidance (2 CFR Part 200) and Single Audits.
- Experience with multi-entity accounting and intercompany allocations.
- Experience leading a team through rapid growth, new site launches, or a department turnaround.
Technical Skills and Proficiencies
- ERP systems. Hands-on experience with a mid-market or enterprise ERP. Workday Financials experience is a plus, not a requirement.
- Systems translation. Ability to bridge accounting needs and system configuration, and to scope improvements with technical partners.
- Excel. Advanced skills, including pivot tables, lookups, and large-dataset reconciliation.
- Close and reconciliation tools. Experience building close checklists, calendars, and reconciliation workflows.
- Payroll and AP platforms. Familiarity with payroll processing and AP automation in a high-volume environment.
- Grant tracking. Ability to maintain grant ledgers and reconcile budget to actual spend.
Core Competencies
- Organizational leadership. Structures the work, manages competing deadlines, and knows how workload ebbs and flows.
- People leadership. Builds teams, sets expectations, and earns trust. A true team player.
- Change readiness. Engages with change and helps others through it.
- Hands-on ownership. Leads the work and does the work. No task is beneath the role.
- Systems thinking. Fixes the process behind the problem so it scales across every school.
- Clear communication. Explains financial matters simply to any audience.
- Service orientation. Treats school leaders as partners while holding firm on compliance.
- Mission alignment. Connects accurate accounting to the students and families our schools serve.
Work Environment and Physical Requirements
- Hybrid schedule based in Tucson or Phoenix, Arizona.
- Phoenix-based hires work from the Tucson office at least one day per week.
- Light travel to school sites, including occasional trips out of state.
- Extended periods of computer work in a standard office environment.
- Occasional evening availability for finance or board meetings.
- Increased workload during month-end close and audit season.
Compensation and Benefits
Salary range: $130,000 to $160,000 annually, depending on experience and qualifications.
Benefits include:
- Medical, dental, and vision insurance
- Employer-sponsored retirement plan
- Paid time off and paid holidays
- Additional benefits in accordance with the company benefits package
Equal Employment Opportunity
The employer is an equal opportunity employer. We are committed to building a team that reflects the communities our schools serve, and we do not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, disability, veteran status, genetic information, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state, or local law. The employer provides reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities throughout the application and employment process. This job description describes the general nature and level of work expected of the position. It is not an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties, and skills required, and it does not constitute an employment contract. Responsibilities may be modified at the organization's discretion.
