Director of Accounting

Uncommon Schools is a nonprofit network of high-performing, public charter schools providing an outstanding K-12 education in historically under-resourced communities. We have proudly built schools that reflect our student population, with more than 60% of our teachers and staff across our network identifying as a person of color. Uncommon currently manages 52 schools serving more than 20,000 students in five cities: Boston, Camden, New York City, Newark and Rochester. We are proud that Uncommon graduates persist in and graduate from college at five times the rate of their peers nationally. We achieve this by offering strong academic, co-curricular, and social-emotional learning that prepares students for success in college and beyond.

The Uncommon Accounting team is based in New York City and provides support to 2,600 staff members across 52 schools and the Home Office. The organization employs two Director of Accounting positions who report to the Controller and work in close collaboration with each other, regional and school leaders, as well as other Home Office leaders. Areas of responsibility include school, Home Office, and real estate accounting across multiple states with different compliance requirements. Responsibilities are distributed between the two Director positions depending on workload, skillset, and expertise.

The Director of Accounting should have a growth mindset, be a strong and detail-oriented manager, and be a hands-on, hardworking team player. The ideal candidate possesses significant leadership experience as well as a solid operational and technical accounting background. This person is a self-starter, flexible, has a high level of integrity and is action- and goal-oriented in a fast-paced, team-oriented, collaborative environment. The Director of Accounting will have 2-3 direct reports and a team of 4-5 total staff.

The overall accounting team totals 26 employees including accounts payable, accounts receivable, payroll, and grants administration functions.

Duties & Responsibilities

Accounting Operations Oversight and Management 

• Oversee all accounts, ledgers, and reporting systems ensuring compliance with appropriate GAAP and/or GASB accrual accounting standards and regulatory requirements.
• Develop and implement internal control systems and assist in developing processes for identifying and reporting any gaps in controls and recommending improvements.
• Analyze financial data and present financial reports in an accurate and timely manner; c. Monitor and keep the Controller abreast of the financial status of all assigned entities.
• Collaborate with team leadership on the proper maintenance of accounting systems and functions and ensure fidelity of data and timely monthly, quarterly, and year-end reporting.
• Manage grants accounting for governmental and private grants; ensure that expenditures are consistently aligned with grant and program budgets and requirements throughout the grant/fund period.
• Lead and coordinate annual financial audits and the gathering of required audit information, resulting in the production of accurate and timely financial statements and clean financial audits.
• Lead IRS Form 990 preparation and filing for all assigned entities and respond to any correspondence from the IRS as needed.
• Maintain continuous lines of communication with senior leadership and keep the CFO informed of all accounting issues.

Team Leadership 

• Lead and inspire a team to meet a high bar for excellence in accounting operations, accounts payable, and school support. 
• Work with the Controller to identify and drive the organization toward the most efficient and effective operations documenting processes, developing systems, and modifying team structures where necessary. 
• Design and implement an internal training and staff development program to ensure the team possesses all requisite skills, techniques, and knowledge to perform their work to the highest possible standards.

Cross-Functional Leadership

• Develop and maintain strong, positive, and effective working relationships with leaders from key departments, including Finance, School Operations and Grants/Compliance. 
• Partner with School Operations leaders to develop and deliver a comprehensive training protocol for all school staff who participate in accounting and accounts payables processes. 
• Ensure all relevant policies and procedures are effectively rolled out to and understood by all Home Office and school leaders.
• Create structures for sharing vital updates and information with key stakeholders, including school and Home Office leaders, boards of directors, finance committees, and audit committees. 

Real Estate Accounting Oversight and Management

• Lead the accounting and reporting of all real estate related transactions, including bond financing and other types of short- and long-term debt, and ensure timely and accurate accounting entries and reports to lenders, funders, and bondholders.
• Oversee accounting of all intercompany transactions related to real estate and ensure accurate and timely accounting entries and proper documentation.
• Partner with the Real Estate team to determine proper classification of all real estate transactions and recognition of real estate related assets, including new construction.
• Create internal controls to ensure proper use and release of restricted funds for real estate and other purposes. 

• Bachelor's Degree in Accounting required; CPA preferred
• 10+ years of general accounting experience; 5+ years of directly related experience in a mid-size or larger multi-entity reporting organization (preferably in a non -profit; charter school experience a plus)
• 4+ years of direct leader
• Experience leading and/or administering accounting and finance functions in Workday
• Thorough understanding of Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP), as well as Governmental Accounting Standards Board (GASB) and Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) pronouncements
• Up to date on nonprofit accounting, audit best practices and state and federal law regarding nonprofit operations
• Knowledge of financial compliance and risk management including but not limited to statutory and regulatory requirements for nonprofit organizations

Our people are what make us uncommon. It’s important to us that our compensation practices align with our values and enhance our ability to attract and retain talent.  Our compensation philosophy is focused on equity and fairness, retaining our talented staff and valuing their expertise, and transparency and clarity.

Compensation for this position: The starting compensation for this role based in NYC is between $115,900 to $144,900 and generally, we expect that qualified candidates in this location will be made an offer between $115,900 and $130,400. The starting pay will depend on a variety of factors that may include but are not limited to experience, education, training, certification, and location. Because we value staff staying in their roles over time, we do not currently cap salary ranges.

Uncommon believes in the importance of being a diverse, equitable and inclusive organization that enables our students and staff to thrive. We are committed to building a talented team that reflects the diverse backgrounds and experiences of our students. At the same time, we work to ensure an inclusive community through creating a space for meaningful dialogue about issues of race and identity for our staff and students.  As an equal opportunity employer, we hire without consideration to race, religion, creed, color, national origin, age, gender, sexual orientation, marital status, veteran status or disability.