Accounting Manager

Under the direction of the Director of Finance, the Accounting Manager is responsible for performing specialized accounting, financial reporting, reconciliation, and compliance functions in support of the organization's fiscal operations. The Accounting Manager ensures the accuracy and integrity of financial records, supports accounts payable and accounts receivable processes, maintains compliance with applicable accounting standards and charter school fiscal requirements, and promotes strong internal controls and audit readiness.

This position collaborates closely with departments across the organization to support budget development, expenditure monitoring, financial reporting, fiscal compliance, and operational decision-making. The Accounting Manager serves as a key resource in maintaining accurate financial records, supporting audits, ensuring proper account coding, and advancing sound fiscal practices that support the organization's mission and strategic priorities. The start date for this position is August 18, 2026. Mandatory in-person attendance is required for the Back-to-School event from August 18, 2026, through August 21, 2026, in Southern California.

Qualified candidates will be invited to participate in a digital one-way interview. Please ensure you check your emails regularly, as the interview invitations will have an expiration date.

Essential Responsibilities

Accounting Operations and Financial Management

• Maintain and reconcile financial records, accounts, and transactions to ensure accuracy, completeness, and compliance with organizational policies, accounting standards, and applicable regulations.
• Manage accounts payable and accounts receivable processes, including reviewing, verifying, coding, processing, and reconciling financial transactions.
• Research, investigate, and resolve accounting discrepancies, account variances, coding issues, and transaction errors to maintain accurate financial records and internal controls.
• Utilize financial management systems, accounting software, spreadsheets, and reporting tools to process transactions, analyze data, and maintain accurate financial records.
• Maintain and monitor account coding structures in accordance with California school accounting standards and organizational chart of accounts requirements.
• Review expenditures and revenue transactions for appropriate resource, goal, function, object, and program coding, as applicable.

Financial Reporting and Analysis

• Prepare, analyze, and maintain financial reports, reconciliations, and supporting documentation to provide accurate financial information and ensure audit readiness.
• Support budget development, expenditure monitoring, and financial reporting activities by providing financial analysis, account reconciliation, and fiscal data as requested.
• Assist with monthly, quarterly, and annual financial closing processes, including account reconciliation, journal entries, and preparation of supporting schedules and reports.
• Assist in the preparation and reconciliation of financial information used for state reporting, attendance-related funding calculations, audits, and other required submissions.

Compliance, Audit, and Internal Controls

• Ensure financial transactions are recorded and reported in accordance with California school accounting standards, charter school requirements, applicable federal and state regulations, and organizational fiscal policies.
• Ensure compliance with applicable federal, state, local, and organizational fiscal requirements, including education-related financial regulations, reporting requirements, and accounting procedures.
• Monitor and reconcile revenues and expenditures associated with state, federal, local, and grant-funded programs to ensure compliance with applicable funding requirements.
• Maintain accounting records, contracts, purchase orders, invoices, and related financial documentation to establish and preserve appropriate audit trails and financial accountability.
• Support internal and external audits by preparing documentation, audit schedules, reconciliations, responding to requests, and ensuring the accuracy and completeness of financial records.
• Assist in implementing and maintaining internal controls that safeguard organizational assets and support compliance with charter school financial requirements.

Collaboration and Fiscal Support

• Collaborate with internal departments and external stakeholders to provide financial guidance, explain accounting procedures, and support fiscal compliance, budget management, and operational decision-making.
• Partner with operational departments to ensure expenditures align with approved budgets, grant requirements, and organizational priorities.
• Provide training, guidance, and support to staff regarding financial processes, account coding, purchasing procedures, and fiscal compliance requirements as needed.

Confidentiality and Professional Responsibilities

• Protect confidential financial, employee, student, and organizational information and exercise sound judgment in handling sensitive matters.
• Perform other related duties as assigned that support the financial operations, reporting requirements, and compliance objectives of the organization.

Knowledge & Skills

• Knowledge of accounting principles, bookkeeping practices, financial reporting, internal controls, and account reconciliation procedures.
• Knowledge of accounts payable, accounts receivable, general ledger functions, and audit preparation requirements.
• Knowledge of California school accounting standards, charter school fiscal operations, and applicable federal, state, and local regulations.
• Knowledge of budget development, expenditure monitoring, grant accounting, and fiscal compliance practices.
• Proficiency in financial management systems, accounting software, spreadsheets, databases, and reporting tools.
• Ability to analyze financial data, identify discrepancies, and implement appropriate corrective actions.
• Skill in preparing accurate financial reports, reconciliations, schedules, and supporting documentation.
• Ability to interpret and apply policies, procedures, regulations, and accounting requirements.
• Strong organizational skills with the ability to manage multiple priorities, meet deadlines, and maintain accurate records.
• Strong interpersonal, written, and verbal communication skills, including the ability to explain financial information to a variety of audiences.
• Ability to exercise sound judgment, maintain confidentiality, and establish effective working relationships with internal and external stakeholders.

Work Environment & Physical Requirements

Primarily performed from a home office with reliable high-speed internet and a quiet space suitable for student video sessions. Occasional in-person attendance required for the annual Back to School Conference and other events. Extended sitting and keyboard/mouse use up to 8 hours daily; hearing, speaking, and visual acuity to engage students virtually. At in-person events: standing/walking, occasional lifting up to 20 lbs (up to 40 lbs on rare occasions), pushing/pulling not exceeding 50 lbs. Reasonable accommodations available.

Minimum Qualifications

• Associate's degree in Accounting, Finance, Business Administration, or a closely related field and four (4) years of progressively responsible accounting, bookkeeping, fiscal operations, or financial management experience; or
• An equivalent combination of education, training, and experience that demonstrates the knowledge and abilities required to perform the essential functions of the position.

Preferred Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Accounting, Finance, Business Administration, or a related field.
• Five (5) or more years of progressively responsible accounting or fiscal management experience.
• Experience in California public education, charter schools, county offices of education, governmental agencies, or nonprofit organizations.
• Experience supporting annual independent audits, financial reporting, budget development, and grant compliance activities.
• Experience with school accounting software and California school account coding structures.

Compensation

$87,600.00- $114,827.04

California Online Public Schools is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We are committed to creating an inclusive and diverse workplace. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national origin, age, disability, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by applicable federal, state, or local laws.

California Online Public Schools is committed to fair, equitable, and transparent compensation practices. In accordance with California’s Pay Transparency requirements (Labor Code §432.3 and SB 1162), we provide a clear pay scale for every job posting and internal job description.

Pay Scale Disclosure:

For each position, we publish the salary range or hourly wage range that the organization reasonably expects to pay for that role at the time of posting. Actual compensation is determined based on factors such as job-related skills, experience, education, training, credentials, internal equity, budget, and organizational needs.