Accounting Manager / Controller

Class Title:Accounting Manager / Controller Department:Administration Classification: Administrator - 12 months Reports to: Finance Director

CLASS DESCRIPTION The Accounting Manager/Controller is responsible for the accuracy of the school district's financial systems and internal controls and leads preparation for annual audits. This role demands an experienced professional who takes full ownership of financial reporting, drives audit readiness, and operates with minimal supervision. The ideal candidate is technically proficient, communicates financial information clearly to non-financial audiences, and proactively identifies and resolves issues without prompting.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES Financial Reporting & Close Oversee period-end and year-end close process. Prepare and post of closing journal entries and ensure deadlines are met. Produce timely, accurate, and decision-ready financial reports for the School Committee, Finance Director, or Superintendent.

Accounting Operations In coordination with the Finance Office staff, manage all general accounting functions independently: Accounts Payable, Accounts Receivable, Payroll, General Ledger, and consolidations. Evaluate and manage the implementation of relevant internal processes and systems. Reconcile interagency (municipal due-to/due-from) accounts on a defined schedule with zero unresolved items at period-end. Approve new general ledger accounts in conformance with RIDE’s Uniform Chart of Accounts and maintain financial statement reporting structures. Manage fixed asset accounts.

Audit, Compliance & Grants Lead audit readiness and compliance. Work closely with senior team members to prepare key financial reports for the School Committee, and state auditors. Ensure that all grants are in compliance with OMB Circulars and any other fiscal requirements related to revenue and expense recognition practices. Submit all grant reimbursement requests accurately and on schedule, proactively track receivables and flag potential shortfalls.

Internal Controls & Systems Develop, document, and enforce Internal Control Policies and Procedures; identify gaps and implement corrective action without being directed to do so. Evaluate and improve accounting systems, payroll platforms, and expense reporting tools; lead or support system implementations as needed. Serve as a subject matter expert on accounting policy; Assist with budget development and reporting.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES Must be highly detailed and organized. High comfort level with evolving software, altered standard operating procedures, and dynamic environments. Demonstrated advanced proficiency in Microsoft Excel (pivot tables, complex formulas) and Google Sheets. Ability to act and operate independently with minimal daily direction from manager to accomplish objectives. Ability to work cooperatively and collaboratively with all levels of employees, management, and external agencies to maximize performance, creativity, problem solving, and results. Ability to communicate complex financial information clearly to non-financial staff and stakeholders.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

Education and Experience: Bachelor's Degree in Accounting, Finance, or a related business field. Minimum of three (3) years of progressively responsible accounting or financial control experience; government, municipal, or K-12 education experience strongly preferred.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

CPA, CMA, or MBA. Experience with Infinite Visions accounting software. Experience working with the RI Department of Education's Uniform Chart of Accounts (UCOA).

PHYSICAL DEMANDS The physical demands described are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. While performing the duties of this job, the employee must be able to work in a variety of physical positions, including, but not limited to, sitting, standing, stretching, and walking. The employee is regularly required to talk and/or hear. The employee is frequently required to use hands, handle, or feel. The employee must be able to perform physical activities such as, but not limited to, lifting, and/or moving light objects up to ten (10) lbs., and occasionally lift items slightly over ten (10) lbs. The use of a step stool may be required to reach the top drawer of a filing cabinet as necessary. Specific vision abilities include close vision and color vision.

WORK ENVIRONMENT The work environment characteristics described are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. The duties listed above are intended only as illustrations of the various types of work that may be performed and is not a comprehensive listing of all functions and tasks performed by positions in this class. The omission of specific statements of duties does not exclude them from the position if the work is similar, related or a logical assignment to the position.