Director, Accounting

Director, Accounting

Uncommon Schools is a nonprofit network of high-performing public charter schools dedicated to providing an exceptional K-12 education in economically disadvantaged communities. Operating in Boston, Camden, New York City, Newark, and Rochester, we are committed to closing the college completion gap and preparing every student for college and beyond. Our students consistently exceed national benchmarks, reflecting our dedication to their success. We invest deeply in our educators, offering weekly coaching, feedback, and professional development to ensure excellence in teaching and leadership. Join us to work hard, do good, and make a lasting difference!

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

• 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; 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

Cross-Functional Leadership

Real Estate Accounting Oversight and Management

Qualifications

Additional Information

Our people are what make us Uncommon. We offer competitive compensation and comprehensive benefits that support the personal health, wellness, and finances of our staff and their families. Our compensation philosophy values equity & fairness and attracting & retaining top talent.

Compensation for this role is between $115,900 to $144,900. Starting pay is determined using various factors including but not limited to relevant professional experience, education, certifications, and tenure with Uncommon Schools. If you meet all job description requirements you will likely receive an offer between $115,900 and $130,400.

Benefits

At Uncommon, we believe that a supportive and welcoming environment helps our students, staff, and community thrive. We are dedicated to building a team that brings a wide range of perspectives and experiences, reflective of the communities we serve with over 70% of our staff identifying as people of color. Our organization values respect and open dialogue on important topics that shape our school culture.

As an equal opportunity employer, Uncommon provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws. We also ensure that individuals with disabilities receive all privileges and benefits associated with employment and are provided reasonable accommodations for the interview process and to perform core job functions. If you would like to request an accommodation, please email recruitment@uncommonschools.org.