Senior Accountant
Brooks School, North Andover, MA
SUMMARY DESCRIPTION: We are seeking a detail-oriented and experienced Senior Accountant to join our team. The individual must have a minimum of three years of experience in accounting, be proficient with General Ledger, Accounts Receivable and Collections, Revenue and Gift Accounting. Under the supervision of the Director of Financial Operations/Controller, the Senior Accountant will perform the duties related to accounting for the multiple revenue streams at Brooks.
ROLE AND RESPONSIBILITIES:
Student Accounts/Accounts Receivable
- Manage end-to-end student account activity, carefully and accurately recording and reconciling all student account transactions. This responsibility includes maintaining the integrity of the school’s external provider’s database, Blackbaud Tuition Management (BBTM), and reconciling activity from BBTM to the general ledger. Activity in BBTM includes billings for tuition, incidentals, other school services and fees, as well as cash receipts (in-school and BBTM payments) and application of financial aid awards. Work with Blackbaud directly to resolve issues.
- Provide primary account receivable collection outreach and resolution for student accounts with assistance from Director of Financial Operations/Controller when deemed appropriate.
- Collaborate with the Admission’s and Registrar’s offices during enrollment season to ensure that enrollment agreements are prepared, sent and processed accurately and timely. Act as primary liaison with parents/families during the enrollment process with assistance from the Registrar and Director of Financial Operations/Controller when deemed appropriate.
- Maintain enrollment activity in Excel to assist finance team with cash flow projections.
- Provide strong customer support to families and vendors regarding inquiries, tuition payment plans, student debit accounts, and ancillary school services.
- Manage student debit accounts and act as primary liaison with Odin, the school’s point-of-sale software provider.
Gifts/Auxiliary Revenue/Other Income
- Record all revenue, including incoming gifts and auxiliary receipts, accurately classifying revenue (e.g. restrictions, deferrals) and maintaining organized records in accordance with institutional policies.
- Ensure compliance with applicable accounting guidance (e.g., contribution vs. exchange transaction treatment).
- Prepare and post daily deposits (checks, ACH, wires, and online payments) ensuring proper documentation and compliance with internal controls. Reconcile activity to bank records and internal systems, and investigate and resolve discrepancies.
- Maintain supporting schedules for gift revenue and auxiliary income to ensure accurate financial reporting.
- Reconcile gift and auxiliary revenue accounts monthly in collaboration with Advancement and other departments; prepare additional journal entries and adjustments as needed.
- Record and track donor pledges, including initial recognition, payments received, and outstanding balances; reconcile pledge activity to supporting documentation.
- Coordinate with Advancement to confirm gift details and ensure accurate recording of donor-restricted funds.
- Execute restricted fund releases with direction from the Director of Financial Operations/Controller, analyze inter-fund activity, and conduct monthly restricted fund balance roll forward.
- Support month-end and year-end close processes related to gift and auxiliary revenue.
Additional Responsibilities
- Perform daily cash management procedures including transfers of funds between accounts/processing wires, as well as tracking, recognition and reporting.
- Process, record, and reconcile miscellaneous revenue transactions ensuring accurate general ledger classification, proper revenue recognition (including deferred revenue where applicable), complete supporting documentation, and alignment to bank activity and internal records.
- Perform monthly cash reconciliations for all bank accounts.
- Prepare year end audit schedules and make appropriate year end entries for assigned accounts. Assist with audit requests by providing documentation for deposits, reconciliations, and revenue transactions.
- Maintain budget tracking for various organizational programs.
- Other duties as assigned.
COMPETENCIES:
- Minimum of three years accounting experience is required, non-profit accounting experience preferred
- Blackbaud Financial Edge NXT and/or Tuition Management experience is preferred.
- Collections experience in an educational setting is preferred.
- Advanced computer skills and thorough knowledge of software applications, in particular Microsoft Excel are required.
- Strong organizational and time management skills are essential.
- Ability to maintain confidentiality is required.
- Positive, calm demeanor with the ability to deal with various groups.
- Collaborative and problem-solving mindset.
EDUCATION
- Bachelor’s degree with a concentration in accounting is preferred.
WORK ENVIRONMENT: The work environment characteristics described here 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. Duties are normally performed in an indoor environment. The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate.
PHYSICAL DEMANDS: This is largely a sedentary role; however, while performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to use hands and fingers to handle, feel, or operate objects, tools or controls, and reach with hands and arms. The employee is frequently required to stand, talk and hear. Must be able to travel across campus as needed and be able to sit for long periods at a desk working on the computer.
TRAVEL: This role does not require travel.
Application & Candidate Information:
All interested candidates should submit the following materials by email with attachments to Jo-Ann Bevis, Director of Financial Operations/Controller (jbevis@brooksschool.org):
- Cover letter expressing why you are interested in Brooks and this opportunity
- A current resume
- Three professional references (including a current supervisor) and contact information; references will not be contacted without your permission.
EEO STATEMENT: Brooks School does not discriminate on the basis of race, gender, color, sexual orientation, disability or religion in the administration of its educational policies, admission policies, employment policies, financial aid and loan programs, athletic programs and other school administered programs and activities.
Brooks School