THE ORGANIZATION

At Lighthouse Community Public Schools (LCPS), we believe an exceptional education brings out each child’s unique light and potential. Founded in 2002, LCPS operates two high-achieving K-12 public charter schools--Lighthouse and Lodestar--serving nearly 1,000 students in East Oakland.  With a vision of transforming our community through creating a family of exceptional schools serving youth and families in Oakland, our mission is to prepare diverse students for college, a career of their choice, and to be lifelong changemakers.  Grounded in our core values of community, integrity, agency, love, and social justice and rooted in the EL Education model, LCPS is a leader in fostering innovative schools achieving exceptional student outcomes where each child is at the center of their own learning. LCPS will continue to increase its impact as we grow to a third site in 2019, ultimately serving 2500 low-income students and their families. Lighthouse exists to counter persistent educational inequity that threatens our collective future. Lighthouse is a beacon for public education and each graduate fulfills the promise of a better, brighter Oakland and our results can testify. 95% of our graduates, almost all of whom are first generation college students, are accepted to four-year colleges.  Lighthouse was named the Hart Vision Charter School of the Year in 2013  and Lighthouse Community Charter High School was named the #1 high school for closing the achievement for low-income, Latino students in 2016.  

Learn more at www.lighthousecharter.org.

THE OPPORTUNITY

The realization of our mission to prepare students for college and career can only be actualized when our school's back-office finances run like a well-oiled machine.  Marry your accounting skills with your passion for improving educational outcomes for students. The Accounting Manager’s primary responsibilities include handling the payroll and accounting functions for a multi-school, small charter school network.  All of this is in service of LCPS’s mission and vision.   

CORE COMPETENCIES

• Mission and Core Values Focus: Inspired by our mission and belief that all students can achieve, the Accounting Manager models the LCCPS’ values of community, integrity, love, social justice, and agency

• Financial expertise.  Possesses a high level of accounting expertise and the ability to translate that to a school environment.

• Organization and Detail-oriented.  Thorough with respect to LCPS’ financial processes and looks to make those processes more efficient.  

• Communication.  Consistently demonstrates effective communication in both written and verbal forms.  

• Agency.  Establishes and works towards deadlines independently and with a high level of autonomy.  

KEY ROLES & RESPONSIBILITIES:

• General Accounting

  • Prepare and post general journal entries as required

  • Reconcile balance sheet accounts and post related entries

  • Maintain the fixed assets register, including depreciation and accrual; post year end journal entries

  • Create and review Financial Statements for accuracy and recommend correcting entries

  • Oversee accounting files in a neat and consistent manner

• Reporting and Analysis

  • Coordinate and complete monthly and year end close processes

  • Prepare internal budget and transaction reports for review and correction on a monthly basis

  • Support in the preparation of internal reports to site principals and home office directors

  • Prepare and submit external reports to governmental entities and school district in an accurate and timely manner

  • Coordinate submission of documents for annual school audit in collaboration with Director of Finance

  • Analyze revenues and expenditures to ensure they are recorded appropriately

  • Other analysis and reports as required  

• Payroll

  • Coordinate and prepare semi-monthly payroll, including the coordination of inputs from sites and approval by Director of Finance

  • Facilitate the accurate processing of all information for monthly payroll and related transactions (timesheets, retirement, taxes, other withholding)

  • Oversee the interface with Human Resources regarding the accurate accrual and deduction of health & welfare benefits

• Accounts Receivable

  • Oversee accounts receivable function

  • Coordinate the resolution of payment issues, interfacing with internal site managers and development team members & external organizations (i.e., district, state contacts)

• Accounts Payable

  • Oversee accounts payables

  • Support in refining processes that align to accounting practices

• Systems Management

  • Note that the above responsibilities involve the routine utilization of a web-based accounting platform and HRIS (Human Resource Information System

• Fulfilling other duties to best serve our students and the family of schools

Supervision & Collaboration Overview:

• Reports to: Director of Finance

Minimum Qualifications:

• Education.  Bachelors in Accounting or Business; CPA preferred

• Experience.  Minimum of 3 years professional experience in accounting and/or bookkeeping, including Payroll, A/P and A/R

• Accounting Standards.  Familiarity with accounting best practices, including GAAP, GASB and FASB accounting practices and reporting requirements

• Excel.  Experience with Excel that allows for manipulation of report to sit a variety of government templates

• Platform Management.  Experience with accounting platforms such as Netsuite

Time Commitment:

This is a 12-month position (220 days). This role is expected to maintain minimum building hours of M - F from 8:00 - 5:00 p.m..

Start Date:

Target start date is April 15, 2017.

Compensation

This role is a salaried, full-time, exempt position.  Lighthouse offers competitive wages; benefits include a comprehensive employer-contributed retirement plan, medical and dental coverage, medical and dependent care FSA, and professional development opportunities. LCPS also offers generous PTO/vacation, including approximately 6 weeks of vacation/holidays scheduled with supervisor approval and 8 sick/personal days.

TO APPLY

Interested candidates should submit:

• Resume

• Cover letter describing your interest in this exciting position and why you are an optimal fit

• 3 references with Name, Email, Phone Number and Title/nature of working relationship

Application submission screening and initial phone interviews will be completed on a rolling basis until filled.  In-person interviews and performance tasks will take place on-site.   

People of color are strongly encouraged to apply.  Lighthouse Community Charter Public Schools is an equal opportunity employer committed to diversity at all levels.