Accounting Clerk (Immediate Opening)

Description

Accounting Clerk

IDEA Public Schools is searching for an accounting clerk. The Finance Team strives to support the leadership at IDEA as we work together to meet and exceed our ambitious financial and student achievement goals. The vision of the accounting department is to provide the highest level of customer satisfaction by facilitating an effective and efficient month end close and account reconciliation process leveraging our ERP system, while keeping in compliance with local policy, procedures and State and Federal regulations.

The mission of the Accounting Clerk is to perform accounting and clerical functions to support Staff Accountants in order to facilitate the organization's month end close process and account reconciliation to enable accurate and timely financial information to IDEA stakeholders as well as ensure compliance with federal and state regulations for IDEA Public Schools, IPS Enterprises and all affiliated out of state entities. The Accounting Clerk reports to the Director of Accounting.

Location: This is a full-time hybrid position based in Texas with preference given to candidates who live in Austin, El Paso, Houston, Permian Basin (Midland/Odessa), Rio Grande Valley, San Antonio, and Tarrant County (Fort Worth), or who are willing to relocate.

Travel Expectation: Up to 20% of the time during the busiest parts of the year.

Compensation & Benefits:

Salaries for people entering this role typically fall between $20.34/hr and $25.42/hr, commensurate with relevant experience and qualifications and in alignment with internal equity.

Additionally, we offer medical, dental, vision, and supplemental benefits as well as retirement plans and a generous vacation package. You can find more information about our benefits at https://ideapublicschools.org/careers/benefits/.

In this role, you will:

• Assist in completing the month end close process by the dates outlined in the Month End Close Processing Checklist.
  • Assist in preparation and post recurring journal entries before the first business day.
  • Assist in preparing and posting journal entries related to prepaid expense, food inventory, earned income/fixed income securities, State and Federal revenue, and USDA commodities, as identified in the Month End Close Processing Checklist.
  • Assist in reconciling accounts related to treasury accounts by the dates outlined in the Month End Close Processing List.
    • Checking accounts (Operating, Child Nutrition Program, Student Based Activity Accounting)
    • Bonds (9 series)
    • Money Market Accounts
    • Certificate of Deposit Accounts
    • Monitor the bank activity, for accuracy.
  • Investigate and correct invoices and/or transactions coded inappropriately.
  • Work collaboratively with the Accounts Payable and Payroll departments to verify all activity reflected in the bank statements (EFT, Voids & Wires) have been posted.
  • Work collaboratively with the account receivable clerk to post cash receipts.
  • Review related Statement of Activity accounts to determine reasonableness of amounts, detect potential errors and analyze significant variances.
  • Work with external parties to resolve issues that may arise during preparation of reconciliations.
  • Assist in posting and analyzing Foundation School Program (FSP) revenues, monthly.
    • Review summary of finance (SOF) report.
    • Review the payment ledger in the TEA website and verify payments have been applied
    • Collaborate with the Student Information Systems (SIS) department regarding attendance data affecting the SOF report
  • Assist in posting and analyzing Child Nutrition Program revenues, monthly.
    • Collect and review CNP claims
      • National School Lunch Program (NSLP)
      • Child & Adult Care Food Program (CACFP)
      • Seamless Summer Option (SSO)

• Record journal entry requests (via Zendesk) within two business days.
  • Verify requestor has submitted sufficient backup documentation for the journal entry request.
  • Verify is legitimate and allowable.
  • Communicate with PCARD administrators regarding PCARD violation entries received.

• Assist in reconciling food inventory, USDA commodities for the Child Nutrition Program.
  • Collaborate with the Child Nutrition Program Department to obtain the required supporting documentation.
    • Food
    • Supplies
    • USDA

• Actively participate with the accounting and payroll, fixed asset accountant, child nutrition program, accounting operation, budget, and student information systems teams to create an environment of trust, respect and encouragement.
  • Ask questions.
  • Serve as a thought partner to others on the team.
  • Assist others to deliver results.
  • Collaborate closely with the payroll department to review and approve all payrolls timely.
    • Inform payroll department of discrepancies that need correction

Goals:

You will be responsible for leading your team to meet the following ambitious goals:

• Collaborate to complete month end close for all entities by the 15th business day for all entities
• Record journal entry requests (via Zendesk) within two business days.
• Serve as a business partner to accounting peers within the organization to ensure proper business processes are followed.

Required experience:

• High school diploma or equivalent leading to a bachelor's degree in accounting or related field, and three to five years of related to account project administration experience.

• Computer proficiency and technical aptitude with the ability to use Microsoft products, including PowerPoint, experience with Employee Information Systems, Enrollment Platforms, and other benefits databases.
• Strong Excel knowledge and skills.
• Prior experience using Zendesk or other customer support tool is preferred
• Proven ability to work effectively in a team environment with associates.

• Effective planning and priority setting. Ability to manage several complex projects simultaneously while working under pressure to meet deadlines.

Diversity, Equity and Inclusion

At IDEA we recognize that racism, bias, and privilege exist in society. We are committed to an organizational culture that promotes awareness and inclusivity for our students and staff, and supports their path to positively impact our broader society. We are committed to recognizing the impact of racism and privilege, and commit as an organization to have equitable practices, policies, and structures. Visit https://ideapublicschools.org/dei/ to learn about IDEA's Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Anti-Racist and Anti-Bias commitment.

Learn more about IDEA

• https://ideapublicschools.org/our-story/
• https://ideapublicschools.org/careers/leadership/
• https://ideapublicschools.org/our-approach/
• https://ideapublicschools.org/our-story/impact-magazine/
• https://ideapublicschools.org/our-story/history/
• https://ideapublicschools.org/blog/introducing-our-revised-core-values/