Senior Accountant

Job description

Be the one who makes a difference! At Vertex Education we are a team of high achievers, courageous leaders, and passionate believers in changing lives through education. As a purpose-led education services provider, our mission is destined to benefit many and yet it starts with just one person inspired to work together with us to make a memorable and meaningful difference for our clients, schools, students, and communities. Be the one who makes a difference—with us. The Senior Accountant owns the accounting operations, month-end close, financial reporting, and fiscal compliance activities for an assigned portfolio of Pennsylvania charter schools. As the primary accounting partner for each school, this role ensures accurate financial reporting, maintains the integrity of the general ledger, supports strategic decision-making, and collaborates across Accounting, Payroll, Accounts Payable, District Billing, Grants, Budgeting, and Audit. This position combines technical accounting expertise with proactive business partnership to deliver accurate financial information, strengthen internal controls, and continuously improve accounting processes. Key Responsibilities: 1. Own an Accurate and Timely Monthly Close: Complete monthly close activities, including balance sheet reconciliations, within established deadlines. Ensure journal entries, reconciliations, and supporting schedules are accurate, complete, and audit ready. Maintain the integrity of all assigned general ledger accounts. 2. Deliver Trusted Financial Reporting Produce monthly financial statements and management reports on a monthly basis. Provide meaningful budget-to-actual analysis and explain significant financial variances. Identify emerging financial risks and recommend corrective actions before issues escalate. Support the annual budget process and forecasting led by the client management team. 3. Maintain Strong Financial Controls and Compliance Ensure accounting complies with GAAP and internal policies. Support PA financial reporting requirements with accurate, complete submissions. Maintain documentation that is consistently audit-ready. 4. Effectively Manage Fiscal Compliance & Reporting Deadlines Accurately record grant activity and revenue recognition, including district tuition payments. Prepare and submit Pennsylvania-specific fiscal reports (PDE-2028, PDE-418, PDE-Annual Financial Report, etc.) in a timely fashion. Work with internal compliance specialists to reconcile grant expenditures and receivables. Support year-end close activities and work with schools’ auditors to prepare schedules and fulfill audit requests. 5. Build Strong Internal Partnerships Serve as the trusted accounting advisor for internal teams and school leaders as needed. Coordinate effectively across Payroll, AP, Budgeting, Grants, and District Billing. Respond promptly to accounting questions while providing clear financial guidance. 6. Improve Accounting Operations Identify opportunities to improve efficiency, reporting, controls, and documentation. Support implementation of new processes and financial systems. Share knowledge, coach junior teammates, provide technical guidance, and contribute to a culture of continuous improvement. Qualifications: Required: Bachelor's Degree in Accounting, Finance, or related field. Five or more years of progressive accounting experience. Strong knowledge of GAAP and accrual accounting. Experience leading month-end close and financial reporting. Advanced Microsoft Excel skills. Experience using enterprise accounting systems. Excellent analytical, organizational, and communication skills. Demonstrated ability to manage multiple priorities independently. Preferred: CPA or active pursuit of certification. Charter school, nonprofit, governmental, or education accounting experience. Experience with Pennsylvania charter school funding. Experience supporting grants and audits. Experience with Sage Intacct, BILL, Ramp, or similar platforms. Experience leading projects or mentoring teammates. Core Competencies: Ownership & Accountability Financial Acumen Analytical Thinking Business Partnership Planning & Organization Continuous Improvement Collaboration Sound Judgment Be excited to be a part of our team and grow your career with us! ​ Be the one who enables us to positively impact over 258,000 students across multiple states while driving our growth forward so we can enrich even more lives. Be the one who helps us achieve excellence for over 226 schools that we support with academics, finance, technology, human resources, communications, marketing, facilities, construction, and food services. Be the one who is a diverse thinker, a team player, a smart risk taker, an innovator, and a difference maker by encouraging others to climb higher and reach farther to further education. Be yourself surrounded by wonderful people who care about you, value your unique skills, and lift you up. Be supported in your work by caring leaders and team members who want you to succeed. Be empowered to make a difference and climb higher and reach farther to change lives through education. Be well in all aspects of your life from your physical, mental, and emotional wellbeing to your finances. Enjoy industry-leading pay, rewards, referral bonuses, with unlimited flexible paid time-off for performance. Be able to care for your health and your family with comprehensive medical, dental and vision benefits and invest in your future with 401(k) plans with a 6% employer match on your contributions. Enhance your growth and development with mentoring and money to take training classes. Thrive in a welcoming, supportive, and inclusive environment where we treat others with fairness and respect, celebrate diversity, and elevate equality and inclusion as an equal opportunity employer. Be the one who makes a difference! With an innovative mind, a hungry heart, and engaging spirit you can change lives through education. Be a part of Vertex Education and let’s make a difference together. Apply Today!