Garden School is excited to announce the opening of a Senior Accountant position. This key position is an important second in command in the Business Office, overseeing many facets of the financial activity at Garden School, a Nursery to 12th grade co-educational, independent day school in Jackson Heights, New York City. This position reports to the Director of Finance and Operations and also works in collaboration with all members of the Senior Leadership Team, the Head of School, and interfaces with the Board of Trustees Finance Committee. 

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Who We Are

Garden School is an innovative and collaborative environment where staff and faculty share in a culture of excellence and support. Garden prides itself on being an exemplary model of what small independent schools can be; offering a comprehensive and dynamic program full of rich extracurriculars while maintaining a tuition half that of a typical NYC independent school. 

Starting with two-year- olds, Garden educates just under 500 children, half below the age of five. That large early childhood presence is made possible through a partnership with the Department of Education whereby Garden hosts 200 children in a free-to-families 3K, 4K, and Dual Language program that operates alongside its N-12 independent “core” program.

The financial model of Garden is unique. While tuition is a significant portion of revenue, a DOE contract, summer camp, and other ancillary revenues enable Garden to keep tuition low. Yet Garden maintains a comprehensive program with the finest educators. Teachers have small rosters and focus on the interests of bright children, all who are bound for the best universities. 

The Senior Accountant partners closely with the Director of Finance and Operations to lead processes which cover a broad spectrum of financial activities including Payroll, Cash Flow Management, Account Reconciliation, and Billing, Tuition, Receivables, Payables, and Collections for all programs. 

In addition, the Senior Accountant is the primary family interface for billing, Blackbaud (our LMS/SMS), and other financially relevant conversations. The Senior Accountant is responsible for managing vendor relationships, exploring savings, and supporting relationships that pertain to auxiliary services (food, summer, music conservatory, afterschool programs, etc.).  

Finally, the Senior Accountant is an important strategic partner within the organization. They often work closely with the Finance Committee of the Board to report on cash flow, reconciled monthly actuals, and assume the lead for the Audit process. 

State of the School

Garden’s recently adopted strategic plan means this is an exciting time to join the community. Garden is in the strongest financial position it has ever been in its 100 year history. It has been launching new programs, honing existing ones, adding staff, and growing enrollment each of the last four consecutive years. Garden has also recently launched the first Capital Campaign in its history with the intention to invest heavily in upgrading a number of campus spaces. 

The school has outstanding finances with a well-balanced budget, growing reserves, some young investments, and stellar borrowing power. Its audits are impeccable with clean audits in all recent years, collections are strong, and the portfolio of core to auxiliary revenues is something for which many independent schools strive. Garden’s next Senior Accountant will build upon a strong foundation, seek efficiencies across departments, and explore the impact of investments, capital projects, and endowments in partnership with the Director of Finance and Operations. 

Skills

The ideal candidate exhibits expertise with a broad set of Finance practices universally applicable to any small business. They are prepared to pursue the school’s finance goals while ensuring all granular accounting best practices are intact. They will navigate the public sector and help manage our DOE contract while nurturing relationships with staff, families, vendors, and partners. They have knowledge of and experience with standard accounting and payroll systems, non-profit auditing, investment, and annual, multi-year and capital budgets.  Experience and expertise with Paychex, Blackbaud, Quickbooks, Google Suite, Microsoft, and other technologies and systems relevant to a healthy business office are preferred. 

Dispositions

The ideal candidate exhibits characteristics that enable them to be a stabilizing force, fostering a culture of collaboration and continuous improvement. They are privy to sensitive information and take confidentiality seriously. They are a whatever-it-takes team member and do what needs to be done. They are empathetic and demonstrate high EQ while being pragmatic and goal-oriented. They are calm, resilient, strategic, and creative in how they tackle complex work. They are self-reflective and customer service oriented, serving as a good ambassador. 

Detailed Responsibilities 

• Prepare monthly reconciliations for the School’s multiple accounts, clearing accounts and accounts receivable. Produce monthly reconciliation and cash flow management reports.
• Enter bi-monthly payroll and accompanying journal entries needed for taxes, flex spending, Aflac, 403b, medical & tuition remission withholdings.
• Invoice monthly for services (cafeteria, early morning, afterschool, transportation, etc.).
• Enter accounts payable into schools accounting software.
• Filing Permits with the Department of Mental Health and Hygiene.
• Review General Ledger accounts to ensure accurate transaction classification.
• Assist DFO in preparing the annual Budget for Private and two PKFA programs.
• Deposit checks electronically and assist in preparation of all banking functions
• Follow up with outstanding enrollment agreements and deposits. 
• Work with Gala Committee to ensure proper allocation and fair market valuation.
• Keep fiscal records of student run clubs (fundraising activities, travel, trips, etc.) 
• Assist with the preparation of the Annual Financial Report 990, 1099’s, 5500.
• Monitor School’s online credit card payment systems with payment and refund issues.
• Help prepare accounting work papers and supporting documentation for yearly audit including Bond Fund, Flex, Aflac, Pension, Medical & Dental, Prepaid expenses, Accruals for salary & medical, Depreciation & Amortization, Allowance for Doubtful Accounts, Wage & Paychex Tax Reconciliation & Exchange.
• Work with Admin & Staff in establishing, maintaining and verifying all fiscally related information including reimbursements, supplies, books, food and supplies. 
• Help prepare HR records and reports including Aflac, Flex, Unum, Medical & Dental, COBRA, W-4, I-9, SCR Database, Employee attendance, Direct Deposit forms, Annual Health Form, Disability Insurance, PFL. Responsible for completeness of employee files.
• Invoice and enter payments for campers including after camp, AM drop off, bus, etc..
• Monitor the Exchange account so that it zeros out at the end of the year.
• Keep and periodically update Customer, Vendor & Employee information
• Occasional shared coverage of receptionist duties as needed.

An ideal candidate will have experience in an independent school business office, be well-versed in best practices for accounting, investment, non-profit audit, and overall finance. Experience and expertise with Paychex, Blackbaud, Quickbooks, Google Suite, Microsoft, and other technologies and systems relevant to a healthy business office are preferred.  If you enjoy working with an energetic and innovative team, employing best-practice, and engaging in work that helps bright students achieve their potential, forward your cover letter and resume to the Director of Finance and Operations, Nashwa Rafla at nrafla@gardenschool.org

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