Senior Accounting Specialist

Job Summary

The Senior Accounting Specialist supports the financial operations of Cardinal Ritter College Prep by managing accounts payable, purchasing, purchase card administration, budget monitoring, and accounting support. This role works closely with the Business Manager, school leadership, faculty, staff, and vendors to ensure financial transactions are accurate, timely, compliant, and well documented. Success in this role requires strong organizational skills, attention to detail, sound judgment, confidentiality, and the ability to manage multiple priorities independently.

Job Responsibilities

Accounts Payable

• Process invoices, verify approvals, assign accounting codes, and issue payments.
• Resolve invoice, payment, and vendor discrepancies.
• Maintain accounts payable records and support month-end, year-end, reconciliations, and audits.

Purchasing & Purchase Card Administration

• Administer the school purchase card program, including transaction review, reconciliation, documentation, and compliance.
• Coordinate purchasing activities, review purchase requests and purchase orders, and assist departments in obtaining cost-effective goods and services.
• Maintain vendor records and purchasing documentation while monitoring compliance with school policies.

Budget & Financial Support

• Assist with developing, monitoring, and maintaining departmental and school budgets.
• Review expenditures for budget compliance and provide budget reports and spending updates.
• Support financial reporting, reconciliations, audits, month-end and year-end close, and special financial projects.

Internal Controls & Customer Service

• Maintain accurate financial records and ensure compliance with accounting policies and internal controls.
• Protect confidential financial, employee, student, and family information.
• Provide responsive support to faculty, staff, administrators, and vendors regarding purchasing, budgeting, invoices, and financial procedures.
• Recommend process improvements that enhance efficiency, accuracy, and accountability.Support Business Office operations through special projects, cross-training, professional development, and other duties as assigned.

Job Requirements

• Associate degree in Accounting, Finance, Business Administration, or related field required; Bachelor's degree preferred.
• Three or more years of accounting or financial administrative experience preferred.
• Experience with accounts payable, purchasing, budgeting, financial reporting, and purchase card administration preferred.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Excel, Microsoft Office, CRM, and accounting systems.
• Strong analytical, organizational, communication, and problem-solving skills.
• Ability to maintain confidentiality, exercise sound judgment, and manage multiple deadlines.

Preferred Experience

• School, nonprofit, or mission-driven organization experience.
• Budget monitoring, vendor management, financial audits, and year-end close.
• Familiarity with Archdiocesan financial policies and implementing new financial systems.

Core Competencies

• Financial accuracy and attention to detail
• Organization and accountability
• Analytical problem solving
• Effective communication and customer service