Job description
Company Description
About KIPP New Jersey
KIPP New Jersey is part of the nationally recognized “Knowledge Is Power Program” network of free, open-enrollment, college-preparatory public schools dedicated to preparing students for success in college and in life. In 2002, KIPP New Jersey first opened its doors in Newark’s South Ward as a single class of 80 fifth graders and has since grown to educate students in grades K-12 across 18 schools in Newark, Camden, and Paterson. More than 90% of KIPP New Jersey students currently qualify for free or reduced meals.
Job Description
The Accountant plays a key role in supporting the organization’s financial operations by preparing core financial statements, reconciling accounts, and ensuring compliance with internal policies and external regulations. This role works closely with Finance Directors, the Controller, and CFO to deliver accurate and timely financial data that supports both internal decision-making and external reporting requirements. This role also contributes to audit preparation, supports payroll entries and accounts payable for special-purpose entities, and helps strengthen internal controls across the finance function.
Accounting and Financial Reporting
- Prepare and post journal entries, accruals, and adjustments for multiple schools and entities.
- Support month-end close, ensuring accuracy, completeness, and timeliness.
- Perform and document reconciliations for cash, payroll, prepaid expenses, accounts payable, receivables, and intercompany balances.
- Work with Finance Directors, Controller, and CFO to compile and deliver accurate financial data for stakeholders, board members, and external partners.
- Generate key financial reports, including Trial Balance, Balance Sheet, Statement of Revenue and Expenditures, and Statement of Cash Flows, serving as the foundation for audit deliverables and supporting documentation.
- Pull and analyze budget-to-actual reports to support monthly reviews and ad-hoc financial analysis, collaborating with finance team members to interpret variances and identify opportunities for improved performance.
Entity Creation, Management and Maintenance
- Set up new entities in the accounting system, ensuring accurate configuration of chart of accounts, reporting hierarchies, and approval workflows in line with organizational policies.
- Enter and validate key entity information, including legal details, tax identification numbers, and banking data, to support compliance, financial reporting, and audit readiness.
- Maintain and update entity profiles as the organization grows, ensuring consistency and accuracy across all financial systems and reports
- Prepare detailed monthly cash account reconciliations to ensure accuracy of recorded transactions and support month-end close.
- Assist with 1099 filings, development of the annual IRS Form 990, and preparation for financial audits, including federal grant audits and 403(b) retirement plan audits.
- Provide required documentation and respond to auditor inquiries in a timely and accurate manner
As job descriptions cannot be exhaustive, the position holder may be required to undertake other duties that are broadly in line with the above essential duties and responsibilities.
Qualifications
- Bachelor’s degree in Accounting or related field required.
- 3-5 years of accounting experience in government and FASB accounting
- Big 4 accounting experience preferred
- CPA license preferred
Additional Information
This is a hybrid role in any of our regional locations (Miami, FL or Newark or Camden, NJ) with an in-person requirement of at least two days per week, with additional in-office time as needed based on organizational needs. The frequency of in-person days may increase if business needs change.
The salary range for this role is $75,000-$90,000. Salary ranges at KIPP are set based upon the role level and function using benchmarks in the education and non-profit sector and allow for growth within the role. Individual compensation within this range will be set based on a variety of factors, including but not limited to: relevant professional experience and qualifications; education, skills and training; and market conditions.
In addition to a competitive salary, we a generous benefits package including, but not limited to, the following:
- Robust benefits that include medical, dental, and vision
- Optional participation in the KIPP NJ 403b retirement plan, including matching contributions
- An organization-issued laptop
- Generous Time-Off Policy
- Up to 12 weeks 100% parental leave for primary caregivers
- Employer paid life insurance
- Extensive optional ancillary benefits including, short term and long term disability and accident and hospital indemnity
Our organization is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, sex, gender, age, religion, national origin, citizen status, marital status, physical or mental disability, military or veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity, or any other characteristic protected by applicable law. Our organization will make a reasonable accommodation to known physical or mental limitations of a qualified applicant or employee with a disability unless the accommodation would impose an undue hardship on the operation of the organization. No questions on this application are asked for any unlawful purpose.
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