Accounting Manager Job Description

Reports to:  Business Manager 

Classification:  This is a Full-time, 12-month position; work days are Monday through Friday 7:40am-4:00pm.

Objective: To manage the Accounting Department; manage and administer the full cycle of the monthly payroll processing; administer the student billing process; assist with the student financial aid process; manage the School’s annual financial audit; and other duties as assigned by the Business Manager and Head of School.

Summary Responsibilities: 

• Manage the accounting function of the school, ensuring accurate and timely data entries to the accounting system and coherent financial reporting;
• Accurately and efficiently enter into the accounting system data related to payables and receivables;
• Ensure all vendor invoices are paid in a timely manner;
• Process all incoming cash receipts and deposits, maintaining daily cash balances and reviewing bank reports daily;
• Review bank statements and investment account statements monthly and reconcile to the general ledger;
• Review all other GL accounts, reconcile monthly, and prepare monthly financial reports;
• Prepare financial reports for quarterly Finance Committee and Board of Trustees meetings
• Coordinate with the advancement office to prepare monthly/quarterly reconciliation reports; 
• Assist in the preparation and monitoring of departmental budgets and forecasts; 
• Oversee student billing and all family communications related to financial obligations and collections efforts; 
• Manage the school’s annual audit, including preparation of schedules, and review the Form 990; 
• Establish and maintain appropriate procedures and controls for all financial systems in accordance with AICPA and FASB standards and oversee all functions of the accounting office;
• Communicate accounting policies and procedures to employees as needed and ensure compliance with policies; 
• Oversee business and operations records retention; 
• Participate in external surveys and reports (ex: NAIS DASL);  
• Maintain cordial relationships with all school vendors, including the school’s auditors; 
• Participate in professional development to ensure understanding of current GAAP and accounting regulations. 

Qualifications: 

• Bachelor’s degree in accounting or related field preferred; 
• Experience working in non-profit accounting preferred; experience in a school environment preferred; 
• Strong interpersonal skills with the ability to cultivate effective, professional relationships with families, faculty and staff; 
• Strong problem-solving skills; 
• Highly organized and detail-oriented; 
• Ability to carry out duties and responsibilities confidentially and in an accurate and timely manner with a high degree of autonomy, personal initiative and ownership, and minimal direction;
• Professional presentation and excellent written communication skills; 
• High ethical standards and strong professional boundaries; 
• Proficiency with QuickBooks Accounting, Microsoft Excel and Word, Paychex Flex Payroll System. Veracross Tuition Management System or similar system, Clarity Financial Aid, and Diamond Mind/Campus Pay Software a plus.

The above referenced job summary is a guideline designed to present an overview of the job duties and is not intended to be a comprehensive list of responsibilities and requirements.

To Apply:

Primary Day offers a competitive salary and benefits package. Interested candidates for the position are encouraged to review Primary Day’s website at www.theprimarydayschool.org. To apply for the position, please send the following to d.evans@theprimarydayschool.org.

• letter of interest
• desired salary range
• current resume
• completed application, application available on the school’s website
• a list of three professional references 

APPLICATION DEADLINE: March 1, 2025

No Phone Inquiries Please 

The Primary Day School is dedicated to providing equal employment opportunities to all personnel and applicants for employment without regard to race; color; religion; sex; national origin; handicap or disability; sexual orientation; or status as a veteran, Vietnam era, or special disabled veteran.

About The Primary Day School

Founded in 1944, The Primary Day School in Bethesda, Maryland, is a school for boys and girls from Pre-Kindergarten through Second Grade. We are the only school in the area that focuses exclusively on children in this unique age group, and we do so for a very important reason. These are the most crucial learning years in children’s lives, a time when they are bursting with potential, ready for quantum leaps of development. At Primary Day, everything we do focuses on helping young children flourish—as learners and as people—during this vitally important time of life. The Primary Day School was founded as a demonstration school for the Phonovisual Method, a unique, phonics-based approach to teaching reading and language arts that remains vital to each student’s educational journey today. To learn more about our school and its community, curriculum and traditions please visit www.theprimarydayschool.org.

Connections working at The Primary Day School