Staff Accountant

JOB TITLE: Staff Accountant REPORTS TO: Senior Accountant

Employment Classification: Full-Time, Exempt Organization: LEAD Public Schools

Salary Range: $55,000 to $84,000 Annually (Grade 5)

Last Revised: November 9, 2026

Position Overview

The staff accountant supports the financial integrity, operational efficiency, and fiscal accountability of LEAD Public Schools by managing essential accounting functions across the network. Reporting to the Senior Accountant, this position oversees accounts payable, purchasing card administration, general ledger reconciliations, financial reporting, budgeting support, and audit preparation.

The staff accountant works collaboratively with school leaders, network departments, and external partners to ensure accurate financial records, timely processing of transactions, adherence to internal controls, and effective stewardship of organizational resources. The ideal candidate demonstrates strong technical accounting skills, exceptional attention to detail, analytical problem-solving abilities, and a commitment to LEAD Public Schools' mission.

Essential Duties & Responsibilities 

General Accounting & Financial Reporting 

• Prepare monthly journal entries, account reconciliations, and supporting analyses to ensure accurate and timely month-end closing.

• Maintain general ledger accuracy, including reviewing transactions for appropriate coding and allocation across schools and departments.

• Reconcile bank accounts, subsidiary ledgers, and other financial accounts, ensuring complete and organized supporting documentation.

• Maintain fixed asset records, including additions, disposals, depreciation schedules, and capital asset reconciliations.

• Prepare monthly financial reports, key performance indicators, and budget-to-actual analyses to support organizational decision-making.

• Develop financial reports and dashboards to identify spending trends, budget variances, and opportunities for cost savings.

• Ensure financial transactions, reporting activities, and accounting records comply with organizational policies, internal controls, and applicable accounting standards.

Accounts Payable, Purchasing, & Travel

• Manage the accounts payable process, including invoice collection, coding, approval routing, payment processing, and reconciliation using designated financial systems.

• Oversee purchasing card administration, including cardholder access, receipt compliance, transaction coding, monthly reconciliations, and related journal entries.

• Coordinate vendor onboarding, maintain vendor documentation, verify W-9 information, and support annual 1099 reporting requirements.

• Review billing, purchasing, and payment transactions for accuracy, timeliness, and compliance with established financial procedures.

• Maintain purchasing and contract records, support procurement activities, and assist with requests for proposals and vendor pricing reviews.

• Coordinate organizational travel arrangements, including transportation and lodging reservations, and review travel expenses for compliance with established policies.

• Provide guidance and responsive customer service to employees, school leaders, and vendors regarding purchasing, payments, and financial processes.

• Support the coordination and oversight of accounts payable processing activities, including work performed by designated support personnel.

Budget, Forecasting, & Financial Analysis 

• Support the development, review, and monitoring of annual operating budgets and financial projections.

• Prepare and analyze expenditure forecasts, including operating expenses and capital expenditures, across schools and departments.

• Research vendor pricing, analyze expenditure trends, and identify potential cost-saving opportunities.

• Develop and maintain budgeting tools, financial models, and reports to support accurate forecasting and resource allocation.

• Collaborate with school leaders and network departments to resolve budget coding questions, review spending patterns, and strengthen financial accountability.

Audit Preparation, Compliance, & Internal Controls 

• Support the preparation of operational audit schedules and supporting documentation for annual financial and Single Audits.

• Prepare and maintain Provided-By-Client (PBC) audit schedules, including accounts payable records, check registers, cash deposit documentation, fixed asset schedules, and trial balance information.

• Support internal and external auditors by providing accurate financial records, reconciliations, and transaction documentation.

• Review financial transactions and accounting procedures to identify discrepancies, strengthen internal controls, and ensure compliance with organizational requirements.

• Maintain organized electronic accounting records, contract files, and supporting documentation to promote transparency, efficient retrieval, and audit readiness.

• Safeguard confidential financial, employee, and organizational information.

Cross-Functional Collaboration & Operation Support

• Collaborate with the Senior Accountant and other Finance team members to improve financial processes and operational efficiency.

• Assist in training school and network personnel on accounts payable, purchasing, expense management, budgeting, and financial procedures.

• Maintain accurate financial workflows and records using accounting and administrative systems, including Sage Intacct, Bill.com, Ramp, Smartsheet, and Google Workspace.

• Crosstrain in other Finance department functions to support continuity of operations and organizational needs.

• Complete additional finance and accounting responsibilities as assigned.

Other Duties as Assigned

• Perform other duties as assigned by the manager, consistent with the needs and priorities of LEAD Public Schools.

Qualifications

Required Qualifications

• 4–6 years of experience in a fast-paced accounting role.

• Experience supervising or processing accounts payable.

• Bachelor’s degree with a major in accounting, finance, or related field.

• Impeccable attention to detail and ability to work independently with high accuracy.

• Problem-solving mindset with a commitment to providing excellent customer service to internal stakeholders.

• Self-starter with high goals, comfortable managing ambiguity, and capable of handling multiple projects simultaneously.

Preferred Qualifications

• CPA preferred.

• Strong proficiency in Excel and accounting skills.

• Experience with financial systems (SAGE Intacct and Bill.com preferred).

Leadership Competencies

• Foundational Leadership: Mission-driven leadership, self-awareness, learning agility, sound judgment, effective communication, and leadership presence.

• Developing Talent: Instructional coaching, constructive feedback, employee development, performance accountability, and motivating others.

• Building Relationships: Trust-building, collaboration, conflict resolution, family engagement, and effective professional partnerships.

• Achieving Results: STEM instructional expertise, strategic thinking, data-driven decision-making, adaptability, effective delegation, and continuous improvement.

Compensation & Benefits

This is a full-time, exempt position. Compensation is competitive and commensurate with qualifications and experience. LEAD Public Schools offers a comprehensive employee benefits package.

Application

Interested candidates should apply through the LEAD Public Schools careers website:

https://leadpublicschools.org/join-our-team/

Equal Employment Opportunity

LEAD Public Schools is committed to equal employment opportunity and does not discriminate in employment or educational programs on any basis protected by applicable federal or Tennessee law. LEAD complies with applicable nondiscrimination, disability accommodation, and equal opportunity requirements.