Accounting Manager

About the role

This role oversees financial operations for a growing network of public charter schools. The Accounting Manager leads a team, ensures compliance, and delivers strategic financial information. This hybrid position requires three days per week in the New York office.

Finance teams manage money, forecasts, and reporting. Analysts build models and explain variance. Controllers run accounting and compliance. FP&A professionals support decisions with budgets and forecasts. The work is precise, deadline driven, and tied to business results. Finance teams follow tight calendars, with monthly closes and annual planning cycles. Accuracy and auditability are expected on every deliverable.

Key facts

What you'll do

General ledger accuracy is maintained through oversight of month-end and year-end closing activities. Team development is driven by coaching, training, and performance management for four accounting professionals. Financial reporting quality is ensured by preparing, reviewing, and analyzing complex statements and budgets in line with GAAP. Strategic insight is provided to upper management to support data-driven decisions. Accounting methods, policies, and principles are established and enforced to meet regulatory and reporting requirements. Finance processes are evaluated, and improvements are recommended to enhance efficiency and accuracy. Proficiency with accounting software such as NetSuite, FloQast, and Workiva is used to support these responsibilities.

Requirements

The posting states a minimum of 2 years of experience.

A Bachelor's degree in Accounting or a related field is required. A CPA license or active pursuit of certification is strongly preferred. A minimum of five years of progressive accounting experience is required, including at least two years in a supervisory or management role. Candidates must have demonstrated experience managing daily accounting operations, financial reporting, and departmental leadership. Proven ability preparing and reviewing complex journal entries, reconciliations, and financial analysis is necessary. Professional-level proficiency in accounting software is required. Strong analytical, organizational, and problem-solving skills with detailed orientation are expected. Clear written and verbal communication skills are required for this position.

Practical notes

This role is based in New York and operates under equal opportunity employment standards. The position is not eligible for bonus compensation. Success Academy does not sponsor employment-based immigration visas. Typical interview steps

Finance interviews usually include technical questions on accounting or modeling, a case study, and behavioral rounds. Candidates may be asked to build a forecast or explain a variance. Spreadsheet skills are tested in most loops. Accuracy and clear explanations matter. Interviewers may give a real dataset and ask for a quick analysis. Showing your work and explaining assumptions matters as much as the final number.

Good to know

Roles in charter school finance involve public accountability and strict compliance standards. Modern finance teams rely heavily on integrated accounting platforms and automation. Clear communication with school leaders supports timely decision-making. Professional certifications and continued learning are common in this field. Cross-functional collaboration with instruction and operations is typical. The pace of work requires comfort with fast growth and evolving priorities.

Questions to ask

Useful questions for the interview: what a typical week looks like, how work is assigned, what tools the team uses, and how feedback works. Asking how the role has changed recently and what the team wishes it had known when joining is also reasonable. Questions about the manager's priorities are especially valued.

Career growth

Finance careers move from analyst to senior analyst, manager, and controller or FP&A director levels. Some people earn certifications such as CPA or CFA. Cross-functional work with operations and leadership grows with seniority. Finance careers reward precision early and business partnership later. Learning the operations of the company beyond the numbers accelerates growth.