Vice President of Accounting

IDEA Public Schools is searching for a VP of Accounting. The Finance Team strives to support the leadership at IDEA as we work together to meet and exceed our ambitious financial and student achievement goals. The VP of Accounting will lead accounting, accounting operations, financial reporting, audit management, finance compliance and fiscal policy functions across all IDEA entities. In doing so, the VP of Accounting will ensure the accuracy, completeness, and integrity of the company's financial records and reports.

Their mission is to facilitate the timely and accurate recording of financial results, compliant use of revenue streams, timely access to revenue sources, and strong audit results through a continuous focus on compliance across all finance and IDEA teams. Reporting to the Chief Financial Officer of IDEA Public Schools, the VP of Accounting will play a critical role ensuring the Finance Team is equipped with the resources necessary to maintain compliance in alignment with local, state and federal requirements and achieve our shared mission of ensuring IDEA Public Schools students get to and through college.

Supervisory Responsibilities:

The VP of Accounting will supervise up to six direct reports overseeing functions such as Procurement, Accounts Payable, Corporate Card Services, Finance Services and Development, Accounting and Audit.

Location:

This is a full-time remote position based in Texas with preference given to candidates who live in Austin, El Paso, Houston, Permian Basin (Midland/Odessa), Rio Grande Valley, San Antonio, and Tarrant County (Fort Worth), or who are willing to relocate.

Travel Expectations:

Up to 30% of the time during the busiest parts of the year

What You’ll Do – Accountabilities

In this role you will:

Provide thought-partnership for the CFO, President, Chiefs of Operations, Human Resources, and Governance to achieve best financial results to support IDEA entities across states

• Architect accounting solutions for transactions across IDEA Texas and IPS regions in Louisiana, Florida and Ohio
• Use knowledge of GASB and FASB to recommend treatment of revenue, expense, assets, and liabilities to advise IDEA leadership on best methods to put IDA in best opportunity for favorable financial accountability and debt positions across states.
• Design enhanced financial reporting that meets needs of multiple audiences such as Boards of Directors, IDEA Chiefs and Senior Leadership, and external financial partners.
• Create world-class departments that maintain balance between fiduciary responsibilities and needs of school programs and assets.
• Cultivate relationships with state departments of education and local experts for guidance on best practices across states and ready opportunities for issue resolution, as the need arises.
• Conduct oneself with utmost moral and ethical standards regarding the stewardship of public funds.
• Keep current with legislation and regulatory changes across states that affect areas under management. Participate in advocacy initiatives as appropriate.

Ensure teams under management keep compliant with federal, state and local financial law, policy and procedure

• Own the development and revision process for finance policies across legal entities in partnership with the Board Governance and Relations team, general counsel and external legal counsel across entities
• Design and implement a robust feedback process to gain insight into the impact of policy changes across teams prior to recommendations being made to fiduciary boards
• Partner closely with the Internal Audit and Finance Teams to ensure internal audits are supported by tams under management
• Ensure internal audit results are distributed and understood by internal and external parties

Provide accurate and timely Monthly Financial Reports by the 8th business day across all entities

• Review and approve all financial statements and ancillary reporting prior to internal and external distribution
• Ensure teams under management prepare and review the following: all journal entries, cash receipts, bank reconciliations, monthly and quarterly financial statements, regular and adhoc Board reports. Provide approvals as necessary.
• Ensure teams under management complete Statement of Financial Position reconciliations on a monthly basis to ensure amounts are in compliance with Generally Accepted Accounting Principles and Financial Accounting Standards Board. As well as to ensure that proper supporting documentation is provided.
• Review Statement of Activity on a monthly basis to determine reasonableness of amounts, detect potential errors and analyze significant variances.
• Review and approve month end financial reports prior to distribution to management and Board by the 10th business day.
• Ensure that teams under management compile internal, external, debt compliance, finance committee and regional financial statements by the 16th business day.

Obtain an unqualified audit opinion on the annual financial statements and single audit each year for all entities on or before required deadlines

• Develop strong relationships with auditing partners for best effect in IDEA engagements
• Direct the audits team to efficiently and strategically manage the long term project planning required to implement concurrent audits across multiple entities
• Organize IDEA team with clear expectations such that deliverables are clearly stated to alleviate delays in responses and strengthen business partnerships
• Direct Accounting team through year end close process to ensure trial balances are reasonably stated at June 30
• Oversee creation of interim financial statements presented in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles for Not-for-Profit entities.
• Work closely with CFO and Governance team to appropriately inform management and Boards regarding audit progress, obstacles to progress and completion of milestones. Create content and present to the Boards as necessary.
• Meet all audit deadlines across entities, Board approved final reports distributed to authorizer or other required entities prior to entity deadlines

Provide financial information to external parties as well as those required by Federal and State guidelines.

• Ensure external accountants complete the consolidated Form 990 by November 15th following the fiscal year end for each entity.
• Oversee timely preparation and reporting of required financial information for the USDE, authorizers, donors, grantors and investors.

Ensure no reportable instances of material noncompliance in Financial Reporting and Compliance during the Annual Financial Audit for each entity.

What You Bring – Competencies

Knowledge and Skills:

• Ability to plan and conduct financial and management audits
• Knowledge of Texas state school finance and the willingness to learn other states education finance systems
• Able to manage and monitor multiple projects at once, often under pressure with competing priorities and tight turnarounds while maintaining composure, ensuring quality, and achieving results
• Able to analyze and interpret data and statistics to identify trends, draw conclusions, and develop strategies and tactics that that yield results and achieve goals
• Ability to maintain confidentiality of privileged and sensitive information

Required experience:

• Bachelor’s degree in accounting, management, finance, business or another relevant field. Master of Accountancy or Business Administration preferred.
• 10 years of work experience with 5 years finance, accounting or auditing experience; preferably non-profit or educational setting
• Certified Public Accountant (CPA), Certified in Financial Management (CMA), preferred
• Mastery in MS Excel and proven experience in building and maintaining complex financial models required.

Compensation & Benefits:

Salaries for people entering this role typically fall between $161,600 and $198,800, commensurate with relevant experience and qualifications and in alignment with internal equity. This role is also eligible for performance pay based on organizational performance and goal attainment.

Additionally, we offer medical, dental, and vision plans, disability, life insurance, parenting benefits, flexible spending account options, generous vacation time, referral bonuses, professional development, and a 403(b) plan. You can find more information about our benefits at https://ideapublicschools.org/careers/benefits/.

* IDEA may offer a relocation stipend to defray the cost of moving for this role, if applicable.