Director of Accounting - IPS Enterprises (Immediate Opening)

Director of Accounting

IPS Enterprises

Role Mission:

The Director of Accounting will manage the monthly and annual close processes, support consolidated reporting, and maintain strong internal controls for a multi-entity Charter School Management Organization (CMO). This position requires a CPA with prior charter school finance and/or audit experience who is hands-on with complex accounting areas such as capital assets, leases, debt, payroll, accounts receivable and inter-company transactions. This role is critical in ensuring accurate, timely, and compliant accounting operations across multiple entities.

The Director of Accounting will also play a key role in supporting the Comptroller during annual audits and tax filings (such as Form 990), ensuring timely delivery of Prepared by Client (PBC) items and complete, accurate supporting schedules.

Supervisory Responsibilities:

No supervisory responsibilities are expected during the first year. Supervisory duties may be assigned in subsequent years based on organizational needs and demonstrated performance.

Location:

This is a full-time remote position with preference given to candidates who live in Florida, and Ohio.

Travel Expectations:

While this is a remote position, there will be in-person meetings across various regions. Candidates must be willing to travel up to 30% during the busiest times of the year.

What You’ll Do – Accountabilities

Essential Duties:

Financial Close & Reporting

• Lead and manage the monthly, quarterly, and annual close processes across multiple entities.
• Ensure timely and accurate preparation of financial statements in accordance with GAAP and CMO reporting requirements.
• Drive efficiency and consistency in close processes to meet established deadlines with accuracy.
• Oversee consolidation activities, including eliminations of inter-company balances and transactions.
• Verify that expenditures are properly reconciled with revenues across various funding sources and grants to ensure accounting accuracy.

Accounting Operations

• Use the Lease Management software to generate monthly lease entries, reconcile lease balances, and maintain supporting schedules.
• Use the financial management system to record fixed asset acquisitions, disposals, and write-offs, and to generate monthly depreciation entries.
• Book general ledger entries for capital assets, leases, debt, payroll, accounts receivable and other complex areas.
• Reconcile and maintain roll-forward schedules for major balance sheet accounts.
• Ensure account reconciliations are current, accurate, and properly documented.

Inter-Company Transactions

• Monitor and reconcile inter-company transactions to ensure proper recording and elimination in consolidated financial statements.
• Develop and maintain processes to proactively identify, resolve, and document inter-company variances, ensuring transparency and accuracy across all entities.

Audit & Annual Filings Support

• Partner with the Comptroller to support external audits and tax filings, including Form 990.
• Deliver high-quality PBC items, reconciliations, and supporting schedules on time.
• Respond to auditor and tax preparer requests accurately and promptly.

Collaboration & Leadership

• Supervise and mentor accounting staff, ensuring accuracy, accountability, and professional growth.
• Collaborate with the Comptroller on financial reporting and compliance matters.
• Partner with finance and operations leaders to communicate the accounting impact of business activities.

What You Bring – Competencies

Knowledge and Skills:

• Consistently delivers accurate and timely results in monthly closings.
• Expertise in capital assets, leases (ASC 842/GASB 87), debt, and payroll accounting.
• Strong knowledge of inter-company transactions and eliminations.
• Hands-on ERP/accounting system experience; Sage Intacct experience strongly preferred.
• Experience with Lease Management software strongly preferred.
• Proficient in Microsoft Excel, excellent organizational, analytical, and communication skills.
• Strong leadership ability with a balance of strategic oversight and hands-on execution.
• Problem Solving: Ability to identify challenges, collaborate across departments, and implement solutions to drive results.
• Customer Service Orientation: Strong commitment to delivering excellent service to internal stakeholders and vendors, demonstrated through high customer satisfaction metrics.
• Ability to work effectively in a multi-entity, fast-paced environment with competing priorities. 

Required Experience and Certifications:

• Education: Bachelor’s degree in Accounting, Finance, or related field required.
• Experience: 5+ years of progressive accounting experience, including:
  • Prior charter school or audit experience required.
  • Strong background in multi-entity and consolidated financial reporting.

• Proven experience in managing teams and driving operational improvements to achieve measurable financial goals.

• Licenses or Certifications (if applicable): Certified Public Accountant (CPA) designation required.

What We Offer:

Compensation & Benefits:

Salaries for people entering this role typically fall between $108,136 and $128,682, 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/.

Application process:

Submit your application online through Jobvite. Please note that applications will be reviewed on an ongoing basis until the position is filled. Applicants are encouraged to apply as early as possible.

Learn more about IDEA

At IDEA the Staff Culture and Belonging Team uses our Core Values to promote human connection and a culture of integrity, respect, and belonging for all Team and Family members.  Learn more about our Commitment to Core Values here: https://ideapublicschools.org/our-story/#core-values