Finance Associate

Title: Finance Associate                               Classification: Non-Exempt

Department: Finance Office                       Status: Full-Time

Reports to: Controller                                  Hired by: Head of Schools
 

School Description

Founded in Chicago in 1876, Sacred Heart Schools at Sheridan Road (Hardey Preparatory for Boys and Academy of the Sacred Heart for Girls) are independent, Catholic, single-sex elementary schools committed to academic excellence within the context of a Christian, faith-based community. The educational mission is deeply rooted in the 200-year tradition of the Society of the Sacred Heart and shared with the Network of Sacred Heart Schools located in 30 countries, including 24 schools in the United States. The essence of this tradition is the total development of each child: spiritual, intellectual, social, emotional and physical. Our girls and boys are taught in single sex classrooms but follow a similar curriculum and share in many activities. With a total enrollment of approximately 550 students, the Schools are organized into three academic divisions each led by a division head.

Position Description

The Finance Associate upholds the mission of the Network Sacred Heart Schools as expressed in the Goals and Criteria and the mission statement of Sacred Heart Schools as approved by the Board of Trustees. The position’s area of focus is working closely with the Controller to execute the various daily administrative functions of the Finance Office and Accounts Payable as well as is fully supportive of the Schools' mission, standards, and policies.

Essential Job Functions:

• Accounting/Accounts Receivables

• Manage usage, entries, and reconciliation of school credit cards.

• Record and reconcile ACH payments received in the General Ledger.
• Prepare monthly financial schedules, reconciliations, journal entries, and accruals
• Track and maintain contractual agreements/payments with outside vendors.
• Work with the School’s treasury management service to ensure accurate accounts payable for imports and deposits.
• Work with the Development office to track and reconcile donations
• Perform additional duties assigned by the Controller. Role responsibilities may change to accommodate business needs and reasonable accommodation.

• Accounts Payable
  • Process vendor payments and employee reimbursements by preparing and scheduling checks
  • Resolve discrepancies related to purchase orders, contracts, invoices, and payments
  • Ensure receipt of refunds for returned items
  • Clear payments in accounting systems and monitor outstanding checks.
• Purchasing
  • Order supplies and make professional development reservations for faculty and teachers, using Purchase Orders.
  • Verify received orders from vendors and solve any billing discrepancies.
  • Maintain adequate and orderly school and office supplies in storage cabinet.
• Customer Service and Office Support
  • Greet visitors, respond to questions, resolve issues or redirect as appropriate
  • Answer incoming phone calls for the Finance office, finding solutions to calls or directing them to other appropriate individuals.
  • Maintain the integrity of Finance Office documents, including filing and organization, as well as managing and adhering to the school’s document retention policies.
• School Programs Support
  • Manage the weekly lunch program and snack counts including reviewing and submissions.
  • Support bus program with registration, pricing, and profitability analysis
  • Process and coordinate field trips and bus transportation requirements.
  • Manage the tracking and receipt of required documents, forms, and payments for school sponsored trips and programs.
  • Coordinate with Student Life to help manage registration for after school classes, bus, and lunch.
  • Oversee copier daily maintenance and usage.

Qualities and Requirements:

• Bachelor’s degree required, major in accounting or finance preferred
• 1-3 years of accounting/bookkeeping experience preferred
• Excellent communication skills with service orientation
• Continuous striving for process improvement and quality outcomes
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office programs, particularly strong Excel skills
• Experience with Blackbaud software (Financial Edge), Raiser's Edge a plus
• Highly motivated, ethical, and eager to learn
• Demonstrate good organization and attention to detail
• Ability to prioritize and multi-task effectively
• Enjoy working both independently and as a member of a team

Pay Range $42,000 - $52,000
Based on qualifications, experience, and skills.

Benefits

• Retirement Benefits
• Dental insurance
• Health insurance
• Tuition Remission
• Paid time off
• Vision insurance
• Flexible Spending Accounts
• Life and AD&D Insurance

Sacred Heart Schools is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate.

Salary : $42,000 - $52,000