Business Manager; Senior Accountant

About the Role

The Business Manager plays a critical role in both operational and strategic functions, supporting the school’s financial health and operational efficiency. This role involves close collaboration with the Director of Finance & Operations to ensure robust accounting practices, systems integrity, and a strong internal control structure. The Business Manager will compile, analyze, and prepare financial reports for the school’s Head of School, Leadership Team and Board of Trustees, develop and monitor the annual budget, oversee the financial aid award process, and partner with the HR Manager to process payroll and develop and implement applicable financial and operational policies and procedures.

The individual who will be successful in this role will demonstrate a commitment to Epiphany School values and have robust financial and operations knowledge and experience, including but not limited to: budget management, financial and employee compliance regulations, risk management strategies, grants and contracts management, and accounting best practices. The person in this role must have strong communication and collaboration skills, a commitment to ensuring equitable and ethical best practices, an ability to pivot from strategic to tactical thinking, and delight in working in a school environment with elementary-aged children.

Previous experience in a school setting is preferred but not required.

This is a full-time, exempt, year-round position, reporting to the Director of Finance & Operations.

Location:

The person in this role must work in-person on the school campus in the Madrona neighborhood of Seattle, Washington. Epiphany School does not cover or reimburse relocation costs and/or expenses.

Standard work hours are typically Monday – Friday 8:00am – 4:00pm. Staff meetings typically run through 5:00pm on Wednesdays (dates will be communicated ahead of time).

This position may require infrequent evening and weekend work to support school community events such as the school auction.

Working from home is permitted occasionally after the 90-day probationary period.

What You'll Do

Strategic Financial Management

• Perform general accounting functions, including journal entries, accounts payable, and processing cash receipts, payroll and tuition billing
• Monitor accounts receivable aging and communicate with delinquent account holders
• Collaborate with the Director of Finance & Operations to maintain accurate accounting processes and systems.
• In partnership with the Director of Finance & Operations and Head of School, design financial policy, philosophy, and process documentation.
• Ensure the integrity of the internal control structure by maintaining orderly records of financial transactions, in compliance with school policies and local, state, and federal requirements
• Compile, analyze, and prepare regular and ad hoc financial reports for various internal and external users.
• Ensure strict confidentiality of financial data and information.
• Develop and monitor the annual budget in alignment with the school’s strategic goals.
• Manage the financial aid award process and review methodology with Financial Aid Committee and update as needed.
• Maintain financial aid section of website, updating timelines and deadlines, correspond with families applying for financial aid, analyze family financial data entered into third party financial aid processing system, present requests and award recommendations to the Financial Aid Committee, and communicate committee decisions to families.
• Ensure the fair and consistent application of financial aid policies.
• Provide strategic financial insights and recommendations to support decision-making by the leadership team.
• Assist in long-term financial planning and risk management.
• Conduct financial analysis and projections to inform strategic initiatives.
• Lead month-end closing processes, including preparation of journal entries, reconciliations, account analysis, and financial statements.
• Monitor finance and payroll compliance best practices to ensure the school is following current industry processes and procedures.

Operational Management:

• Process biweekly and monthly payrolls, complete…