Accounts Payable Specialist

Friendship Public Charter School operates a thriving network of college preparatory public charter schools. Headquartered in Washington, D.C., Friendship serves over 4,800 students in preschool to grade 12 and guides a growing network of alumni to college completion annually.  Our mission is to prepare students to become ethical, literate, well-rounded and self-sufficient citizens by providing a world-class education that motivates students to reach high academic standards, to enjoy learning, to achieve success, and to contribute actively to their communities. For 25 years, with the support and guidance of our exceptional faculty, our students have risen to the challenge with high graduation rates, college acceptances and unparalleled success academically and socially.

AP Specialist is responsible for ensuring timely entry and accuracy of all financial data. The AP Specialist will record and maintain financial transactions, performing reconciliations. This individual will assist accountants in preparing financial statements and closing books, running payroll, and making payments. The AP Specialist also supports the team in ensuring compliance with GAAP and all other relevant requirements including requirements set forth by the charter authorizer, federal and state government, lenders and philanthropic institutions.

Responsibilities include the following:

• →Maintaining records of financial transactions by posting and verifying
• →Defining bookkeeping policies and procedures
• →Developing systems to account for financial transactions by establishing a charts of accounts
• →Reconciling entries
• →Maintaining a balanced general ledger
• →Preparing a trial balance for the accountants
• →Ensuring compliance with federal, state and local legal requirements
• →Other duties as assigned

• Solid knowledge of accounting principles and practices
• Thorough understanding of Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP), as well as Governmental Accounting Standards (GAS) and Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) pronouncements.
• Knowledge of financial compliance including but not limited to statutory and regulatory requirements for nonprofit organizations.
• Communication skills capable of presenting accounting and financial requirements
• Customer service skills for prompt professional responses to internal and vendor inquiries
• Excellent organization, time management, and follow-up skills; ability to prioritize and demonstrate an appropriate sense of urgency.
• History of successfully documenting policies and procedures to support the department in executing work in compliance with all applicable requirements.

• Bachelor's degree in accounting, finance or related discipline
• Previous bookkeeping experience preferred
• Experience working in a fast-paced environment
• Non-profit sector experience preferred
• Experience in K-12 education preferred
• Superior detail orientation balanced with the ability to see the “big picture”
• Comfort with working in a collaborative team environment
• Expertise in data entry using Microsoft Excel and other financial management software