Accounting Assistant A/R

Position: Accounting Assistant A/R

Reports to: CFO

Supervises: N/A

Additional Terms: Non-exempt, 12-month Hourly Position

Position Starts: Immediate Opening

Charles Wright Academy (CWA) is a co-educational, non-religious, independent school located

in University Place, WA. Charles Wright Academy is located on a beautiful, green, and

sprawling 107-acre campus that includes athletic fields and more than 60 acres of gorgeous

Pacific Northwest forests that also serve as an extension of our proper academic campus. Our

educational philosophy of experiential learning includes unique daily opportunities for wilderness

exploration, hiking, birding, wildlife observations, gardening, nature habitat sketch subjects for

art studies, local biological science exploration, conservation work, farming, and more.

The only completely co-educational, independent, and non-religious school serving students in

preschool through grade 12 in the South Sound area, CWA provides a challenging and

nurturing environment with college preparatory academics and robust programming that prepare

students to thrive and successfully launch into college and beyond. A wide array of experiential

education, artistic, athletic, travel, and service opportunities promote students’ social-emotional

development and provide students avenues to discover and pursue their passions. A culture

that values self-expression, appropriate autonomy, and exploration of their authentic selves,

students are nurtured, encouraged, mentored, and supported by a highly-qualified and

experienced faculty that share collective institutional values and provide engaging, active, and

joyful experiences for students each and every day.

Charles Wright Mission Statement

To inspire active, joyful learning while nurturing and challenging our students to develop the

character, creativity, and skills to successfully navigate the future with confidence.

Position Description

Manage student billing database containing approximately 700 student records. Prepare all

deposits and provide customer service to school constituents. Complete special projects as

assigned by Controller.

Responsibilities

• Load student contract information (e.g. enrollment, bus, food service), and all charges and credits into the student billing database.
• Respond and resolve all student billing inquiries and concerns by providing prompt professional customer service, both verbal and written, to parents/payers; maintain complete record of communications.
• Process daily deposits, averaging over $300K weekly, consisting of check, cash and credit card receipts. Deposits consist of student billing payments, gift receipts and miscellaneous receipts (such as cafeteria sales, rental income and school activities).
• Manage on-line payment portal which captures all payments paid on-line using credit cards, debit cards and e-checks. Import payment data, approximately $2.4 M annually, into database, crediting the appropriate payer. Assist payers with navigating portal and execute refunds when necessary.
• Prepare and send monthly statements, process refunds, and run reports as needed.
• Record and post student billing and general ledger cash receipts to computer system. Reconcile any variances between the general ledger and the student billing database. responsibility and pathways to self-regulation.
• Manage tuition accounts receivable, and prepare receivable monthly aging reports. Responsible for writing dunning letters and assisting Controller in collections.
• File account documents and maintain complete record of original contracts (tuition, food service and transportation).
• Assist CFO with various accounting projects to include calculating excise tax and creating monthly department budget reports.
• Represent Charles Wright Academy in a positive manner with all constituencies.
• Exceptional communication skills, written and verbal
• Serve as a strong supporter for diversity and inclusion and be a constant champion for student belonging
• Be punctual, reliable and fully engaged in the community.
• Maintain confidential information as appropriate
• Other duties as assigned by the Head of School

Qualifications

• Two years of billing and accounts receivable experience in a computerized system.
• High school diploma or equivalent required, Associate’s degree in Accounting or
• Business Administration preferred. Extensive prior-experience considered in lieu of degree.
• Proficient in Excel and 10-key. should be able to work flexibly with various educational technologies and an ability to navigate Google Workspace and Mac hardware/systems is preferred.
• Must be able to work independently and possess strong work ethic.
• Strong organizational skills, ability to prioritize work and meet deadlines.
• Attention to detail, excellent accuracy with numbers essential.
• Ability to interact with school constituents in a professional manner.
• Ability to read, write, speak, and understand English well.

Preferred Qualifications

Cash handling and database management experience.

Physical Requirements

• Must be able to remain in a stationary position more than 50% of time.
• Needs to occasionally move about inside the office to access file cabinets, office equipment, etc.
• Must be able to constantly operate a computer and other office equipment such as copy machine and computer printer.
• Must be able to frequently communicate with others in person and over the phone. Must be able to exchange accurate information.
• Must be able to collaborate and work with others.

Salary & Benefits

This position has a salary range between $30.00 and $33.00 per hour, depending on

qualifications and experience. Benefits available are subject to plan and candidate eligibility.

Insurance: Medical, Vision, Dental; Basic Life, Accidental Death & Dismemberment, and Long

Term Disability; Health Care FSA; and Dependent Care FSA may be available to employees,

subject to the terms of the applicable benefit plan.

Retirement Plan: CWA offers an employer and employee contributed 403(b) plan, subject to

the terms of the applicable benefit plan.

Paid Sick Leave: Employees receive 116 hours of paid sick/wellness leave per year.

Personal Leave: Employees will receive 3 days of personal leave per year.

Paid Holidays: CWA offers 12 paid holidays per year.

Other Benefits: EAP (Employee Assistance Program), Tuition Assistance for employees

seeking advanced degrees, Professional Development opportunities, Child Tuition Remission of

50% for those choosing to enroll eligible students at CWA, 50% discount of Extended Day child

care services and Summer Camp programming for eligible enrolled students.

Application Process

To apply, submit a cover letter addressing why you feel you are the right fit for this role at

Charles Wright Academy and how that aligns with both our Mission and Inclusion Statements

(both included in this posting). Please provide an updated resume, and email and telephone

contact information for 3-5 professional references (which must include your most recent

supervisor) via Paylocity where this posting occurs.

Applications for this position will be accepted until filled. No phone calls or inquiries, please.

Inclusion Statement

Charles Wright Academy best exemplifies its mission and values when everyone knows they

belong in our school community.

We embrace an intentional culture that champions everyone’s full participation as their authentic

selves in all of the opportunities that comprise the Charles Wright experience. This includes

supporting each community member’s understanding of their own identities and acceptance of

the identities of others. By doing so, we empower everyone at Charles Wright to connect, learn,

grow, and achieve.

The inclusive culture we strive for requires us to make both institutional and individual

commitments. Institutionally, we will align policies, curriculum, and decision-making to this goal,

and we commit to ongoing self-examination, learning, and action. We also encourage and

support individuals to initiate and engage in candid, courageous conversations as this work is

the responsibility of every member of our community. (adopted by the CWA Board of Trustees,

March 2020)