The Southern Regional Education Board seeks to hire a skilled (hybrid) Accounting Specialist to drive our mission forward. This person understands the importance of education and is motivated by working collaboratively to support the economic mobility of students and, in turn, the vitality of the region. This role is responsible for ensuring that payables are paid efficiently, accurately, and in a timely manner, and providing administrative and clerical support by processing, verifying, and reconciling invoices, monitoring expenses, and keeping a record of it all for tax purposes.

If you are a team player who is excited about our mission, we want you to apply!

SREB works with states to improve education at every level, from pre-K through Ph.D. Our vision is that all students in the SREB region will have high-quality educational opportunities that build on the rich diversity of the region and lead to productive, meaningful lives and robust economies.

SREB is a nonpartisan, nonprofit organization based in Atlanta. We are an organization of professionals committed to our mission: helping states and educators improve student access and achievement to improve the social and economic vitality of the SREB region.

What does an Accounting Specialist do?

• Performs accounts payable functions and assists with special projects as assigned.
• Processing accounts and incoming payments in compliance with financial policies and procedures.
• Reviews and processes expenses and invoices; contacts vendors to resolve issues/discrepancies.
• Performing day to day financial transactions, including verifying, classifying, and recording accounts payable data.
• Accounts for and processes deposits.
• Reviews documentation for correct coding and cost center expense information; reconciles data.
• Audits and verifies various information, including source data as well as manual and computer-produced reports.
• Creates and produces financial reports.
• Performs month-end charge outs.
• Establishes and maintains accounting office files; researches and compiles information from files; purges files as required.
• Maintains accurate records and files.
• Contributes to the efficiency and effectiveness of the unit's service to its customers by offering suggestions and directing or participating as an active member of a team.
• Represents the organization with dignity, integrity, and a spirit of cooperation in all relationships with staff and the public.

What does it take to be an Accounting Specialist?

Associate’s degree in finance, accounting, or a related field; AND two (2) years of accounting and financial operations support experience; OR an equivalent combination of education, training and experience.

Required Knowledge and Skills

• Principles and practices of accounting and auditing transactions.
• Financial record keeping and bookkeeping practices and techniques.
• Performing accounts payable functions.
• Design and management of databases and spreadsheet files for the development of special report formats.
• Computer applications/software related to the work.
• Correct business English, including spelling, grammar and punctuation.
• Principles and practices of reviewing financial documents for completeness and accuracy.
• Techniques for interacting with a variety of individuals from various socio-economic, ethnic and cultural backgrounds, in person and over the telephone.
• Interpreting, applying and explaining applicable laws, codes and regulations.
• Maintaining accurate financial records and preparing accurate and timely reports.
• Performing accurate arithmetic calculations.
• Experience and confidence using Microsoft office, word, Excel and Google Docs, as well as online platforms such as Zoom, Teams, etc.
• Working without close supervision in standard work situations.
• Establishing and maintaining effective working relationships with those contacted in the course of the work.
• Contributing effectively to the accomplishment of team or work unit goals, objectives and activities.

For this opportunity, we seek candidates who have the following attributes:

• Dedicated to working as a team to support SREB’s mission.
• Committed to effectiveness.
• Ability to work independently and set priorities and meet deadlines.
• Organizational and analytical skills with meticulous attention to detail.
• Demonstrated ability to strategically collaborate and develop partnerships to enhance the effectiveness and impact of organizational initiatives.
• Respect for inclusivity, demonstrating a commitment to equality and fairness.
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills, enabling effective collaboration with individuals from diverse backgrounds.
• Ability to travel overnight occasionally.
• Successful completion of a background investigation and drug screening.
• Valid Driver’s License.
• Mobility to work in typical office setting and use standard office equipment; stamina to sit for extended periods of time; strength to lift and carry up to 10 pounds; vision to read printed materials and a computer screen, and hearing and speech to communicate in person, on virtual meetings, and over the telephone.

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITY

No supervisory responsibility.

Compensation

To support SREB’s top priorities, compensation decisions balance internal equity and external competitiveness within the boundaries of financial feasibility. Salaries for new employees will be established at levels that recognize the individual’s skills and experience while considering the salary levels of current employees within the same job title and those performing comparable work within the parameters of discipline, function, and individual effectiveness.

Starting Salary: $21.17-$23.29 ($44,033-$48,443 annually)

• Collaborative culture
• Environment that supports work life balance
• Opportunities to collaborate with diverse people, leverage their varied skills and experiences, and foster a culture of inclusivity.
• Hybrid schedule.
• Medical, dental and vision
• Life and short-term disability insurance
• Flexible spending and health savings account options (FSA/HSA)
• Health reimbursement account (HRA)
• Additional voluntary life and long-term disability options
• Very generous leave programs
• Outstanding 403b retirement plan

Note: Only complete applications will be considered. To be considered for this position, qualified candidates must submit the following:

• cover letter / letter of interest
• current resume
• salary range (please do not enter negotiable or 00000)