Position Title: Business Office & Accounting Manager
Reports To: Director of Finance and Operations
FLSA Status: Full-Time / Exempt
Department: Business Office & Administration
Salary Range: $62,000 – $72,000
Location: Duluth, MN
Position Overview
The Business Office & Accounting Manager serves as the operational hub of our school’s financial administrative ecosystem. Reporting directly to the Director of Finance and Operations (DFO), this multi-faceted role balances full-cycle accounting responsibilities with warm, student- and family-centered customer service.
Whether reconciling the general ledger, helping a parent navigate tuition plans, or implementing software tools to automate routine tasks, the ideal candidate brings high personal integrity, strong organizational skills, and an empathetic, solution-oriented approach to school business administration.
Key Responsibilities1. Core Accounting & Financial Operations
- General Ledger & Month-End: Prepares month-end journal entries, reconciles balance sheet and general ledger accounts, and ensures accurate financial reporting within established deadlines.
- Accounts Payable (A/P): Manages vendor invoices, payment schedules, and monthly corporate credit card reconciliations; prepares and distributes annual 1099s.
- Accounts Receivable (A/R) & Banking: Prepares and posts bank deposits, processes all bank/cash transactions, and manages petty cash funds (including business office, cafeteria, concessions, and athletics).
- Audit Preparation: Coordinates work papers, account schedules, and documentation for the annual external audit in partnership with the DFO.
2. Tuition Management & Family Customer Service
- Tuition & Auxiliary Billing: Oversees tuition management and billing software platforms, managing student billing, payment plans, and auxiliary revenue (cafeteria, meal plans, after-school programs, and summer camps).
- Empathetic Family Liaison: Serves as the primary, supportive point of contact for families regarding tuition accounts, payment questions, and tuition insurance claims, approaching all financial conversations with discretion, professionalism, and care.
- Collections Oversight: Handles overdue student accounts receivable with a balanced, customer-service mindset that prioritizes clear communication and compassionate resolution.
3. School Operations & Administrative Liaison
- Development Coordination: Partner closely with the Development Office to ensure donor contributions, gifts, and grants are accurately recorded and tracked.
- Vendor & Lease Management: Assist the DFO in managing recurring service agreements, office purchasing, and equipment leases.
- Budget Tracking: Support the DFO with annual budget compilation and monitor departmental spending against budget targets.
4. Process Optimization & Modern Technology
- Workflow Automation: Proactively leverage modern software features, cloud accounting platforms, and AI integrations to eliminate manual entry across invoice processing and account reconciliations.
- Systems Optimization & Reporting: Assist in evaluating and refining business office tools to improve operational efficiency, supporting leadership with updated financial tracking dashboards and visual reporting.
Required Qualifications & Skills
- Education: Bachelor’s degree in Accounting, Finance, Business Administration, or a related field (or equivalent practical experience).
- Experience: Minimum of 3-5 years of general accounting, bookkeeping, or business office management experience, preferably within an independent school, non-profit, or educational setting.
- Customer Service Focus: Exceptional verbal and written communication skills with a proven track record of building positive, empathetic relationships with parents, staff, vendors, and community members.
- Technical Aptitude: High proficiency in cloud accounting software (QuickBooks Online, Sage, or ERP modules), tuition management platforms, AI development and integration, and Excel/Google Sheets.
- Modern Mindset: Strong interest in digital transformation, process automation, and utilizing software to make financial workflows faster and cleaner.
- Personal Attributes: High discretion when handling confidential student and financial records, superior attention to detail, and the ability to balance independent focus with a team-first spirit.
Physical Demands
- Typical office environment physical requirements.
Application Process
Interested candidates should submit:
Applications will be reviewed as they are received and will remain open until the position is filled. Visit our Employment page for more information: https://www.marshallschool.org/about/employment
Marshall School is an equal opportunity employer committed to creating an inclusive community that values diversity and educational excellence.
Salary range: $62,000 to $72,000
Job Type: Full-time
Pay: $62,000.00 - $72,000.00 per year
Benefits:
- Dental insurance
- Health insurance
- Paid time off
- Retirement plan
- Tuition reimbursement
Work Location: In person
