Staff Accountant, Accounts Receivable

Aspire Public Schools NorCal — Staff Accountant, Accounts Receivable

Job Description 

About Aspire NorCal 

Founded in 1998, Aspire Public Schools has served scholars and communities across California for nearly three decades. With Aspire Los Angeles transitioning into an independent organization, the Bay Area and Central Valley regions are coming together to form Aspire NorCal, operating 22 schools serving approximately 10,000 scholars across Northern California (Oakland, Richmond, East Palo Alto, Sacramento, Stockton, Modesto, and Ceres). 

This evolution comes at an important moment for Aspire. Changes in California’s funding, policy, enrollment, and operating environment have created an opportunity to rethink how the organization supports its schools and scholars in its next chapter. The formation of Aspire NorCal creates an opportunity to strengthen support for schools across teams previously organized by geography, improve the consistency and effectiveness of school support, and create clear accountability systems for organizational and scholar outcomes. The new model will require the organization to balance greater coherence across Aspire NorCal with responsiveness to the different communities and contexts of its schools. 

Aspire NorCal enters this transition with a long-standing mission focused on post-secondary success and a deep commitment to educational equity, along with decades of institutional knowledge across its schools and teams. Preserving those strengths while building Aspire NorCal as a unified region will be central to the work ahead. 

About the role 

Aspire seeks a driven and detail-oriented Staff Accountant, Accounts Receivable who can ensure timely and accurate recording and tracking of deposits for all school sites. In addition, the role supports the Revenue / Accounts Receivable Manager, Controller, and the Financial Analyst team with critical financial analysis and month-end close activities, including account reconciliations and reporting tasks.

The Staff Accountant, Accounts Receivable also explores ways to increase the team's efficiency by leveraging and creating technology tools and processes.

Key Responsibilities

• Create accurate cash receipt deposit entries for all Aspire school sites to ensure a timely accounts receivable month-end close.

• Request funding advice from the county, and process and record funds to the appropriate school sites.

• Work with state and federal education and food service departments to comply with local, state, and federal reporting requirements, including monthly reimbursement submissions, invoice processing, and application processing.

• Track, report, and analyze financial data related to nutrition programs and overall grant funding.

• Support the Revenue / AR Manager, Controller, and the Financial Analyst team with month-end close activities, including posting journal entries, reconciling balance sheet accounts, and reporting on and analyzing trends as needed.

• Improve and/or create technology tools and processes to increase team effectiveness and efficiency.

• Perform ad hoc financial analyses and special projects as requested.

• Demonstrate knowledge of, and support, the Aspire Public Schools mission, vision, and values, including antiracism, and uphold confidentiality standards and the code of ethical behavior.

• Perform other related duties as required and assigned.

• Support the new Service Level Agreement (SLA) under which Aspire NorCal will provide finance, accounting, and payroll services to Aspire LA.

Qualifications 

Education

• Bachelor's degree in Accounting, Finance, Economics, or related field preferred.

Experience

• Background in accounting, through coursework and/or work experience.

• Proficiency with Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, Outlook).

• Experience with charter school and/or nonprofit accounting preferred; experience with accounting systems such as MIP or NetSuite preferred.

• Track record of identifying and implementing steps to automate tasks and increase efficiency preferred.

Skills and competencies

• Excellent financial analytical skills and knowledge of accounting; solid understanding of the general ledger accounts and how they relate to invoices and receivables.

• Strong understanding of and experience with budgeting and financial reporting.

• Exceptional time management, organizational skills, and ability to work independently, completing tasks on time and accurately.

• High accountability, with appropriate follow-up and sense of urgency; extremely detail-oriented.

• Works well with others and maintains positive, professional relationships; excellent written and verbal communication.

• Flexibility to learn new technology and applications; ability to maintain confidentiality.

Compensation and benefits

The salary range for this role is $73,220 to $93,993 annually in accordance with our salary schedule policy, commensurate with experience. This full-time, exempt position offers a comprehensive benefits package, including:

• Eligible for Aspire health benefits

• Retirement through CalSTRS or CalPERS, depending on the role's credential requirements, with a 403(b) option

• Paid time off and additional teammate benefits to be determined in accordance with updated employee value proposition to be shared prior to offer.  

Aspire NorCal is conducting a comprehensive study of our employee value proposition, which could lead to material changes in July 2027.

Location and work arrangement

• Work location and in-person expectations for this role are being finalized as part of our broader NorCal planning. We will share clarity with candidates in the coming weeks

Aspire NorCal expects to provide Finance, Accounting, Payroll, and Retirement services to Aspire LA under a multi-year service agreement, and part of this department’s budget is expected to depend on that agreement.  If the agreement is not finalized, is not renewed, or ends early, Aspire NorCal may reduce the department’s size accordingly, and any position in the departments listed above may be impacted.  Employment with Aspire is at-will

Application Deadline: November 20, 2026.

Equal opportunity 

Aspire Public Schools is an equal opportunity employer. We consider all qualified applicants without regard to race, color, religion, national origin, age, sex (including pregnancy, sexual orientation, and gender identity), disability, genetic information, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by applicable federal, state, or local law. Aspire Public Schools provides reasonable accommodations during the application and interview process.

Disclaimer

We may use artificial intelligence (AI) tools to support parts of the hiring process, such as reviewing applications, analyzing resumes, or assessing responses. These tools assist our recruitment team but do not replace human judgment. Final hiring decisions are ultimately made by humans. If you would like more information about how your data is processed, please contact us.