Position: Senior Accountant
Department: Business Office
Reports to: Head of Finance and Operations
Updated: July 2026
Position Type: Non-Exempt, 12 Month, Part Time staff (0.6 FTE, approximately 24 hours per
week)
Compensation Range: $40.87-$48.08 per hour (approximately $51,000-$60,000 annually
at 0.6 FTE)
To Apply: Please submit your cover letter, resume, and a list of all previous school or
educational institution employers, including city and state, in accordance with CA SB 848 to the
hiring team at hiring@cate.org.
Cate School
For more than 100 years, Cate has combined the best of East Coast tradition with West Coast
energy and innovation in the service of highly motivated, independent-minded students. As a
boarding school, Cate is structured to develop young people through an inquiry-driven
curriculum designed to elicit the greatest possible growth in every student, all students
participate in an extracurricular program that includes athletics, arts, community service and an
extensive outdoor program, and the residential life program is structured to develop well-being
and leadership through the practice of self-discipline and service.
Position Summary:
The Senior Accountant position is an essential part of Cate's financial management team. The
position involves a high degree of interaction and communication with internal departments,
faculty, and vendors. The position includes the ability to organize and streamline accounting
processes and consider workflow changes to increase efficiency and maintain internal controls,
and holds primary responsibility for the general ledger close, account reconciliations, fixed
assets, and audit and tax support.
A high degree of confidentiality and professionalism is required. This position works most
closely collectively and collaboratively with the Head of Finance and Operations, Controller,
Payroll and Benefits Specialist, Accounts Payable, Accounts Receivable Specialist, Director of
Business Affairs and other office personnel.
This is a part-time position (0.6 FTE, approximately 24 hours per week on an annualized basis).
The workload varies seasonally, with heavier hours expected during fiscal year-end close, the
annual audit, 1099 season, and special projects such as the Chart of Accounts conversion, and
lighter hours during other periods. Scheduling flexibility across the year will be established with
the Head of Finance and Operations.
All Cate Employees live up to the following Essential Expectations:
1. Overtly support and act according to the school's mission and values.
2. Foster a safe, predictable, and supportive environment for employees and students.
3. Interact with colleagues in a respectful and collegial manner that fosters a healthy
culture for living, learning, and working together.
4. Demonstrate commitment and courage in service of building our school culture where
diversity is affirmed and supported.
5. Demonstrate appropriate planning and preparation to meet the complex and evolving
needs of your role.
6. Uphold professional standards of predictable presence, reliable responses, and relational
trust.
7. Appropriately steward strategic and special projects associated with the role or team.
8. Honor the confidentiality of School, student, and family information.
9. Comply with policies and procedures as articulated in the School's Employee Handbook.
10. Authentically engage in self-reflection in service to professional growth and adapting to
the evolving needs of the school.
Senior Accountant responsibilities:
• Examines and supports strategies to implement streamlining of accounting processes
across the business office, including accounts receivable and payable workflows.
• Executes month, quarter and year end close processes
• Perform balance sheet reconciliations and budget to actual variance analysis
• Interact with auditors to ensure reporting complies with GAAP and tax regulations
• Develops education and ongoing communication of departmental budgeting with
department chairs
• Collaborates with the controller for general ledger management
• Supports the audit of the financial statements and retirement plans
• Provides reconciliation schedules for high value general ledger accounts
• Tracks fixed assets and associated depreciation schedules
• Assist with schedules to support tax filings
• Reviews accounts receivable aging, deferred tuition, and deposit balances prepared by
the Accounts Receivable Specialist and reconciles related general ledger accounts
• Trains and mentors the Accounts Receivable Specialist, including onboarding, cross-
training on billing, banking, and reconciliation procedures, and ongoing technical
guidance on accounting treatment of receivable transactions
Other areas of responsibility:
• 1099 preparation
• 571-L business property tax filings
• Bank reconciliations
• Supports the annual budget process
• Assist with Chart of Accounts conversion
• Ability to act as backup, when needed, to AP, Payroll, Accounts Receivable, or Controller
Skills and Qualifications
• Minimum 5 years general accounting experience required
• Strong working knowledge of GAAP and internal controls
• Excellent analytical and computer skills
• Excellent attention to detail
• Deadline-driven
• Ability to work collaboratively with a diverse peer and constituent group
• Ability to maintain high level of confidentiality
• Ability to learn new technological systems quickly
• Excellent interpersonal, written and spoken communication skills
• Effective problem solver
• Positive attitude and team spirit
• Non-profit experience desired
Education and Work Experience
• Degree in accounting, business or related field and a minimum of 5 years experience
using these skills
• CPA desirable
This job description is not intended to be all-inclusive. An employee may also perform other
reasonably related business duties as assigned.
Physical Requirements
• Ability to lift 20 pounds, using proper lifting techniques
• Ability to sit, stand, and/or move around the applicable working environment as needed
• Ability to travel safely and comfortably around our campus
• Ability to use a keyboard (or an alternative input device) and other office equipment
• Ability to read information in printed material, on a computer screen, and/or on a
mobile device/laptop for extended periods of time
Job Benefits
Benefits eligibility is based on actual hours worked, in accordance with the Employee
Handbook.
Equal Employment Opportunity Policy
Cate School is an equal opportunity employer. Qualified applicants will receive consideration
for employment without regard to race, color, sex, pregnancy, childbirth, marital status, age,
national origin, ancestry, physical or mental disability, medical condition including genetic characteristics, sexual orientation, veteran status, gender, gender identity, genetic information or any other category protected under federal or local law.
Commitment to Supporting Diverse and Qualified Candidates
Cate School seeks employees who want work in a small, diverse, mission-driven boarding
community on California's Central Coast. We welcome applicants whose priorities align with our
pillars of commitment, scholarship, companionship, and service, and we are steadfast in our
commitment to Equal Opportunity Employment. Research shows that women and BIPOC
candidates may hesitate to apply if they don't meet every listed qualification, so we encourage all
who believe they have the skills and potential to thrive to submit an application. Our hiring
process is designed to minimize bias by focusing on core competencies and the experiences that
best demonstrate them.
