Accounts Receivable Specialist

• Department: Business Office
• Reports to: Head of Finance and Operations
• Position Type: Non-Exempt, 12 Month, Full Time staff

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 [email protected].

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 Accounts Receivable Specialist is an essential part of Cate's financial management team and serves as the primary point of contact for family billing. The position involves a high degree of interaction and communication with internal departments, faculty, parents, and vendors, and holds primary responsibility for all accounts receivable, including collaborative work with our families, advancement and admission departments, other colleagues and vendors.

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, Senior Accountant, Payroll and Benefits Specialist, Accounts Payable, Director of Business Affairs and other office personnel.

Accounts Receivable and Banking responsibilities:

• Manages accounts receivables in totality
• Designs and implements monthly tuition billing for Cate families ensuring billing codes, payment plans, tuition and other fee postings are current and accurate, and assists parents with billing questions
• Manages daily school banking ensuring accurate coding and distribution of funds received for students, donors and other school functions
• Partners with Admissions/Director of Enrollment to track accuracy in enrollment, financial aid utilization and with Advancement to ensure accuracy in donor gift designation
• Track and balance deferred tuition deposits, incoming tuition and pre-paid tuition
• Monitors accounts receivable aging, follows up on past-due balances, and escalates collection matters as appropriate
• Petty Cash reconciliation and distribution
• Collaborates with other office personnel in support of walk-in questions from employees, students and vendors

Other areas of responsibility:

• Prepares accounts receivable, deferred tuition, and deposit schedules in support of the month-end close and annual audit
• Identifies opportunities to streamline billing and receipting processes and strengthen internal controls
• Supports the annual budget process with enrollment and tuition revenue data
• Assist with Chart of Accounts conversion as it relates to billing and receivable accounts
• Ability to act as backup, when needed, to other business office functions

Skills and Qualifications

• Minimum 2 years accounts receivable, billing, or general accounting experience required
• Excellent customer service orientation, particularly in sensitive family-facing conversations
• Excellent attention to detail and accuracy in cash handling and posting
• 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; experience with student information or billing systems desired
• Excellent interpersonal, written and spoken communication skills
• Effective problem solver
• Positive attitude and team spirit
• Non-profit or independent school experience desired

Education and Work Experience

• Degree in accounting, business or related field preferred, or equivalent combination of education and experience
• Minimum of 2 years experience in accounts receivable or other accounting function

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

This position comes with full benefits that include robust Health/Dental/Life insurance, Retirement and PTO plans.

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.