Accounting Technician

Accounting & Development Operations Coordinator The Piney Woods School | Piney Woods, Mississippi Department: Finance / Business Office Functional Support: Institutional Advancement / Development Reports To: Chief Financial Officer or Designee Employment Type: Full-Time Classification: Non-Exempt (Hourly) Compensation: $20.

00–$25.00 per hour, commensurate with experience and qualifications Position Summary The Piney Woods School is seeking a highly organized, detail-oriented, and dependable Accounting & Development Operations Coordinator to support the School's financial operations and institutional advancement activities. This position will be responsible for administering accounts receivable functions, processing and recording financial transactions, maintaining accurate donor contribution records, coordinating gift acknowledgments, and reconciling fundraising activity with the School's accounting records.

The successful candidate will serve as an important administrative and financial link between the Business Office and Development team, helping ensure that contributions, payments, and other receivables are accurately recorded, properly documented, and reconciled in a timely manner. The position requires strong accounting skills, exceptional attention to detail, proficiency with financial and database systems, and the ability to collaborate across departments while maintaining confidentiality and financial integrity.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

1. Accounts Receivable and Financial Administration Manage the School's day-to-day accounts receivable functions, including invoicing, billing, payment processing, posting, and account reconciliation. Maintain accurate records of student accounts, parental contributions, fees, institutional receivables, and other amounts due to the School. Monitor outstanding receivables, prepare aging reports, and coordinate follow-up on overdue balances. Record and appropriately classify payments received through checks, electronic transfers, credit cards, and other authorized payment methods. Prepare deposit documentation and ensure receipts are accurately recorded in the accounting system. Reconcile accounts receivable subledgers and supporting records to the general ledger. Assist with month-end closing procedures, reconciliations, journal entry preparation, and financial reporting. Maintain organized documentation supporting financial transactions, reconciliations, and audit requirements. Respond to billing and payment inquiries from parents, donors, vendors, and other stakeholders. Assist the CFO and accounting team with other assigned financial and administrative responsibilities.
2. Donor Gift Processing and Development Support Process and accurately record charitable contributions received by the School, including cash, checks, electronic gifts, online donations, and other approved gift types. Enter and maintain donor contribution information in the School's donor management system. Ensure gifts are properly classified by donor, campaign, fund, designation, and restriction. Coordinate with the Development team to verify donor information, gift designations, pledges, and payment records. Prepare and distribute timely donor acknowledgment letters and contribution receipts in accordance with institutional procedures and applicable requirements. Support the School's established goal of acknowledging contributions within 72 hours of receipt. Maintain accurate donor records and supporting gift documentation. Assist with pledge tracking, pledge payment reconciliation, and outstanding pledge reporting. Support Development staff with donor contribution reports, fundraising summaries, and gift histories. Assist with identifying and resolving discrepancies in donor records, payment documentation, and financial transactions.
3. Development and Accounting Reconciliation Perform regular reconciliation of gifts recorded in the donor management system against transactions recorded in the School's accounting system. Reconcile donor contribution reports with bank deposit documentation and general ledger activity. Identify and investigate discrepancies involving gift amounts, transaction dates, donor designations, restrictions, and accounting classifications. Coordinate with Finance and Development personnel to resolve posting differences and maintain consistent records. Prepare monthly reconciliation reports documenting contribution activity, adjustments, and unresolved discrepancies. Assist with tracking restricted contributions and ensuring accurate reporting of donor-designated funds. Support financial statement preparation, annual audits, and development reporting by providing reconciled contribution records. Help develop and maintain standardized procedures for gift processing, financial recording, and reconciliation.
4. Administrative and Institutional Support Provide general administrative support to the Finance and Development departments as assigned. Assist with preparing reports, correspondence, financial schedules, and other institutional documentation. Provide occasional backup assistance to the reception desk and other administrative functions when operationally necessary. Support institutional events, special projects, and other cross-departmental initiatives. Perform other related duties as assigned. Required Qualifications High school diploma or equivalent required; associate degree or higher in accounting, finance, business administration, or a related field preferred. At least two years of experience in accounts receivable, bookkeeping, accounting administration, or a related financial function preferred. Working knowledge of accounts receivable processes, financial recordkeeping, and account reconciliation. Proficiency in Microsoft Excel and standard business applications. Experience using accounting software or financial management systems. Strong organizational, analytical, and problem-solving skills. Excellent attention to detail and demonstrated ability to maintain accurate records. Strong written and verbal communication skills. Ability to handle confidential financial, donor, and institutional information with discretion. Ability to manage multiple priorities and work collaboratively across departments.

Preferred Qualifications

Experience in nonprofit accounting, educational institutions, or fundraising administration. Familiarity with donor management or fundraising CRM platforms, such as Every. Action or comparable systems. Experience with gift processing, donor acknowledgments, and contribution reconciliation. Familiarity with restricted contributions, pledge accounting, and nonprofit financial reporting.

Experience supporting monthly financial closing processes and external audits. Intermediate or advanced Microsoft Excel skills, including formulas, lookup functions, and pivot tables. Key Competencies Accounting accuracy and financial accountability Donor stewardship and customer service Financial reconciliation and analytical thinking Confidentiality and ethical judgment Organization and time management Cross-departmental collaboration Initiative and process improvement About The Piney Woods School The Piney Woods School is a historic independent boarding school in Mississippi dedicated to providing a transformative educational experience that prepares students for academic achievement, personal growth, leadership, and service.

The School seeks dedicated professionals who demonstrate integrity, accountability, professionalism, and a commitment to its educational mission. Equal Employment Opportunity The Piney Woods School is an equal opportunity employer and considers qualified applicants in accordance with applicable federal and state employment laws.