Accounting Specialist

<h3>Job Description</h3><div>Job Description<div><p><strong>Now hiring:  Accounting Specialist </strong></p><p><strong>Employment Terms: Full-Time, Permanent </strong></p><p><strong>Start date: May 2026</strong></p><p><strong>We are currently seeking an Accounting Specialist to join our Finance Office. This mid-level position will play a critical role in the daily financial operations of the school and the Foundation. The ideal candidate will not only be proficient in non-profit GAAP and general ledger maintenance but will also possess specific expertise in Blackbaud systems and the nuances of Student Billing, foundation financial reporting and fund accounting.</strong></p><p><strong>Key Responsibilities and Tasks</strong></p><p><strong>Financial Reporting: for The College and Foundations</strong></p><ul><li><p><strong>Assist in preparing monthly,quarterly and annual financial statements in accordance with GAPP and Not for profit accounting;</strong></p></li><li><p><strong>Responsible for Actuals vs Budget variance analysis;</strong></p></li><li><p><strong>Responsible for all related asset reconciliations and month end journal entries;</strong></p></li><li><p><strong>Ensure the accuracy and integrity of financial data and reports;</strong></p></li><li><p><strong>Assist in the preparation of the annual budget (Operating and Capital) and long-term financial forecasts;</strong></p></li><li><p><strong>Preparation of Actual vs Budget and other reporting for Department Managers;</strong></p></li><li><p><strong>Support the preparation of monthly and quarterly financial reports for the foundation programs and funding activities.</strong></p></li></ul><p><strong>Raiser’s Edge &amp; GL Reconciliation</strong></p><ul><li><p><strong>Support monthly reconciliation process between the Advancement Office’s donor database (Blackbaud Raiser’s Edge) and the Finance Office’s General Ledger (Financial Edge NXT), ensuring all gifts, pledges, and payments match perfectly;</strong></p></li><li><p><strong>Manage Foundation journal entries and fund accounting functions, including working papers, mark-to-market adjustments, and the timely preparation of accurate financial reports with supporting documentation.</strong></p></li></ul><p><strong>General Accounting</strong></p><ul><li><p><strong>Responsible for all aspects of the general ledger, including journal entries, account reconciliations, and month-end close processes;</strong></p></li><li><p><strong>Ensure proper recording and classification of all transactions, including tuition, grants, donations, and other income sources including  expenditures;</strong></p></li><li><p><strong>Ad Hoc projects as required by the Finance Manager and VP Finance.</strong></p></li></ul><p><strong>Internal controls and processes</strong></p><ul><li><p><strong>Support the Finance Manager in the Review internal controls to ensure the organization’s financial processes comply with regulations, minimize risks, maintain accuracy for reporting and to safeguard assets;</strong></p></li><li><p><strong>Provide recommendations and suggestions to improve internal control systems and checks;</strong></p></li><li><p><strong>Maintain and update the process documents.</strong></p></li></ul><p><strong>Accounts Payable &amp; Receivable</strong></p><ul><li><p><strong>Support the accounts payable and accounts receivable functions including reconciliations ensuring timely and accurate processing of invoices and payments;</strong></p></li><li><p><strong>Support the Finance manager in the Management of  tuition billing and collections, ensuring alignment with school policies.</strong></p></li></ul><p><strong>Audit &amp; Compliance</strong></p><ul><li><p><strong>Assist  the Finance manager and VP Finance to facilitate the annual audit process;</strong></p></li><li><p><strong>Assist in the preparation of materials for the audit, including working papers and supporting documentation;</strong></p></li><li><p><strong>Ensure compliance with relevant regulations, reporting requirements, and internal policies.</strong></p></li></ul><p><strong>Tax &amp; Compliance</strong></p><ul><li><p><strong>Ensure timely and accurate preparation and filing of all non payroll tax returns for the college and the foundations;</strong></p></li><li><p><strong>Stay current on all related regulations that impact the school’s financial operations.</strong></p></li></ul><p><strong>Special Projects</strong></p><ul><li><p><strong>Support implementation of financial system upgrades;</strong></p></li><li><p><strong>Support the Finance Manager and VP Finance in developing enhanced financial reports to improve financial oversight and decision-making.</strong></p></li><li><p><strong>Ad hoc projects as required.</strong></p></li></ul><p><strong>Job Requirements</strong></p><p><strong>Experience, Knowledge and Competencies: </strong></p><ul><li><p><strong>Bachelor’s degree in Accounting or Finance;</strong></p></li><li><p><strong>3–5 years of progressive accounting experience (Mid-Level);</strong></p></li><li><p><strong>Working towards Professional account designation such as CPA would be an asset;</strong></p></li><li><p><strong>Strong knowledge of Non-Profit Accounting standards and fund accounting;</strong></p></li><li><p><strong>Advanced proficiency in Microsoft Excel (Pivot Tables, VLOOKUPs);</strong></p></li><li><p><strong>Direct experience with Blackbaud Financial Edge NXT (preferred) and Student Billing modules;</strong></p></li><li><p><strong>Experience working in an Independent School or University setting;</strong></p></li><li><p><strong>Experience utilizing Smart Tuition or similar tuition management systems;</strong></p></li><li><p><strong>Excellent computer skills including Microsoft Office; extension knowledge of Excel a definite asset;</strong></p></li></ul><ul><li><p><strong>Knowledge of Google Drive, Google Docs and Gmail required;</strong></p></li></ul><ul><li><p><strong>Ability to navigate complex financial systems and reporting tools;</strong></p></li><li><p><strong>Ability to explain financial concepts to non-financial faculty and staff;</strong></p></li><li><p><strong>High level of integrity and ability to handle confidential information, including student, and family financial data;</strong></p></li><li><p><strong>The role serves as a secondary point of contact for student billing and revenue; management, addressing inquiries regarding tuition statements, incidental charges, and financial aid credits;</strong></p></li><li><p><strong>The position maintains open lines of communication with department heads and the Advancement Office to provide budget-versus-actual reports and reconcile donor gifts and pledges;</strong></p></li><li><p><strong>Direct experience with Blackbaud Financial Edge (NXT preferred) and Student Billing modules;</strong></p></li><li><p><strong>Previous experience working within an Independent School or University setting;</strong></p></li><li><p><strong>Familiarity with Smart Tuition or similar tuition management systems;</strong></p></li><li><p><strong>Demonstrates a high level of integrity and the ability to handle highly confidential financial data including data related to students and their families;</strong></p></li><li><p><strong>Requires the ability to explain complex financial concepts and reporting tools clearly to non-financial faculty and staff.</strong></p></li></ul><p><strong>What We Offer</strong></p><ul><li><p><strong>Unparalleled opportunities for professional development including workshops, networking sessions, a leadership program, and visiting experts and scholars;</strong></p></li><li><p><strong>Flexibility to substitute statutory holidays in recognition of diverse religious and cultural practices;</strong></p></li><li><p><strong>Comprehensive medical, dental and vision plans, including health care and lifestyle spending accounts;</strong></p></li><li><p><strong>Pension plan, generous vacation time, self-funded sabbaticals, parental leave top-up; </strong></p></li><li><p><strong>Significant support for personal and family wellbeing and mental health, including the Employee and Family Assistance Program;</strong></p></li><li><p><strong>Paid volunteer time off for involvement in the communities that matter to you; </strong></p></li><li><p><strong>Social events for colleagues and their families;</strong></p></li><li><p><strong>Collaborative and supportive team members and colleagues;</strong></p></li><li><p><strong>Free on-campus parking.</strong></p></li></ul><p><strong>About UCC</strong></p><p><strong>Upper Canada College (UCC) is focused on making the world a more just and inclusive place through dialogue and teamwork. With a commitment to equity and fairness, students learn that what makes us different as individuals makes us stronger as a community. A rigorous academic program is supported by accomplished faculty, exceptional co-curricular programming, and state-of-the-art facilities.</strong></p><p><strong>The UCC experience is underpinned by five core values: learning, pluralism, service, community, and well-being.  Among its strategic goals is UCC’s ambition to become more diverse and inclusive. This is supported by a recognition that no learning community is whole without the inclusion and amplification of multiple voices; UCC is committed to fostering belonging, striving for jus­­tice and peace among all people, and addressing systemic and structural forms of oppression.</strong></p><p><strong>UCC is an Equal Opportunity Employer and values diversity, encouraging applications from all qualified individuals including women, Indigenous Peoples, persons with disabilities, 2SLGBTQIA+ and historically marginalized persons.  UCC embraces pluralism – celebrating differences, cherishing similarities, and giving voice to multiple perspectives.</strong></p><p><strong>This job is for a new vacancy. Compensation is based on qualifications and  experience. The range for the position is  $66,746 to $83,433.  </strong></p><p><strong>Please share your resume and cover letter at [email protected] by Thursday, 2nd April 2026.  We thank all candidates in advance; however, we will contact only those selected for an interview.​ Artificial intelligence tools may be used at certain stages of the recruitment and selection process.</strong></p><p><strong>To learn more about UCC, please visit ucc.on.ca and <span>https://careers.ucc.on.ca/</span></strong></p></div></div>