Accounting Manager - Accounting 2026 - 2027

• Forbes named Mesa Public Schools in their list of Best Employers in Arizona for multiple years.
• East Valley Tribune names Mesa Public Schools as Best Place to Work in East Valley for multiple years.

Employment Type:

Full-time

Base Salary:

$78,795.00

Class/Calendar:

D72, 12 months

Benefits:

Vacation, sick leave, holidays, retirement matched through the Arizona State Retirement System, health, and life insurance

Performance Pay:

Available annually

New Hire Experience:

1% of the base hourly rate granted for each year of verified like experience (within ten years) beyond the requirement, up to a ten-year maximum

New Hire Education:

1% of the base hourly rate awarded for an AA or higher degree if not required for the position

Job Summary:

The Accounting Manager oversees the daily operations of the accounting department, including payroll, accounting, accounts payable, reconciliations, accounts receivable, and financial reporting functions. This position ensures compliance with district policies and procedures, the Uniform System of Financial Records (USFR), and all applicable county, state, and federal regulations. The Accounting Manager provides leadership focused on operational excellence, fiscal stewardship, continuous improvement, and data integrity while supporting the District's Strategic Goals, Vision, and Promise through collaborative partnerships and efficient financial operations.

Key Responsibilities:

• Provide leadership and oversight for daily accounting operations, including payroll, accounts payable, reconciliations, accounts receivable, auditing support, and financial reporting functions.
• Supervise, train, develop, evaluate, and support accounting staff while fostering a collaborative, professional, and service oriented team culture.
• Maintain the integrity and accuracy of district financial systems and records; implement corrective actions and internal controls as necessary to ensure sound financial practices.
• Oversee school facilities division reconciliations, County Treasurer reconciliations, and district banking administration functions.
• Lead coordination efforts for the district's annual financial audit and serve as liaison with internal and external auditors.
• Ensure adherence to the Uniform System of Financial Records (USFR), district policies, and all applicable county, state, and federal financial regulations.
• Prepare and support required financial reporting submissions to the Arizona Department of Education and other regulatory agencies.
• Lead continuous improvement initiatives by evaluating financial workflows, timelines, and operational procedures to improve efficiency, accuracy, compliance, and customer service.
• Analyze financial and operational data to identify trends, root causes, and opportunities for process enhancement and operational effectiveness.
• Collaborate with district departments, schools, and external partners to improve accounting procedures, strengthen internal controls, and streamline financial operations.
• Identify opportunities to optimize the use of financial software systems and technology platforms while coordinating with vendors and system representatives regarding upgrades and enhancements.
• Develop, document, implement, and maintain accounting procedures and operational standards to support consistency and scalability across the department.
• Partner with district leadership, departments, and schools to support organizational priorities and ensure responsive financial services.
• Participate in cross functional committees, projects, and initiatives related to financial operations and district improvement efforts.
• Assist in vendor bid evaluations, procurement processes, and financial reviews as needed.
• Support administration with special projects, financial analysis, and strategic initiatives aligned to district goals.

Required Qualifications:

• Bachelor's degree in accounting, business administration, finance, or a related field; or an equivalent combination of education, training, and progressively responsible experience in accounting, finance, or business operations
• Minimum ten (10) years of progressively responsible accounting, finance, or business operations experience, including experience in a supervisory or leadership capacity
• Demonstrated experience leading financial operations, reconciliations, reporting functions, and continuous improvement initiatives

Preferred Qualifications:

• Experience in public school finance, governmental accounting, or public sector financial operations
• Experience with governmental accounting standards, financial audits, and public sector compliance requirements
• Experience with ERP systems, financial software platforms, and operational systems optimization
• Experience leading continuous improvement initiatives and cross functional operational projects

Skills & Competencies:

• Models the attributes and skills of the MPS Portrait of a Graduate.
• Demonstrates commitment to the MPS Promise that every student is known by name, served by strength and need, and graduates ready for college, career and community.
• Demonstrates strong analytical thinking, problem solving, and decision making skills in a fast paced operational environment.
• Knowledge and experience with the operation of computers and associated basic software applications (Google Suite, Microsoft Office Word, Excel, Access) and financial enterprise software systems.
• Demonstrated understanding of fund accounting principals and working knowledge of budgeting practices
• Ability to perform high volume detailed work while multi-tasking under stressful conditions with frequent interruptions while maintaining a high degree of accuracy and meeting deadlines with limited supervision
• Ability to independently make sound fact based decisions for daily tasks and high level decisions while providing strong leadership with effective communication and supervisory skills
• Ability to assume responsibility, organize, prioritize, take initiative to direct own workload and workload of accounting staff
• Ability to effectively communicate (verbal and written) and establish and maintain cooperative working relationships with district personnel and outside agencies; maintain confidentiality

Work Environment & Physical Requirements:

• Primarily, work in an office with standard office equipment
• May interact with school principals, finance personnel, and district leadership.
• May visit schools within the district for audits, budget meetings, or training
• Most of the work involves desk-based tasks like financial reporting, data entry, and reviewing documents
• Frequent use of computers, accounting software, and spreadsheets
• Occasionally may need to lift files, reports, or office supplies (usually under 20 pounds)

Equal Opportunity Employer Statement:

Mesa Public Schools is an equal opportunity employer and complies with all applicable federal, state, and local laws regarding equal employment opportunity and anti-discrimination. The District strictly prohibits and does not tolerate discrimination against employees, applicants, or any other covered persons because of race, color, religion, creed, national origin or ancestry, ethnicity, sex (including gender, pregnancy, sexual orientation, and gender identity), age, physical or mental disability, citizenship, past, current, or prospective service in the uniformed services, genetic information, or any other characteristic protected under applicable federal, state, or local law.

Applicants and employees may contact Human Resources to request reasonable accommodations needed to perform the essential functions of this position.