Senior Financial Analyst

Aspire Public Schools • Oakland, CA

9d

About The Position

Aspire NorCal is being formed by bringing together Aspire Public Schools’ Bay Area and Central Valley regions. It will operate 22 schools serving approximately 10,000 scholars across Northern California. The organization is working to strengthen and coordinate support for its schools while remaining responsive to their differing communities and contexts, and continuing its mission focused on post-secondary success and educational equity.

The Senior Financial Analyst provides financial analysis, tracking, and projections for assigned Aspire school sites. The role prepares and tracks budgets for restricted and unrestricted funds, analyzes program and project spending, guides school sites on fiscal management, and prepares financial and compliance reports. The position also provides team leadership and oversight for the budgeting and reporting system, including its administration, training, and further development.

The role supports Aspire NorCal’s finance, accounting, and payroll services to Aspire LA under a planned multi-year service agreement. The position is full-time and exempt. Work location and in-person expectations are still being finalized. Employment is at-will, and the department’s size and positions may be affected if the service agreement is not finalized, renewed, or continues through its expected term.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in Accounting or Finance.
• At least 3 years of accounting and/or financial analysis experience.
• Experience in K-12 public education, the nonprofit sector, or government.
• Proficiency with budgeting and reporting systems; ability to learn new systems.
• Ability to provide timely, meaningful financial analysis in a dynamic, high-growth environment and clearly communicate complex financial concepts to non-financial leaders.
• Knowledge of accounting, especially K-12 and/or nonprofit accounting, and restricted and unrestricted charter school revenue sources.
• Strong Excel skills and financial modeling ability.
• Proficiency with multiple accounting software packages and flexibility to learn new ones.
• Excellent organization, time management, and follow-up skills; ability to meet deadlines under pressure with a high degree of accuracy.
• Strong client communication and interpersonal skills, and attention to detail.

Nice To Haves

• Experience with Adaptive Insights.

Responsibilities

• Prepare annual budgets and forecast updates for assigned Aspire school sites, and facilitate regular site budget and forecast update meetings.
• Work with School Leaders, Instructional Leaders, and Finance and Accounting team members on monthly and quarterly close, interim and year-end financial reports, and monthly forecasts covering profit and loss, balance sheet, and cash flow; conduct variance analysis and recommend actions supporting financial sustainability and school programming.
• Perform accurate and efficient financial support work, including attendance reporting, interim reporting, reclasses, and year-end preparation.
• Track, report, and analyze financial data related to the nutrition program and grant funding.
• Prepare budget projections and scenario analyses for new sites, and help maximize the use of restricted funding for each school.
• Analyze spending trends across schools to identify best practices and efficiencies, and share findings with the Finance team.
• Conduct ad hoc financial analyses requested by the CFO, Director of Finance, Instructional Leaders, and School Leaders.
• Prepare school sites for year-end audits and meet local, state, and federal reporting deadlines with charter authorizers and the California Department of Education.
• Demonstrate knowledge of and support Aspire Public Schools’ mission, vision, and values, including antiracism; uphold confidentiality standards and the code of ethical behavior.
• Perform other related duties as required and assigned.
• Support the new Service Level Agreement under which Aspire NorCal will provide finance, accounting, and payroll services to Aspire LA.
• Provide team leadership and oversight for the budgeting and reporting system, including administration, training, and further development.

Benefits

• Eligible for Aspire health benefits.
• Retirement through CalSTRS or CalPERS, depending on the role’s credential requirements, with a 403(b) option.
• Paid time off.
• Additional teammate benefits to be determined in accordance with an updated employee value proposition, to be shared prior to an offer.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Senior