Director of Corporate Accounting (Hybrid)

About Us:
Elevate K-12 is dedicated to ensuring that every student receives a high-quality education, regardless of zip code. We are transforming classroom experiences by introducing a groundbreaking category of LIVE, virtual classroom instruction. Our cutting-edge platform connects students with exceptional, certified teachers through a dynamic, two-sided network, streaming these educators securely from across the nation into thousands of classrooms. This innovative approach allows us to provide instruction that many districts across the U.S. would otherwise lack. Our goal is to offer high-quality, live teaching to every learner in the U.S., from kindergarten to their first jobs, enabling them to discover and pursue their unique passions. We are redefining the classroom experience!

Elevate K-12 is backed by Series C funding led by General Catalyst. We are experiencing rapid growth within a $72B+ Total Addressable Market (TAM). As a pioneer and leader in this space, we are on the path to becoming an prominent and influential EdTech brand in the space of live teaching. Our efforts are uplifting millions of students and creating unique job opportunities for teachers in this innovative educational space.

The Role:  

The Director of Corporate Accounting will be essential in managing our accounting and financial operations. In a company experiencing 50% CAGR, we are focused on immediate execution while planning for future growth. This role involves developing new processes and procedures as the company evolves and leveraging our ERP system for increased efficiency and enhanced internal controls. This role will be pivotal in supporting and driving our high-growth objectives.

The ideal candidate will have experience in early-stage and established companies, bringing best practices from both environments. A passion for our mission of delivering high-quality education to students and teachers is crucial. While experience in hyperscale environments is not required, the candidate must possess the skills and mindset to guide the company through significant growth.

What you will do: 

• Accounting Leadership: Oversee all aspects of accounting, including leading month-end close processes, managing revenue accounting (ASC 606), general ledger (G/L), cash management, equity and debt accounting, tax compliance, consolidation, and financial reporting.
• Internal Controls and Financial Reporting: Develop and maintain strong internal controls over financial reporting. This includes preparing account reconciliations, supervising transaction reviews, and training staff. Support financial decision-making by establishing, monitoring, and enforcing policies and procedures.
• Financial Statement Preparation: Prepare monthly and yearly consolidated financial statements in accordance with US GAAP.
• Technical Accounting Compliance: Research and resolve technical accounting issues to ensure compliance with company policies and GAAP guidance in areas such as goodwill, investments, leases, share-based compensation, revenue recognition, foreign currency, and software CAPEX. Prepare related white-paper documentation.
• Implementation of Standards: Facilitate and coordinate the implementation of new accounting standards and changes, ensuring the company is prepared to comply as needed.
• Audit Management: Manage annual and periodic audit engagements, including the timely and accurate preparation of audits, footnotes to financial statements, and consolidations.
• Internal Control Procedures: Establish and maintain effective internal control procedures to safeguard assets and ensure the integrity of financial information. Conduct regular reviews and internal audits of financial processes to identify areas for improvement and efficiency.
• Process and System Design: Design, document, and implement finance and accounting processes and systems.
• Collaboration with FP&A: Collaborate with Financial Planning & Analysis (FP&A) to analyze and summarize business and financial results for senior management.
• Fiscal and Operational Effectiveness: Contribute to the organization’s fiscal soundness, operational effectiveness, and regulatory compliance.
• Team Development: Build and develop a high-performance accounting team. Establish and continuously improve business processes and procedures to drive scalability in a high-growth environment.
• Leadership and Growth: Lead and mentor team members, support their career goals, conduct development discussions, and provide meaningful tasks and assignments to promote their professional growth.

Experience, Competencies, and Technical Skills:

• Educational Background: Bachelor's degree in accounting, Finance, Economics, or a related field. CPA certification is highly preferred.
• Professional Experience: At least seven years of experience, including in a senior-level accounting role.
• Industry Expertise: Significant experience in public accounting and working with large US-based multinational corporations is highly valued.
• Technical Accounting Knowledge: Exceptional expertise in complex accounting principles and practices, particularly US GAAP.
• Startup Experience: Proven track record of addressing early-stage company challenges and building processes and procedures from scratch to support growth trajectories.
• Software Proficiency: Skilled in using and implementing financial management software and ERP systems.
• Communication and Improvement: Strong written and oral communication skills with extensive experience in internal control and process improvement.
• Project Management: Excellent time and project management skills, with a strong attention to detail and the ability to stay focused yet flexible.
• Ethical Standards: Holds themselves and others accountable for actions and outcomes, maintaining unwavering adherence to a set of ethical standards and principles.

Culture and Leadership Qualities:

• Positivity and Growth Mindset: Brings energy, determination, and motivation to excel, driving both personal and company missions and growth.
• Adaptability and Agility: Thrives in changing circumstances, learns and adapts quickly, and acts decisively. Demonstrates resilience and tenacity in a fast-paced, high-growth environment.
• Analytical Skills: Possesses strong analytical and problem-solving abilities, with a keen attention to detail. Comfortable working with large data sets across multiple systems, performing complex analyses and reconciliations.
• Confident yet Humble: Confident in their knowledge and skills while remaining humble and curious, always seeking to learn and improve.
• Collaborative Problem Solver: Engages in robust discussions to find the best solutions in a complex, matrixed environment.
• Results-Driven: Demonstrates a strong drive for results, consistently exceeds goals, and motivates others to achieve high performance.
• High Emotional Intelligence: Exhibits strong conflict management, administrative, reasoning, and decision-making abilities, fostering a positive and productive work environment.

What we offer:

• An amazing team of “Elevaters” that embody our strong, inclusive, and diverse work culture
• Competitive compensation
• Flexible/Unlimited PTO (Paid Time Off) & 12 company paid holidays.
• Employee Assistance Program
• Professional Learning Programs
• Benefits – Medical, Dental, Vision, 401K and more
• Phone stipend
• Chicago office gym & roof top space
• Commuter benefits

We are an equal employment opportunity employer. Qualified candidates are considered for employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender (including gender identity, gender expression, change of sex, and transgender status), sexual orientation, national origin, ancestry, age, military or veteran status, physical or mental disability, medical condition, pregnancy, marital status, genetic information, or any other characteristic protected by applicable law.  If you need assistance or an accommodation during the application process because of a disability, it is available upon request.

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