Accounting and Financial Director (not accepting more applications)

ACS Athens, a K-12 American international school, is actively seeking a dynamic and experienced professional to join our Executive Council as theAccounting and Financial Director. This pivotal executive-level role will play a key part in strengthening the school’s financial processes, ensuring sustained and enhanced financial health and stability. The successful candidate will be based in Athens, Greece, working closely with the President and Executive Council and cross-functional teams to perform a wide variety of duties such as: budgeting and reporting, Greek and U.S. tax compliance, financial strategy, internal controls, collection management, providing leadership in various accounting and business operations, cash flow management, and promoting efficiency by promoting and integrating technological tools.

Responsibilities:

1. Financial Operations Leadership:

• Leads and directs the Accounting Office to ensure timely collection of receivable accounts, accurate payroll processing, and proper reconciliation of bank statements.
• Approves expenditure of funds, oversees filing of declarations to local and U.S. tax authorities, and implements compliance with tax and accounting laws and regulations.
• Collaborates with the School’s Administration and Board to create and submit the bi-annual school budgets.
• Monitors budgets of all departments and reports results to BoD and top management.

2. Purchasing Coordination:

• Oversees and approves all School’s purchases, ensuring timely ordering and receipt. Supervises textbook ordering and distribution of educational supplies.

3. Contract negotiation and Liaison:

• Leads negotiations for contracts involving third-party contractors.
• Acts as a liaison with cafeteria contractor, to ensure quality food and service for students and staff.
• Coordinates and establishes the priorities of the Project Management and Maintenance Department teams on capital spending for major projects.

4. Financial Reporting and Budget Presentation:

• Generates financial reports for school principals and administrators, providing necessary financial information for departmental operations.
• Prepares and files tax declaration forms with U.S. tax authorities and statements for U.S. Department of State grants.
• Responsible for closing the accounting books and preparing quarterly and yearly financial statements based on USA accounting principles.
• Coordinates with external financial compliance and auditors.
• Prepares statistical and historical reports for Executive Council inspection.
• Collaborates with all departments on budget creation. Presents the detailed budget analysis to the School President and the financial committee of the Board of Trustees, for approval.

5. Technology and System Management:

• Promotes innovation, technological integration and workflow efficiency
• Oversees the operation and upgrade of the business office computerized accounting system.
• Conducts ongoing staff training programs for effective system utilization.

6. Policy Compliance and Change Management:

• Devises work methods in compliance with established policies, procedures, and agreements.
• Recommends and implements changes to policies and procedures when necessary for effective and efficient operations.

7. Collaboration and Negotiation:

• Assists in negotiations with professional bargaining units, identifying areas for negotiation and providing recommendations.

8. Executive Council Participation:

• As a member of the Executive Council, contributes to strategic decision-making and policy formulation.
• Provides financial insights and recommendations to the Executive Council to support overall organizational objectives.

9. Performs many other tasks and duties as requested by the Executive Council and the School’s President.

Qualifications:

• Master’s Degree in Finance/Accounting;
• Excellent knowledge of the U.S. accounting system;
• Professional Certification;
• Registration with the Chamber of Finance in Greece;
• Minimum eight years (8) of working experience in accounting and/or business positions preferably in both the USA and Greece;
• Excellent communication skills in both English and Greek; experienced in preparing and delivering presentations;
• Excellent technology skills;
• Experience in implementing efficient and effective processes / workflows;
• Transformation management skills;
• Display commitment to safeguarding and protection of children.

Work Contacts:

Daily contact with the school President, other administrators, and immediate subordinates. Frequent contact with members of the Board of Education, parents, and teachers. Occasional contact with suppliers and contractors. 

Supervises:

• Payroll and Accounting Department;
• Accounts Receivable/ Collections;
• Purchasing/ Procurement Department;
• Maintenance Department;
• Bookstore/ textbooks;
• Inhouse campus safety/ external security services;
• Capital Projects Manager.

Application Procedure:

To be considered for this vacancy, please complete this form and submit in English:

• Cover letter, which should include a statement of how you connect to ACS Athens’ mission;
• Resume, which should contain applicable license/certification information and;
• The contact information for three professional references.