Accounting Manager

Job Title: Accounting Manager
Department: Finance
Reports To: Vice President of Finance
Supervises: Accounting staff of three.
Location: 4 days/week in person (Sherman Oaks), Friday remote 
Status: Exempt
Hours: 35 hours/week 

About American Jewish University 

American Jewish University (AJU)’s mission is singularly focused on the future of Jewish life in North America—training and educating the next generation of rabbis, educators, professionals, and lay leaders, and creating innovative, dynamic pathways for Jewish learning and living. With campuses in Sherman Oaks, Beverly Hills, and Simi Valley, CA, along with distance education programs that reach learners across the nation and around the world, AJU is a private, nonprofit institution of higher education offering degree-granting and for-credit academic programs, as well as community-based (non-formal academic) learning opportunities. 

AJU offers a variety of degree-granting programming, such as fully online programs in early childhood education at the BA, MA, EdD, and certificate levels, as well as an EdD in Jewish Education and Communal Leadership. The University also offers an in-person MA in Rabbinic Studies and ordains Conservative rabbis. In addition, AJU delivers for-credit online supplemental undergraduate programming to high school students and teens nationwide. In 2024–25, the University enrolled 150 full-time equivalent (FTE) students across all programs. 

Position Overview

The Accounting Manager is responsible for overseeing the organization’s accounting operations and maintaining the integrity of financial data, reporting, and compliance functions. This role partners closely with leadership to ensure financial processes are accurate, efficient, and aligned with organizational objectives.

The position provides leadership across multiple accounting functions, including general ledger activity, payables, receivables, financial analysis support, and operational accounting processes. The Accounting Manager is expected to create a culture of accountability, collaboration, and responsiveness while ensuring deadlines and reporting requirements are consistently met.

This role requires a hands-on leader, exceptional organizational skills, and the ability to effectively manage both people and processes. Success in this position depends not only on technical expertise, but also on the ability to build positive working relationships across departments, communicate professionally under pressure, and lead teams through change and process improvement initiatives.

Primary Responsibilities

• Lead monthly, quarterly, and annual close activities
• Oversee balance sheet reconciliations and maintain supporting documentation
• Ensure timely and accurate financial reporting
• Strengthen and monitor internal accounting controls and procedures
• Support annual audit preparation and external audit requests
• Supervise and mentor accounting personnel across operational accounting functions
• Collaborate with department leaders to improve financial processes and accountability
• Identify opportunities for workflow improvements, efficiency, and standardization
• Ensure compliance with nonprofit GAAP and organizational policies

The ideal candidate will demonstrate strong analytical ability, sound judgment, professionalism, and a proactive management style. This individual must be capable of balancing operational detail with leadership responsibilities while fostering productive relationships throughout the organization.

A disciplined approach to reconciliations, review procedures, and financial oversight is essential for success in this role.

Professional Requirements:     

• 5+ years of progressive leadership experience managing an accounting team in the non-profit sector. 
• Deep understanding of fund accounting; Unrestricted, Temporarily Restricted and Permanently Restricted. 
• Experience with Sage Intacct and accounting software implementation a plus. 
• Student billing a plus. 
• GAAP Accounting 
• Analytical skills 
• Communication skills 
• Certified Public Accountant designation preferred 

 Physical Requirements & Work Environment  

• The role requires the ability to remain standing or sitting for extended periods of time.  
• Maintain regular and predicable attendance.
• Must be able to lift, push, pull and carry objects (15 lbs.), such as office supplies and files.  
• Occasional movement throughout campus and to off-site locations may be required. 

Compensation 

• Salary Range: $125,000 - $140,000 annually. 
• American Jewish University offers a comprehensive benefits package for eligible employees, which may include health, dental, and vision insurance; retirement plan participation; paid time off; and other employee benefits. 

AJU participates in the federal government's E-Verify program to determine employment eligibility. To learn more about the E-Verify program, please CLICK HERE. 

Please note that this job description is not meant to cover or include all the tasks, duties, and responsibilities the employee may be required to perform, and may be subject to change at the company’s discretion, with or without notice or contemporaneous update to this document. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable qualified individuals to the extent required by and in accordance with applicable federal, state, and local law; contact Human Resources to request reasonable accommodation.  Nothing in this job description modifies the at-will nature of employment. If you require accommodation to complete the job application process, please contact hr@aju.edu. 

American Jewish University (AJU) is committed to diversity, equity, and inclusion in all forms and areas of the university. Please visit our full diversity statement at https://aju.edu/.