Why Work for Wonders Early Learning + Extended Day?

Play isn't just fun, It's fundamental! Children need playtime, it is crucial for healthy development. Children learn about the world by exploring ideas, manipulating objects, investigating creative materials, and problem-solving with others. Using imagination and creativity, children take on new roles and test new concepts. Wonders teachers use observation and planning to create learning experiences that are intentional and provide meaningful context for children to practice skills and express ideas.

Join the Wonders family of caring, dedicated, and fun educators!

About Wonders

Our Mission - To cultivate curiosity, resilience, and social responsibility in children by fostering high-quality, nurturing, and inclusive educational communities led by skilled professionals

Since our inception in 1976, our goal has been to provide non-profit, quality child care to working families. Over the years, we have grown from a single center in the basement of All Saint's Church in Chevy Chase, Maryland to multiple accredited early learning, extended day, and summer camp programs across the DC Metropolitan Region.

Our programs support today's workforce, while growing the workforce of tomorrow.

Benefits & Compensation

Our benefits package includes paid time off, holidays, winter break, medical with HRA, dental, vision, life insurance, disability, critical illness, accident insurance, 403(b) retirement savings plan, Wonders tuition discounts, and professional development training. Benefits eligibility is dependent on job type status.

We provide paid pre-employment background checks, fingerprinting, medical exams, & drug screens as well as paid New Hire Orientation.

Wonders values its educators and leaders and we invest in our workforce by prioritizing compensation and nurturing meaningful careers. Our educators are regularly engaged in efforts towards continuous improvement in their skills and knowledge in the classroom. Approximately 80% of our annual budget is directed to staff compensation.

Job Summary

The Senior Accountant supports the day-to-day accounting and financial operations of Wonders Early Learning + Extended Day and helps ensure the accuracy and integrity of the organization's financial records. This position is responsible for general ledger accounting, account reconciliations, month-end and year-end close, financial reporting, and audit support. The Senior Accountant works closely with the Director of Finance, Family Accounts team, program leadership, and other administrative staff to ensure financial transactions are recorded accurately, supported appropriately, and maintained in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP) and Wonders' policies and procedures. This role requires strong accounting knowledge, analytical judgment, organization, and the ability to independently research and resolve discrepancies.

Wonders Early Learning + Extended Day supports the professional growth and advancement of staff through continuing education. A minimum of 24 hours of professional development training is required annually.

This is a full-time, 12 month position.

Essential Functions

General Ledger, Close & Reconciliations

Maintain accurate and complete general ledger records in accordance with GAAP and Wonders' accounting policies. Prepare and post journal entries, review account activity and classifications, maintain supporting schedules, and ensure transactions are recorded in the appropriate accounting period.
Perform assigned month-end and year-end close procedures within established deadlines. Prepare accruals, prepaid expense allocations, depreciation, and other adjusting entries; review accounts for completeness; and support preparation of financial statements and year-end schedules.
Prepare and maintain reconciliations for bank, credit card, payroll, benefits, prepaid expense, accrued expense, fixed asset, accounts receivable, and other balance sheet accounts. Research and resolve outstanding items, discrepancies, and unusual transactions in a timely manner.
Review accounts payable and expense transactions for appropriate coding, documentation, approval, allocation, and classification. Monitor activity processed through Bill.com and Divvy, resolve synchronization or payment discrepancies, and follow up on missing documentation.
Reconcile tuition and other program revenue between Playground and QuickBooks. Review Family Accounts reports and supporting schedules, collaborate with the Family Accounts team to resolve differences between the family-account subledger and general ledger, and record any necessary accounting adjustments.

Subledger Oversight & Operations

Review payroll entries and allocations and reconcile payroll- and benefit-related general ledger accounts, including wages, payroll taxes, retirement contributions, insurance premiums, and employee deductions. Research discrepancies and prepare correcting entries as needed.
Maintain fixed asset, depreciation, and prepaid expense schedules. Review purchases for appropriate accounting treatment and record additions, disposals, depreciation, amortization, and related adjustments.

Reporting, Analysis & Financial Operations Strategy

Assist with monthly financial reporting, budget-to-actual analysis, annual budgeting, forecasting, and preparation of financial information requested by program directors and organizational leadership.
Support the annual financial statement audit and regulatory filings by preparing reconciliations, schedules, documentation, and responses to accounting-related requests. Maintain organized records in accordance with retention requirements and support compliance with GAAP, grant requirements, internal controls, and organizational policies.
Identify and recommend improvements to accounting processes and internal controls. Develop and maintain procedures for assigned responsibilities, communicate accounting issues and risks to the Director of Finance, and support special accounting and finance projects as assigned.

Core Competencies

Strong accounting, analytical, reconciliation, and problem-solving skills.
High level of accuracy and attention to detail, with the ability to independently research and resolve discrepancies.
Strong organizational and time-management skills, with the ability to manage multiple priorities and meet deadlines.
Sound professional judgment, accountability, and commitment to maintaining confidentiality.
Clear written and verbal communication skills and the ability to collaborate effectively across teams.
Commitment to strengthening processes, internal controls, and financial practices.

Qualifications

Bachelor's degree in Accounting, Finance, or a related field.
Minimum of five years of progressive accounting experience, including general ledger accounting, month-end close, and balance sheet reconciliations.
Strong working knowledge of GAAP and experience preparing journal entries and supporting schedules.
Proficiency with Microsoft Excel and accounting software; experience with QuickBooks Online preferred.
Experience with Bill.com, Divvy, Playground, Insperity, or similar financial, billing, and payroll platforms preferred.
Experience with nonprofit accounting, payroll and benefit reconciliations, or annual financial audits preferred.

Supervisory Responsibility

This position does not have direct supervisory responsibilities but may provide accounting guidance, support, and training to members of the Finance and Family Accounts teams as appropriate. The Senior Accountant works closely with the Director of Finance, Family Accounts team, program directors, and other organizational leaders to support the financial operations of Wonders Early Learning + Extended Day.

EEO Statement

Wonders provides equal opportunity to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, citizenship, current or future military status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, marital or familial status or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws.

ADA Compliance

Consistent with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), it is the policy of Wonders to provide reasonable accommodation when requested by a qualified applicant or employee with a disability, unless such accommodation would cause an undue hardship. The policy regarding requests for reasonable accommodation applies to all aspects of employment, including the application process. If reasonable accommodation is needed, please contact Human Resources.

Additional Information

Job Status: Full-Time / Exempt (40 hours weekly)

Work Location: 5272 River Road Ste 530 Bethesda, MD 20816 (Hybrid - 2 days in office)

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