Director of Accounting

JOB SUMMARY

The Director of Accounting serves as the principal financial officer of the organization and is responsible for establishing financial policies, financial planning, oversight of reporting and monitoring, risk management, fiscal policy and financial communication. This includes but is not limited to: participation as a member of the senior staff and the Finance Committee in the budget process; monitoring agency funds, providing a forecast and cash flow outlook; protecting assets via internal controls; drafting fiscal policy for board approval; advising on major purchases, financial commitments and appropriate use of board-designated funds; anticipating, evaluating and mitigating financial risk; financial recordkeeping; communicating financial data in meaningful terms to the CEO, Board of Directors, and management team; and ensuring all regulatory and required financial reporting is made.

PRIMARY RESPONSIBILITIES

1. Protects assets of organization by establishing, monitoring and enforcing financial internal controls, policies and procedures, and guides financial decisions based on these guidelines. This includes, but is not limited to, appropriate segregation of duties for daily funds received, bank deposits, bank reconciliations, making payments, etc.
2. Establishes, implements and maintains short and long-range departmental/agency goals, objectives, policies, and operating procedures, with ability to envision and innovate to meet future needs of the department and agency. Provides current status and forecasts of the financial condition of the organization by collecting, interpreting and regularly reporting financial data to CEO and Board of Directors.
3. Monitors and maintains all financial matters, such as issues related to risk management, cash flow, transfer of monies between accounts, or financial investments. This includes ensuring that adequate funds are available for proper operation of the agency with continuous visibility into all available sources of liquidity and performance of the Endowment. Prepares and presents accurate and timely cash flow projections, financial and other reports, proposing solutions to the CEO and Board of Directors on any matters that require action.
4. Conducts ongoing financial forecasting, variance analysis and real-time liquidity management, identifying solutions and areas of risk to the CEO and Board. Collaborates with the Vice President of Development and various Vice Presidents and heads of programs, etc. to maintain a current view of all factors impacting the agency’s financial condition and to identify opportunities for fiscal improvement.
5. Ensures compliance with federal, state and local legal financial requirements and stays well informed on existing and new legislation. Advises CEO and Board of Directors of actions and potential risks.
6. Leads the annual budget process and coordinates with Treasurer, Finance Committee and CEO. Provides on-going education concerning the budgeting process to department managers and involves them in developing their department budgets.
7. Ensures appropriate organizational insurance coverages are maintained at all times and coordinates renewals as needed. Advises CEO and Finance Committee of any changes recommended by insurance advisors.
8. Coordinates with the Vice President of Development and Vice Presidents of programs to identify program funding needs and supplies fundraising and other programmatic efforts with information and documentation for funding proposals, grants and timely reporting of grant funded activity. Supports the funding collection through oversight of the preparation of state/local contract claims and collection of monies claimed.
9. Oversees contracts and informs CEO of organization’s ability to comply with contractual requirements; solicits external legal advice as required.
10. Hires, trains, coaches and supervises the Accounting Assistant.
11. Coordinates the preparation and review of all financial statements, schedules and other materials related to the monthly and year-to-date financial reports and annual audit. Assists in the review and responds to matters cited by the outside auditors with the goals of transparency and audit fee cost containment.
12. Coordinates the purchasing process, in collaboration with agency leadership. Establishes best practices and manages bid procurement, purchasing, and expenditures to maximize cost savings and cost containment.
13. Demonstrates the agency values of compassion, respect, learning, adaptability and achievement.
14. Performs other duties as assigned by CEO.

MAJOR WORKING RELATIONSHIPS

• Supervises and coordinates activities of the Accounting Assistant.
• CEO, Executive Leadership Team and other staff
• Board Treasurer
• Finance, Audit, Endowment committees
• Volunteer Board of Directors
• Independent accountants
• Vendors
• Funders/Donors

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

1. Bachelor’s Degree in Accounting, Finance, or Business or equivalent years of experience in lieu of degree.
2. Proficient with financial forecasting and cash flow management.
3. Solid working knowledge of applicable software applications, with a proficiency in Excel
4. Effective communication skills, both written and oral.
5. Adept at creating collaborative relationships with peers, manager, and external partners.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

1. Four or more years of management experience in an accounting or finance environment.
2. Experience working with Board of Directors and Audit Committees.
3. Experience with contract monitoring.