Finance Director

Who We Are

Columbia Legal Services (CLS) is a nonprofit civil legal aid organization that advances social, economic, and racial equity for people living in poverty. We support communities and movements by bringing deep legal expertise that is grounded in – and strongly guided by – an understanding of race equity.  

We seek systemic solutions by bringing class action lawsuits, using cutting edge legal theories, engaging in policy advocacy, and supporting communities in building their own power. We have a special responsibility to serve people whose access to free legal services is restricted, due to institutionalized or immigration status.  

At CLS we seek a team that reflects our organizational values of community, race equity, and justice. This includes hiring staff with connections to the communities we serve whenever possible, and a commitment to strive for justice and equity in our hiring practices and in our staff culture. 

Position Summary

Under the direction of the Executive Director, the Finance Director works closely with the Executive Director and Board of Directors to develop and implement financial strategies that support the organization’s mission and goals. This role supervises a 1.5 FTE accounting team and provides financial leadership across the organization.  This role will ensure that CLS has the systems and procedures in place to provide accurate financial information. They will work closely with all staff to provide education on financial and accounting procedures, while ensuring that financial functions can support program operations.  

This position is based in Seattle, WA. All CLS staff have the ability to complete some work remotely; however, this position will require some physical presence at the office, as well as an ability to attend required meetings at the office and in the community.   

CLS requires that all employees adhere to our COVID-19 vaccine mandate through proof of vaccination or by requesting a medical or religious accommodation. Staff are also required to follow CLS COVID-19 protocols while engaging in in-person work in our offices and in the community. 

Responsibilities

The Finance Director’s responsibilities include, but are not limited to: 

Strategic Planning and Leadership 

• In partnership with the Executive Director and senior leaders, develop and implement strategic plans and goals that support the organization’s mission and vision.


• Provide leadership and mentorship to the accounting team, fostering a culture of continuous improvement and professional development.


• Manage relationships with external partners, including banks, auditors, funders, and other financial service providers. 
  


• Collaborate with other senior leaders to develop and implement strategies and systems that support the organization’s mission and goals 


• Lead the Audit Budget Committee, collaborating with other committee members to provide strategic financial guidance that supports the organization. 

Financial Management

• Protect and ensure the integrity of program financial records by overseeing all financial transactions. Manage and oversee all financial operations, including accounting, budgeting, forecasting, and financial analysis 
  


• Partner with the Development team to ensure accurate donation processing, financial projections and compliance/reporting for donations, grants, and contracts. 


• Safeguard program assets. 


• Manage and oversee all financial operations, including accounting, budgeting, forecasting, and financial analysis.

Budgeting and Forecasting

• Prepare, explain, and coordinate financial information including financial statements, budgets, reports. Manage and track organizational cash flow forecasting in conjunction with the Leadership Team. 
  


• Provide budget forecasting information and investment strategy consultation to members of the Organizational Management team and Board of Directors, as needed.  


• Manage and track organizational cash flow forecasting in conjunction with the Leadership Team. 

External Collaboration

• Ensure financial records, including the general ledger, accounts payable and receivable, payroll, and other financial systems, are accurate and submitted in a timely manner. 


• Ensure compliance with all financial reporting and regulatory requirements, including tax filings, audits, grants, and other reporting requirements 


• Maintain, implement, and ensure compliance with the organization’s systems of internal control and creation and maintenance of related documentation thereof. 


• Manage employee benefit programs in collaboration with the HR Manager and People and Culture Director. Serve as the 403b plan administrator.  


• Coordinate all audit activity and communication with independent auditors. 


• Manage and track the performance of invested assets in keeping with Board policies and investment guidelines. 


• Ensure Generally Accepted Accounting Principles are followed. 

This job description is not designed to contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee; others may be assigned.     

Qualifications 

The ideal candidate will have all or most of the experience below or have a combination of comparable experience where they have demonstrated similar skills or responsibilities. 

• Must be a certified public accountant, certified management accountant or have an MBA. 


• Management, supervisory and training experience with strong interpersonal communications skills and the ability to effectively communicate key data, including presenting to and collaborating with the leadership team, Board, and outside partners such as funders, banks, and auditors. 


• Commitment to racial, social, and economic justice, ability to build collaborative relationships with colleagues, and a desire to engage in shared leadership and decision-making. 


• Commitment to recruiting, mentoring, training, and retaining a diverse accounting team with the foresight and ability to delegate.  


• Fluent technology and computer skills, including experience selecting and overseeing software installations and managing relationships with software vendors and advanced knowledge of accounting software.


• Ability to translate complex financial concepts to – and to effectively collaborate with – individuals at all levels, including colleagues who do not necessarily have finance backgrounds.  


• A successful track record in setting priorities; excellent analytic, financial planning, and problem-solving skills to allow for strategic data interpretation and sound decision-making to ensure the long-term health and sustainability of the organization.  

Preferred, but not required

• Not-for-profit experience and/or extensive experience with multiple funding source- or cost center-based accounting systems. 


• Experience in a law firm or regulatory setting.  


• Experience with organizations that include an in-house union. 

CLS brings its core values of community, race equity, and justice into all aspects of its work, and we seek an individual for this role who aligns with these values. 

Compensation and Benefits

The salary range for this position is $125,500-$162,500, based on a range of 7-40(+) years’ experience. Salary will be determined based on the candidate’s role-specific skills, management- and/or director-level work, and lived experience.

Columbia Legal Services is committed to providing an equitable work environment, including a commitment to pay equity. Mid-year adjustments may be applied, based on years of experience, once salary schedules are finalized. An additional COLA increase of around 2% may be applied annually, in addition to a step-level increase for each additional year of service, based on CLS’s overall budget.  

This full-time, exempt position is a confidential role and is not eligible for representation by Washington Legal Workers, our in-house labor union.  

CLS has a 35-hour workweek, though temporary deviations from the normal work schedule occur from time to time. We also offer a comprehensive compensation package including the following:   

• 14 paid holidays annually  


• Winter Break office closure between Christmas and New Year’s  


• 12 sick days annually  


• 15-21 paid vacation days annually (based on years of experience)  


• 3-5 personal days annually (based on years of experience)  


• Early office closure the first Friday of the month  


• Paid parental and family medical leave benefits  


• Paid sabbatical every 7 years  


• Student Loan Repayment Assistance Program (for employees with less than 10 years’ experience)  

Additionally, we pay 100% of employee premiums for excellent health, vision, and dental benefits plus 50% of the maximum out-of-pocket deductible and offer heavily subsidized family premiums.   

We also offer a 403(b) retirement benefit with employer contribution and a match, disability and life insurance, a subsidized transit pass, and an employee wellness program.   

To Apply 

Please submit an application with a cover letter and resume in PDF format through our application portal in BambooHR. We accept and review applications on a rolling basis, with priority given to applications received by March 10, 2025. We will remove the position from our website once it is filled. 

If you need a reasonable accommodation for the application process, please email the Human Resources Department at [email protected].  

We are committed to an environment of mutual respect, collaboration, and equal opportunity for all employees, and strongly encourage applications from people of color, immigrants, people who have been affected by mass incarceration, and other underrepresented and historically marginalized groups. We believe in building and sustaining an organization that is reflective of the communities we serve, and is diverse in work background, experience, education, race, color, national origin, sex, age, religion, marital status, veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity, ancestry, national origin, or sensory, mental and physical abilities. We believe that the resulting diversity is both a source of program strength and a matter of fundamental human fairness.