Director of Finance

Context

Accelerate is a nonprofit that funds and supports innovation in schools, launches high quality research, and drives a federal and state policy agenda to support this work. We are unabashedly solutions-oriented, evidence-driven and student-centered, aiming to help education leaders across the country build tools and strategies to address the pressing challenges of the current moment. We are simultaneously grounded in optimism and realistic implementation and aspire to build a small, talented, diverse team of leaders who bring both systemic experience and an entrepreneurial spirit to the work.

Position Overview

The Director of Finance will oversee Accelerate’s financial activities, ensure the organization’s financial health and provide guidance to the leadership team on financial strategies for long term growth and sustainability. They will be responsible for overseeing outsourced bookkeeping, preparing financial statements, managing all fiscal reporting and financial functions. The successful candidate will be a hands-on team member to lead and develop the internal team to support the following areas: financial management, budgeting and forecasting, fiscal reporting and general operations.

The ideal candidate will have excellent written and verbal communication skills, a keen eye for detail and high-quality, and must enjoy working in a fast paced, results-driven environment that requires exercising good judgment in a variety of situations.

Financial management

• Manage all financial functions, including vendor payments, invoice generation, bank and investment accounts, accounts payable/receivable, payroll, 1099 reporting and grant/contract management and payments, while ensuring compliance with GAAP and relevant regulations
• Review monthly credit card and bank reconciliations
• Analyze cash flows to ensure it supports operational requirements
• Ensure timely payments to grantees, coordinating payment with team members as well as syncing payments across systems
• Process and manage all aspects of payroll, liaising with the organizations Professional Employer Organization (PEO)
• Interface and oversee vendor bookkeeper, providing appropriate documentation and review of work

Budgeting & Forecasting

• Support the annual budgeting and planning process in conjunction with the Managing Director of Operations
• Develop budget tracking tools to monitor progress and changes, keeping the senior leadership team informed of the organization’s financial status

Reporting

• Analyze and produce monthly and annual financial reports and forecast for senior leadership team, ensuring accuracy of financial data and relevant ad-hoc analyses are performed
• Manage and maintain a robust financial reporting system for each grant; ensuring that grants and revenue restrictions are adhered to
• Coordinate and lead the annual audit process, liaise with external auditors, senior leadership, and the Board; assessing any changes necessary

Administrative

• Ensure compliance with fiscal and accounting policies, and updating with new processes and procedures as needed
• Support the Managing Director of Operations with administrative and organizational systems, including but not limited to grant management, event planning and staff meetings

What we are looking for:

• Minimum of 5 years nonprofit accounting and management, at a director level preferred
• Minimum of a BA; MBA/CPA/CFA preferred
• The ideal candidate has experience of final responsibility for the quality and content of all financial data, reporting, and audit coordination for either the whole organization or division of a significant program area
• Ability to translate financial concepts to colleagues and Board members who do not necessarily have finance backgrounds
• Technology savvy with experience selecting and overseeing software installations and managing relationships with software vendors; knowledge of accounting and reporting software (QuickBooks Online, Bill.com)
• Excellent communication and relationship building skills with an ability to prioritize, negotiate, and work with a variety of internal and external stakeholders
• An easygoing, approachable, and calm personality who is able to multi-task in a fast-paced environment
• A self-starter who is highly organized and detail-oriented, with the ability to interpret and follow complex guidelines and instructions
• Authentic desire and willingness to listen to, learn from, and connect with a diverse range of people with varied interests and experiences, including students, families, educators, policymakers, local leaders, and funders
• Unwavering belief in the potential of all students with a demonstrated focus on diversity, equity, and inclusion

Compensation

The annual salary range for this position is between $80,000 and $130,000.

Accelerate also offers a comprehensive benefits package, including medical, dental, and vision coverage, technology stipend, 401k with employer match, and generous PTO.

Working conditions

This is a fully-remote position, with some travel required.

How to Apply

Please submit your application, including your resume here (https://wkf.ms/40EwKUT). If you have any questions, please contact hiring@accelerate.us.