Managing Director of Accounting

City Year has an annual budget of $180 million and up to 3,000+ staff and AmeriCorps members. The organization has complex and diverse funding sources, including state, federal, corporate, and foundation funding. City Year has earned Charity Navigator’s highest rating since 2003, certifying our commitment to accountability, transparency and responsible fiscal management. Only 1% of charities have received this distinction for twelve consecutive years, placing City Year among the most trustworthy nonprofits in America.

Key Position Details

• Compensation for this position is in the range of $130-140K.
• The anticipated start time for this position is summer 2022.
• This is a hybrid office/remote role based in our Boston, MA headquarters office. The employee will be required to be in the office one day per week (with some flexibility on the day as needed) and periodic additional days as indicated by our overall business needs, including being able to be physically present in the office to handle timely/emergency situations.

Job Description

The Managing Director of Accounting (MD) is a key member of the Senior Vice President (SVP)-Controller's finance management team. This individual is responsible for directly driving a body of key Accounting activities, outlined below. The MD also works closely with the SVP-Controller and other Accounting Senior Managers (Assistant Controller, Senior Accounting Operations Director, and Vice President [VP] of Grants and Strategy) to ensure quality and consistency in all accounting processes, controls and procedures, financial reporting, and audit work.

The MD will participate in day-to-day finance operations, including functional responsibility over private grant accounting and gifts processing, top-line review of the general ledger and balance sheet during the month-end close, and accounts receivable. There is a heavy emphasis on internal auditing and reporting, particularly involving private restricted grants. Knowledge and understanding of Office of Management and Budget requirements for this role is critical because of federal funding, as is the ability to work closely with a geographically dispersed set of organizational leaders. Strong team management experience is key to being successful in this role. The MD will also have deep technical competency and a demonstrated track record as a strong leader and manager who values teamwork, cross-functional collaboration, and a positive work environment.

The MD will collaborate closely with the other Accounting management team to ensure that City Year has the systems and procedures in place to support effective program implementation and conduct flawless audits. The MD will work closely with Department and Site leaders and their staffs, to educate them regarding finance and accounting procedures and explore how the finance function can continuously improve support of program operations. This individual will also serve as the first point of contact to the Accounting office for several sites and HQ teams.

In concert with other Accounting Senior Managers, the MD will support the SVP-Controller in leading and developing the Accounting staff (currently 22 members). This work includes effectively managing fiscal operations, providing staff training and oversight, receiving and utilizing staff feedback, recommending and implementing improvements, and providing excellent customer service to all levels of the organization and all of our sites.

The MD will directly supervise a small team of Staff Accountants and hold primary responsibility for private grant accounting and Accounts Receivable. The MD will provide backup support and supervision to the work functions and quality control of Accounts Payable (primarily managed by the Senior Accounting Operations Director) and Payroll (primarily managed by the Assistant Controller) as needed.

What You’ll Do

Accounting Management and Administration – 55% of time

• Oversee the accounting management, financial reporting and administration of fiscal controls. In conjunction with the Assistant Controller and Senior Accounting Operations Director, maintain the general ledger and subsidiary journals, including cash receipts, cash disbursements, payroll, accounts payable and accounts receivable, fixed assets, using Workday financial system (ERP/CRM).
• Maintain and produce accurate and timely monthly financial statements for all business units as well as consolidated statements. Participate in month-end close process to ensure standards reflect annual audit requirements, including a detailed review of the trial balance.
• Oversee gift processing and revenue recording and ensure compliance to GAAP including those particular to not-for-profits, such as contributions and donations and local and federal government grants.
• Oversee the record keeping for the investment portfolio activity and support the SVP-Controller in liaising with the investment portfolio manager as needed.
• Create customized internal financial statement and reports within the accounting software as needed.
• In conjunction with the other Accounting Senior Managers, manage the preparation of data and schedules for the annual financial, A-133, IRS Form 990 and a host of other reviews which vary across our sites. Respond to auditor/reviewer inquiries as needed and as directed by the SVP-Controller.
• Coordinate with the Payroll and Benefits team for accounting and finance integrations, period reporting, and controls and retirement plan audit requirements.

Staff Leadership and Supervision – 25% of time

• In conjunction with the other Accounting Senior Managers, train and develop all Accounting staff on internal processes and best practices. Develop training tools and materials as needed.
• Oversee a team of 3-5 Staff Accountants. Ensure effective hiring and onboarding, annual performance evaluations, and carry out any necessary staff performance management as indicated. Identify areas for staff professional development, ensure cross training and career paths within the broader finance department and organization.
• Support the SVP-Controller in ensuring that the Finance team enacts City Year support services expectations for performance management, customer engagement and data informed continuous improvement.

Finance Functional Leadership – 20% of time

• Assist in the development of, and then install and maintain, accounting policies and procedures that reflect best practices.
• Document policies and facilitate on-boarding and education of staff and key field partners to relevant policies through active knowledge management and outreach.
• In conjunction with the other Accounting Senior Managers, ensure that all processes support strong internal controls and avoid control deficiencies. Provide internal auditing as needed and follow-up training for Accounting staff as audit results indicate.
• Manage utilization of enterprise accounting toolset, currently Workday Financials, including implementing new functionalities based on business needs.
• Serve as Accounting team’s chief manager of Workday software and as a contact point to ITS and Workday vendor.
• Participate in and maintain process improvement initiatives, including but not limited to the selection and implementation of new Accounting softwares.
• Coordinate with grant management and Development Operations staff to ensure compliance with federal, state, and private funding guidelines and staying abreast of changes to same.

Who You Are

If most of the items listed below describe you and your experiences, we’re excited to talk with you and encourage you to apply.

• A proactive, hands-on strategic thinker who will own, in partnership with the Controller and Assistant Controller, the responsibility for finance.
• Minimum of Bachelor's degree in accounting or finance from an accredited college or university; CPA and/or MBA preferred, or equivalent experience.
• Minimum 10 years progressively responsible accounting experience, including but not limited to managing audit activities; grants management, financial reporting and analysis; general ledger and balance sheet; accounts receivable; fixed assets; and investment accounting.
• Experience in a complex non-profit organization that has multiple revenue streams, including federal funds, is a must. A track record in grants management as it relates to compliance and reporting of government, corporate and foundation grants is essential.
• Minimum 5 years supervisory level experience and demonstrated ability to lead across a range of identities, personalities, and competencies.
• Demonstrated knowledge of advanced US not-for-profit GAAP, financial reporting, accounting systems and accounting software is required.
• Ability and desire to translate complex financial concepts to individuals at all levels including finance and non-finance managers. Solid experience with gathering, evaluating, presenting and reporting financial information for executive teams and external stakeholders.
• Experience with Workday preferred, ERP system required.
• Willingness to integrate City Year’s culture and values into team leadership.
• Commitment to recruiting, mentoring, training, and retaining a diverse team.
• Personal qualities of integrity, credibility, and commitment to City Year’s nonprofit mission.
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills.

COVID-19 Notice   

Our number one priority is the health and safety of our employees and AmeriCorps members and their families; our students and school partners; and the community at large from COVID-19. Proof of COVID-19 vaccination is required for employment and service – all staff members, including remote staff, and AmeriCorps members are required to be fully vaccinated* no later than their start date. If you are unable to be vaccinated for medical reasons or sincerely-held religious beliefs, we will consider requests for reasonable accommodation consistent with our policy, and where we are able to provide such accommodations without undue hardship to the organization pursuant to applicable law. Notwithstanding any language herein, City Year will comply with any state, local, or federal orders, statutes, or regulations that may conflict with the COVID-19 vaccination policy.  

*Individuals are considered fully vaccinated 14 days after receiving the second dose of a two-dose vaccine (Pfizer or Moderna) or one dose of a single-dose vaccination (Johnson & Johnson).