Associate Director of Finance

Partners for Rural Impact’s (PRI) ultimate goal is for an America where all kids are successful, regardless of zip code, income, background, or ability.  At PRI, our focus is on ensuring that all children in rural places achieve success. Partners for Rural Impact was born out of our place-based partnership in Appalachia, where we’ve worked for 25 years to create student opportunity and success. 

Position Summary 

The Associate Director of Finance is responsible for collaborating with the Director of Finance for the budgetary and fiscal management of the organization. In conjunction with the Director of Finance, the Associate Director of Finance will train Partners for Rural Impact (PRI) staff in organizational and federal financial procedures including regulations related to matching funds and ensure timely and accurate reporting of financial information. Additionally, this position will conduct regular complex financial planning scenarios including planning for annual budget allocations. The position leads and operates with the goal that All Rural Students Succeed.         

Primary Duties and Responsibilities 

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each primary duty satisfactorily. The requirements of the position are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required, with regular and predictable attendance essential. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. 

•   Develops methods of financial analysis and forecasting to include grant projections, organizational forecasting, and budget to actual comparisons to maximize funds and ensure dollars are expended as anticipated and conducts complex analyses of financial scenarios on a regular basis, including planning for annual budget allocations for each team 
• Ensures accounting records of grants are reconciled each month that drawdowns are supported, requests drawdowns and reimbursement for all projects on a timely basis and as applicable for the funder 
• Assists programs with gathering financial information related to annual performance reports (APR) and makes certain the financial sections of APR documents for all projects are completed on time 
• Serves as a liaison with auditors for the annual federal Single Audit 
• Ensures compliance with a broad range of grant-funded programs using the Education Department’s administrative regulations and the Uniform Guidance - 2 CFR Studies existing and new legislation and regulations in order to comply with federal, state, and local guidelines 
• Performs sub-recipient monitoring activities and ensures annual financial monitoring of school partners 
• Monitors federal match from partners and makes certain documented match meets federal or other guidelines for compliance, providing training around match requirements to partners and staff and seeks out match 
• Ensures match documentation is collected, reviewed, recorded 
• Develops forms, documents, and processes to support financial in collaboration with the Director of Finance identifies gaps, inefficiencies, and inconsistencies in internal systems and makes recommendations for continuous improvement 
• May directly supervise the work of Budget Analysts and other applicable financial staff to make sure expenses are properly documented, substantiated and applicable to the grant goals and objectives and that Budget Analysts and supporting staff are providing the necessary analytical and financial support to project 
• Assesses training and coaching needs around financial management and internal control issues and conducts warranted training with personnel working on grant projects 
• Manages allocation system and processes for shared services to ensure costs are appropriately and accurately charged to funding streams 
• Establish a system for accurately and regularly calculating monthly wage and fringe projections that factors in attrition, new awards, changes in employer share of fringe benefit costs, and changing effort based on business needs 
• Research, recommend and implement financial forecasting tools to ensure the organization proactively and sufficiently manages monthly cash flow needs 
• Conduct detailed analysis of budget to actual spending not less than quarterly for each funding stream to cross-check projections against committed funds and original grant budgets. Advise the Director and VP of Finance regarding discrepancies and spending trends to address 
• Other roles/duties will be assigned as necessary to assist and support in the attainment of our mission, All Rural Students Succeed 

 Position Location & Schedule 

Normal business hours are Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. ET with in-office, hybrid and/or remote work a possibility. Because of the nature of the responsibility to schools, partners, funders, and to the service region, individual offices or departments may have operating hours that extend beyond this period and may include evening and/or weekend hours. 

Minimum Qualifications  

Education required to ensure success in this position: 

• Bachelor’s degree in business, accounting, or related field; master’s degree preferred  

Experience required to ensure success in this position: 

• 5 years of financial and/or budgetary experience 
• Demonstrated financial management, budgeting, scenario planning, and accounting experience including the ability to set up and manage multi-million-dollar budgets 
• Demonstrated ability to lead and oversee the work of team members 
• Understanding of federal match requirements 

Special skills, knowledge and abilities: 

• Knowledge of federal grant procedures, college access, and education programs 
• Proficient in creating Word and Excel documents 
• Proven leadership skills with experience working with staff who monitor time-sensitive and confidential information 
• QuickBooks or MUNIS use, preferred 

PRI offers a wide array of benefit options, to meet the financial, educational, and health needs of you and your family. 

• Comprehensive insurance plans including medical, dental, vision, and prescription coverage. 
• Flexible spending accounts, plus an employee assistance program. 
• Life and long-term disability insurance and retirement plan. 
• Generous paid time off work options including vacation, sick leave, and annual holidays, in addition to paid parental leave. 
• Tuition assistance and professional development for employees.