Director of Finance

About Destination Crenshaw:

Destination Crenshaw’s mission is to improve the quality of life and revitalize the economy in South Los Angeles through arts and culture. As one of the largest Black communities west of the Mississippi River, Destination Crenshaw is an unprecedented community-led project that will celebrate the 200+ year history of Black activism in L.A. Through education, arts, and culture, Destination Crenshaw will cement itself as a cultural hub that will facilitate economic security and entrepreneurship for residents as a method of place-keeping and community building.

Position Description:

Reporting to the Chief Executive Officer (CEO), the Director of Finance (DOF) is responsible for the day-to-day accounting for the organization’s financial transactions. Working with the outsourced accounting contractors, the DOF will own the accounting function and build internal capacity for reporting by developing, implementing, and ensuring compliance with financial policies and procedures consistent with generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP). The DOF will be involved in preparing and presenting to the Board, and will work closely with the senior leadership team, with the support of outsourced accountants. The DOF is responsible for maintaining and continuously improving the system of financial controls, including general accounting, tax compliance and planning, budgeting, banking, payroll, and benefits. The DOF will also oversee all financial, project/program and grants accounting and compliance.

Essential Duties & Responsibilities:

• Responsible for general ledger activity, including but not limited to entering monthly journal entries, executing monthly closing of the general ledger, and review of reconciliations of general ledger accounts
• Prepares cashflow forecasts for use in strategic planning and grant and operation payouts
• Assists with tax returns (Form 990, CA199) and audit schedules as needed
• Assist Destination Crenshaw’s leadership in the annual operating and capital budgeting and planning process; administer and review all financial plans and compare to actual results with a view to identify, explain, and correct variances as appropriate
• Assist CEO with long term debt compliance and reporting 
• Ensure that expenditures are consistently aligned with grant and program budgets throughout the grant/fund period; collate financial reporting materials for government, corporate, and foundation grants as well as internal purposes
• Assist in the identification and implementation of accounting-related software systems (e.g., an expense management system that integrates as needed with accounting software)
• “Owns” the workflows to ensure appropriate budgetary and compliance approvals, maximization of grant revenue, GL coding, and general expense management
• Recommends and implements process improvements; updates all necessary business policies and accounting practices; maintains the finance department’s overall policies and procedure manual, advises on certain staffing decisions.
• Maintain current knowledge of regulatory requirements affecting non-profit organizations

Additional Responsibilities:

• Participate in professional development activities
• Provide backup to the CEO
• Special projects and other duties as assigned

Candidate Profile:

The ideal candidate will have deep experience in accounting, with a strong blend of interpersonal, analytical, and communication skills, enabling them to partner effectively with multiple stakeholders, including other organizations, staff, and consultants. Must also have a dedication to the tax-exempt sector, ability to exercise discretion, work independently, take initiative, meet multiple and competing deadlines, participate as an effective team member, and follow tasks through to completion.

Qualifications & Skills:

• A minimum of seven (7) years of experience and growth in a finance function at a complex and relevant organization (e.g. a foundation, large nonprofit, university, audit/consulting firm, etc.)
• Bachelor’s Degree in Accounting required; CPA and/or MBA in Finance preferred
• Solid experience coordinating audit activities and managing reporting, budget development and analysis, accounts payable and receivable, general ledger, and payroll
• A track record in grants management as it relates to compliance and reporting of government, corporate and foundation grants is essential
• Knowledge of US GAAP, non-profit accounting, financial markets, tax concepts and regulations and financial analysis
• Technology savvy with experience selecting and overseeing software installations and managing relationships with software vendors; advanced knowledge of accounting and reporting software
• Exceptional written and verbal communications skills and ability to convey complex information and data visually and orally in a concise, effective, and engaging way
• Commitment to recruiting, mentoring, training, and retaining a diverse team; the foresight and ability to delegate accordingly
• Passionate about Destination Crenshaw’s mission to improve the local community

Resume review begins immediately, and candidates will be considered on a rolling basis. Those selected for advancement will be asked to participate in several rounds of interviews (virtual and in-person) and provide a list of professional references. Destination Crenshaw is partnering on this search with Your Part Time Controller (YPTC). No other agency referrals please.

Destination Crenshaw is an equal opportunity employer and considers applicants for all positions without regard to race, color, religion, creed, gender, national origin, age, disability, marital or veteran status, sexual orientation, or any other legally protected status. Compensation is competitive and commensurate with experience.

For more information on Destination Crenshaw, please visit our website at www.DestinationCrenshaw.la