Director, Accounting & Finance - Tides Foundation

About Tides

Tides is a nonprofit and philanthropic organization committed to advancing social justice. We work across the social sector to shift power to communities of color and other groups historically denied power.

Centering equity and justice in everything we do, we collaborate in deep partnership with movement leaders, nonprofits, donors, foundations, and corporations to amplify the impact of their work by providing services like fiscal sponsorship, donor advised funds, grant making, and a variety of innovative solutions. Learn more at tides.org.

About the Role

Tides Finance team is seeking a Director, Finance & Accounting, to provide leadership and management in support of the work of Tides Foundation. Tides’ philanthropy practices are built on close partnerships with community leaders and funders, directing power, money, and resources to local organizations the forefront of climate justice, racial equity, reproductive freedom, democracy, and more.

Working closely with the CFO, the Director will oversee preparation of financial statements, annual audit, charitable registrations, information returns, and other regulatory reports. This role leads a small team in providing efficient and effective financial services, and timely accounting for Tides grantees, employees and vendors in support of Tides' mission. The Director is responsible for maintaining the integrity and operational fitness of internal controls related to accounting procedures, policies, and generally accepted accounting principles.

As a senior leader, the Director, Finance & Accounting, is responsible for completing duties and responsibilities while embracing and exhibiting Tides core competencies:

• Leading Results: Strategic planning, Change leadership, Driving outcomes
• Leading People: Trusting relationships, Team leadership, Decision making, Developing teammates
• Leading Self: Self-awareness, JEDI practice, Continuous learning, Project management

What you will Do

Strategic Leadership (30%)

• Assist in the development of short, medium, and long-term plans to achieve strategic objectives.
• Strategize with legal and investment director on MRI’s and impact investments requiring non-traditional pricing, tracking, and reporting.
• Regularly interact across functional areas to ensure objectives are met.
• Work with CFO and others in developing pricing structures, efficient internal processes, reporting capabilities, etc. in support of revenue growth, increased surplus/reserves and assets under management

Operations (30%)

• Manage staff to enable the achievement of Tides’ financial and strategic goals in a manner that is consistent with Tides’ mission. Responsible for hiring, training, and continuing education of staff and the monitoring and evaluation of their performance.
• Develop and maintain financial management policies and procedures that align with Tides’ mission and is in compliance with applicable accounting standards and best practices with respect to accounting for foundations and other non-profits.
• Oversee and participate in the annual audit and preparation of tax return work-papers
• Develop strategies for completing complex transactions while ensuring compliance with tax laws and other applicable regulations.
• Identify and implement improvements to existing processes and operational policies and practices that facilitate efficient/improved operation and financial management of the organization.
• Keep abreast of financial trends in the non-profit and public benefit foundation fields through continuing education and/or affiliation with professional development groups.

Financial Management (30%)

• Assist with the formulation of financial goals and objectives, prepare policy recommendations, and assist with the setting of departmental priorities.
• Ensure financial and accounting functions performed in accordance with Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP), organizational policy and all applicable regulatory requirements and legal rules and regulations for nonprofit operations designated as IRS 501(c)(3).
• Participate in proactive cash management with the CFO and Director, Impact Investment.
• Integral in the preparation of revenue projections including analysis by fund and in overall trend analysis.
• Oversee the preparation of the annual operating and capital budgets and provides routine budget vs. actual reports for staff and board.
• Participate in budget preparation for grant applications and provides information and support for financial reporting to grantors.
• Prepare monthly and quarterly financial statements and analysis for management and the Board of Directors.
• Work with department managers to prepare budget variance analyses.
• Review fair market valuations for alternative investments. Recommend and apply valuation methodology where appropriate.
• Analyze financial statements of mission-related investments for possible impairment.
• Identify and resolve accounting and internal control issues in a timely manner.
• Cash Management

External Engagement (10%)

• In partnership with client services staff, resolve financial issues relating to philanthropic services clients.
• Coordinate periodic trainings on financial issues for non-financial staff.
• Coordinate investment functions and timely reporting of investment activity to donors and fund holders.

What you will Bring

• Strong leadership, analytical and problem-solving skills.
• Ability to influence thinking or gain acceptance of others in sensitive situations.
• Strong team player with a customer-first focus and attitude.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills with an ability to present ideas in business-friendly and user-friendly language.
• High degree of integrity, discretion, professionalism, and accountability to achieve quality results
• Highly self-motivated, self-directed, and attentive to detail.
• Ability to effectively prioritize and execute tasks in a high-pressure environment.
• Excellent leader of people with the ability to attract, recruit and develop top talent for a national hybrid organization in a Union environment.
• Excellent knowledge of GAAP and non-profit accounting procedures, including mergers of entities
• Cash Management.
• Knowledge of complex revenue recognition, tax reporting, including UBIT, and of legal compliance issues relating to donor-advised funds.
• Knowledge of alternative investments and structures.

Ideal Experience

• 8 years of direct experience and a relevant bachelor’s degree; or 10 years of relevant experience. 4 years of experience must be in a supervisory capacity.
• Prior experience or affiliation with donor advised funds.
• Experience and/or deep understanding of nonprofits and how they operate.
• Excellent knowledge of GAAP and non-profit accounting procedures, including consolidation of entities.
• Experience with systems design, implementation, configuration, and development from business requirements analysis through to day-to-day management.
• Proven ability to organize and support workflow processes that ensure high degree of accuracy and accountability within team members.
• Experience with NetSuite and Salesforce systems, preferred
• CPA, preferred

Compensation

Tides is committed to providing a competitive compensation package. We value pay equity and account for factors including location within the U.S., skills and relevant experience. We will not ask for your salary history.

Starting salary will fall into one of the following rages:

• $132,600 – $165,800 (Most of the United States)
• $144,700 – $180,900 (Boston, Chicago, Los Angeles, Washington D.C. metro areas)
• $159,200 – $199,000 (New York City & San Francisco metro areas)

Our Talent Acquisition team will review your application and confirm your placement within this structure with you at the beginning of the interview process.

Work Environment

• Stationary worksite environment. Daily activities consist of being frequently seated and/or standing, with minor movement, exposure to a computer screen, use of in office equipment.
• Ability to lift up to 10 pounds

Supervision

Operates independently with general executive direction. Receives organizational goals and aligns department strategies accordingly. Oversees a major function within the organization or several related functions.

Decision Making

Authority to make decisions that impact the strategic direction and effectiveness of a business unit, program, or function. Decisions require the application of technical expertise, planning, and collaboration. Recommendations impact resource allocation and priorities, and influence strategic planning related to functional or program area. May have responsibility for planning and leading responses to function crises.

Application Instructions

Please submit your resume and a cover letter expressing why you are well-qualified for this role and your motivation for joining the team at Tides. For best consideration, apply by Monday, July 21, 2025 at 11:59 pm ET.

Life at Tides

Working at Tides connects you with world-class teammates, enduring relationships, and an inspired sense of purpose - while our employee benefits support our team’s talent and well-being. Our hybrid work model supports staff who are based across the United States, in addition to maintaining our offices in New York & San Francisco.

Equal Employment Opportunity

We look forward to reviewing applications from all qualified job seekers. We strongly encourage applications from women, people of color, and bilingual and bicultural individuals, as well as members of the LGBTQIA+ communities. No applicant will be discriminated against because of their race, religion, sex, national origin, ethnicity, age, disability, political affiliation, sexual orientation, gender identity, color, marital status, or medical condition including acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS) and AIDS-related conditions. Pursuant to the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance, we encourage and will consider qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records. Where required by state law, we utilize E-Verify as a part of our employment authorization process.

Applicants with Disabilities

Reasonable accommodation will be made so that all who are interested may participate in our interview process. If you are in need of an accommodation, please advise in writing at the time you apply.