Finance Director

Columbia Legal Services is a nonprofit civil legal aid organization that advances social, economic, and racial equity for people living in poverty. We support communities and movements by bringing deep legal expertise that is grounded in – and strongly guided by – an understanding of race equity.

We seek systemic solutions by bringing class action lawsuits, using cutting edge legal theories, engaging in policy advocacy, and supporting communities in building their own power. We have a special responsibility to serve people whose access to free legal services is restricted, due to institutionalized or immigration status.

At CLS we seek a team that reflects our organizational values of community, race equity, and justice. This includes hiring staff with connections to the communities we serve whenever possible, and a commitment to strive for justice and equity in our hiring practices and in our staff culture.

Position Summary

Under the direction of the Executive Director, the Finance Director works closely with the Executive Director and Board of Directors to develop and implement financial strategies that support the organization’s mission and goals. This role supervises a 1.5 FTE accounting team and provides financial leadership across the organization. This role will ensure that CLS has the systems and procedures in place to provide accurate financial information. They will work closely with all staff to provide education on financial and accounting procedures, while ensuring that financial functions can support program operations.

The Finance Director’s responsibilities include, but are not limited to:

Strategic Planning and Leadership

• In partnership with the Executive Director and senior leaders, develop and implement strategic plans and goals that support the organization’s mission and vision.
• Lead the Audit Budget Committee, collaborating with other committee members to provide strategic financial guidance that supports the organization.
• Provide leadership and mentorship to the accounting team, fostering a culture of continuous improvement and professional development.
• Collaborate with other senior leaders to develop and implement strategies and systems that support the organization’s mission and goals
• Manage relationships with external partners, including banks, auditors, funders, and other financial service providers.

Financial Management

• Protect and ensure the integrity of program financial records by overseeing all financial transactions.
• Safeguard program assets.
• Manage and oversee all financial operations, including accounting, budgeting, forecasting, and financial analysis
• Partner with the Development team to ensure accurate donation processing, financial projections and compliance/reporting for donations, grants, and contracts.

Budgeting and Forecasting

• Prepare, explain, and coordinate financial information including financial statements, budgets, reports.
• Provide budget forecasting information and investment strategy consultation to members of the Organizational Management team and Board of Directors, as needed.
• Manage and track organizational cash flow forecasting in conjunction with the Leadership Team.

Compliance

• Ensure financial records, including the general ledger, accounts payable and receivable, payroll, and other financial systems, are accurate and submitted in a timely manner.
• Ensure compliance with all financial reporting and regulatory requirements, including tax filings, audits, grants, and other reporting requirements
• Maintain, implement, and ensure compliance with the organization’s systems of internal control and creation and maintenance of related documentation thereof.
• Manage employee benefit programs in collaboration with the HR Manager and People and Culture Director. Serve as the 403b plan administrator.
• Coordinate all audit activity and communication with independent auditors.
• Manage and track the performance of invested assets in keeping with Board policies and investment guidelines.
• Ensure Generally Accepted Accounting Principles are followed.

This job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities required of the employee, and others may be assigned.

Qualifications

• Must be a certified public accountant, certified management accountant or have an MBA.
• Management, supervisory and training experience with strong interpersonal communications skills and the ability to effectively communicate key data, including presenting to and collaborating with the leadership team, Board, and outside partners such as funders, banks, and auditors.
• Commitment to racial, social, and economic justice, ability to build collaborative relationships with colleagues, and a desire to engage in shared leadership and decision-making.
• Commitment to recruiting, mentoring, training, and retaining a diverse accounting team with the foresight and ability to delegate.
• Fluent technology and computer skills, including experience selecting and overseeing software installations and managing relationships with software vendors and advanced knowledge of accounting software.
• Ability to translate complex financial concepts to – and to effectively collaborate with – individuals at all levels, including colleagues who do not necessarily have finance backgrounds.
• A successful track record in setting priorities; excellent analytic, financial planning, and problem-solving skills to allow for strategic data interpretation and sound decision-making to ensure the long-term health and sustainability of the organization.

Preferred

• Not-for-profit experience and/or extensive experience with multiple funding source- or cost center-based accounting systems.
• Experience in a law firm or regulatory setting.
• Experience with organizations that include an in-house union.