Director of Finance

Director of Finance

The Conservation Corps of Long Beach (CCLB) is a private, non-profit 501(c)(3) organization that has enrolled, trained, and assisted local young adults since 1987. To date, more than 12,000 young people have participated in CCLB training and service projects serving the communities, neighborhoods, and environment of the greater Long Beach area.

The primary mission of the Conservation Corps of Long Beach is to support young people in realizing their potential through work, service, conservation, and education.

The Director of Finance is responsible for leading, executing and enhancing the Conservation Corps of Long Beach's accounting function to empower the organization to fulfill its mission. In that capacity, the Director of Finance is the organization's expert on all accounting and finance matters, is the lead in building and implementation of the organization's best practices that will support continued improvement efforts. This position will direct the accounting and finance staff with functional responsibility over accounting procedures including, but not limited to the monthly close and reporting, annual audit and tax filings, accounts payable, accounts receivable, general ledger, payroll, and grant administration. Future/additional positions may be added to the department as needed.

The Director of Finance will ensure that the Conservation Corps of Long Beach's accounting systems, policies and procedures are properly maintained and updated to support operations and effective program implementation as well as conduct faultless audits. This position will also work closely with the Executive Management Team, Board of Directors and other program staff to enhance and better integrate the Finance/Accounting functions. The Director of Finance is a key member of the Accounting/Finance Department and is the qualified expert on the department's financial technology systems (Sage Intact, SAP Concur, etc.)

Essential Responsibilities:

• Oversee all accounting activities of the organization and ensure compliance with appropriate GAAP standards and regulatory requirements.
• Design and maintain accounting information systems (i.e., Sage Intacct and SAP Concur) to produce timely and relevant financial data for internal decision-making purposes and for meeting funding agencies', regulatory and other external requirements; assist in the on-going upgrades of the Sage Intacct accounting system.
• Establish, maintain and monitor internal controls system to ensure accurate accounting and reporting.
• Lead Accounts Payable system and staff, ensuring vendors are paid correctly in accordance with the terms and that related expenses are properly recorded.
• Lead Accounts Receivable process and integration for data between operations/programs and the accounting system; manage a team of Billing Specialists.
• Oversee the tracking and reporting of the organization's temporarily and permanently restricted funds and administer timely releases.
• Prepare organizational cash flow forecasting by working in partnership with program and development leadership, as well as other senior management.
• Lead the annual audit process and maintain strong relationship with external auditors; oversee the process of the fiscal audit preparation, Form 5500, Form 990 as well as funder, insurance, IRS and other annual compliance audits and return filings; oversee the annual preparation of 1099s.
• Support the Executive Director/CEO and Deputy Director in engaging the Board of Directors' Finance Committee around issues and trends in financial operating models and delivery.
• Support annual budgeting and planning process as well as ad hoc analyses, as appropriate.
• Ensure that federal, state and local tax reporting compliance requirements and other filings are met.

Finance:

• Consistently prepare, review and analyze financial data and present financial reports in an accurate and timely manner to programs, departments and the organization. Ensure reports provide Executive Team, department heads, and senior leaders with the information needed to make key decisions about the finances of their site or department.
• Ensure proper booking in accordance with financial plans and forecasts and review actual results with a goal to identify, explain and correct variances as appropriate.
• Update the Chart of Accounts when needed to address analysis requirements while maintaining a clean and organized operating structure.
• Complete month-end close within 12 business days, with a goal of attaining a 10-business-day close.
• Lead monthly financial statement review meetings with program management and Executive Management Team.
• Collaborate with Development on all fundraising/development accounting to ensure that revenue and expenditures are consistently and accurately captured in financial systems and are consistent with funder requirements. Partner with the Development Department to develop clear and accurate grant budgets and reports.
• Support the Development Department in collecting all pledges and commitments in a timely manner.
• Reconcile the Director of Development records with the Accounting Department's records in a timely manner to ensure all parties have accurate information.
• Build and maintain relationships to develop strong connections with banks, investors, grantors, and financial institutions. Serve as the primary financial contact, ensuring clear communication and compliance with reporting requirements.
• Collaborate and secure resources to negotiate favorable financial terms, manage external reporting, and engage in industry networks to support the organization's financial goals and access new opportunities.
• Build a system of checklists, processes and procedures that accomplish the following:
• Ensure internal controls are in place that protect the organization against fraud and provide assurances that the Corps' accounting records are accurate and complete.
• Streamline inefficiencies within the organization; develop systems and processes that minimize the amount of effort required by the Corps' staff to complete administrative tasks such as timesheets, expense reports and invoice processing, while maintaining airtight internal controls.
• Implement a continual cycle of review of processes and procedures to ensure that the Corps is running a best practices accounting department.
• Proactively identify and mitigate risk to continuously evaluate potential financial risks, including credit, liquidity, operational, and market risks.
• Develop strategies to mitigate these risks and protect the organization's financial health. Implement risk management processes, create contingency plans, and regularly review and update strategies, ensuring compliance with regulations and providing senior management with reports on key risks and mitigation efforts.

Staff Management:

• Supervise subordinate managers who each supervise employees in Finance/Accounting.
• Build a highly effective team with attention to goals, roles and communication and professional development.
• Ensure the team consistently demonstrates exceptional performance and mastery of available technology.
• Encourage ongoing learning and development to keep team members' skills current and relevant and position the team as a key resource in critical strategic, financial and operational decisions.
• Ensure accounting staff members are cross-trained and supported in their professional growth to enhance overall organizational capacity.
• Other duties may be assigned as needed.

Required Education and Experience:

• Extensive Knowledge of GAAP (Generally Accepted Accounting Procedures) and auditing.
• Knowledge of principles and practices of financial administration, modern office practices, procedures, methods and equipment, modern principles in the maintenance of accounting records and financial administration.
• Budget preparation, program analysis and revenue forecasting; principles and practices of organization, administration, budget and management; reports accounting practices required by state and federal regulations.
• Bachelor's degree from an accredited institution.
• At least 5 years of relevant experience in finance and accounting administration.

Preferred Education and Experience:

• Planning, coordinating and directing a complex financial operation, developing revising and installing accounting systems and procedures, interpreting and applying appropriate professional standards, laws and regulations preparing financial statements, reports and analysis, communicating clearly and concisely orally and in writing, selecting, supervising, training and evaluating assigned staff. Familiar with software/hardware systems and applications.
• Significant experience with non-profit accounting systems, fund accounting and government funding compliance.
• Any combination of college and experience in a progressively responsible position in accounting including financial analysis, control of a sophisticated fee for service and grant funded agency and knowledge of non-profit accounting standards would provide the required skill and knowledge for successful performance

Physical Demands:

• The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of the job.
• While performing the duties of this job, the employee is occasionally required to stand; walk; sit, use hands to finger, handle, or feel objects, tools or controls; reach with hands and arms; climb stairs; balance; stoop, kneel, crouch or crawl; and talk or hear. The employee must occasionally lift or move up to 25 pounds. Specific vision requirements of the job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception and the ability to adjust focus.