Director of Accounting

Overview

About Community Change and Community Change Action:

Community Change builds the power and capacity of low-income people, especially low-income people of color, to lead powerful and dynamic social change movements. With our community-based partner groups, we bridge the grassroots and the national, supporting outsider strategies to disrupt the status quo while building pathways to influence the insider conversation.

Our vision of a better world centers the leadership of impacted people of color to move our work on immigrant rights, economic justice, and racial equity, including a focus on jobs and housing, early childhood care and education, income support, and immigration reform.

This position also supports Community Change Action, an affiliated 501(c)(4) advocacy organization. While motivated by the same core values – equity, inclusion, and justice – Community Change and Community Change Action operate independently of one another, and each organization has its own board of directors.

Position Description:

Under the direct supervision of the Chief Operating and Financial Officer, the Director of Accounting is responsible for the effective functioning of accounting systems, including accounts payable, payroll systems, purchasing, cash management, general ledger, financial reporting and regulatory/tax reporting.  The Director of Accounting will lead and supervise a team of staff that works closely with leadership and their teams, building strong relationships to ensure that the accounting functions support program delivery. They will also manage key relationships including the external auditors and financial institutions.

The Director is an individual who  leads and thrives in a dynamic, and fast-paced environment; they possess the ability to navigate uncertainty with a strong systems background to deliver effective and efficient accounting services to the Community Change/Community Change Action enterprise.

A portion of time will be spent working with Community Change’s sister organization, Community Change Action.

Principle Responsibilities:

Management:

• Participate in the Financial Stewardship management team providing; periodic updates of the financial health and performance of the enterprise;
• Participate in Board Finance Committee presentations;
• Oversee the annual financial audit and staff the Board Audit Committee;
• Assist with annual organizational budgeting and reporting; and
• Resolve issues escalated by staff in a timely manner.

Team Leadership:

• Supervise a staff of three or more.
• Set annual team and staff member goals and evaluate progress;
• Provide strong leadership, supervision, and guidance to the Accounting Department staff members;.
• Develop and support Accounting Department staff development, cross-team collaboration, and skills-building; and
• Build strong relationships with staff across the organization with a particular emphasis on a strong customer service and issue resolution approach.

Accounting & Systems Management:

• Ensure  compliance with appropriate GAAP standards and regulatory requirements;
• Establish and maintain a strong internal control environment including documented accounting policies;
• Maintain the chart of accounts, ledgers, and records of all transactions.
• Review invoice coding prior to payment and ensure accounts payable are accurate and paid in a timely manner;
• Reconcile ledgers and accounts and ensure timely issue resolution;
• Ensure production of accurate and timely monthly, quarterly, and annual financial statements; and
• Ensure the accuracy and timeliness of the financial close process.

Compliance and Risk Management:

• Assist in the preparation of Form 990s for Community Change, Fund for Community Change, and Community Change Action; and
• Monitor guidance and regulatory requirements and recommend necessary actions to ensure Community Change remains compliant with Federal and local accounting regulations.

Qualifications:

• A minimum 12 years of accounting and finance experience, at least 5 of which must be in a senior managerial role.
• Experience in nonprofit accounting [501(c)(3) and 501(c)(4)] and financial management is required.
• Experience in a complex and multi-entity nonprofit environment is preferred.
• A minimum of 8 years supervisory experience required.
• Demonstrated leadership skills and ability to manage and motivate a team.
• Data and technology focused with experience complex data systems including NetSuite and Salesforce
• Experience leading change management is preferred.
• Advanced knowledge GAAP, FASB, and financial management and internal control compliance.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills.
• Experience in communicating complex financial data to multiple audiences.
• Driven and passionate about advancing social justice with the ability to work in a fast-paced and complex environment.

 

This position reports to: Chief Operating and Financial Officer

Classification: Community Change recognizes a staff bargaining unit affiliated with IFPTE Local 70, a union for non-profit workers. This position is not included in Community Change’s bargaining unit and not covered under the terms of the collective bargaining agreement.

Travel Requirements: Minimal travel required; est. 5-10 days per year.

 

Salary & Benefits: Competitive annual salary. Community Change also offers an excellent benefits package, which includes 4 weeks of annual paid vacation; additional paid holiday leave between December 24 and January 1; 8% employer contribution to retirement account after six months of employment (and 3% employer contribution for the first 6 months); and a choice of generous health insurance plans.

Position Location: Community Change/Action is based in Washington, DC.  Washington, DC is the preferred location for this position.  Remote work is acceptable, however (occasional) visits to the DC office may be required upon the office reopening.

Closing Date of Position: Open Until filled

How to apply: Please click here to submit a cover letter sharing your personal interest as well as salary expectation and  a resume.

COVID-19 Requirements: Community Change requires all new employees to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 (within six weeks after the start of employment) unless a medical or religious exemption is requested and approved. An employee will be considered fully vaccinated once (i) two weeks have elapsed since after the employee has received the final dose of a primary COVID vaccine series (e.g., two doses of the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine, two doses of the Moderna vaccine, or one dose of the Johnson & Johnson/Janssen vaccine) and (ii) the employee has received any booster vaccine dose currently recommended by the CDC for those in the employee’s age group.

Should the CDC subsequently recommend additional boosters or should an employee otherwise become newly subject to a CDC booster recommendation, an employee shall continue to be considered fully vaccinated if the employee gets the additional booster within one month of the change.