ORGANIZATION LOCATION:
Raleigh, NC
ORGANIZATION TYPE:
Nonprofit
CONTEXT
Do you have a heart for details and a passion for using numbers to tell stories? Are you interested in the work of building bridges of hope for justice-involved women? Do you believe in the power of relationship and community? Are you committed and tenacious, able to flourish within complex systems while valuing people over process? If so, Arise Collective is looking for you!
Arise Collective is a unique organization operating at the nexus of prison chaplaincy, women’s issues, and social justice with a mission to equip women with the tools and support they need to heal, grow and thrive, both in prison and in the communities to which they return. The organization celebrated its 40th anniversary in 2020 and expanded programming with a new reentry model that provides comprehensive, holistic wraparound services for formerly incarcerated women, including housing and access to education and employment opportunities. Arise Collective’s work is offered using a trauma-informed, evidence-based, holistic lens. Visit arise-collective.org to learn more.
JOB SUMMARY
The Finance Director is a key senior leadership role within the organization. The successful candidate will lead a team that includes an external accounting firm to oversee all financial, accounting and investment activities, maintaining excellent financial transparency. They will manage the financial operations of the organization, ensure regulatory and financial compliance, and maintain internal accounting standards. This position will work cross-departmentally on best practices financial standards and oversee all financial documentation, accounting, reporting, payroll processing, and budgets, ensuring accuracy, timeliness, and adherence to both internal and external requirements. The Finance Director will be a member of the organization's leadership team and a strategic partner to the CEO, contributing thought leadership to ensure the organization’s long-term financial stability and sustainability.
PRIMARY DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
Financial Management and Accounting Oversight – 20%
- Identify and assess financial risks and develop strategies to mitigate them, ensuring organizational financial stability. Work collaboratively with directors and staff on daily finance and accounting activities.
- Develop, implement, and manage financial policies and procedures in alignment with best practices for nonprofit organizations.
- Oversee the general ledger, including management of the outsourced accounting and bookkeeping functions, ensuring accurate and timely financial reporting, budgeting, and analysis.
- Develop, implement, and manage financial policies and procedures in alignment with best practices for nonprofit organizations.
- Serve as organizational lead for annual tax preparation, external audit, and government grant single audit requirements, providing necessary documentation and supporting schedules, and ensure compliance with federal, state, and local regulations, including tax filings, grant reporting, and audits; implement recommendations from external audits to improve financial processes and internal controls.
- Maintain a solid understanding of the organization’s financial health and ensure financial practices align with Arise Collective’s mission and long-term goals.
Leadership & Collaboration – 10%
- Serve as a financial resource for leadership and staff, providing advice and insights into financial decisions.
- Design and deliver financial training for staff to improve financial literacy and empower teams to align with budgetary goals.
- Support staff in understanding budget and grant-related financial requirements and procedures.
- Participate in strategic planning discussions and work with other departments to ensure financial sustainability and alignment with organizational goals.
- Foster a culture of transparency, accountability, and financial literacy across the organization.
- Evaluate and recommend financial software or tools to streamline processes and improve efficiency in reporting, tracking, and analysis.
Financial Planning, Analysis, & Reporting – 10%
- Identify and assess financial risks and develop strategies to mitigate them, ensuring organizational financial stability.
- Lead the annual budgeting process, working with Arise Collective’s leadership to allocate resources effectively and efficiently across the organization’s programs and operations.
- Provide monthly financial statements and reports to the CEO, Leadership Team, and Board of Directors, including detailed analyses of revenue, expenses, and key financial trends.
- Track the financial performance of the organization against budget and provide actionable insights and recommendations for improvement.
- Assist in forecasting, preparing financial projections, and conducting scenario and ad hoc analysis for future needs of the organization. This includes working with the Grants Team to generate, analyze, and maintain timely financial reports and documentation systems for grants and contracts.
- Conduct periodic internal reviews to ensure adherence to financial policies and compliance requirements.
Cash Flow & Resource Management – 10%
- Monitor and manage cash flow, ensuring the organization has sufficient liquidity to meet operational and programmatic needs.
- Work with the outsourced accounting team to ensure proper management of accounts payable, receivable, and payroll.
- Develop and implement strategies for maintaining financial reserves and ensuring the sustainability of Arise Collective’s programs and services.
Grant & Donor Financial Reporting – 10%
- Work with the Grants Manager to create and maintain grant reporting and invoicing schedules to ensure compliance with grant requirements and maximize cash flow.
- Ensure that all grant financial reporting is accurate, timely, and compliant with funder requirements and tracked at the appropriate level.
- Assist the Development Team in preparing financial sections of grant applications and donor proposals; provide feedback on financial feasibility during the grant application process to ensure alignment with organizational capacity.
- Actively participate in grant planning meetings to align financial planning with programmatic goals.
- Track restricted and unrestricted funds to ensure compliance with donor intent.
Outsourced Team Management & Coordination – 20%
- Manage relationships with Arise’s outsourced accounting and bookkeeping service providers, ensuring they deliver high-quality, timely, and accurate financial data.
- Serve as the point of contact between Arise Collective and external accounting resources, facilitating communication and addressing any issues or concerns.
- Work closely with the outsourced team to reconcile accounts, process transactions, and close monthly and annual books.
Payroll, Benefits, and Insurance – 5%
- Work closely with Operations Director to ensure financial accuracy and compliance with payroll employee health insurance, employee retirement plans, liability insurance, property insurance and directors and officers’ insurance.
- Regularly review the benefits program and insurance needs.
- Coordinate preparation of the retirement plan Form 5500, W2s, and 1099s;
- Comply with federal, state, and local legal requirements by studying existing and new legislation, anticipating future legislation, enforcing adherence to requirements, filing reports, and advising leadership and management on needed actions.
Organizational Responsibilities – 15%
- Attend biweekly staff meetings and weekly 1:1s with supervisor.
- Attend relevant board meetings, retreats, and committee meetings.
- Other responsibilities as designated.
REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS AND ATTRIBUTES
- Bachelor’s degree in finance, accounting, business administration, or a related field; Master’s degree preferred.
- Minimum of five years of progressively responsible experience in bookkeeping, financial management, budgeting, and forecasting.
- Demonstrated proficiency with leading grant management processes and reporting, government grant experience a plus.
- Thorough understanding of how to interpret regulations and guidelines from a wide variety
- of funding agencies and use the funding mechanisms required by those agencies.
- Strong working knowledge of general accounting principles.
- Experience with calculating payroll.
- Detailed-oriented with a commitment to accuracy and compliance.
- Excellent organizational skills with the ability to manage multiple tasks and deadlines.
- Demonstrated proficiency in use of technology including standard operating systems and Microsoft Office products, particularly Excel and QuickBooks, and other databases.
ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS
- Inclusive and empathetic worldview with demonstrated skill working across lines of difference.
- Financial and leadership experience within a nonprofit setting.
- Ability to communicate clearly in both oral and written forms.
- Ability to work both independently and on a team within a sometimes high- stress environment while maintaining policies, professional standards, and a peaceful, compassionate attitude.
PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS
This position requires: ordinary ambulatory skills as well as the ability to stand, walk, stoop, kneel, crouch, and occasionally manipulate (lift, carry, move) light-moderate weight; hand-eye-foot coordination; arm, hand and finger dexterity, visual acuity; and the use of auditory senses.
WORK REQUIREMENTS
The position’s primary purpose is to provide financial infrastructure, management, and oversight in service to our mission to enhance program participants’ abilities to overcome obstacles and achieve their goals. It is primarily an office position adhering to standard business hours, with occasional work on evenings and weekends as financial and grant deadlines require. Staff work within a hybrid model, including work “in the field,” in the West Raleigh office, and remote, virtual work (certain staff meetings, e.g.). Health and wellness of staff and participants is a priority.
PRIMARY RELATIONSHIPS
Must develop and maintain excellent relationships with Arise Collective staff and board, accounting team, funders, program participants, academic and other institutional partners, and others. This position directly supervises a multi-service external accounting firm that currently includes a Bookkeeper, Controller, and Contract CFO. They will also work closely with our CEO, Operations Director, Grants Manager, Leadership Team, and administrative team.
JOB TYPE
Salaried full-time exempt position.
SALARY RANGE
$80,000 - $90,000 for 40 hours/week, negotiable based on experience. Generous benefits package includes medical, dental and vision benefits, retirement plan, pre-tax benefits, paid time and leave, professional development opportunities, and other organizational benefits.
