Director of Finance

Summary of Responsibilities:

The Director of Finance provides strategic financial leadership and oversight for all accounting, budgeting and financial reporting functions. This role is pivotal in aligning financial operations with the organization s mission and long-term goals, ensuring fiscal integrity, compliance, and operational efficiency. The Director collaborates with leadership to develop strategies that drive financial sustainability and operational excellence. This position ensures that the organization has the systems and procedures in place to support accurate and timely financial reporting, both internally to senior management and the Board of Directors, as well as externally to the State of Connecticut and other grantors. The Director of Finance ensures flawless audits are conducted, supports the Chief Operating Officer, and works with program leaders regarding their budgets and how the finance function can support program operations.

Essential Functions:

• Oversees all accounting, general ledger, and reporting systems, ensuring accuracy and compliance with appropriate GAAP standards and the State of Connecticut Cost Standards requirements.
• Maintains internal controls and safeguards for receipt of revenue and disbursement of expenditures.
• Prepares monthly financial statements in an accurate and timely manner; effectively communicates and presents critical financial matters to senior management.
• Provides monthly budget reports to program leaders with a view to identify, explain and correct variances, as appropriate.
• Manages an effective contracts management, compliance and financial reporting system; prepares timely grant reports to the State of Connecticut and other grantors; works transparently and in cooperation with all contract administrators; ensures that the contract billing and collection schedules are adhered to.
• Prepares weekly cash flow forecasts and works in partnership with the SVP, Business Operations so as to monitor and identify that cash flow requirements are met.
• Coordinates and leads the annual audit process; prepares audit work papers; prepares annual Form 990 in liaison with the auditors.
• Continually improves and monitors all accounting processes; analyzes existing processes and systems; identifies new opportunities to improve efficiencies and streamline current systems and responds proactively to other department needs; incorporates new technology enhancements; updates the accounting policy and procedure manuals.
• Provides leadership in strengthening internal communications with finance staff; identifies, encourages and maximizes the strengths of the finance team members; creates and promotes a positive, supportive and collaborative work environment.
• Contributes to long-term financial planning and sustainability initiatives.
• Evaluates financial risks and opportunities and provides recommendations for action.
• Supervises a finance team of 3, providing mentoring, performance management, and professional development opportunities. Fosters a collaborative, high-performing finance function.

Other Functions:

• Acts as a liaison with the organization s insurance agent; identifies and resolves areas of risk to the organization; completes annual applications for renewal.
• Acts as a thought partner to other departments and provides financial insights to support organizational decisions.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

The duties listed above are intended only as illustrative of the various types of work that may be performed. The omission of specific statements of duties does not exclude them from the position if the work is similar or a logical assignment to the position.

Qualifications and Competencies:

• Bachelor s in accounting required. CPA License preferred.
• Minimum of five years experience in non-profit accounting required.
• Minimum of five years demonstrated supervisory experience required.
• Experience with nonprofit accounting software required; familiarity with Abila MIP or similar platforms (e.g., Sage Intacct, Quickbooks Nonprofit) preferred.
• High proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite.
• Working knowledge of cost allocation.
• Demonstrated ability to organize, prioritize and plan work activities, develop and successfully complete realistic action plans.
• Problem solving identifies and resolves problems in a timely manner; gathers and analyzes information skillfully; uses creativity to deliver results.
• Assertive, self-directed; able to work without supervision in a fast-paced environment and handle multiple and changing priorities.
• Excellent communication skills; able to communicate effectively and articulate verbally, in writing and through presentations, ability to translate complex financial concepts to individuals, both finance and non-finance, at all levels; strengthen communication within and outside the Finance Department
• Ability to explore and implement systems to strengthen the efficiency, quality, accuracy and agility of finance activities.
• Ability to make sound and accurate judgments; willingness and ability to make timely decisions.
• Ability to maintain and foster a high level of confidentiality in day-to-day duties.
• Strong direct and indirect management and leadership skills.
• Ability to relate well with people from diverse groups.
• Solid critical thinking and problem-solving skills.
• Ability to perform job with integrity and values consistent with the UWCT Mission.

Mental and Physical Requirements:

The physical demands and work environment characteristics described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of the job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

• Must be highly mobile and able to access all areas of the premises.
• Ability to concentrate and remain focused while handling multiple tasks, responsibilities and projects.
• Ability to work long hours over eight in a workday and over 40 in a work week as necessary.
• Ability to give understandable, written and verbal instructions.
• Must be able to perform bending, twisting, stooping, reaching and lifting of moderate weight material up to 10 lbs.
• Is frequently required to finger and reach with hands and arms.
• Vision abilities include close vision and the ability to adjust focus.
• Ability to keep composure in stressful situations.
• The work environment is a clean and comfortable office setting consisting of standard fluorescent lighting, offices, cubicles and open workspaces. There may be minimal variations of temperature and noise level.

The Pay & Benefits: $135,800.00/Salary

Spanish- or Portuguese-speaking applicants who are hired and pass certification after 90 days on the job will get an additional $.75 per hour (an additional $1.50 per hour for both languages).

• An outright 5% 401(k) contribution.
• 160 days of Paid Time Off in a calendar year you begin accruing immediately.
• 13 paid holidays per year.
• Generous health benefits including 80% coverage of your medical plan premium and deductible.
• Tuition reimbursement (after 1 year).
• Employment at UWC counts toward Public Service Student Loan Forgiveness.
• Supportive, culturally diverse and inclusive company culture.
• And more.

The Hours: Monday through Friday 8:00a.m. 5:00p.m. position will be hybrid remote

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