Director of Finance

About the Organization

TakeRoot Justice was founded in 2001 and provides legal, participatory research and policy support to strengthen the work of grassroots and community-based groups in New York City to dismantle racial, economic and social oppression. Our partners take the lead in determining the priorities and goals for our work, and advance our understanding of justice. We believe in a theory of change where short-term and individual successes help build the capacity and power of our partners, who in turn can have longer-term impact on policies, laws and systems that affect their communities.  TakeRoot   employs a unique model of partnership with grassroots and community-based groups. Our work has greater impact because it is done in connection with organizing, building power and leadership development. We model our internal structure on anti-oppressive and democratic principles in order to create an environment that mirrors the progressive change we pursue through our work. We strive to use decision-making systems that provide all staff with a voice in the direction of the organization, and expect that staff participate in those systems.

Position Summary

The Director of Finance will oversee and manage the day-to-day financial operations of TakeRoot, a recently independent, unionized nonprofit organization, and be part of the management team that plans for the long-term requirements of the agency. TakeRoot’s operating budget is roughly $7 million and we provide oversight for $12 million in subcontract awards.

Position Description and Responsibilities

GENERAL FINANCIAL AND ACCOUNTING FUNCTIONS

Directs all financial activities and accounting functions, including general ledger, accounts payable/receivable, purchasing, payroll, bank reconciliations, audit, insurance and tax reports and planning and monitoring of cash flow. This will include, but not be limited to, the following:

  • Leads the Finance department, including systems and staffing, responsible for all day-to-day operational needs, assuring timely and accurate reporting on all levels, including to New York State, New York City, and private funders
  • Formulates, recommends, and implements sound fiscal policies, procedures and internal controls
  • Manages organizational cash flows, identifying sources and pools of cash to access as necessary
  • Prepares annual budget, including Practice Area and contract-level budgets, in coordination with staff, management, and Board Finance Committee; oversees input of approved budget into accounting system
  • Appraises TakeRoot’s financial position and generates, analyzes, and presents regular fiscal reports to the Executive Director, Board of Directors and staff
  • Develops and oversees the implementation of long-term financial plans to achieve TakeRoot’s objectives
  • Facilitates and supervises TakeRoot ’s annual financial audit
  • Trains and supervises staff on fiscal procedures, budget management, and use of accounting software
  • Develops structures for transparency within the organization’s financial systems, including regular budget presentations to all staff, so they can make informed, shared decisions about financial activities

 FINANCIAL GRANTS MANAGEMENT FUNCTIONS

Oversees management of all grants and contracts with State and City agencies such as the NYC Human Resources Administration, and all costs allocated to such contracts. This will include, but not be limited to, the following:

  • Ensures fiscal requirements for grants and contracts are identified, realized, and monitored
  • Oversees staff in financial grants management activities, including:
    • Preparation of periodic reports to funding sources
    • Reporting of outstanding funding receivables, on a grant-by-grant basis
    • Monitoring of all contracts to ensure compliance with fiscal reporting and determine the need for budget modifications
    • Preparation of complex contract budgets, budget modifications, fiscal reports, and related documents for funders.
  • Production and analysis of monthly budget-to-actual reports to monitor spending against complex contracts.
  • Initiates conversations around budget modifications and program planning for under/overspending.
  • Maintains current knowledge of local, state and federal policies and procedures and ensure contracts compliance based on these policies and procedures
  • Serves as TakeRoot’s primary fiscal liaison with funders, responding to numerous inquiries and requests for information

 SUBCONTRACTOR MANAGEMENT

  • Oversees subcontractor fiscal management, including: budget and documentation review, invoice review and approval, and submission to the prime contractor’s Fiscal Office for payment.
  • Reviews and help improve subcontract purchasing policies, processes and systems
  • Provide technical assistance to subcontractors in the areas of subcontract budgeting and invoicing

PAYROLL

  • Oversight of payroll in collaboration with Professional Employment Organization (PEO)

 SUPERVISION

  • Supervises and provides mentorship for a team of accounting and grants management staff

 PARTICIPATION IN DEMOCRATIC DECISIONMAKING

  • Participates, along with all other staff, in 1-2 Circles: committees that make decisions and draft policy in areas outside of fiscal department
  • Liaises with Money Circle with the goal of increasing transparency of TakeRoot’s fiscal matters

 Timeline and Salary

The anticipated starting date for this position is June 2020.

 We offer a an excellent benefits package, including generous vacation, personal, and sick time, along with strong medical and dental coverage.  TakeRoot’s staff are on a fixed salary scales, and the salary for this position will be determined based on relevant experience and education in accordance with the scales.

Candidate Qualifications

EDUCATION OR EQUIVALENT EXPERIENCE

  • A Bachelor’s degree in Accounting from an accredited college (CPA or a Master’s degree in a related field highly desired)
  • Minimum of eight years comparable work experience, including four years in an executive, managerial, or supervisory capacity
  • Experience with nonprofit finance required, preferably with significant experience managing government grants

 QUALIFICATIONS & SKILLS

  • Results-oriented with skills in organization, planning and attention to details
  • High proficiency in Microsoft Excel; familiarity with Sage Intacct is a plus
  • Strong analytical and problem-solving ability
  • Ability to effectively communicate with grantors, clients, partners, subcontractors and staff
  • Proactive, self-directed, and reliable
  • Ability to manage many diverse yet concurrent project responsibilities
  • Demonstrated supervisory experience and ability to work with a team
  • Demonstrated commitment to social justice issues is strongly preferred
  • Values thinking in partnership with others, democratic decision-making, collaborative problem-solving, and transparency in their work

To Apply

Interested applicants should send a resume and cover letter by email to jobs@takerootjustice.org, and the subject line of the email must include: “Director of Finance”. Please apply by April 30th, 2020.

TakeRoot Justice is an equal opportunity employer. TakeRoot encourages applications from people with diverse backgrounds, including women, people of color, immigrants, people with disabilities, LGBTQ people, people from low-income backgrounds, and people with personal experience with the criminal justice system. We strongly encourage applications from people with lived experiences in the communities we serve.