Director of Finance

Director of Finance
PLAN, Inc. is a client-centered nonprofit organization established to improve the availability and quality of civil legal aid for low-income people across Pennsylvania. PLAN supports a statewide consortium of 15 independently run regional and specialty legal services organizations (LSOs). It coordinates the delivery of civil legal assistance to the Pennsylvanians who need it most. PLAN advocates for and delivers funding for the network, supports the programs delivering legal aid through training and technical assistance, and ensures effective use of funds. 

POSITION SUMMARY:

The Pennsylvania Legal Aid Network, Inc. (PLAN) is accepting applications for a full-time Director of Finance. This position reports to the Executive Director and is an integral part of PLAN’s management team. The Director of Finance is responsible for managing the organization’s financial operations, including the oversight of all finance, accounting, and reporting activities.  The Director of Finance is an integral member of management and is required to provide accurate information to the Board, the Executive Director, funders and others, and to participate in the daily management activities of the organization.  This individual must have a thorough understanding of accounting procedures principles.  This individual should also be experienced in budgeting and financial analysis techniques.   

In addition to responsibility for the financial operations of PLAN, Inc. the Director of Finance is responsible for providing leadership by example, guidance and instruction to grantees of PLAN, Inc. to assure these programs are in compliance with auditing, fiscal, and data reporting requirements of the grantees.  While these grantees are separate not for profits, with their own management and boards, the Director of Finance is responsible for this support and leadership, to help assure these programs account for funds and activities properly and to assure that PLAN, Inc. is able to rely on information from the programs, in assembling its own financial reports and audits. 

DUTIES:

• Issue timely and complete financial statements.
• Disseminate relevant financial information to the applicable individuals and grantees, in a timely and efficient manner. 
• Develop and implement improved financial systems and the accounting controls required for the effective operation of these systems.  Ensure that financial operations are in compliance with Federal and State regulations and guidelines, including OMB Uniform Administrative Requirements, Cost Principles, and Audit Requirements for Federal Awards, as well as any other applicable contractual requirements. 
• Be held accountable for any financial decisions or actions made at PLAN, Inc. over which the Director of Finance has any responsibility.
• Supervise the recording and reporting of the organization’s financial information with the assistance of an Accountant.  Review and approve all of the organization’s expenditures.
• Prepare and monitor the organization’s annual operating budget.
• Specifically assure that adequate internal controls are in place, and are operating so that PLAN, Inc. has minimized its exposure to financial irregularities or wrongdoing.  
• Prepare annual program funding allocations based on all relevant information and complete the annual program contracting process for IOLTA, DHS, or other funding sources. 
• Participate in the development of a funding allocation formula that promotes fairness among all local programs and specialty projects.  This includes involvement in the development of formula principles and designing the detailed specific steps of the formula to assure the principles are implemented. 
• Prepare quarterly financial reports for the Budget and Finance Committee and the Board of Directors.  This quarterly report consists of financial information and an analysis of the current and projected activity.   
• Schedule and participate in Budget and Finance Committee meetings.  Attend all Board meetings and Project Director’s Association meetings (as needed).
• Ensure that the organization maintains adequate property, liability, and other forms of insurance coverage.
• Annually, review and analyze existing employee benefit programs, including health related benefits.  Research other available programs or benefits, to determine whether the current programs provide the best benefit for the best price and make recommendations for renewal or changes of coverage.  The Director of Finance is responsible for managing and administering all employee benefit programs. 
• Work with auditors to complete the annual audit of all programs funded by the organization.  Recommend selection of auditors to the Board of Directors for their approval.  Assist in the completion of the PLAN, Inc. audit and preparation of IRS form 990. 
• Complete program monitoring with the executive director and compliance staff on a rotating basis as required by the Department of Human Services, IOLTA, and any other funding sources.  Prepare monitoring reports and work with the executive director, funders, and others in maintaining monitoring protocols and instruments.  Monitoring is required to determine whether funded programs are in compliance with all contract requirements.  In addition to monitoring for financial compliance, PLAN, Inc. must also ensure that programs comply with regulatory and administrative provisions required by funders.
• Upon request of funded programs, provide assistance to the financial and administrative staffs. 
• Develop, maintain and update the organization’s Accounting Manual.
• Maintain all active consultant contracts within the Director of Finance’s domain.

IDEAL SKILLS, EXPERIENCE, AND COMPETENCIES: 

The ideal candidate will have a bachelor’s degree with 5-10 years of experience of nonprofit accounting experience with government grants and contract management and a demonstrated commitment to achieving economic justice for low-income households and the ability to develop, lead, and collaborate on projects that seek to advance access to justice for lower income persons, victims of domestic violence, and other marginalized communities.

• Knowledge of accounting techniques and principles.
• Knowledge of OMB Uniform Administrative Requirements, Cost Principles, and Audit Requirements for Federal Awards.
• A solid understanding of the grant-making process in both the private philanthropy sector (foundations and corporations) government grants.
• Excellent organizational, written, and oral communication skills.
• Ability to write competitive grant applications and reports.
• Interpersonal abilities that are professional and discreet and the ability to work collaboratively with a wide range of personalities with assertiveness and diplomacy.
• Familiarity with data collection and analysis; excellent information management skills. 
• Strong organization, prioritization, planning, and critical thinking skills, and the ability to track and meet multiple deadlines.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office 365 and advanced computer skills (SharePoint, spreadsheets).
• Familiarity with developing grant/project budgets and expenditure reports.
• Ability to work independently, as part of a team, and to take initiative.
• Strong work ethic and flexibility to work long hours when required.
• Ability to travel (overnight stays may be required).
• Relevant job or educational experience which demonstrate the ability to perform the job.

Preferred: Experience in federal government grant compliance and reporting a plus.  Experience with Legal Services Corporation (LSC), or other large private, state, or federal grant funders.

LOCATION: This position affords hybrid work. Ability to travel throughout the State of Pennsylvania for in person monitoring and compliance is required. Should business needs require physical presence, teleworking will not be possible.

SALARY: Salary depends on experience. Target salary range for this position is 5-10 years’ experience $90,000 – $125,000. Staff are offered excellent benefits, including health, dental, vision insurance, life, and disability insurance, along with retirement benefits.

The Pennsylvania Legal Aid Network, Inc. is an equal opportunity employer. We seek to build diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging within our organization, throughout our network, and in partnership and allyship with the communities we serve.