Director of Finance and Comptroller
Community Legal Services, Inc. (CLS) is a private, non-profit law firm dedicated to providing excellent, free legal services to low income Philadelphians since 1966. Our mission is to fight poverty, challenge systems that perpetuate injustice, and change lives though cutting edge advocacy and exceptional legal representation.
CLS has offices in Center City Philadelphia and North Philadelphia. Our present operating budget is over $12 million. Revenue is derived from grants, city, state and federal contracts and donations from individuals, law firms and corporations.
CLS is seeking an enthusiastic, experienced and highly skilled leader to become our Finance Director and Comptroller. In this key senior management role, the successful candidate will provide financial leadership and be a catalyst driving financial performance of the organization and will report to CLS’s Executive Director.
The Director of Finance/Comptroller manages the day-to-day operations of the Finance Department and supervises the current staff of three, providing leadership in all areas of the corporation’s financial matters.
Essential Functions:
Oversee all accounts, ledgers and reporting systems ensuring compliance with appropriate GASB standards, GAAP standards, OMB regulations, Executive Orders and regulatory requirements.
The Director of Finance/Comptroller is a key member of CLS’s executive team and reports to the Executive Director. The direct oversight responsibility for the day-to-day financial affairs of the corporation and all financial functions and oversees a staff of three, to include 1) Administrative Coordinator, who processes payroll, manages employee benefits, maintains employees’ time and attendance records, 2) Administrative Assistant, maintains check receipt log, reviews bank deposits, assists with payroll and staff time and attendance records, and 3) Account Clerk, who processes cash disbursements, maintains all vendor and client escrow files.
The Finance Director/Comptroller:
- Is strongly focused on the hands-on management of all financial functions, including accounting, budgeting, cash, fund-source expense allocation, government and foundation grant accounting, internal and external financial reporting.
- Monitors and maintains an appropriate system of internal control procedures for continuous accuracy and improvement of financial information.
- Manages all financial planning policy, development, implementation and compliance for the organization.
- Manages and prepares the corporation’s records for the year-end financial audit performed by independent auditors.
- Plays a key role in the development of annual operating plans, budgets, and forecasts and regularly updates the Executive Director and Board of Directors on all of these.
The position is responsible for:
- Ensuring the accurate and timely completion of the month-end close process.
- Conducting monthly, quarterly and year-end budget analysis.
- Ensuring that allocations and distribution codes within automated accounting system are accurate and comport fund source allocation and contract compliance.
- Reviewing vendors’ monthly invoices and assign/verify proper account distribution for posting to G/L.
- Preparing for and responding to annual financial audit and other audits of the organization’s finances.
- Reviewing internal control procedures and make recommendations for increased safeguards as needed.
- Serving as staff liaison to the Budget & Finance Committee of the Board of Directors.
Community Legal Services, Inc. is an equal opportunity employer and welcomes applicants of all diverse backgrounds to apply. CLS, Inc. does not discriminate in the selection of employees on the basis of race, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, sexual identity, genetics, age, national origin, disability, or veteran status. In addition to federal law requirements, CLS complies with all applicable state and local laws governing nondiscrimination in employment. This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including recruiting, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, recall and transfer, leaves of absence, compensation and training.
Qualifications and requirements: Bachelor’s Degree in Finance/Accounting or Business Administration from an accredited institution required and CPA preferred.
- Seven or more years of highly successful and progressively responsible experience in non-profit accounting, with a minimum of four years management experience. Experience should be concentrated in a non-profit environment, preferably with comparable size and complexity and should include grants accounting.
- Strong "hands-on" management experience with the ability to embrace multiple roles and responsibilities in a multi-funded corporation, including experience in supervising staff and overseeing their work.
- Computer proficiency and technical aptitude with proven ability to utilize accounting and reporting software; working knowledge of Microsoft Office Suite of products.
- Comprehensive and current knowledge of general accounting procedures, requirements, and reporting systems.
- Keen analytic, organizational and problem solving skills; experience in effectively communicating key data, including presentations to senior management, Board, or other stakeholders.
- Skilled in coordinating audit activities and managing reporting, budget development and analysis.
- Strong knowledge of general ledger, accounts receivable, accounts payable, year-end-closing process.
- Strong interpersonal skills and outstanding attention to detail.
- Experience with preparing for and responding to financial audits.
To Apply: CLS will accept applications until May 24, 2019. You can submit your application on CLS’s website online at https:///www.clsphila.org/about-cls/available-positions/ OR https://clsphiladelphia.applytojob.com/apply/kdZCuTmiXt/Director-Of-Finance-And-Comptroller
What to Include in your application: Please include a cover letter, resume and three professional references. If you fail to submit the requested materials, your application will not be considered. Community Legal Services values a diverse work environment and strongly encourages women, people of color, people who identify as LGBTQ, people with disabilities, people who have experienced poverty or homelessness and people who have had prior contact with the juvenile, criminal, or child welfare systems to apply. CLS invites all applicants to include in their cover letter a statement about how your unique background and/or experiences might contribute to the diversity, cultural vitality, and perspective of our staff and organization.