Vice President of Finance

ORGANIZATIONAL BACKGROUND
Public Counsel is the largest pro bono public interest law firm in the country. Founded in 1970, it is dedicated to advancing equal justice under law and addressing economic, racial, and other inequities by delivering free legal and social services to the most vulnerable members of our community. Public Counsel operates eight legal projects: Children’s Rights, Community Development, Consumer Rights, Homelessness Prevention, Immigrants’ Rights, Veterans’ Rights, the Audrey Irmas Project for Women & Girls’ Rights, and our impact litigation project, Opportunity Under Law. Public Counsel has a full-time staff of over 120. We seek to have a racially inclusive staff.

JOB SUMMARY
Public Counsel seeks a Vice President of Finance who will serve as an essential part of the senior management team, advising the President/CEO and the Board of Directors in planning for future growth and financial sustainability to support our groundbreaking legal work. The Vice President of Finance will lead the Finance team (currently including a Director of Finance, an Accounting Clerk, and a Database Coordinator) in planning, budgeting, accounting and reporting on a diversified funding stream including donations, private grants, government contracts, and attorney fees. Primary job duties will include:
• Oversee all accounting and finance activities for the organization, and ensure accounting procedures are in compliance with GAAP and nonprofit best practices.
• Provide analysis and recommendations to inform program decisions, new initiatives and the allocation of resources.
• Lead annual budgeting process, regularly review income and expenditures against budget, and work with Project Directors and senior management team to manage budgets and financial results.
• Conduct regular financial analysis; prepare reports by collecting, analyzing, and summarizing information and trends
• Participate as a member of the senior management team, staff the Board’s Finance and Audit Committees, and attend and present at Executive Committee and Board meetings.
• Monitor expenditures to ensure compliance with all federal, state, and local government requirements as well as public and private grantor and donor requirements.
• Oversee day-to-day accounting practices, and ensure that month-end close is efficient, timely, and accurate.
• Generate and regularly update cash flow forecast.
• Prepare and/or review billings to funding sources.
• Serve as primary contact for auditors, and oversee the annual audit process, including preparation of supporting documentation, draft audited financial statements and tax returns.
• Create and oversee a strong control environment for the organization, including planning, updating, and managing internal controls and fraud prevention systems, key policies and procedures, and train staff on the importance of such controls.
• Collaborate with the Development Department on government and private grant budgets and reporting.
• Serve as the key contact for the agency’s banking, investment advisory and auditor relationships, and oversee and report on investment performance.
• Promote and ensure a culture of financial transparency, consistent communication, and meaningful collaboration with colleagues. 

START DATE AND COMPENSATION
This position is available immediately and is a full-time, exempt position. Salary is commensurate with abilities and experience. Excellent benefits. Public Counsel is an Equal Opportunity Employer All qualified applicants shall receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, national origin, ethnic group identification, ancestry, sex, age, marital status, political affiliation, condition of physical or mental disability, gender identity or sexual orientation, in accordance with requirements of Federal and State laws. All qualified applicants with criminal histories will be considered in a manner consistent with the requirements of the Los Angeles Fair Chance Initiative for Hiring.