Director of Finance and Accounting

robert west

 


Augusta Thomas, Director of Finance and Accounting
(Controller)
Position
Reporting to the Director of Operations, the Augusta Thomas Controller (a position named for a benefactor) will be responsible for oversight of all finance, accounting and reporting activities of the Boston Athenæum, a not-for-profit membership library with an operating budget of $6.8 million and an endowment of $80 million. As the number-two executive to the Director of Operations, the Director of Finance and Accounting will be involved in supporting presentations to the Board of Trustees and will work closely with the organization’s senior leadership.
The Director of Finance and Accounting will lead all day-to-day finance operations of the organization. S/he will have functional responsibility over accounting, accounts payable, accounts receivable, payroll, and post grant administration/reporting. S/he will supervise a finance team currently staffed with one full-time accountant, and with the possibility for growth. The Director of Finance and Accounting will ensure that the Boston Athenæum has the systems and procedures in place to support effective program implementation and conduct flawless audits. The Director of Finance and Accounting  will work closely with department heads and their staffs, not only to educate them regarding finance and accounting procedures but also to explore how the finance function can support program operations.
In addition, the Director of Finance and Accounting  will partner with the Director of Operations, the Stanford Calderwood Director, senior managers, Human Resources (HR) and Systems staff to enhance and better integrate finance, HR, and Systems functions.
The Director of Finance and Accounting will join the Boston Athenæum following the adoption of a new five-year plan. S/he will work with the Director of Operations, Stanford Calderwood Director, senior managers, and Board of Trustees to plan the financial goals of an anticipated capital campaign. 
Responsibilities
Finance and Accounting Leadership

• Oversee all accounts, ledgers, and reporting systems ensuring compliance with appropriate GAAP standards and regulatory requirements.
• Maintain internal control and safeguards for receipt of revenue, costs, and program budgets and actual expenditures.
• Coordinate all audit activity.
• Consistently analyze financial data and present financial reports in an accurate and timely manner; clearly communicate monthly, quarterly, and annual financial statements; monitor progress and changes and keep senior leadership abreast of Boston Athenaeum’s financial status.
• Assist the Boston Athenaeum’s leadership in the annual budgeting and planning process; administer and review all financial plans and compare to actual results with a view to identify, explain, and correct variances as appropriate.
• Support the Stanford Calderwood Director and Director of Operations in working with the committees of the Board, including the Audit and Risk, Budget, and Investment Committees.
• Oversee all financial, project/program and grants accounting; ensure that expenditures are consistently aligned with program budgets throughout the fund period; collate financial reporting materials for foundation grants.
• Manage organizational cash flow forecasting by working in partnership with Department Directors; continuously collaborate with Department Directors to assess the financial efficacy of program operations and establish finance and administrative systems to support program operations.
• Manage and track the performance of invested assets in keeping with policies and investment guidelines.
• Maintain separate records of income, expenditures and balances for approximately 500 endowment funds. 
• Ensure compliance with the terms of temporarily and permanently restricted funds and grants.

Team Leadership

• Leverage strengths of the current finance team members; assess sustainable opportunities for team growth; help to clarify roles and responsibilities; develop and implement training programs in order to maximize and reach optimal individual and organizational goals;
• Provide leadership in strengthening internal communications with staff at all levels throughout the organization; create and promote a positive and supportive work environment.

Qualifications
This is an extraordinary opportunity for a mature leader with seven to ten years of accounting and finance experience, ideally beginning in accounting and audit, followed by experience gathering, evaluating, presenting and reporting financial information to executive teams and external stakeholders. S/he will ideally have experience in a complex not-for-profit organization that has multiple departments.
Other qualifications include:

• Bachelor’s Degree and CPA certification required; MBA or Masters in Finance preferred
• Solid experience coordinating audit activities and managing reporting, budget development and analysis, accounts payable and receivable, general ledger, payroll, and accounting for investments
• A track record in post grant award as it relates to compliance and reporting, corporate and foundation grants is essential
• Ability to leverage the strengths of the current finance team, help to clarify roles and responsibilities and develop and implement training programs in order to maximize and reach optimal individual and organizational goals
• Candidate should demonstrate a understanding of financial software in general. The Boston Athenaeum uses Blackbaud software Financial Edge and Razor’s Edge
• Technology savvy with experience selecting and overseeing software installations and managing relationships with software vendors; advanced knowledge of accounting and reporting software
• Keen analytic, organization and problem-solving skills, which allow for strategic data interpretation versus simple reporting
• Personal qualities of integrity, credibility, and unwavering commitment to the Boston Athenaeum’s mission; a proactive, hands-on strategic thinker who will own, in partnership with the Stanford Calderwood Director and Director of Operations, the responsibility for finance
• Leadership in strengthening internal communications with staff at all levels throughout the organization; commitment to creating and promoting a positive and supportive work environment
• Commitment to recruiting, mentoring, training, and retaining a diverse team; the foresight and ability to delegate accordingly
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills; experience in effectively communicating key data, including presentations to senior management, the Board and other outside partners
• Ability and desire to translate complex financial concepts to individuals at all levels including finance and non-finance managers

To apply: Please submit the materials listed below in a single document to shaw@bostonatheaneum.org

• Cover letter
• Curriculum Vitae/Resume
• The names and contact information of three professional references, including current direct supervisor. References will be contacted only after the applicant has been informed that s/he is a finalist.

 
The Boston Athenæum is an equal opportunity employer. We encourage individuals of diverse backgrounds to apply and are committed to hiring individuals who value a diverse and inclusive work environment. To learn more about the Boston Athenæum, one of the oldest and most distinguished membership libraries, art galleries, and cultural institutions in the United States, visit www.bostonathenaeum.org.