Finance Director
Middle Seat, Washington, District of Columbia, United States
Middle Seat is the go-to digital powerhouse agency for progressive candidates and causes—and we’re looking for a
Finance Director , with Controller-level experience, to help us keep our financial engine running at full throttle.
We’ve raised hundreds of millions of dollars for game-changing campaigns, and our 40+ strategists, creatives, and tech wizards are all in on creating a more just and equitable world. Now, we need a seasoned financial mind to help us sustain that work—and take it even further.
About the Role: We’re seeking a strategic finance leader to own all Middle Seat’s core financial operations. This role is responsible for overseeing accounting systems, managing financial reporting and compliance, and driving long-term planning and profitability.
Reporting directly to the COO, this role will serve as a trusted advisor across the company—helping to shape and implement the financial strategy that powers our growth. This is a great opportunity for a finance professional who knows when to get into the weeds of month-end close and when to step out to develop multi-year forecasts. The Finance Director will lead a small team and collaborate cross-functionally to ensure our systems are sound, our reporting is accurate, and our resources are being deployed wisely.
Key Responsibilities will include but are not limited to: Accounting Operations
Oversee general ledger, accounts payable, accounts receivable, and payroll
Ensure accurate month-end and year-end close processes
Maintain financial systems, controls, and documentation in compliance with GAAP
Supervise client paid media accounting and reconciliations
Coordinate with external accountants on tax preparation and filings
Prepare monthly, quarterly, and annual financial statements
Develop dashboards and performance metrics for internal stakeholders
Analyze actuals vs. budget and provide variance explanations
Ensure compliance with all applicable regulations and internal policies
Budgeting & Forecasting
Lead the company-wide annual budget process
Partner with department heads to develop and track team-level budgets
Build rolling forecasts and long-term financial models to support strategic planning
Prepare pro forma financials for new initiatives, investments, or hires
Strategic Financial Planning
Identify opportunities for cost savings and margin improvement
Evaluate capital expenditures and growth investments
Monitor financial trends and provide data-driven recommendations to leadership
Help design and implement financial policies, benefits strategies, and compensation planning
Cash Management & Treasury
Monitor cash flow and maintain optimal liquidity
Oversee bank relationships and any corporate debt
Establish and maintain internal cash controls
Track and advise on debt covenants, interest payments, and credit lines
Identify financial risks and implement appropriate mitigation strategies
Ensure compliance with tax laws, labor regulations, and reporting standards
Stay informed about emerging regulations that may impact the organization
About You: You’ve got a head for numbers and a heart for mission. You can tell a compelling story with a balance sheet and sleep well knowing every penny is in the right place. You’re just as comfortable talking GAAP to a non-accounting colleague as you are advising on long-term growth strategies with the Partners.
You’re not just here to “keep the books”—you’re here to build a stronger, smarter, more sustainable organization from the inside out.
What You’ll Do (in a nutshell):
Lead budgeting, forecasting, and strategic financial planning
Oversee all accounting ops—payroll, AP/AR, reporting, tax compliance
Translate complex financial info into clear, actionable insight for our team
Help guide our long-term strategy and ensure we’re set up for scalable growth
Spot risks before they become problems and build smart mitigation plans
Contribute to a culture of transparency, continuous improvement, and cross-functional alignment
Must-Haves:
6+ years of accounting/finance experience.
Bonus points if you’ve lead a department of 1 and/or managed a small team previously
A love of process, precision, and people (we’re a collaborative bunch)
Experience with QuickBooks Online and Google Sheets
Ability to work independently and make decisions with confidence
CPA or CMA? Even better.
Nice-to-Haves:
Experience using Ramp
Managed finances in a nonprofit, political, or agency environment
Profit-sharing + 401k match (6%—yes, really)
Fully covered health, dental, and vision– fully covered, as in 100% employer paid
20 Paid Vacation Days + 2 floating holidays
Unlimited sick leave + 12 weeks paid parental leave
$300 in mental health reimbursement + $100 student loan stipend
Mobile phone or internet reimbursement up to $75 per month
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Finance Director , with Controller-level experience, to help us keep our financial engine running at full throttle.
We’ve raised hundreds of millions of dollars for game-changing campaigns, and our 40+ strategists, creatives, and tech wizards are all in on creating a more just and equitable world. Now, we need a seasoned financial mind to help us sustain that work—and take it even further.
About the Role: We’re seeking a strategic finance leader to own all Middle Seat’s core financial operations. This role is responsible for overseeing accounting systems, managing financial reporting and compliance, and driving long-term planning and profitability.
Reporting directly to the COO, this role will serve as a trusted advisor across the company—helping to shape and implement the financial strategy that powers our growth. This is a great opportunity for a finance professional who knows when to get into the weeds of month-end close and when to step out to develop multi-year forecasts. The Finance Director will lead a small team and collaborate cross-functionally to ensure our systems are sound, our reporting is accurate, and our resources are being deployed wisely.
Key Responsibilities will include but are not limited to: Accounting Operations
Oversee general ledger, accounts payable, accounts receivable, and payroll
Ensure accurate month-end and year-end close processes
Maintain financial systems, controls, and documentation in compliance with GAAP
Supervise client paid media accounting and reconciliations
Coordinate with external accountants on tax preparation and filings
Prepare monthly, quarterly, and annual financial statements
Develop dashboards and performance metrics for internal stakeholders
Analyze actuals vs. budget and provide variance explanations
Ensure compliance with all applicable regulations and internal policies
Budgeting & Forecasting
Lead the company-wide annual budget process
Partner with department heads to develop and track team-level budgets
Build rolling forecasts and long-term financial models to support strategic planning
Prepare pro forma financials for new initiatives, investments, or hires
Strategic Financial Planning
Identify opportunities for cost savings and margin improvement
Evaluate capital expenditures and growth investments
Monitor financial trends and provide data-driven recommendations to leadership
Help design and implement financial policies, benefits strategies, and compensation planning
Cash Management & Treasury
Monitor cash flow and maintain optimal liquidity
Oversee bank relationships and any corporate debt
Establish and maintain internal cash controls
Track and advise on debt covenants, interest payments, and credit lines
Identify financial risks and implement appropriate mitigation strategies
Ensure compliance with tax laws, labor regulations, and reporting standards
Stay informed about emerging regulations that may impact the organization
About You: You’ve got a head for numbers and a heart for mission. You can tell a compelling story with a balance sheet and sleep well knowing every penny is in the right place. You’re just as comfortable talking GAAP to a non-accounting colleague as you are advising on long-term growth strategies with the Partners.
You’re not just here to “keep the books”—you’re here to build a stronger, smarter, more sustainable organization from the inside out.
What You’ll Do (in a nutshell):
Lead budgeting, forecasting, and strategic financial planning
Oversee all accounting ops—payroll, AP/AR, reporting, tax compliance
Translate complex financial info into clear, actionable insight for our team
Help guide our long-term strategy and ensure we’re set up for scalable growth
Spot risks before they become problems and build smart mitigation plans
Contribute to a culture of transparency, continuous improvement, and cross-functional alignment
Must-Haves:
6+ years of accounting/finance experience.
Bonus points if you’ve lead a department of 1 and/or managed a small team previously
A love of process, precision, and people (we’re a collaborative bunch)
Experience with QuickBooks Online and Google Sheets
Ability to work independently and make decisions with confidence
CPA or CMA? Even better.
Nice-to-Haves:
Experience using Ramp
Managed finances in a nonprofit, political, or agency environment
Profit-sharing + 401k match (6%—yes, really)
Fully covered health, dental, and vision– fully covered, as in 100% employer paid
20 Paid Vacation Days + 2 floating holidays
Unlimited sick leave + 12 weeks paid parental leave
$300 in mental health reimbursement + $100 student loan stipend
Mobile phone or internet reimbursement up to $75 per month
#J-18808-Ljbffr