Director of Finance

Mission: YWCA of Western New York is dedicated to eliminating racism, empowering women, and promoting peace, justice, freedom, and dignity for all. Our vision is a thriving community without divide.

Overall Scope

Since the YWCA of WNY’s founding in 1870, we have responded to the needs of the community by providing high quality programs and services that promote racial and social justice, and advance women’s empowerment. Working from an anti-racism and trauma-informed foundation, this commitment continues today through a continuum of comprehensive supports and services, focused specifically in the areas of education, youth development, childcare, advocacy, housing, and economic empowerment.

YWCA WNY supports over 6,000 women, children, and families annually. Our programs empower children to grow in healthy, nurturing, and enriched environments, youth to unlock their potential and build a path to success, women to attain self-sufficiency, and seniors to secure safe, affordable housing that keeps them connected to the community.

Position Summary

The Director of Finance is responsible for directing the fiscal functions of the Association in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP) and fiscal projections and analysis (FP&A) in accordance with not-for-profit financial management techniques and practices. The Director of Finance directs the finance office in the areas of finance, accounting, budget control, and cash management. Review and monitor actual income and expenditures. Assist the senior leadership team in developing budget forecasts and in long and short-term financial planning for the Association. Serves as staff liaison to the Finance Committee.

Professional Attributes

An energetic forward thinking and creative individual with high ethical standards and an appropriate professional image for the YWCA of Western New York (the Association). A strategic visionary with sound technical skills, analytical ability, good judgment, and strong operational focus. A well-organized and self-directed individual who is “politically savvy” and a collaborator. An intelligent and articulate individual who can relate to people at all levels of an organization and possess excellent communication skills. An excellent negotiator who is experienced in contracts. A decisive individual who possesses a “big picture” perspective. Ability to make effective and persuasive speeches and presentations on controversial or complex topics to the Board and outside funders as needed.

Essential Duties, Required Skills, and Abilities

• Responsible for complete fiscal management, including accounting, financial analysis, statement preparation, and reporting for the Association. Provide analysis and interpretation of quarterly financial statements to the CEO, Finance Committee, Board of Directors, and the senior leadership team, as necessary.
• Evaluate the Association’s fiscal function and performance to enhance planning, growth, and development.
• Participate in the development of the Association’s plans, budgets, and programs as a strategic planning partner, to enhance and/or develop, implement, and enforce policies and procedures of the organization that will improve the overall financial solvency and effectiveness of the Association.
• Develop and maintain credibility for the finance department by providing timely and accurate analysis of budgets, financial reports, and financial trends to assist the CEO and the Board and other senior leaders and executives in performing their responsibilities.
• Present regularly scheduled quarterly financials to Finance Committee and Board of Directors.
• Continual improvement of the budgeting process through education of department managers on financial issues impacting their budgets and present the annual budget to the Board for approval and implementation.
• Optimize the handling of bank deposit relationships and initiate appropriate strategies to enhance cash flow projections, reports, bank transfers between company accounts to manage cash flow and satisfy Association obligations. Reconciliations and reporting mechanism which includes minimum cash threshold to meet operating needs.
• Evaluate the finance department structure and team plan, supervise, and advise finance department employees on accounting principles and procedures for continual improvement of the efficiency and effectiveness of the group as well as providing individuals with professional and personal growth with the emphasis on opportunities. Supervise the Finance Manager and interact daily.
• Develop reliable cash flow projection process and reporting mechanism which includes minimum cash threshold to meet operating needs.
• Oversee external audit, tax return preparation and 1099’s through coordination with the Association’s accounting firm.
• Assumes other related duties as assigned to ensure fluid functioning of the Association.
• Coordinate with outside consultants on upgrades related to information technology issues (upgrades, computers, security, etc.).

Fund Accounting and Resource Development

• Be an advisor from the financial perspective on any contracts or grants in which the Association establishes a commitment to work as an awardee or grantee of funds.
• Assist with budget formulation for the Association’s programs and services.
• Partner with Department Directors to manage program budgets.
• Collaborate with department heads to ensure grant-related expenses and allocations are accurate.
• Supervise monthly or quarterly billing for reimbursement and submission to the Association’s funding sources as an important driver of Association cash flow.
• Assist with identifying and securing funding opportunities for both restricted and unrestricted contributions, revenue, and/or earned income.

Human Resource and Payroll Administration and Management

• Provide guidance and support as it relates to claims including unemployment, compensation, and other related benefits.
• Provide assistance with respect to negotiating contracts, benefit providers and investment strategy and retirement contribution.
• Oversee the bi-weekly payroll and retirement fund administration with the Finance Manager.
• Review payroll and assist other senior leadership team members with budgets issues, and other actions to maintain the integrity of financial and accounting data related to compensation.

Senior Leadership Team Participation and Engagement

• Provide strategic financial input and leadership on decision-making issues affecting the organization, i.e., evaluation of potential alliances, acquisitions and/or mergers and investments and the Association’s insurance programs.
• Provide the senior leadership team with recommendations based on financial analysis and projections.
• Notify the CEO and key team members ofpotential financially impacting situations and offer operational improvements.
• Enhance and/or develop, implement, and enforce policies and procedures of the organization by way of systems that will improve the overall operation and effectiveness of the Association.
• Ensures that the Association is in compliance with internal policies, all laws and regulations and ensures that reporting is completed in a timely manner.

YW-WNY Housing Development Company, Inc. (HDFC)

• Assists with the financial oversight of the wholly owned related company YW-WNY Housing Development Company Inc. (School House Commons) in conjunction with the CEO and third-party management company.

Qualifications

• Master’s Degree or CPA credentials with fund accounting expertise preferred.
• CPA with a bachelor’s degree in accounting or a bachelor’s degree in accounting considered.
• Minimum of five (5) years in a supervisory accounting position preferred.
• Minimum 5 years’ experience in Quick Books Plus, Bill, EBC and or UGK preferred. Experience in comparable software considered. Complete literacy in Windows Office Suite, SharePoint and Adobe.
• Proven experience in financial analysis, annual budgeting, consolidated fiscal reporting, and monthly reporting.
• Strong supervisory skills with a track record of leading and developing high-performing finance teams.
• Extensive knowledge of FP&A, financials, and non-profit finance.
• Exceptional analytical skills and experience creating financial reports and conducting financial analysis.
• Excellent communication and presentation skills, with the ability to present financial information in a clear and compelling manner to all levels of staff, management, and board members.
• Valid NYS driver’s license.
• Hours: Full time: 40 hours per week: exempt: some weekends and evenings.

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