Director of Accounting

Description

At Housing Catalyst, we’re all about making a difference through affordable housing, and we know that starts with a passionate team. We’re looking for a strategic Director of Accounting to help us ensure our mission stays on solid financial ground.

This role leads the full scope of accounting operations for a complex affordable housing portfolio, including both LIHTC and non‑LIHTC properties across multiple entities and partnerships. The Director of Accounting is responsible for overseeing consolidated financial reporting, investor and lender reporting requirements, and compliance with bond, loan, and tax credit regulatory agreements. The position requires strong technical accounting expertise, including the ability to research, interpret, and implement complex GAAP and GASB pronouncements.

This leader must think strategically, provide forward‑looking financial insight to executive leadership, and effectively prioritize competing deadlines in a fast‑paced, deadline‑driven environment.

• Impact: Your financial skills will play a big role in creating and maintaining affordable housing in Northern Colorado.
• Culture: We’re a Health Links Certified Healthy Workplace™, and we really believe in things like mindfulness, work‑life balance, and having a good time. It’s not just talk—we show it in everything we do.
• Location: We’re in the lively Fort Collins, a bike‑friendly city that gets about 300 days of sunshine, all set against the beautiful backdrop of the Rocky Mountains.

In your role as our financial lead, you'll need to be creative and forward‑thinking, using your good judgment to navigate through complex financial situations.

• Strategic Financial Leadership: Provide strategic financial leadership, oversee consolidated reporting, lead technical GAAP/GASB implementation, and deliver forward‑looking financial analysis to support executive decision‑making.
• Team Development & Mentorship: You’ll take charge of a team of professionals—hiring, coaching, and mentoring them to build a strong group and create a culture of continuous learning and cross‑training.
• Complex Portfolio Management: Direct accounting for a multi‑entity LIHTC and non‑LIHTC affordable housing portfolio, including partnership reporting, investor and lender requirements, debt service, and covenant compliance.
• Systems & Innovation: Your goal will be to boost efficiency by designing and rolling out innovative workflow improvements. This means updating our accounting systems and internal controls to keep us growing and functioning smoothly.
• Financial Reporting & Internal Controls: Oversee preparation of the Annual Comprehensive Financial Report (ACFR), external audits, internal controls, and accounting policies to ensure accurate, compliant, and reliable financial reporting.
• Cross‑Department
  
  Collaboration:
  
  Collaborate with peers across all departments and executive leadership to support transactions, new projects, and portfolio performance.

We’re looking for candidates from various educational and professional backgrounds. Typically, you’ll find that a successful candidate has:

• A bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university—preferably in Accounting, Finance, Business, or something similar.
• At least 10 years of relevant experience in accounting, including some leadership roles.
• We’ll also consider equivalent combinations of education and experience.

• A solid grasp of Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP), Governmental Accounting Standards Board (GASB) standards, and government accounting practices.
• Some familiarity with HUD reporting requirements, Low‑Income Housing Tax Credits, and financial tools like bonds and loans.
• Proven management and leadership skills, along with the ability to communicate effectively.
• Strong analytical abilities to pull together information from various sources and make sound decisions.
• The ability to understand and apply complex GAAP/GASB announcements.

• Must be able to walk, stand, sit, bend, do some light lifting, and handle manual tasks as required…