Director, Accounting & Finance

Director, Accounting & Finance at Education Reform Now

Location:

Remote | Position Type:
Exempt, Full-time | Travel Requirement: 5% |

Start Date:

ASAP |

Reports To:

Chief Operating Officer and General Counsel

Democrats for Education Reform (DFER) is seeking a Director of Accounting & Finance to direct and oversee all aspects of the finance and accounting functions for its multi‑entity organization (501(c)(3), 501(c)(4), and a Political Action Committee). The role involves direct responsibility for accounting, finance, cash flow, budgeting, internal and external audits, and legal and management reporting. The Director is a key strategic partner to the executive team, providing the financial insight necessary to advance the organization’s mission.

• Lead efforts to manage the organization’s financial resources, supporting its commitment to advancing its mission through strategic fiscal planning, strong financial reporting, and analysis.
• Sustain robust financial systems and internal controls to safeguard assets, ensure compliance, and provide accurate and timely financial data to support strategic decision‑making.
• Provide strategic financial guidance and support to the executive leadership team, department heads, and program staff on budgeting, forecasting, and fiscal management.
• Lead the annual audit and 990 preparation process, serving as the primary liaison with external auditors.
• Act as a strategic partner by developing and delivering forward‑thinking, usable financial reporting and dashboards that translate complex data into actionable insights for program, development, and advocacy staff.
• Continuously evaluate the status of short and long‑term strategic financial objectives and provide advice on the financial implications of business activities.
• Provide timely and accurate analysis of budgets, financial trends, and forecasts.
• Establish and maintain strong relationships with senior executives to identify needs and provide responsive reporting and financial strategies.
• Manage cash flow and forecasting; optimize banking relationships and initiate appropriate strategies to enhance cash positions.
• Ensure that effective internal controls are in place and safeguard assets, complying with GAAP and applicable federal, state, and local regulatory laws and rules for financial and tax reporting.
• Maintain a cost‑sharing allocation model to accurately distribute costs across the entities; ensure proper implementation of cost share and grant agreements; establish processes to monitor program activity for compliance with grant agreements.
• Maintain separate financial records for each entity while producing consolidated financial statements for organizational leadership and the Board.
• Manage intercompany transactions, allocations, cash settlements, and transfers, ensuring proper documentation and compliance with all legal restrictions.
• Ensure the timely and accurate processing of accounts payable, accounts receivable, payroll, and support the Development team with grants administration.
• Partner with external auditors to execute the annual audit process and prepare and file all required regulatory reports, including Form 990, Form 990‑T, Form 1120‑POL, and state charity and PAC reports.
• Manage processes for financial forecasting and reporting, including leading the annual organization budgeting and planning process.
• Prepare monthly financial statements, financial packages, and other informational reports and analyses.
• Monitor financial performance against budget, analyze variances, and provide actionable insights to support national departments, state chapters, and special projects.
• Provide financial data and analysis to support grant proposals and donor reports for the Development team and to ensure programmatic compliance.
• Manage and develop the finance and accounting team, fostering a culture of high performance and continuous improvement.
• Evaluate, implement, and manage financial systems and software (such as Net Suite) to enhance operational efficiency.

• Bachelor’s degree in Accounting; CPA certification strongly preferred.
• 7+ years of progressive financial leadership roles, with at…