Director, Finance and Accounting
Reports to Chief Financial Officer Full Time
Supervises Finance & Accounting Staff
Location: Hybrid work environment. Strong preference for Minneapolis-based, open to other Alight Hub locations including Washington, D.C. or New York.
Hello Hello! So you're interested in joining us? Welcome, we're happy you're here.
When you join Alight, you'll find...
A team with deep experience in co-designing solutions that create new value around the world. We know we need to always be better, and we believe in the power and abundance of everyday people, everywhere, to change the world with us.
A culture of radical accountability to our customers -as we help build a meaningful life for and with the displaced, we ask them what they want and then deliver on it.
An organization that refuses to settle for anything less than delivering human-worthy services.
If you are looking to be part of a living, breathing, ever-changing organization full of disrupters and doers, then read on!
We strive to represent the diverse communities we serve. Applicants who contribute to this diversity and those who bring lived experience with displacement are strongly encouraged to apply.
The Team
The Finance Department provides leadership, guidance and oversight of the financial resources and financial reporting of Alight and its Affiliate organizations. These operations include planning, accountability, monitoring, headquarters accounting, field financial support, internal controls, and financial and tax reporting meeting US GAAP and international accounting standards.
The Role
The Director of Finance and Accounting is responsible for overall financial management, reporting, and internal control systems of the organization, which includes ensuring compliance with audit standards, grant compliance, and proper handling of donor funds, as well as liaison with Enterprises, Affiliates and the Finance Committee.
They will protect Alight's financial assets by establishing financial policies, procedures, controls and reporting systems. The Director will ensure legal and regulatory compliance for all accounting and financial reporting functions and oversee cost and general accounting, accounts receivable, and risk management.
The Director of Finance and Accounting will demonstrate the highest standard of integrity, leadership, and credibility inside the organization and in representation to donors and auditors.
The Director of Finance and Accounting will be a member of the Platform Management Team and will be expected to make significant contributions to the strategic and operations planning of Alight.
Building a shared organization takes time and intention. We will always be becoming Alight, which means your work will evolve as well. For now, here's how you could anticipate spending your time:
US GAAP Financial Reporting and Tax reporting - 20%
- Maintain policies and procedures that comply with all US GAAP reporting standards.
- Incorporate International Accounting standards where appropriate in international entities.
- Manage the annual financial audit and reporting including audit preparation, timeliness, and accuracy of the audited financials.
- Manage the preparation of 990 annual reporting with the external audit team for Alight and the Affiliates.
Financial Accountability, Risk Management and Compliance-20%
- Foster financial leadership, efficiency, process documentation and fiscal discipline throughout the organization through the development, administration, review, and updating of financial policies, procedures, and plans.
- Develop and maintain a highly structured, rules-based finance system that is transparent and verifiable.
- Provide risk management tools and monitoring to ensure that controls are both adequate and efficient. Lead investigation teams when risk issues are identified.
- Ensure that all expenditures conform to all requirements and procedures set forth by donors, grant requirements, and generally accepted accounting principles.
- Ensure correct monthly consolidation and reconciliation of the Global Support, Enterprise and Affiliate trial balances.
- Assist Alight Enterprises and Affiliate organizations with periodic grantor audits.
Manage Global Support Accounting Team -10%
- Responsible for accurate and timely Global Support office accounting, payroll, and tax reporting activities.
- Ensure high level of productivity and timely submission of internal and external financial reports and provide timely and accurate flow of information on expenses and revenues to ensure proper grant management within budgets.
Provide Technical Support for Global Support, Enterprises, and Affiliates-20%
- Deliver accounting and system support to Alight Enterprises and Affiliates through integrated updated accounting, reporting, and management systems and tools. (Currently Serenic/Sylogist, Blackline, BMO Spend Dynamics, SharePoint, and Payroll systems.)
- Monitor, evaluate and recommend improvements in financial management policies and procedures for Enterprises and Affiliates and provide documentation to meet audit standards.
Financial Planning and Budgeting-20% - Support the forecasting of Alight's future monetary needs.
- Support the development of annual budgets for Alight, Enterprises, Affiliates and Global Support offices.
- Monitor financial reports for Alight's executive team, senior management team, Enterprises, Affiliates and boards of directors.
•Monitor cash flow so revenue is available to support needs of programs and communicate regularly with Chief Financial Officer concerning any issues and provide guidance for remedies. Leadership and Team Development (Global Support, Enterprises, and Affiliates)-10% - Supervise and lead finance staff. This includes being fully staffed; ensuring staff are properly trained on duties and expectations are clear; conducting assessments and providing coaching and feedback timely and appropriately.
- Develop staff capacity through mentoring and training.
- Partner with Enterprise managers and Affiliate CEOs to manage finance staff.
- Partner with Office of the People when staffing and recruiting for open finance positions
Qualifications
Open heart and open mind. You start by listening. You believe another person's truth and it changes you. It unlocks your way of thinking in that moment, it opens your world.
Curiosity. You are always learning. You ask why and why again. You know that change (big and small) is constant, which means your curiosity to learn is matched with adaptability to evolve.
Trust. You believe that people do their best, are disciplined, and care about this as much as you do. You take responsibility for your part and know how to step back and give others the space to shine.
We're also looking for the following technical competencies:
- Undergraduate degree in finance/accounting; master's degree in accounting/finance or related field preferred. CPA preferred. Strong GAAP and Management reporting experience.
- At least 10 years advanced finance, accounting, and senior management experience, preferably in the humanitarian sector. Other non-profit or government experience helpful.
- Strong computer skills and experience with accounting software packages, preferably Serenic/Sylogist Mission.
- Experience with USAID and government grants strongly preferred.
Key behaviors & abilities:
- Strong leadership ability.
- Ability to motivate staff.
- Excellent organizational management skills; ability to prioritize multiple tasks and meet deadlines.
- Good interpersonal skills and flexibility.
- Excellent oral and written communications skills.
- Lead and manage effectively in high stress situations.
- Strong passion for humanitarian causes.
- Ability to travel internationally as required.
Benefits
Compensation: Salary range starts at $120,000 commensurate with experience
Borderless Team of 2,500 staff worldwide that sees possibility, celebrates moments of abundance, shares new ideas, and strives to do a better thing every day.
Family Friendly - We know that you are a whole person with a life and a family. We honor this. In return, we expect that you will take ownership of your work and follow-through on your commitments; sometimes that means flexing your schedule and we're good with that.
Learning & Development - Access hundreds of free online learning courses to take at your own pace and tailor to your professional goals.
Health, dental, and MedEvac Insurance - We strive to offer the best-in-class healthcare plans to our staff each year. We cover 100% of the cost for your health premium and 75% of the cost for coverage for your spouse/dependents.
Retirement - We contribute 6% of your salary regardless of your contribution amount, after one year of service.
Generous Leave Time - Between vacation days, personal leave days, and holidays, you have ample opportunity to take time off when you need it.
Alight
We are on a journey to build Alight, a new platform of amazing people and organizations providing lifesaving services and creating breakthrough solutions for and with the displaced. WeAreAlight.org
Alight is an Equal Opportunity Employer offering employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, age, national origin, citizenship, physical or mental disability, or protected veteran status. Alight complies with all applicable laws governing nondiscrimination in employment.