AMERICAN POLITICAL SCIENCE ASSOCIATION (APSA) POSITION                                      ANNOUNCEMENT - Director of Finance
The American Political Science Association (APSA) seeks a collaborative and efficiency-oriented Director of Finance to lead all financial operations for APSA. The Director of Finance will be responsible for maintaining the timely and effective operation of the finance department. S/he/They will oversee the maintenance and exercise of accounting principles, practices, and procedures to ensure accurate and timely financial statements. The Director is responsible for ensuring that work is properly allocated and completed in a timely and accurate manner. The Director collaborates closely with the Executive Director on the planning and implementation of new programs, systems, and software to increase the efficiency and user-friendliness of APSA Finance and Administration. The Director also works closely with the APSA treasurer, APSA council, the Audit Committee, and the Investment Committee.
The Director oversees the preparation of a budget of approximately $9 million annually, grants, contracts, investments, payroll, cash flow projections and monitoring, financial reports and tax filings, internal controls, and management of external audit activities. Additionally, financial management of multiple awards, restricted and endowed funds and oversees the management of two buildings owned by the Association, including its historic headquarters building in the Dupont Circle neighborhood of DC.

REPORTING RELATIONSHIP
Reports to the Executive Director

SUPERVISION EXERCISED
1 Accounting Manager and 2 Staff Accountants

FLSA STATUS
This position is considered exempt under the Fair Labor Standards Act and is therefore not eligible for overtime pay.

ESSENTIAL RESPONSIBILITIES

Strategy, Vision and Leadership
• Demonstrate a broad-based level of understanding and experience across complex nonprofit and association finance to advise the executive director and other key members of senior management on matters related to financial planning, budgeting, cash flow, investment priorities, revenue projections, earned income, and overall strategic issues.

• Serve as the financial management liaison to the council including the APSA Treasurer, Investment Committee, and Audit Committee; effectively communicate and present critical financial matters at council and committee meetings.

• Adept at financial modeling and forecasting to inform cash flow projections and aid strategic decision-making.

• Collaborates with the Executive Director to plan and implement overall department goals and objectives, including the design and implementation of special projects such as new accounting and payroll systems, revised and updated chart of accounts, and workflow process improvements.

• Completes annual performance reports for supervisees and addresses any personnel issues relating to team member conflicts, absenteeism or performance issues within the finance department on an as
needed basis.

Finance and Administration
•Maintain appropriate systems of financial policies, internal controls, accounting standards, and procedures, with the ability to identify and promote areas of efficiency throughout all processes.

•Lead the annual budget process.

•In consultation with the investment advisor and the Investment Committee, monitor investment portfolio performance and prepare investment reports for the APSA council and APSA Executive Team .

•Oversee administrative and operational accounting services such as 403-B plan, grants payment processing, payroll, accounts payable, and purchasing.

•Prepares monthly and quarterly financial reports for review by Executive Director, Council, and/or related governance committees. Prepares quarterly and annual reporting on investment and capital asset reports, and ensures that reports are properly recorded, amortized, and disposed of as appropriate.

•Ensure a clean and timely year-end audit as well as accurate and timely monthly, quarterly, and year-end close.

•Develop and maintain timely and accurate financial statements and reports that are appropriate for users and in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP).

•Respond to inquiries from the Executive Director and other APSA managers regarding financial results and special reporting requests.

•Lead organizational cash flow analysis and forecasting.

•Develop, implement, and ensure compliance with internal financial and accounting policies and procedures.

•Implement a robust contracts management and financial management/ reporting system; ensure that the contract billing and collection schedule is followed.

•Provide oversight and leadership to the Finance team to ensure accurate, timely, and complete work, and to support the professional development and growth of the team.

•Ensure all business policies and accounting practices are documented and remain current.

•Collaborate with the Director, Human Resources to implement and maintain optimal technologies with respect to payroll processing and leave accounting. Oversee all payroll functions to ensure that employees are paid in a timely and accurate manner.

Tax Management Operations
•Work closely with outside accountants to ensure the timely preparation and submission of IRS tax forms 990 and 990T.

•Work with our outside firm on the timely preparation and submission of IRS tax form 5500.

•Maintain tax balances on general ledger.

•Keep abreast of changes in the federal and District tax laws affecting APSA and advise team on tax- related issues.

•Analyze IRS notices and drafts responses.

Building and Physical Asset Management
•Ensure association properties and workspaces are managed to their full potential to provide a safe and attractive environment for association employees and tenants, and to ensure the long-term sustainability of physical assets.

•Research and pursue opportunities to maintain historic building status, identify appropriate resources and necessary upkeep required to maintain that status.

All other duties as assigned.

APSA uses SAGE Intacct, ADP, and Microsoft Office software.

ESSENTIAL SKILLS & EXPERIENCE

• Minimum of a B.A., MBA/CPA or advanced degree in accounting (or similar field) preferred.

• Minimum of ten years’ experience in nonprofit organization financial management. Prior experience in academic associations preferred.

• Thorough knowledge of internal control procedures, Generally Accepted Accounting Procedures (GAAP), financial management software systems and ability to utilize various software programs to analyze and maintain large amounts of data.

• Experience in cloud-based systems for accounting, payroll, human resources (desired), and association management. Experience with ADP and Sage Intacct preferred.

• Experience in supervising and mentoring staff and managing resources.

• Proven expertise in analyzing and preparing monthly and yearly financial reports.

• Demonstrated creativity, organizational skills and ability to work independently and collaboratively as a member of a team.

• Strong interpersonal and excellent written and oral presentation skills.

• An appreciation and understanding of diverse practices and an interest in advancing APSA’s work to identify and address systemic inequities in the system across departments is a plus.

• Must be diplomatic, energetic, a skilled communicator, flexible and resourceful, and exhibit a spirit of intellectual curiosity.

• Ability to travel at least once a year to the APSA annual conference (Valid international travel documents might be needed)