Finance Director

Company Description

The Cincinnati-Hamilton County Community Action Agency (CAA) is a private, nonprofit organization that has been serving Hamilton County for over four decades. Focused on empowering low-income children, adults, and families, CAA provides a wide range of services, including employment assistance, housing support, early childhood education, and energy efficiency programs. Supported by a dedicated team of over 300 employees, CAA strives to end poverty and improve quality of life through innovative and impactful solutions. As part of the national Community Action Partnership, CAA works collaboratively to create opportunities and foster self-sufficiency within the community. The organization's mission emphasizes advocacy, service provision, and community support to uplift individuals and families.

Position Summary:

The Finance Director is a key member of the organization’s leadership team, responsible for overseeing all day-to-day accounting and finance functions to ensure financial sustainability, grant compliance, and support for the organization’s mission. Reporting to the Chief Financial Officer (CFO), who is engaged to maintain financial alignment with the mission and organizational strategy, the Finance Director leads the internal Finance & Accounting team and collaborates with leadership to provide strategic financial insights that enable the organization’s continued impact.

Key Responsibilities:

Financial Leadership & Strategy

• Partner with the CFO to develop and implement financial strategies that advance the organization’s mission and long-term sustainability.
• Serve as a financial leader and thought partner on the leadership team, contributing to strategic planning and decision-making.
• Translate strategic financial guidance from the CFO into actionable internal processes and workflows.
• Provide financial analysis and recommendations to support programmatic decisions and new initiatives.

Financial Management & Oversight

• Oversee all day-to-day accounting, financial management, and reporting functions of the organization.
• Lead the annual budgeting process in collaboration with the CFO and leadership team; manage ongoing budget tracking and reforecasting.
• Prepare timely and accurate financial reports for the CFO, Executive Director, Board of Directors, and other stakeholders.
• Ensure effective management of cash flow, balance sheet, and restricted/unrestricted funding.

Grant Management & Compliance

• Manage financial aspects of approximately 25+ grants, ensuring compliance with funder requirements and accurate financial reporting.
• Collaborate with Program and Development staff on grant budgeting, spending, and reporting.
• Maintain rigorous tracking of restricted and unrestricted funds, ensuring that expenditures align with grant restrictions and organizational priorities.
• Oversee preparation of grant-specific financial reports in coordination with program staff and the CFO.

Team Leadership & Operations

• Lead, mentor, and manage the Finance & Accounting team, including direct reports such as Sr. Accountant, Accounting Manager, and/or Grants Manager.
• Develop team capacity and foster a collaborative and accountable work culture.
• Build financial literacy across the organization by supporting program and leadership staff in understanding budget management and grant compliance.

Compliance, Audit, & Risk Management

• Ensure compliance with GAAP, regulatory requirements, and funder guidelines.
• Manage the preparation for annual financial audit and serve as the primary liaison to external auditors, in collaboration with the CFO.
• Maintain effective internal controls, policies, and procedures to safeguard the organization’s assets and ensure transparency.
• Monitor and mitigate financial risks.

Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree in Accounting, Finance, or related field (Master’s or CPA preferred).
• 7–10 years of progressive finance/accounting experience, including at least 3 years in a leadership role.
• Significant experience in nonprofit financial management and grant-funded operations.
• Demonstrated ability to manage complex budgets and multiple funding streams.
• Strong working knowledge of GAAP, nonprofit accounting standards, and grant compliance requirements.
• Proven ability to lead and develop a high-performing finance team.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to explain financial concepts to non-financial staff.
• Proficiency with financial software and solutions.

Core Competencies:

• Mission-Driven Financial Leadership
• Strategic and Analytical Thinking
• Grant and Fund Management Expertise
• Collaborative Leadership & Team Development
• Effective Communication
• Ethical Integrity and Accountability