Director of Finance

GHJ Search and Staffing serves as the recruitment division of GHJ, a prominent national accounting and advisory firm. Our team provides qualified Accounting and Finance professionals on a temporary and permanent basis across a broad range of industries. GHJ’s relationship with our Global Advisory and Accounting Network provides the resources needed to better understand client’s needs, attract a higher caliber of candidates and assess candidate potential.

GHJ Search and Staffing has been exclusively retained to conduct a Director of Finance search for the LA Conservation Corps.

About LA Conservation Corps

The LA Conservation Corps was founded in 1985 by former U.S Secretary of Commerce Mickey Kantor and a group of passionate Los Angeles civic leaders who were inspired by the Civilian Conservation Corps, which provided jobs, education, and hope to young men during the Great Depression. The Young Adult Corps program began operations in 1986 in a decommissioned fire station with 27 former gang members who were committed to turning their lives around. Since then, we have helped thousands of underprepared young adults engage in the job market, complete their high school education, and point their lives in a positive direction. Clean & Green was established in 1988 to offer a “first job experience” to middle and high school students during school breaks and teach a solid work ethic and marketable job skills that will benefit them all their lives. In 1993, we started the After School Program to fill gaps in the public education system.

We have led the way in a national conservation and service corps movement that encompasses more than 100 corps in every state and the District of Columbia. These programs exist in urban and rural communities and employ more than 26,000 young people annually in a variety of conservation and service projects.

Mission

We create equitable opportunities for young people to build resilience in themselves, their communities and the environment through a program of work, education and support.

• Oversee all accounting activities of the organization and ensure compliance with appropriate GAAP standards and regulatory requirements.
• Design and maintain accounting information systems (i.e., Sage Intacct and Questica and SAP Concur) to produce timely and relevant financial data for internal decision-making purposes and for meeting funding agencies’, regulatory and other external requirements; assist in the on-going upgrades of the Sage Intacct accounting system.
• Establish, maintain and monitor internal controls system to ensure accurate accounting and reporting.
• Lead Accounts Payable system and staff, ensuring vendors are paid correctly in accordance with the terms and that related expenses are properly recorded.
• Lead Accounts Receivable process and integration for data between operations/programs and the accounting system; manage a team of Billing Specialists.
• Oversee the tracking and reporting of the organization’s temporarily and permanently restricted funds and administer timely releases.
• Prepare organizational cash flow forecasting by working in partnership with program and development leadership, as well as other senior management.
• With Compliance Officer & General Counsel, lead the annual audit process and maintain strong relationship with external auditors; oversee the process of the fiscal audit preparation, Form 5500, Form 990 as well as funder, insurance, IRS and other annual compliance audits and return filings; oversee the annual preparation of 1099s.
• Support the Chief Executive Officer and Chief Administrative Officer in engaging the Board of Directors’ Finance Committee around issues and trends in financial operating models and delivery.
• Support annual budgeting and planning process as well as ad hoc analyses, as appropriate.
• Ensure that federal, state and local tax reporting compliance requirements and other filings are met.

• Supervise subordinate managers who each supervise employees in Finance/Accounting.
• Build a highly effective team with attention to goals, roles and communication and professional development.
• Ensure the team consistently demonstrates exceptional performance and mastery of available technology.
• Encourage ongoing learning and development to keep team members’ skills current and relevant and position the team as a key resource in critical strategic, financial and operational decisions.
• Ensure staff is cross-trained and supported in their professional growth to enhance overall organizational capacity.
• Other duties may be assigned as needed.

• Consistently prepare, review and analyze financial data and present financial reports in an accurate and timely manner to sites, departments and the organization. Ensure reports provide Site Directors, department heads and senior leaders with the information needed to make key decisions about the finances of their site or department.
• Ensure proper booking in accordance with financial plans and forecasts and review actual results with a goal to identify, explain and correct variances as appropriate.
• Update the Chart of Accounts when needed to address analysis requirements while maintaining a clean and organized operating structure.
• Complete month-end close within 12 business days, with a goal of attaining a 10-business-day close.
• Lead monthly financial statement review meetings with program management and Executive Management Team.
• Collaborate with Development on all fundraising/development accounting to ensure that revenue and expenditures are consistently and accurately captured in financial systems and are consistent with funder requirements. Partner with the Development Department to develop clear and accurate grant budgets and reports.
• Support the Development Department in collecting all pledges and commitments in a timely manner.
• Reconcile the Director of Development & Communications records with the Accounting Department’s records in a timely manner to ensure all parties have accurate information.
• Build and maintain relationships to develop strong connections with banks, investors, grantors, and financial institutions. Serve as the primary financial contact, ensuring clear communication and compliance with reporting requirements.
• Collaborate and secure resources to negotiate favorable financial terms, manage external reporting, and engage in industry networks to support the organization's financial goals and access new opportunities.
• Build a system of checklists, processes and procedures that accomplish the following:
• Ensure internal controls are in place that protect the organization against fraud and provide assurances that the Corps’ accounting records are accurate and complete.
• Streamline inefficiencies within the organization; develop systems and processes that minimize the amount of effort required by the Corps’ staff to complete administrative tasks such as timesheets, expense reports and invoice processing, while maintaining airtight internal controls.
• Implement a continual cycle of review of processes and procedures to ensure that the Corps is running a best practices accounting department.
• Proactively identify and mitigate risk to continuously evaluate potential financial risks, including credit, liquidity, operational, and market risks.
• Develop strategies to mitigate these risks and protect the organization’s financial health. Implement risk management processes, create contingency plans, and regularly review and update strategies, ensuring compliance with regulations and providing senior management with reports on key risks and mitigation efforts.

• REQUIRED EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE
• Bachelor’s degree (from an accredited institution).
• At least five (5) years of relevant experience in finance and accounting.

• PREFERRED EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE
• Master’s degree in Business Administration/CPA or related degree.
• Significant experience with non-profit accounting systems, fund accounting and government funding compliance.
• Working knowledge of Questica budgeting software and Sage Intacct accounting system.

• OTHER DUTIES AND REQUIREMENTS
• Attend events and meetings in the community to support the organization. This can involve working weekends, as needed.
• Must be COVID-19 vaccinated and be able to provide supporting documentation.
• California Driver’s License, validation of driving record for commercial policy insurability per the requirements of the state of California.
• Occasional use of private vehicle for company purposes; validation of driving record and approval of commercial policy insurability is required in conjunction with proof of personal minimum liability insurance coverage per the requirements of the State of California. Mileage will be reimbursed at the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) standard mileage rate.

$140,000 - $165,000 a year

LA Conservation Corps is partnering on this search with GHJ Search and Staffing. Please direct all inquiries to Derrick Coleman, Partner and Practice Leader, at No other agency referrals please.