Director of Finance
Founded in 1989, the Asian American Federation (AAF) is one of the strongest leadership voices advocating for better policies, services, and funding that lead to more justice and opportunity for Asian immigrants, one of the most historically under-resourced communities in New York City. As an umbrella leadership organization, we represent 70 community-based organizations serving 1.5 million Asian New Yorkers, the fastest-growing population in the city.
Overview:
AAF is seeking an experienced Director of Finance (DoF) to lead the organization’s financial operations, accounting, budgeting, forecasting, reporting, and compliance functions. Reporting to the COO and managing the Finance Team, the DoF will serve as a key thought partner to senior leadership, ensuring strong financial stewardship while developing systems and processes that support AAF’s continued growth and impact. The ideal candidate brings strong nonprofit accounting expertise, with the ability to translate financial information into actionable insights for organizational leaders. This individual will be a hands-on, collaborative leader with the ability to translate complex financial information into clear, actionable insights for organizational leaders. The successful candidate will be equally comfortable overseeing day-to-day financial operations and contributing to long-term financial planning and strategy.Key Responsibilities:
Strategic Partnership & Leadership- Serve as a primary advisor to the COO and executive leadership, delivering financial modeling, risk analysis, and scenario projections and forecasting to guide strategy to support organizational planning, resource allocation, revenue strategy, and decision-making.
- Develop financial models, scenario analyses, and projections to evaluate strategic initiatives, new programs, funding opportunities, organizational growth, and other significant business decisions.
- Partner with senior leadership and program teams to assess the financial implications and sustainability of new programs, contracts, partnerships, and organizational initiatives, including funding requirements, staffing, cost structures, cash-flow implications, organizational capacity, and financial risk.
- Present clear financial performance metrics, cash-flow analysis, financial trends, opportunities, and strategic insights to senior leadership, the Board of Directors, and relevant committees into clear, actionable recommendations.
- Lead the annual organizational budgeting, forecasting, and financial planning process, providing department heads with regular budget-to-actual reporting, revenue monitoring, and variance analysis throughout the year and partnering to develop realistic programs and team budgets.
- Manage the annual audit process and coordinate required tax, regulatory, compliance, and financial filings alongside external auditors and legal advisors.
- Manage organizational cash flow and liquidity, including short- and long-term cash forecasting, accounts receivable and reimbursement timing, and liquidity planning to ensure AAF can meet its operating and programmatic obligations.
- Oversee the integrity of the general ledger and key accounting functions, including accounts receivable, accounts payable, payroll, reconciliations, cash management, and month- and year-end close processes, ensuring complete, accurate, and timely financial records – ensuring strict GAAP compliance.
- Establish, strengthen, and maintain robust internal controls, financial policies and practices, segregation of duties, and data security protocols to safeguard organizational assets and to improve forecasting accuracy, accountability, and visibility into the organization’s current and projected financial position.
- Evaluate and modernize accounting, budgeting, and grant-management technology to enhance reporting capabilities, data integrity, and cross-departmental efficiency.
- Oversee financial management for grants, gifts, and contracts, ensuring accurate revenue recognition, donor-restricted fund tracking, cost allocations, and funder compliance.
- Partner with Development and program leadership to review the financial components of prospective and awarded grants and contracts, including proposed budgets, funding restrictions, direct and indirect costs, cost-allocation methodologies, reporting requirements, reimbursement structures, and cash-flow implications.
- Assess the financial feasibility and organizational capacity associated with funding opportunities and help ensure AAF can meet financial, operational, reporting, and compliance obligations before and throughout the funding period.
- Monitor grant and contract financial performance and collaborate with program and Development teams to identify and address budget variances, reimbursement delays, funding gaps, compliance concerns, and other financial risks.
- Supervise finance staff and/or consultants as the team grows and build the capacity of the team through ongoing training and development. Establish clear performance expectations, operational workflows, and growth opportunities.
- Partner with the Board Treasurer and relevant Board committees on financial oversight and governance, including collaborating with the Treasurer on the annual budgeting process and ongoing financial performance; supporting the Audit Committee in its oversight of the annual audit and related financial matters; and working with the Investment Committee to support oversight and monitoring of AAF’s investment portfolio in accordance with Board-approved policies and organizational objectives.
Qualifications
The ideal candidate will have most, if not all, of the following professional and personal qualities, skills, and characteristics:- A Bachelor’s degree in Accounting, Finance, or a related field, or an equivalent combination of education and relevant experience. CPA or advanced degree is a plus;
- 7+ years of progressively responsible accounting and finance experience, including significant experience in nonprofit financial management; demonstrating expertise in nonprofit accounting, including restricted and unrestricted funding, grant accounting, cost allocation, and government and private funding sources;
- 4+ years of experience managing nonprofit financial operations and supervising staff;
- Extensive Experience with New York City and/or New York State government contracts, reimbursement requirements, cost allocation, and compliance is strongly preferred;
- Proficiency with QuickBooks Online or comparable accounting systems, with demonstrated ability to improve financial systems, reporting, and workflows;
- Strong analytical and problem-solving skills, with the ability to interpret financial information and communicate key findings to both financial and non-financial stakeholders;
- Exceptional attention to detail, organizational skills, and ability to manage multiple priorities and deadlines;
- Strong interpersonal and collaborative skills, with the ability to work effectively across departments and with a diverse team; and
- Commitment to AAF’s mission, values, and work in support of Asian American communities.