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Brooklyn Kindergarten Society (BKS) has dedicated itself to providing high quality early childhood education to children from low-income families for the last 130 years. We serve pre-school children in full-day educational classes, each enriched with pre-literacy and language programs as well as arts and music instruction. BKS recognizes that families – the key to children’s success – often benefit from resources and support beyond the classroom. To that end, our social services staff provides counseling, referral services, and workshops for children and their families. We were rated one of the top seven school readiness programs in Greater New York (out of 1,700 organizations reviewed) by Root Cause Foundation. We provide full day, year round care for children who are stimulated by the various curriculum studies initiated by them and guided by the principles of the Creative Curriculum.
JOB PURPOSE
BKS seeks a Deputy Director of Finance to manage a full range of finance and accounting functions at our agency. As a member of the Executive Team the Deputy Director will provide strategic insight and support to other members of the Executive Team, Executive Director, Board of Directors, and Finance and Audit Committee. This position is responsible for setting policies and procedures to support sound financial practices and ensuring that the appropriate infrastructure and systems are in place to support continued growth and evolution of the agency.
Scope of Influence
Plan, develop, organize, implement, direct, and evaluate the organization’s fiscal function and performance with input from key stakeholders
Communicate with external clients with professionalism and deep internal knowledge about BKS’s finances
KEY RESPONSIBILITIES AND ACCOUNTABILITIES
Financial Activities
Direct the financial planning and analysis of the organization. Develop projections and models in support of future initiatives of the organization working with the Executive Team.
Establish and/or maintain general business and operational processes related to expenditures, disbursements, and budgetary allocations as well as the proper assignment of receivables. Identify collection needs and negotiate with collection agencies.
Prepare budgets, invoices and modifications for DOE- Early Learn, UPK and Head Start programs.
Report financial activities and results to the Executive Director, Executive Committee, Board of Directors, principally through monthly and annual reports. Provide timely and accurate analysis of budgets, financial reports, and financial trends.
Lead development of the annual budget, including the establishment of budget guidelines and instructions for staff.
Direct the annual audit program for the agency. Facilitate selection of and serve as liaison with external auditor. Coordinate scheduling, target report dates, committee review and board presentation. Implement annual audit recommendations consistent with resources available.
Provide effective policies, practices and tools to improve financial operations, including effective budgeting processes to better align resources with strategy, and enable visibility into and effective management of revenue and spending.
Manage financial reporting and compliance with new and existing grants. Coordinate reporting and communications with existing finance staff members.
Analyze cash accounts, accounts receivable, accounts payable, payroll, variance reports and expenses accounts
Supervision and Leadership
Provide oversight, leadership, and supervision of the Finance Department, including center level bookkeepers. Maintain integrity of transactions, and continuity of operations and accuracy of results.
Manage, mentor, and develop a strong, integrated finance team, managing work allocation, training, problem resolution, performance evaluation, and team dynamics.
Execute consistent performance management, providing specific actionable feedback about job task proficiency, responsibilities and professional behaviors; identify performance that does not meet standards and support performance improvement; support professional development of finance team members.
Compliance and Risk Management
Direct the agency’s risk management. Evaluate insurance needs and coverage as it relates to staff, member, volunteer and society business and other activity. Identify new or additional insurance needs. Oversee all renewals.
Manage the organization’s banking and fiduciary relationships.
Liaise with the Development team to ensure timely receipt of all pledge payments and ensure donor restrictions are adhered to and correctly reflected in financial statements.
Monitor financial laws and regulations impacting non-profit organizations, maintain fiscal compliance and internal controls across all areas of responsibility, and recommend processes and strategies to meet legal and policy requirements.
Maintain oversight and compliance of all external financial reporting and ensure that internal reporting metrics and processes are tied to the strategy and operations of the organization.
Qualifications:
Minimum of Bachelor’s Degree in Business Administration, Economics, Accounting, Finance or related degree
Certified Public Accountant required
Minimum 10+ years in financial leadership roles serving the non-profit sector
Ability to negotiate contracts, understanding the benefits and risks of contractual arrangements
Commitment to results; “can-do” mindset; outstanding problem-solving ability
Experience working with external auditors (audit, tax and employee benefit plan returns)
Effective motivational and staff leadership abilities
Excellent oral and written communication skills
Integrity in financial dealings
