Description

Full Time: Monday to Friday: 8:30 am to 5:00 pm

Salary: $130,000 to $140,000 / Exempt

Hybrid - Remote & Office

Benefits and Perks: Supportive, fun and friendly team environment!

*** Clients/Families we serve reside in the South Los Angeles, Compton, Watts and Lynwood area.

SHIELDS’ mission is to develop, deliver and evaluate culturally sensitive, comprehensive service models that empower and advocate for high-risk families in South Los Angeles.

SHIELDS for Families is a non-profit community-based organization dedicated to developing, delivering, and evaluating culturally sensitive, comprehensive service models that empower and advocate for high-risk families in South Los Angeles for over 20 years. SHIELDS has been instrumental in informing legislation, piloting service models that work, and implementing programs that have real success. SHIELDS programs have helped save millions of County dollars, reduced the amount of time children and families spent “in the system”, and has helped break the cycles of untreated mental health, child abuse, poverty, and substance abuse. Today, SHIELDS is a nationally and internationally recognized organization that offers award-winning programs in Los Angeles’ most challenged communities.

The organization has grown to serve more than 10,000 families each year, employing more than 350 full-time staff, with an annual budget of more than $30 million from federal, state, and local funding sources. SHIELDS operates 38 programs and serves as the lead agency with four collaborative networks. Programs are collaborative and comprehensive, spanning across three main divisions including community and family, behavioral health, and supportive services.

Job Summary

Reporting to the Chief Administrative Officer, the Controller will lead all day-to-day operations of the finance department, including budget development and analysis, accounts payable and receivable, general ledger, payroll, relationship management with banks and other vendors, and audit preparation.

The Controller will be charged with identifying new opportunities to improve efficiencies, eliminate backlogs, and respond proactively to other department needs. Analyze existing processes and systems and work closely with the CEO and executive management team to streamline current systems, leverage new information technology, and establish standard operating procedures that provide maximum benefits to all parties involved.

Strategic Financial Management

• Oversees the establishment of accounting policies and procedures in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles, proper controls and the requirements of funding source contracts.
• Manage all accounts, ledgers, and reporting systems ensuring compliance with appropriate GAAP standards and regulatory requirements. Maintain internal controls safeguards for the receipt of revenue, costs and both program budgets and actual expenditures.
• Collaborate with members of the leadership team in drafting, reviewing and verifying accuracy of annual program budgets.
• Manage cash flow and forecasting for SHIELDS.
• Optimize the handling of banking relationships and initiate appropriate strategies to enhance cash positions. Initiates and maintains effective working relationships with banks and other financial institutions to ensure the Agency receives proper service; maintains effective working relationships with the programs and financial representatives of funding agencies as appropriate.
• Provides direction to the general accounting functions including payroll, accounts receivable and payable, and the general ledger; development and production of management information/financial reports; financial and operational audits; cash management, investments and insurances.
• Prepares for/assists with all County, State, and organizational audits; responds to audits; implements changes/procedures as necessary; and ensures that all County, State, Federal, and other required reports are completed/submitted on a timely basis.
• Provides oversight and direction to the annual budget process, provides advice and guidance to program managers; implements and controls expenditures to ensure compliance with approved budget and contracts. Oversee budgeting, and the implementation of budgets, so as to monitor progress and present financial metrics both internally and externally.
• Interprets the financial details and requirements of contracts and grants in order to develop compliant procedures and policies.
• Directs preparation of financial analyses, documents and reports required to meet agency and/or regulatory reporting requirements; ensures all funding sources are provided with accurate, complete and timely reports in accordance with contracts.
• Directs the preparation and filing of necessary tax schedules in a timely manner, ensuring accuracy and completeness of data.

Team Leadership

• Provide the necessary training and development for staff. Identifies staff training needs and ensures staff participate in appropriate training; monitors results of training to ensure department goals are met.
• Manage work load issues effectively to create a workplace that increases staff retention, and strengthens communication within and outside the department.
• Works with the CEO and executive management team in developing, implementing and monitoring short term and long range financial plans and budgets; advises on the financial implications of strategies.
• Performs managerial duties including interviewing applicants for employment; sets, assigns and reviews progress of goals; conducts performance appraisals and recommends/approves salary increases; and develops higher levels of expertise in staff by encouraging further education, participation in seminars and providing learning opportunities within the organization.
• Ensures employees are trained and are compliant with Agency policies and procedures.
• Supports the programmatic, financial goals of SHIELDS.
• Markets organization goals to subordinate staff.
• Participates as a member on various management committees to assure timely information, planning, and problem solving.
• Develops and implements methods to improve fiscal soundness and control expenses.
• Actively works with other management staff in support of organization goals.
• Performs related duties as required.

Supervisory Responsibility

The incumbent is responsible for directing and managing a large staff, most through subordinate directors and managers. Practitioner of “Supervision for Success” Principles and ensures practice throughout program.

• Training
• Motivation
• Empowerment
• Accountability
• Encourages and facilitates staff growth/career development.

Requirements

These specifications are general guidelines based on the minimum experience normally considered essential to the satisfactory performance of this job. Individual abilities may result in some deviation from these guidelines.

To perform effectively in this position, the incumbent must have:

• Bachelor’s Degree in Accounting required; Masters preferred.
• Prior nonprofit finance experience with a successful track record in a senior financial management role for at least three years is essential. At least three years of experience as a Controller or equivalent, in a nonprofit organization with a budget of at least $20 million, 300 plus employees and multiple facilities. Knowledge of A122 and A133 circulars required.
• Demonstrable experience in creating and driving the analytical framework for planning and managing organizational change; ability to anticipate the infrastructure and systems needs in a complex, multi-site nonprofit.
• Exceptional management skills.
• Recognized success in developing and monitoring systems to manage both internal operations and programmatic work that involve high levels of collaboration, particularly with program managers, administrators and senior leadership.
• An accessible, visible and flexible management style that inspires trust and confidence in staff to work and well together.
• Keen analytical, organization, and problem solving skills that support and enable sound decision making in a complex organization; demonstrated resourcefulness in setting priorities and guiding investment in people and systems.
• Direct and concise communication skills. Active listener. Ability to translate complex financials concepts to individuals at all levels including finance and non-finance managers.
• Technology savvy with the ability to manage data for financial reporting quickly and effectively.
• A working knowledge of accounting in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles, grants and government contract accounting. To include significant experience in or knowledge of nonprofit accounting, sophisticated fund and grant accounting compliance and reporting.
• Personal qualities of integrity and credibility, and a commitment to the mission of SHIELDS.
• Crisis management skills and ability to develop appropriate contingency plans; demonstrated ability to maintain broad business focus while addressing details
• Current California driver’s license and a driving record acceptable to the Agency’s insurance carrier
• COVID-19 vaccination required. May request medical or religious exemption if applicable.

Benefits and Perks: Supportive, fun and friendly team environment!

· Competitive Wages

· Vacation and sick leave

· Employer paid medical, dental, vision and life insurance

· Retirement 403b plan and supplemental insurance benefits

· 17 paid holidays plus paid birthday off & anniversary day and up to 5 days based on length of service

· BBS supervision, on-going clinical training and CEUs available

· Employee referral bonus

· Employee Assistance Program

· Employee discount programs to theme parks, movies, hotels and car rentals

· Paid educational leave

· Paid drive time and mileage reimbursement

· Eligible for Federal Student Loan Forgiveness

If you require reasonable accommodation of a disability in completing this application, interviewing, completing any pre-employment testing, or otherwise participating in the employee selection process, please direct your inquiries to 323.242.5000, Ext. 1258 or by email to scardenas@shieldsforfamilies.org .

At SHIELDS for Families, our Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) Committee promotes equity and inclusion within our programs, workforce, and the communities we serve. Our DEI Committee harnesses the power of our diverse workforce, utilizing their varied backgrounds and experiences to enhance our programs. By employing culturally sensitive and comprehensive service models, we aim to provide the best support possible to the families we serve.