Director of Accounting & Finance

About Main Street America (MSA):

Main Street America (MSA) leads an inclusive, impact-driven movement dedicated to reenergizing and strengthening downtown and neighborhood commercial districts through placebased economic development and community preservation. We work in collaboration with thousands of local partners and grassroots leaders across the nation who share our commitment to advancing shared prosperity, creating resilient economies, and improving quality of life.

Since its founding in 1980, the MSA network has helped to generate over $100 billion in local reinvestment, create 700,000 new jobs, and start 160,000 new businesses in over 2,000 communities. Main Street America is a subsidiary of the National Trust for Historic Preservation.

About the Team:

MSA is a small but growing, geographically dispersed team. Our group is passionate about Main Street’s mission, with ambitions to significantly scale and deepen our impact in communities across the country. Staff members have deep expertise across a broad range of disciplines including economic development, historic preservation, urban planning, finance, and public affairs.

They have a proven track record in helping a diverse range of communities through direct technical assistance, professional development programs, thought leadership, and targeted tools. We strive for a culture that is team-oriented, collaborative, high performing, and committed to equity and inclusion. MSA provides an environment in which team members can thrive in both their professional and personal lives by offering flexible work arrangements, including the option to work remotely.

JOB SUMMARY:

The Director of Accounting & Finance is responsible for the day-to-day leadership and management of the Finance Department. Reporting to the Chief Financial & Operations Officer, the Director leads the organization's accounting operations while supporting financial planning and organizational decision-making through accurate financial reporting, budgeting and forecasting, cash flow management, grant accounting, financial systems, and internal controls.

The Director develops staff, strengthens financial processes, and works collaboratively with organizational leadership to improve financial stewardship and operational effectiveness.

AREAS OF RESPONSIBILITY:

Department Leadership

Lead and manage the day-to-day operations of the Finance Department.

Provide leadership, direction, and performance management for finance staff while fostering a culture of accountability, collaboration, and continuous improvement.

Establish departmental priorities, assign work, and ensure timely completion of responsibilities.

Establish clear expectations, standardized processes, and accountability measures that strengthen departmental performance, improve operational efficiency, and support continuous improvement.

Accounting & Financial Management

Ensure the accuracy, integrity, and timeliness of financial records and reporting.

Direct accounting operations, including the general ledger, financial reporting, month-end and year-end close, reconciliations, accounts payable, accounts receivable, payroll accounting, and other core accounting functions.

Develop, implement, and maintain accounting policies, procedures, and documentation in accordance with Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP).

Prepare and review financial statements, management reports, and analyses to support leadership decision-making.

Budgeting, Cash Flow & Grant Management

Support the annual budgeting and financial forecasting processes by coordinating financial data, developing budget models, reviewing submissions, and providing financial analysis.

Monitor departmental budgets and provide ongoing variance analysis and forecasting throughout the fiscal year.

Monitor organizational cash flow and liquidity by identifying trends, forecasting cash needs, and supporting proactive cash management and informed financial decision making.

Perform and manage grant accounting activities, including restricted fund tracking, billing, financial reporting, reimbursements, and compliance with grant requirements.

Monitor grant expenditures and support program staff in ensuring financial compliance with funding requirements.

Support banking relationships, treasury activities, and other financial management responsibilities as assigned.

Audit, Compliance & Internal Controls

Partner closely with the Chief Financial & Operations Officer in preparing for the annual financial statement audit, including coordinating audit schedules, reconciliations, supporting documentation, and auditor requests.

Assist the Chief Financial & Operations Officer with preparation of tax filings and other required financial reporting.

Maintain and strengthen internal controls, accounting procedures, and financial policies that promote compliance, accuracy, and accountability.

Monitor compliance with grant requirements, organizational policies, and applicable to federal, state, and local regulations.

Identify financial risks and recommend corrective actions that strengthen financial stewardship and operational effectiveness.

Financial Systems & Process Improvement

Partner with the Chief Financial & Operations Officer to identify and implement improvements to financial and cross-functional business processes, reporting, and workflows.

Recommend and implement process improvements that increase efficiency, consistency, accountability, and organizational capacity while strengthening internal controls.

Collaborate with Operations and IT on financial system enhancements and integrations that improve reporting capabilities, data integrity, and operational visibility.

Support implementation of organizational initiatives that strengthen financial management and operational effectiveness. Finance Operations & Department Development

Evaluate existing financial procedures, documentation, and departmental workflows, recommending updates that improve efficiency, consistency, and accountability.

Maintain organized financial records, departmental documentation, and shared resources to support knowledge of retention, accessibility, and business continuity.

Identify opportunities to improve documentation, records management, and financial processes that strengthen operational effectiveness and reduce reliance on institutional knowledge.

Strategic Partnership

Partner with department leaders to support budgeting, financial planning, and decision making.

Build collaborative working relationships with department leaders, senior leadership, parent organization staff, auditors, financial institutions, vendors, funding partners, and other key stakeholders in support organization priorities.

Provide financial analysis and recommendations to support organizational priorities and strategic initiatives.

Communicate financial information clearly and professionally to both financial and nonfinancial audiences.

Escalate significant financial, operational, compliance, or risk-related matters to the Chief Financial & Operations Officer as appropriate.

The Director exercises independent professional judgment within established organizational policies and delegated authority while keeping the Chief Financial & Operations Officer informed of significant financial, operational, compliance, and risk-related matters

Requirements

• Top Candidates MUST HAVE the following characteristics: Bachelor's degree in Accounting, Finance, Business Administration, or a closely related field.
• Minimum of seven (7) years of progressively responsible experience in accounting, finance, or financial management, including at least three (3) years in a leadership or supervisory role.
• Demonstrated experience leading accounting operations, including month-end and yearend close, financial reporting, budgeting, cash flow management, and internal controls.
• Experience leading financial systems implementations, reporting enhancements, or process improvement initiatives that improve operational efficiency and strengthen internal controls.
• Strong knowledge of Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP) and experience coordinating financial statement audits. • Strong understanding of nonprofit and/or governmental accounting principles, including fund accounting, grant management, financial reporting, and compliance requirements.
• Experience managing grant-funded programs, including financial reporting, billing, compliance, and reimbursement activities for federal, state, foundation, and/or corporate funding sources.
• Experience supporting procurement and contract management processes, including vendor evaluation, contract review, financial analysis, budgeting, approval workflows, and ongoing financial oversight.
• Experience supporting organizational budgeting, financial planning, cash flow forecasting, treasury activities, and financial analysis.
• Demonstrated ability to evaluate financial operations, identify opportunities for improvement, and implement practical solutions that strengthen efficiency, accountability, documentation, and financial stewardship.
• Demonstrated ability to lead, organize, and establish structure, managing information effectively, setting clear priorities within the department and the organization
• Excellent analytical, organizational, written, and verbal communication skills, with the ability to communicate financial information effectively to both financial and nonfinancial audience
• Excellent time management skills with demonstrated ability to manage multiple priorities, meet deadlines, and adapt in a dynamic, fast-paced environment.
• Demonstrated ability to think strategically about system improvements and operational processes and workflows.
• Ability to quickly learn and effectively utilize new software, technology, and financial systems.
• Extraordinary Candidates may have the following Nice to Have qualifications: Certified Public Accountant (CPA), Certified Management Accountant (CMA), or other relevant professional certifications.
• Project management experience leading cross-functional initiatives involving finance, operations, technology, or organizational process improvement.
• Previous experience with Sage or other Financial Software; Salesforce or other CRMs; Asana or other project management software.