Senior Director, Finance and Accounting, Finance

California School Boards Association

• $125K — $150K *
Finance & Insurance
5 - 7 years of experience
Job Overview by Ladders

Qualifications

  • Bachelor's degree in accounting, finance, or related field; CPA required.
  • 5+ years of progressive accounting experience, including payroll.
  • 4+ years of supervisory or management experience.
  • Public accounting experience preferred; CMA or MBA is a plus.
  • Strong knowledge of financial management principles and accounting software.

Responsibilities

  • Lead daily operations of the Finance and Accounting division.
  • Develop and implement accounting goals, policies, and staffing levels.
  • Standardize procedures to enhance efficiency in finance programs.
  • Ensure integrity of the general ledger and reconcile accounts.
  • Manage month-end close processes and payroll accuracy.
  • Prepare financial reports and assist with budgeting and audits.
  • Support other departments with accounting-related issues.

Benefits

  • Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision plans for employees and dependents.
  • Hybrid work schedule with a minimum of three days in-office.
  • Generous paid time off, including vacation, sick leave, and holidays.
  • Membership in the CalPERS retirement system with employer contributions.
  • Employer-paid life, AD&D, and disability insurance.
Full Job Description
Description

Schedule
This position is eligible for a hybrid work schedule, with a minimum of three (3) days in-office based out of our West Sacramento office and two (2) days working remotely.

Summary
Reporting to the CFO and serving as an integral member of the management team, the Senior Director, Finance and Accounting, leads and manages all areas of accounting for multiple entities, directing the work of the accounting staff. This position compiles and analyzes financial information for the Association, develops integrated revenue and expense analyses, projections, reports, and presentations, and creates and analyzes monthly, quarterly, and annual reports to ensure financial information has been recorded accurately. The Senior Director, Finance and Accounting oversees accounts payable, accounts receivable, and payroll, and manages month-end and year-end close processes. The role leads budgeting and forecasting, performs reconciliation of internal accounts, and coordinates the organization's annual audits. The position relies on experience and judgment to plan and accomplish goals, exercises sound judgment across a variety of complex financial and accounting tasks, and performs other duties as assigned.

Essential Duties & Responsibilities
  • Plans, manages, and oversees the daily functions, operations, and activities of the Finance and Accounting division.
  • Participates in developing and implementing goals, objectives, policies, and priorities across all areas of accounting and finance; recommends appropriate service and staffing levels within policy; provides leadership to develop and maintain a high-performing team and supports ongoing staff development.
  • Develops and standardizes procedures to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of accounting and finance programs and service delivery; monitors workload, administrative systems, and reporting relationships across the division; identifies opportunities for improvement and recommends solutions to the CFO and senior management.
  • Ensures the integrity of the general ledger system, including analysis and reconciliation of balance sheet accounts (e.g., inter-company, accrual, and deferral accounts) and related journal entries.
  • Manages month-end close, reviewing entries prepared by staff and other departments, and ensuring that all departments have closed.
  • Assists the CFO with cash management and reporting.
  • Manages payroll processing performed by the payroll specialist, ensuring accuracy, timeliness, and compliance with applicable wage and tax laws.
  • Manages the processing and maintenance of fixed asset information, including depreciation.
  • Prepares accounting reports for the CFO, other departments, and senior management, including monthly, quarterly, and annual financial statements, and develops ad-hoc reports to support analysis.
  • Assists in preparing annual budgets and forecasts.
  • Assists the CFO with the year-end audit and other audits, analyzing data and preparing work papers for auditors.
  • Assists various other departments with accounting-related issues.
  • Ensures compliance with all applicable Federal, state, and local laws and regulations.
  • Reads and demonstrates an understanding and adherence to CSBA values, policies, and practices; demonstrates respect, honesty, and professionalism at all times.
  • Vacation time is limited during peak periods, including but not limited to year-end close and the annual audit.
  • Performs other duties as assigned.


Qualifications
Education & Experience
  • Bachelor's degree or higher with major coursework in accounting, finance, or related field with five (5) years of progressive, responsible accounting experience (including payroll).
  • Four (4) years of supervisory/management experience.
  • Active CPA certification required.
  • CMA certification and/or MBA preferred.
  • Public Accounting experience preferred.


Knowledge of
  • Financial and operational management, including generally accepted accounting principles, financial forecasting, budgeting, payroll, staff planning and relevant laws and regulations.
  • Accounting/ERP software and advanced Excel.
  • Applicable Federal, State, and local laws, regulatory codes, ordinances, and procedures relevant to assigned area of responsibility.
  • Internal and external auditing practices.
  • Employee supervision practices, either directly or through subordinate levels of supervision, including work planning, assignment, review and evaluation, and the training of staff in work procedures.
  • Techniques for researching issues, evaluating alternatives, making sound recommendations, and presenting effective staff reports.
  • Contract management principles and practices.
  • General principles of risk management related to the functions of assigned areas.
  • Techniques for providing a high level of customer service by effectively dealing with the public, vendors, contractors, and Association staff.


Ability to
  • Recommend and implement goals, objectives, and practices for providing effective and efficient services.
  • Administer complex and technical programs, projects, and services in an independent and cooperative manner.
  • Evaluate and develop improvement in operations, procedures, policies, or methods.
  • Interpret, apply, explain, and ensure compliance with Federal, State, and local policies, procedures, laws, and regulations.
  • Conduct complex research projects, evaluate alternatives, make sound recommendations, and prepare effective technical staff reports.
  • Effectively represent the Association in meetings with member organizations, educational institutions, governmental agencies, community groups, and various businesses, professional, and regulatory organizations, and with the public.
  • Organize and prioritize work and multiple projects effectively, set priorities, and meet critical deadlines.
  • Communicate effectively in person, over the telephone, and in writing.
  • Establish, maintain, and foster positive and effective working relationships with those contacted in the course of work.
  • This position is contingent on the ability to pass a background and credit check upon accepting an offer.


Supervisory Responsitibilitie
  • This position is required to manage and direct other staff, with the responsibility of overall direction, coordination, and evaluation of those roles. This position will carry out supervisory responsibilities in accordance with the organization's policies and all applicable laws. Overall responsibilities of this position include, but may not be limited to, interviewing, training, timekeeping and wage & hour management, planning, assigning, and directing work, appraising performance, rewarding and disciplining employees, and addressing and resolving complaints.

Environmental Elements & Physical Demands
  • Employee works in a primarily sedentary office environment with moderate noise levels, controlled temperature conditions, and no direct exposure to hazardous physical substances.
  • Employee is personally responsible for following health and safety guidelines, instructions, and policies.
  • Must possess mobility to work in a standard office setting and use standard office equipment, including a computer; vision to read printed materials and computer screen, and hearing and speech to communicate in person, and over the telephone; must be able to bend, stoop, kneel, reach, push and pull drawers open and closed in the execution of duties.
  • Must be able to sit at a computer for long periods of time and have the dexterity to access, enter, and retrieve data using a computer keyboard or calculator, and operate standard office equipment.
  • Employee must possess the ability to lift, carry, push, and pull materials and objects weighing up to 25 pounds, a hand truck available to assist.
  • Must be able to travel overnight on occasion throughout the state of California.
  • Must have the dexterity and mobility to facilitate or present information to a group, access, enter, and retrieve data using a computer keyboard or calculator, and operate standard facilitation equipment.

Why Join CSBA?
  • Opportunity to contribute financial leadership and expertise to an organization serving public education.
  • Career growth potential in a mission-driven organization that values leadership, accountability, and effective financial management.
  • Collaborative and professional work environment with visibility to the CFO and senior management.
  • Opportunity to lead and develop a high-performing Finance and Accounting team.
  • Competitive salary and benefits package.


If you are an experienced accounting and finance professional with strong leadership, analytical, and supervisory skills, we encourage you to apply. Join CSBA and help support sound financial management and effective operations for an organization serving California's public education community!

Benefits

At CSBA, we proudly offer competitive compensation and benefits, including medical, dental and vision coverage for employees and dependent children, insurances and California Public Employees Retirement System (CalPERS), and more:
  • Comprehensive medical, dental and vision plans:
    • Medical
      • Kaiser Platinum 90 HMO
      • Blue Shield Platinum Access+ HMO 0/25
      • Blue Shield Platinum Full PPO 250/15
      • Blue Shield Silver Full PPO Savings HDHP 2300/30% with CSBA contributing $150 monthly to an HSA plan
      • Optional FSA plan for non Blue Shield Silver Full PPO Savings HDHP 2300/30% plan participants
    • Dental - Delta Dental
    • Vision - VSP
  • CSBA offers a hybrid work schedule, with a minimum of three (3) days in-office based out of our West Sacramento office and two (2) days working remotely.
  • Paid Time Off:
    • Vacation: Accrues 10 days annually for hourly employees and 15 days annually for salary employees. The rate at which you accrue will increase annually with years of service.
    • Floating holidays: 32 hours annually accrue date of hire.
    • Separate sick leave accrual: 8 hours accrued monthly.
    • Holiday: 10 CSBA recognized holidays annually
    • December Office Closure: During the latter part of December each year CSBA closes its office. During this time, employees are paid for 6 days in addition to the December 25 and January 1 holiday.
    • Sabbatical Program: Employees with at least seven (7) years of continuous full-time employment in their current period of service are eligible for up to four (4) weeks of paid leave.
  • Membership in the CalPERS retirement system:
    • Classic membership tier (2% @ 55; 7% employee contribution and 11.54% employer contribution)
    • PEPRA membership tier (2% @ 62; 8.25% employee contribution and 8.27% employer contribution)
  • Employer-paid Life insurance 1.5 times the annual salary
  • Employer-paid AD&D insurance
  • Employer-paid Short- and Long-Term Disability insurance
  • Optional supplemental 457 retirement savings available
  • Flexible Spending Account (FSA) Medical and Dependent Care
  • Employee Assistance Program
  • Perks at Work savings program
  • Learning and Development
  • Social Events: All-Staff luncheon events, Coffee & Learn
  • Travel Reimbursement


CSBA's operation hours are 8:00 a.m.- 5:00 p.m. CSBA currently offers a hybrid work schedule for eligible positions. CSBA is headquartered in West Sacramento.

Apply Today

If you are ready to take the next step in your career and contribute to meaningful work, apply today! We are excited to hear how your expertise can further our mission and advance the education and well-being of the state's more than 6 million school-age children in public education in California.

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