Director of Finance
2 days ago
North Fort Myers
Job DescriptionABOUT ECHO ECHO is a global Christian agricultural networking, training and resourcing organization. Our mission is to strengthen the capacity of a diverse global network to defeat hunger and improve lives through sustainable food and agroecosystem strategies. ECHO has a significant network of over 20,000 individuals and organizations built over 45 years working in more than 190 countries. These partners serve as the primary multiplier for ECHO-tested options, strategies, and research. SUMMARY: The Director of Finance provides strategic and organizational leadership over all finance and accounting functions across the entire global organization. This role performs the more complex and specialized accounting of financial activity and directs the overall accounting work of the organization. Additionally, this role establishes financial policy, ensures regulatory compliance, leads budgeting and audit processes, and serves as the primary financial advisor to the Executive Team and Board of Directors. ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES: • Consolidate and present organization-wide financial reports, analysis, interpretation, and recommendations to the Executive Team and Board of Directors, translating complex financial data into clear, actionable insights to support informed decision-making., • Lead the annual budgeting process and organization-wide consolidation, including financial forecasting and scenario modeling, for review by the Executive Team and Board of Directors., • Lead with a servant-leader heart and mindset by remaining willing and able to engage directly in day-to-day accounting operations as needed, including general ledger review, QuickBooks Online management, payroll oversight, and hands-on problem solving, particularly during peak periods, staffing transitions, audits, or system implementations., • Lead the annual audit and serve as the primary contact for external auditors. Oversee preparation and filing of Form 990 and other regulatory and compliance reports., • Lead finance system selection, implementation, and major upgrades, recommending and implementing cross-functional process improvements and organizational finance initiatives to improve organizational efficacy and efficiency., • Track and report financial information for Global operations and Regional Impact Centers, including multiple projects and grants, and support project management, budget development, and grant administration., • Establish and maintain the organization’s accounting policies, procedures, internal controls, and compliance framework, including fraud prevention, risk mitigation, and governance best practices., • Train, supervise, and develop finance staff, while fostering a culture of accountability, service, collaboration, and continuous improvement across the finance function., • Provide training and guidance to international finance staff, ensuring consistent financial practices, reporting standards, and internal controls across all locations., • Ensure compliance with GAAP and applicable local, state, and federal government requirements., • Manage the fixed asset database, ensuring compliance with capitalization and depreciation schedules., • Ensure maintenance of accurate accounting records related to (a) general ledger, (b) donation recording, (c) restricted funds, (d) investments, (e) tax reporting, (f) special projects, and (g) Regional Impact Center activity., • Serve as the control owner and final authority for bank and credit card accounts, including cash management, wire transfers, and banking relationships. Establish appropriate segregation of duties and financial risk mitigation practices., • Serve as the final authority for financial reporting, budgeting, compliance, and financial governance., • Oversee cash flow forecasting, liquidity planning, and financial risk assessment to support organizational sustainability, resilience, and strategic decision-making. QUALIFICATIONS & REQUIRED SKILLS: To perform this job successfully, an individual must satisfactorily perform each essential duty. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skills, and/or abilities required. • Must subscribe to the ECHO Statement of Faith or the Apostle’s Creed and possess character traits consistent with ECHO’s core values., • Advanced knowledge of Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP), accounting terminology, procedures, and requirements., • Strong cross-functional communication skills, with the ability to collaborate effectively with international finance teams, Advancement, Operations, and external advisors to drive alignment and system change., • Experience leading change management initiatives, including guiding staff through significant accounting systems and process transitions while maintaining continuity of operations., • Comfort operating in transitional accounting environments, with a track record of bringing structure, clarity, and discipline to complex or decentralized finance functions., • Ability to plan, supervise, and develop the work of others., • Ability to read, analyze, and interpret general business periodicals, professional documents, technical procedures, or governmental regulations., • Ability to prepare and interpret reports based on specific criteria provided., • Ability to effectively present information and respond to questions from managers, directors, the CEO, Board of Directors, and donors., • Ability to solve practical problems and deal with a variety of variables and deadlines., • Ability to make decisions in accordance with laws, ordinances, regulations, and established policies., • Proficiency in QuickBooks Online, Excel, and other finance systems; strong working knowledge of the MS Office suite., • English required, limited knowledge of Spanish, French, Thai, or Swahili desirable.REQUIRED EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE:, • CPA preferred, or Bachelor’s degree in Accounting with sufficient experience to fulfill non-profit accounting requirements. WORK ENVIRONMENT: The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. The work is primarily conducted in a professional office environment. Noise and activity levels are generally moderate but may increase during periods of high workload or deadlines. Must be able to work effectively under pressure. PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS: • The physical demands described here represent those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job., • While performing the duties of this role, the employee is regularly required to stand, walk, use hands, talk, and hear. Fine motor skills, such as typing, using a computer mouse, and handling a telephone handset, are required., • The employee frequently reaches with hands and arms, and may also sit, stoop, kneel, and crouch. TRAVEL: Travel is primarily local during business hours; occasional domestic or international travel as needed. OTHER DUTIES: Please note this job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job. Duties, responsibilities and activities may change at any time with or without notice. COMPENSATION AND BENEFITS: • Compensation based on experience, • Comprehensive health benefits, including medical, dental, vision, and life insurance, • Company-matched 401(k) plan In compliance with Title VII of the 1964 Civil Rights Act, and other applicable federal and state statutes, all recruiting, hiring, training, and promoting for all job classifications will be administered without regard to race, color, ancestry, age, sex, national origin, pregnancy or childbirth, disability, military veteran status, genetic information, or other applicable status protected by law, including state of employment protected classes. It is, therefore, our policy and intention to evaluate all employees and prospective employees strictly according to the requirements of the job. ECHO is a Christian religious-affiliated organization; and as such, is not subject to religious discrimination requirements. ECHO’s hiring practices and EEO discrimination practices are in full compliance with both federal and state law. Federal law creates an exception to the “religion” component of the employment discrimination laws for religious organizations and permits them to give employment practice preference to members of their own religious beliefs. Powered by JazzHR jeZ7RPNH9V