COMPANY OVERVIEW
Neighborhood Defender Service (NDS) is a non-profit, client-centered, holistic public defender office currently operating in Harlem, Detroit, San Antonio and Houston. Annually, NDS serves more than 10,000 individuals and families, with holistic legal and social work services. In contrast to a traditional public defense practice, NDS clients have an entire team fighting on their behalf, including criminal and civil attorneys, family defense attorneys, advocates, social workers, investigators, paralegals, law school and social work interns, and pro bono attorneys. NDS deploys these resources on behalf of our clients, addressing the underlying issues that bring them into contact with the criminal legal system. NDS staff utilizes their engagement with a client as an opportunity to disentangle them from the legal system completely. This approach allows the defense to extend well beyond the courtroom, with robust social services and comprehensive investigations meant to protect our clients from the damages of criminal legal proceedings. When clients face consequences with employment, schooling, immigration or in family or housing court, or other destabilizing contact with the legal system, NDS works alongside them to resolve these issues. For the past decade, Neighborhood Defender Service has been in a position of sustained growth. The annual budget has grown from $4.7M in 2011 to more than $40M today, most of which is secured through government contracts and grants. After operating in Harlem since1990, NDS has now expanded to Detroit, San Antonio, and Houston, and anticipates further growth in the coming years.
Service Offerings Pre Arrest Services Criminal Defense Family Defense Civil Defense Immigration Defense Youth Law Servicios en Espanol Global Justice Policy PACE Program The PACE Program is the next generation of groundbreaking work growing out of the NDS experience. NDS launched the PACE Program to disrupt and dismantle the structural impediments in our society that continue to oppress its clients, their families and communities.
ROLE SUMMARY
The CFO will report to, and work closely with, the Chief of Staff, and the leadership team to implement the financial vision for the organization, which primarily receives funding through city and state grants. The individual in this position will provide strategic oversight and management for the accounting team, including daily, monthly, and annual reporting, audits, AP/AR, grants accounting, and banking relationships. The CFO will lead, mentor, and train a team with members located in New York, Michigan, and Texas. Primary Responsibilities Organizational Leadership & Team Building Participate as an active member of the executive team, collaborating to develop short and long-term business plans designed to grow and expand mission impact while ensuring financial integrity and sustainability. Advise CEO, Board of Directors, and Senior Leadership Team with insightful and accurate financial analysis and regular, timely reporting to inform decision-making. Communicate effectively at all levels of the organization and build strong working relationships with the Senior Leadership Team. Foster a transparent and collaborative Accounting and Finance team culture that drives performance and provides excellent day-to-day service. Coordinate and manage projects and initiatives of the Finance team to ensure alignment with organizational and programmatic goals. Financial Strategy & Management Lead, design, and assess the organization’s financial strategy and performance against the annual budget and strategic goals. Develop and monitor internal controls and processes that safeguard assets, ensure the financial health of the organization, and maintain compliance in various jurisdictions and with each granting agency. Oversee day-to-day finance and accounting operations of multiple NDS locations, and ensure their timely, smooth, and accurate function: accounts payable and receivable, cash management, general ledger, prepaids, credit card expenses, expense reports, payroll, financial models, variance analyses, bank account reconciliation, cost reimbursement grants, and forecasts. Partner with Chief of Staff, Operations, Advancement, and Managing Directors to develop successful budgets for current contracts, new bids, and foundation grant proposals in addition to other revenue opportunities. Present financial statements to executives and board of directors. Lead and ensure the proper financial and tax accounting (not for profit) in accordance with GAAP and IRS rules, including the timely completion of an audit, annual financial statement, program audits, state and federal filings, and mandated reports. Oversee the draft financials, Form 990, and CHAR 500, along with supporting schedules for external audit reviews. Oversee annual audits, external reviews, and other state and local audits where applicable (due to indirect cost allocations), on time and with minimal or no adjustments. Build necessary structures to cultivate and maintain relationships with the organization’s bank, funders, and external vendors. Lead the administration and periodic review of accounting financial software systems and tools; maintain the integrity of accounting tools and manage user access; troubleshoot issues with accounting systems. Increase productivity by automating processes. Use of general office software, particularly Microsoft Office Suite, and accounting software packages.
CANDIDATE PROFILE
Qualifications & Experience With a strong commitment to, and passion for NDS’s mission, vision, and values. The CFO must be a strong and a team-player, who promotes integrity, transparency, collaboration, and communication in an equitable and respectful work environment. To be successful in this hands-on leadership role, the CFO will possess the flexibility and skill for high-level, complex financial strategy along with keen attention when diving into the details of day-to-day accounting. The incumbent must be comfortable in a complex, growing, and regionally diverse organization. Bachelor's required, Master's and/or CPA preferred. Prior not-for-profit experience is required. Minimum 10 -15 years of experience in accounting and finance with a strong knowledge of GAAP. Specific knowledge of 2 CFR 200 cost principles, New York State and City, Michigan and Wayne County, and/or Texas State procedures and requirements is a plus Specific experience in cost reimbursement, grant management, and procurement requiredStrong commitment to personal and team excellence. Ability to think strategically and creatively, as well as to implement and follow-through. Superior analytical and problem-solving skills, demonstrated experience with nonprofit fund accounting concepts and experience handling program and year-end audits. Successful at meeting deadlines. Experience leading teams to achieve ambitious objectives; with specific experience in building teams and fostering culture in a remote setting preferred. Knowledge of the non-profit sector and awareness of the context in which Neighborhood Defender Service operates. Ability to work under pressure, roll-up sleeves and perform with grace and diplomacy. Ability to consistently exemplify and communicate organizational values Experience with Financial Edge is a plus.
Salary range: $190K - $215K
SEARCH TEAM
Denielle Pemberton-Heard
Managing Director
301.928.8071
dpembertonheard@divsearch.com
Anthony Brown
Senior Search Associate
302.507.9735
Anthony.Brown@divsearch.com