Director of Finance
SUMMARY OF POSITION
Provide leadership in the finance department, in accordance with MorningStar Mission purpose and goals. Assist the Executive Director with the financial affairs of the organization and with preparation of financial analyses of operations, including interim and final financial statements with supporting schedules. Manage department and staff, providing financial information about MorningStar Mission’s activities that will assist leadership and the Board in making educated economic decisions regarding MorningStar Mission. Establish and maintain credibility for the finance/accounting group by providing timely and accurate analyses of budgets, project proposals, cash flow and trends in the multiple administrative areas in order to assist the Executive Director and other senior management in fulfilling their responsibilities.
DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
1. Prepare and provide timely financial reports to and Executive Director:
• Responsible for accurate preparation of information and journals necessary to produce the financial statements and reports.
• Analyze and present financial reports in an accurate and timely manner; clearly communicate and provide comments on financial information and key metrics.
• Prepare monthly results versus budget to Executive Director, as well as any additional requested reports.
• Handle monthly and year end closing process and production of financial statements to guarantee timely reporting. Produce associated reports.
• Prepare comprehensive monthly income statement reports by cost center, ministry center and funding source.
2. Effectively communicate and present the critical financial matters to the Executive Director. Requires ability to understand and predict trends and to forecast potential/likely scenarios and solutions.
3. Coordinate the organization’s activities related to the annual external audit:
• Prepare documentation requested by the auditors prior to the start of onsite audit work and facilitate the collection of data required from all departments within the ministry. (Produce any documentation and prepare any reports requested by the auditors while onsite.)
• Facilitate communication between management and the external auditors.
• Assist auditors related to their requests for MSMM audit and IRS Form 990.
4. Insure proper and timely filing of tax returns and reports.
5. Oversee and facilitate annual budgeting and planning process in conjunction with the Executive Director.
• Collaborate with Senior Staff to define requirements and limitations of annual budget and to gain approval.
• Initiate and schedule meetings and deadlines with appropriate personnel, evaluate previous budget and plan for upcoming year.
• Ensure timely input into the system and completion of the proposed annual budget.
• Follow up with appropriate personnel to facilitate budget accountability and compliance.
• Monitor progress and changes and keep the Senior Staff abreast of the organization’s financial status.
6. Oversee and direct all payroll, accounts receivable and payable and resolve disputed billings.
7. Remain up to date on nonprofit best practices including state and federal law regarding nonprofit financial management and operations. Includes Thrift Store certification compliance.
8. Manage and oversee departmental staff and the activities of the finance department, ensuring fiscal integrity and organizational alignment.<
9. Manage MorningStar Mission finances within a stewardship mindset and in accordance with ECFA guidelines and standards.
10. Operate and maintain systems and controls which verify the integrity of financial systems, processes and data, and enhance the organization’s value.
• Identify and rectify internal control issues.
• Recommend additions and adjustments in order to improve organizational efficiency and quality.
11. Accurately account for the financial transactions of the organization:
• Maintain MSMM’s QuickBooks accounting system for the general operating budget.
• Responsible for the integrity of general ledgers: Evaluates subsidiary journals for errors and omissions and enters corrected data into the general ledger.
• Ensure accurate posting of all expense transactions, unrestricted and restricted fund revenues.• • • Collaborate with Development to ensure that grant billings are processed in an accurate and timely manner.
• Track amounts received by individual funding sources to ensure receipt of the full contractual amounts.
• Approve voucher coding prior to entering and posting to the general ledger system.
• Review accounts payable aging and vendor statements for problems and initiates corrective action.
• Initiate movement of funds between accounts as approved by the Executive Director.
• Reconcile bank accounts, investment accounts and loan accounts monthly.
• Makes depreciation and other adjusting entries as required by auditor and management.
• Maintain perpetual inventory of fixed assets.
• Oversee all banking activities.
12. Collaborate with the Executive Director with the risk management function within the organization:
• Initiate the assessment of property, casualty and other business insurance needs and recommend actions to ensure adequate coverage to protect mission assets.
13. Carry out additional duties, compile a variety of special reports and participate in special projects as requested by the Executive Director.
14. Additional duties or projects as assigned by the Executive Director.
SKILLS AND QUALIFICATIONS
• Mature Christian who possesses a stewardship mindset with regard to finance and ministry
• Ability to provide biblical counsel and guidance to staff, clients and volunteers
• Knowledge of and subscription to ECFA and GAAP guidelines and standards
• Exceptional degree of accuracy, detail orientation, and organization
• High initiative, seeking continuous improvement, actively engaging in problem solving
• Excellent planning, analyses, forecasting, prioritizing, decision-making, and implementation skills with a high level of integrity and personal responsibility
• Extensive and comprehensive knowledge and application of standard accounting functions
• Level-headed, purposeful in reactions, proactive problem solver. Gathers all information before making decisions and makes decisions according to sound Biblical principles and Accounting standards all in alignment with MSMM mission and core values.
• Ability to translate financial concepts to – and to effectively collaborate with — programmatic and fundraising colleagues who do not necessarily have finance backgrounds
• Computer literate; extremely proficient in Microsoft Office Suite
• Good mathematical skills
WORKING CONDITIONS/PHYSICAL FACTORS
Occasionally = 1%-33%; Frequently = 34%-66%; Continuously = 67%-100%
• The majority of this position requires work indoors, in an office environment
• Requires occasional travel, the majority of which is within the greater Chicago and Joliet area
• Requires extended periods of sitting, screen time, and mental acuity – frequently
• Speak, think, hear – continuously
EDUCATION/EXPERIENCE
• Bachelor’s degree in accounting
• Master’s degree in accounting, business administration, or CPA credential
• Minimum 5 years of related nonprofit financial experience with an increasing amount of responsibility
• Minimum 2-4 years supervisory experience
• Previous experience working for a non-profit organization helpful
Faith-Alignment Requirement:
MorningStar Mission Ministries is a privately funded 501 (c)3 non-profit, non-denominational Christian ministry. Our designated purpose is religious and we are a Christ-centered ministry which is dedicated to sharing the Gospel and relieving the physical and spiritual needs of the poor. We consider every position to be essential in the fulfillment of our ministry. As such, each employee (other than temporary or part-time thrift workers) must have a relationship with Jesus Christ as their personal Savior and Lord. All employees must:
• Be able and willing to share the Gospel and participate in all of the ministry activities of the MorningStar Mission;
• Subscribe to the MorningStar Mission Statement of Faith and Qualifications for Employment upon hire and continuously while employed;
• Adhere to the MorningStar Mission Employee Handbook.