Title:       Director of Finance

Manager:    President

Location: Warrenton, VA

Job Classification: Full-Time, Exempt    

About PEC

The Piedmont Environmental Council (PEC) conserves and restores the lands and waters of the Virginia Piedmont, while building stronger, more sustainable communities. Founded in 1972, PEC is a locally based, community-supported 501(c)(3) nonprofit and accredited land trust. At the core of PEC’s approach is a focus on educating, engaging and empowering people to effect positive change in their communities.

PEC works closely with The Piedmont Foundation, a 509(a)(3) charitable organization formed in 1999 to support PEC’s work throughout its nine-county region. Each of the conservation funds held by the Piedmont Foundation is guided by a county advisory board made up of local residents who value their communities and are committed to preserving and strengthening them. 

Your Role

PEC is seeking a Director of Finance (Director) to lead and manage all day-to-day finance operations and work strategically with the senior management team to support planning processes, generate useful reporting and forecasting projections, and assess real estate asset acquisitions and financing options. In addition, the Director has responsibilities for managing and reporting on financial activities in the Foundation and one sponsored organization. The Director oversees all accounting staff, works closely with the advancement team to reconcile revenues, and supports the Treasurer and the Board Finance Committee.

Areas of Responsibility

Working with the President, members of the senior management team, the accounting staff, and other staff at PEC, the Director will focus on the following priorities:

• Review and deeply understand the existing systems and procedures that support finance, accounting, and operating functions for PEC.
• Build effective working relationships with directors and staff in all departments, with the President, and with key board members on the Finance Committee.
• Lead the finance and accounting department, building a high performing team with a strong mission support orientation.
• Advance timely, accurate financial reports that are appropriate for the intended audience and engage in strong financial analyses that aggregate historical data, forecast future trends, and support strategic and critical decision making.
• Remain current with new guidelines and regulations and, working with PEC’s IT Department, proactively recommend/implement technology and system enhancements to support the ongoing development of the PEC’s finance and accounting department.

In addition to these key priorities, the Director is responsible for the following:

Accounting & Systems Development:

• Supervise the finance work to ensure efficient, timely processing of PEC’s accounting operations in accordance with GAAP and to safeguard PEC’s and the Foundation’s assets.
• Supervise and implement monthly close, including account reconciliations, ledger entries, and reconciliation with PEC’s development database.

Financial Management & Reporting:

• Provide strategic financial input and leadership to the staff and Board regarding decision making on issues affecting PEC.
• Ensure financial statements and reports for 501(c) 3 and 509 (a) entities for internal management or Board use, are properly prepared, reported and distributed in a timely manner, and include variance analyses and projections.
• Manage financial compliance and reporting for Federal Grants.
• Prepare and present financial reports to the board and external users, including grantors and donors.
• Develop PEC’s annual budget, working with directors and the President; manage the effective execution of the annual budget.

Management:

• Participates and takes an active role in the Board Finance Committee; Risk Management, Audit & Compliance Committee; and the Piedmont Foundation and Investment Committees and maintains strong working relationships with key stakeholders.
• Ensure that the endowment/investments of the Foundation are managed in accordance with the investment policies and direction established by the Foundation's Board of Directors.
• Stay abreast of changes in financial reporting requirements and governmental regulations including tax laws and the effects of changes on PEC.
• Advance, implement, and enforce policies and procedures that will improve the overall operation and effectiveness of PEC.
• Ensure timely annual form 990 filings.

PEC uses a variety of tools and technology to support its operations: QuickBooks Online accounting software; Salesforce CRM database; MS Office Suite; G Suite (Google Apps); Dominion Payroll for electronic timesheets payroll.

Geographic Focus

This position will be based out of PEC’s headquarters office in Warrenton, VA or in a hybrid manner to be decided jointly with their supervisor. PEC’s hybrid work policy includes a requirement of at least one day per week in the office. This position may require travel within PEC’s nine-county service area. Occasional nights and weekends may be required.

Required Qualifications

Outstanding candidates will share a commitment to PEC’s mission and will bring the following experience and attributes:

• Strong work ethic and commitment to PEC’s core values, mission and vision
• Commitment to Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Justice (DEIJ) principles
• 7+ years’ progressive nonprofit finance experience in an accounting department or other financial environment, preferably with a nonprofit of similar size, program and fundraising functions.
• Strong understanding of GAAP and non-profit accounting principles.
• Bachelor's degree in accounting, finance, business administration or related field required. 
• Leadership presence and ability to work well with board members, executive team members, and staff across program areas.
• Strong communications skills including: being able to craft reports that are highly tailored to the recipient audience, presenting financial information at board meetings and senior management meetings, and communicating effectively with the accounting team, directors and staff, and external vendors.
• Collaborative approach to advancing systems and processes, including the ability to balance innovation, technology, openness to new ideas, and push back when necessary.
• Excellent organizational, problem solving, and decision-making skills; ability to prioritize department’s workload.
• Experience with federal grants. 
• Experience with computerized financial systems, including QuickBooks Online.
• Track record of successful experience in overseeing efficient, accurate and timely monthly closings, annual audits, and production of financial statements and reports.
• Supervisory experience and ability to build and lead a team.
• Engaged in professional development; keeps abreast of current trends, practices, and developments in accounting and makes recommendations for implementation.
• Proficient in Microsoft Office and G Suite (Google Apps), with advanced Excel experience.

Preferred Qualifications

• Master’s degree or CPA strongly preferred.
• Familiarity with CRM databases such as EveryAction, SalesForce, etc.

Working Conditions and Physical Demands

This position will primarily be completed in an office environment with occasional outdoors events. Office work requires extended sitting or standing and the use of a computer, keyboard, and mouse. Outdoor events may occur in all weather conditions and may be physically demanding. Occasional lifting of materials up to 30 lbs. is required

Compensation

This position is an exempt, salaried position with benefits. Salary range $120,000 to $140,000, commensurate with experience.

Benefits

PEC offers an outstanding and robust benefits package including:

• Two health plans (83% employer paid premium for employee only plan, 80% employer paid for added dependents)
• Short- & Long-Term Disability*
• Group Term Life*
• Accident, Critical Illness & Hospital Indemnity insurances*
• HSA account (with employer match up to $750 per year)
• FSA accounts (health & dependent care)
• 403(b) pension plan with employer contribution after 1 year of service with 100% vesting from day one
• 10 paid holidays
• 2 floating holidays
• PTO leave – 24 days per year, accrued each pay period
• 1 day per year of paid leave to volunteer at another non-profit or charitable cause
• Salary continuation leave for employee or family illness – from 2 to 8 weeks fully paid leave eligibility every 24 months, depending on length of service
• Paid bereavement, jury duty and military service training leave
• Travel expense reimbursement
• Hybrid work environment and flexible work schedules
• Cell Phone Reimbursement, up to $75 per month
• Professional development support
• Payment for relevant licenses & professional membership fees.

*Indicates that this insurance premium is 100% paid by PEC for employee’s coverage.

The Piedmont Environmental Council strives to increase diversity, equity, inclusion and justice (DEIJ) in all aspects of achieving our mission. We recruit, employ, train, compensate, and promote regardless of race, religion, creed, national origin, ancestry, sex (including pregnancy), sexual orientation, gender identity (including gender nonconformity and status as a transgender individual), age, physical or mental disability, citizenship, genetic information, past, current, or prospective service in the uniformed services, or any other characteristic protected under applicable federal, state, or local law. We are proud to be an equal opportunity employer. Read more about our Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Justice (DEIJ) commitments.

We recognize that people come with a wealth of experience and talent beyond just the technical requirements of a job, therefore our job descriptions are guidelines. Your experience, which may include paid and unpaid experience, including volunteer work, helps build the competencies and knowledge. Diversity of experience and skills combined with passion is a key to innovation and a culture of excellence. Therefore, we encourage people from all backgrounds to apply to our positions.

In accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), reasonable accommodations during the application or interview process may be requested. If you have any questions or concerns, please email apply@pecva.org.

If selected for this position, a background check will be conducted.