Director of Finance

Legal Aid Society of Middle Tennessee and The Cumberlands; Nashville (TN); On-site; USD 89,000 - 103,500; Full time

Job summary

Legal Aid Society of Middle Tennessee and The Cumberlands is looking for a Director of Finance to oversee financial operations in Nashville, TN. This leadership role includes managing accounting functions, preparing financial reports, and ensuring compliance with grant requirements. Candidates should have a Bachelor’s degree in accounting or finance and 5+ years of relevant experience, particularly in nonprofit settings. Compensation ranges from $89,000 to $103,500 annually, depending on experience, with full-time hours from Monday to Friday.

Qualifications

• 5+ years of progressive accounting or finance experience.
• Nonprofit accounting experience, including grants and fund accounting.
• Demonstrated ability to identify issues, implement structure, and improve operational consistency.

Responsibilities

• Oversee all accounting functions: general ledger, accounts payable, accounts receivable, payroll coordination, cash management.
• Prepare and deliver monthly financial statements and reports.
• Lead audit preparation and serve as liaison to external auditors.

Skills

Full-cycle accounting

Financial reporting

Grant compliance

Intermediate Microsoft Office

Education

Bachelor’s degree in accounting or finance

Job description

Salary: $89,000 – $103,500 Reports to: Deputy Director of Operations & Technology

About this role

Legal Aid Society of Middle Tennessee and the Cumberlands is seeking an experienced Director of Finance to lead our financial operations. This is a hands‑on leadership role responsible for the accuracy, timeliness, and integrity of all accounting and reporting functions — from day‑to‑day accounting to board‑level financial reporting, grant compliance, and audit preparation.

This role is an opportunity to build structure, improve systems, and make a lasting impact at one of the region’s most trusted nonprofit legal services organizations — advancing equal justice for low-income people across Middle Tennessee and the Cumberlands.

Key responsibilities

Financial operations & accounting

• Own and oversee all accounting functions: general ledger, accounts payable, accounts receivable, payroll coordination, and cash management
• Execute and maintain consistent monthly, quarterly, and annual close processes
• Maintain and reconcile all bank accounts, investment accounts, and client trust accounts
• Develop, refine, and enforce accounting policies, procedures, and internal controls
• Identify and correct inconsistencies, errors, and inefficiencies in current accounting practices

Financial reporting & budgeting

• Prepare and deliver monthly financial statements, board reports, and variance analyses
• Lead development of the annual organizational budget in collaboration with leadership
• Monitor cash flow and provide projections to support operational decision‑making
• Provide ad hoc financial analysis and reporting as needed

Grants & compliance

• Oversee financial tracking and reporting for grants in coordination with stakeholders
• Ensure expenditures align with grant requirements, budgets, and restrictions
• Lead audit preparation and serve as primary liaison to external auditors
• Oversee preparation of Form 990, 1099s, 1096, and all required financial filings
• Document and standardize key financial processes and workflows
• Improve efficiency and consistency within existing accounting systems
• Identify and implement practical improvements that reduce manual work and errors

Organizational leadership

• Serve as the primary point of accountability for financial accuracy and reporting
• Partner with leadership to improve financial visibility and support strategic decision‑making
• Establish financial discipline and accountability across departments

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in accounting or finance

5+ years of progressive accounting or finance experience

Strong full‑cycle accounting and financial reporting experience

Nonprofit accounting experience, including grants and fund accounting

Systems integration experience

Intermediate proficiency in Microsoft Office (Outlook, Word, Excel)

Demonstrated ability to identify issues, implement structure, and improve operational consistency

Authorized to work in the United States (visa sponsorship not available)

What we’re looking for

• Commitment to equal justice and advocacy for low‑income people
• Treats clients, staff, and the public with dignity and respect
• Appreciation for people of diverse economic, social, and cultural backgrounds
• High level of integrity, professionalism, and sound judgment
• Ability to take ownership of projects and work both independently and collaboratively
• Strong ability to handle and prioritize multiple competing demands

Compensation & work environment

$89,000 – $103,500 annually, depending on experience. Full‑time, exempt. Office hours Monday–Friday, 8 a.m.–5 p.m., with occasional after‑hours needs. Work is performed primarily in our Nashville, TN office. Some travel within the LASMTC service area may be required. Reasonable accommodations available.