Director of Finance

Mission Action; San Francisco (CA); On-site; USD 175,000 - 185,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical benefits

401(K) with employer matching

Flexible spending account

Paid holidays and vacation

Summer and Winter Recess

Job summary

Mission Action, located in San Francisco, is seeking a Director of Finance to oversee the organization’s financial management and support strategic decision-making. This key leadership role involves developing the annual budget, ensuring compliance with financial regulations, and managing a finance team.

The ideal candidate will have a strong background in nonprofit accounting and financial management, with at least 7–10 years of experience in the field. A Bachelor’s degree is required, and a CPA is preferred. Join us in creating impactful change within our community.

Qualifications

• Minimum of 7–10 years of experience in finance, accounting, or related function within a nonprofit.
• 3 years in a senior leadership or director-level role required.
• CPA or comparable advanced financial credential preferred.

Responsibilities

• Develop and monitor the annual budget across all departments.
• Prepare financial statements and ensure compliance with all financial laws.
• Oversee the audit process and manage banking relationships.
• Lead financial planning and analysis to support strategic decision-making.

Skills

Nonprofit accounting

Grants management

Government contract compliance

Financial planning

Budgeting

Interpersonal communication

Microsoft Excel

Financial modeling

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Accounting, Finance, Business Administration or related field

Master’s degree preferred

Tools

Sage Intacct

CARBON

Rippling

Ramp

Job description

Position: Director of Finance Department: Administration Reports To: Executive Director Compensation: $175,000‑$185,000 (Full‑time exempt). Benefits include medical, dental, vision, long‑term disability, life insurance and 401(K) with employer matching, flexible spending account, commuter benefits, paid holiday, sick and vacation, Summer Recess and Winter Recess.

Please submit resume and cover letter through https://www.missionaction.org/about/careers/

About the Organization

Founded in 1982, Mission Action, formerly known as Dolores Street Community Services (DSCS), is a multi‑issue, multi‑strategy nonprofit organization, with about 170 employees and an annual budget of $25 million, based in San Francisco's Mission District. Our mission is to nurture individual wellness and cultivate collective power among low‑income and immigrant communities to create a more just society. We provide direct services to meet immediate needs, as well as affect broader change by engaging in advocacy and community organizing, working on a wide range of issues – from homelessness, to housing, to immigration, to food justice, to employment. We believe deeply that these issues are interconnected, and that they must be addressed in solidarity to create a more just society.

Position Summary

The Director of Finance is a key member of the Leadership Team and is responsible for the organization’s overall financial management and the continued strengthening of the finance function. Reporting directly to the Executive Director, the Director partners closely with the Leadership Team to advance the organization’s mission. This role supports Board‑level meetings, staffs the Board Finance Committee, and serves as the primary liaison to external accounting, audit, and other financial consultants. The Director currently supervises a finance team of six staff, including an Accounting Manager, and will have the opportunity to assess department capacity and recommend improvements to support organizational growth and compliance needs.

Essential Duties & Responsibilities

• Develop the agency’s annual budget and forecasts, and monitor spending across all departments, funding sources, and programs to ensure the effective use of organizational resources.
• Lead the annual mid‑year budget revision process and submit budget modifications or revisions to funders as needed.
• Oversee the preparation of monthly and quarterly financial statements, analyses, and dashboards for the Executive Director and Board, ensuring timely, complete, and accurate financial records in coordination with external accounting providers as needed.
• Ensure compliance with all applicable financial laws, regulations, funder requirements, and audit standards, including tax reporting and audit readiness.
• Support the work of the Board Treasurer and Finance Committee by organizing meetings, preparing materials, and staffing committee sessions.
• Maintain and improve budgeting, forecasting, and financial reporting systems, tools, and templates to align with organizational activities and goals.
• Participate in organizational strategic planning with the Executive Team, staff, and Board, and lead special projects to strengthen administrative, financial, and operational systems.
• Coordinate the annual audit process with external auditors, including preparation of supporting documentation and oversight of the Form 990 and other required tax filings.
• Partner with program and development staff to prepare budgets and financial documentation for grant proposals, renewals, invoicing, and funder reports.
• Maintain banking relationships and serve as the primary contact with financial institutions, auditors, and other key external partners.
• Oversee cost allocation methodology and ensure the Cost Allocation Plan is maintained, updated annually, and applied consistently across government and other funding sources.
• Oversee subcontractor financial compliance and pass‑through grant management, including review of invoices, supporting documentation, and funder reporting requirements.
• Manage organizational cash flow, including monitoring reimbursement timing, accounts payable aging, and short‑term liquidity needs.
• Lead financial planning and analysis, including forecasting, scenario modeling, and variance analysis to support strategic decision‑making.
• Renew insurance policies and manage claims.

Other Organizational Duties

Participate on the agency’s Executive Team, Strategic Leadership Team, and other agency committees as needed. Conduct business in accordance with the Mission Action Employee Handbook, exercising sound judgment and serving the best interests of the agency and the community. Work within the framework of the agency’s mission, vision, values, theory of change, and organization’s commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion, restorative justice, trauma‑informed work, and language justice. Commit to treating each community member with respect and dignity. Perform other duties as assigned.

Skills & Qualifications

• Extensive knowledge of nonprofit accounting, grants management, and government contract compliance.
• Strong knowledge of financial planning, budgeting, internal controls, and applicable laws and regulations.
• Excellent oral, written, and interpersonal communication skills, including the ability to present financial information clearly to staff, leadership, Board members, funders, and external partners.
• Ability to read, analyze, and interpret professional journals, contracts, financial reports, and governmental regulations, and to prepare reports, business correspondence, and procedural documentation.
• Demonstrated ability to work collaboratively across teams while effectively directing and developing staff.
• Proven ability to manage multiple priorities, exercise sound judgment, and drive work to timely completion.
• Ability to maintain a high degree of confidentiality, professionalism, and discretion in all aspects of the role.
• Advanced proficiency in Microsoft Excel, including financial modeling, pivot tables, complex formulas, and forecasting tools; strong proficiency in Office 365 applications is required.
• Experience building meaningful dashboards and financial reporting tools for executive and Board audiences is highly desirable.
• Direct experience with government contracts, particularly with City and County of San Francisco departments such as HSH, HSA, CCSF, DPH, MOHCD, DCYF, OEWD, or ADM, is strongly preferred.
• Experience with financial audits and single audits is preferred.
• Experience with Sage Intacct, CARBON, Rippling, and Ramp is highly desirable.
• Demonstrated ability to design, assess, and strengthen internal controls, including segregation of duties and authorization practices, is highly valued.
• Experience preparing budget‑to‑actual reports, variance narratives, invoice packages, and other funder‑required financial documentation is preferred.

Education & Experience

• Bachelor’s degree in Accounting, Finance, Business Administration, or a related field required; Master’s degree preferred.
• Minimum of 7–10 years of progressively responsible experience in finance, accounting, or a related function within a nonprofit organization, including at least 3 years in a senior leadership or director‑level role.

Certificates, Licenses, Registrations

• CPA or comparable advanced financial credential preferred.

Work Environment

Work environment characteristics are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of the job. Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. The employee works primarily in an office environment. Travel may be required up to 15% of time on the job.

Physical Demands

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of the job. Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. The position requires extended periods of sitting and working at a computer. Position requires clear vision at 20 inches or less and ability to adjust focus. Position also requires occasional lifting of up to 25 pounds.

Equal Opportunity Employer

Mission Action is an equal‑opportunity employer which values lived experience and seeks applicants of the greatest diversity possible. We encourage people of color, women, older people, members of the LGBTQ community, and individuals with disabilities, including HIV and community members who grew up in the Mission District. Pursuant to the SF Fair Chance Ordinance, we will consider for employment, qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records.