Director of Finance

Advocates for Basic Legal Equality, Inc.; Toledo (OH); Hybrid; USD 97,000 - 118,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance

Annual leave

Sick leave

Language compensation

Paid parental leave

Job summary

Advocates for Basic Legal Equality, Inc. (ABLE) is seeking a Director of Finance to provide executive leadership over financial operations for ABLE, LAWO, and the Legal Aid Foundation of Western Ohio.

The role partners with executive leadership and boards to guide budgeting, long-term planning, and grant compliance, while developing the Finance Team and delivering actionable financial insights. The position requires strong nonprofit accounting expertise, experience with government grants, and a

Qualifications

• Minimum five years of progressive nonprofit accounting and fund accounting experience, including Government Auditing Standards.
• Extensive experience managing federal, state, and local government grants and grant reporting.
• Proficiency with GAAP and nonprofit financial reporting; strong internal controls.
• Experience leading a finance team and communicating with non-financial stakeholders.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities, deadlines, and audits.

Responsibilities

• Lead accounting and financial operations across three affiliated entities.
• Manage grants and fund accounting with compliance and reporting.
• Develop cost allocation methodologies and oversee payroll allocations.
• Maintain internal controls and audit readiness.
• Lead budgeting, forecasting, and financial analysis for leadership.
• Present financial statements to executive leadership, boards, and funders.
• Direct annual audits and ensure timely funder submissions.

Skills

Nonprofit accounting

Fund accounting

GAAP knowledge

Financial reporting

Education

Bachelor's degree in accounting, finance, or business administration

Tools

Fund accounting software

Job description

Make Justice Your Life’s Work
At Advocates for Basic Legal Equality (ABLE), we pursue justice and expand access to opportunity for people with low income through high quality legal representation and advocacy for systemic reform. For more than 50 years, we have partnered with individuals, families, and communities across Ohio to ensure their rights are protected and their voices are heard.

At ABLE, you will use your skills to make a meaningful impact. Whether you join our legal team or support our work in an administrative role, you will be part of a mission-driven organization focused on client-centered advocacy and lasting change.

A Purpose-Driven Career
You will not just work on cases. You will contribute to solutions that improve systems, strengthen communities, and expand access to justice. Your work will reflect your values and lead to real results for people facing barriers to opportunity.

A Culture of Respect and Collaboration
We provide a welcoming, inclusive, and professional environment where every team member is supported. Our collaborative approach and open communication help all of us do our best work.

Opportunities for Growth and Leadership
ABLE invests in its people. We offer mentorship, training, and meaningful experience across practice areas and departments. From day one, you will be empowered to lead, contribute, and grow in ways that benefit your career and our clients.

Support for Balance and Well-Being
We believe in work that is sustainable. ABLE supports a healthy balance between personal and professional life and provides the tools and flexibility to help staff thrive.

Position:Director of Finance

Location: Toledo or Dayton, OH

Job Id:379

# of Openings:1

Pos ition Available:

Director of Finance

Advocates for Basic Legal Equality, Inc. (ABLE) is a regional non-profit law firm. Our mission is to pursue justice and equity, facilitate access to opportunities for people with low incomes through passionate legal representation, and provide steadfast advocacy for systemic reform. ABLE is affiliated with Legal Aid of Western Ohio (LAWO), also a regional non-profit law firm that provides legal assistance.

Job Summary:

The Director of Finance provides executive-level leadership and oversight of the financial operations of Advocates for Basic Legal Equality, Inc. (ABLE), Legal Aid of Western Ohio, Inc. (LAWO), and the Legal Aid Foundation of Western Ohio. Reporting to the Executive Director, this position partners with organizational leadership, Boards of Trustees, and Finance and Audit Committees to guide budgeting and long-term planning, oversee complex restricted and unrestricted funding, maintain strong internal controls, and ensure regulatory and grant compliance. The Director leads and develops the Finance Team and translates complex financial information into actionable recommendations that advance access to justice.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES (other duties as assigned):

• Lead the accounting and financial operations of three affiliated nonprofit entities, including cash management, financial reporting, organizational assets, and stewardship of restricted and unrestricted funds.
• Oversee complex nonprofit fund accounting and federal, state, local, and foundation grants; ensure expenditures, reporting, and grant modifications comply with funder restrictions and contract requirements.
• Develop and maintain written cost allocation methodologies; oversee time-and-effort verification, payroll allocations, releases of restricted net assets, and grant reimbursement requests and cash flow.
• Maintain sound fiscal policies, accounting procedures, and internal controls, including fraud prevention, risk management, client trust accounting, and appropriate accounting-system controls.
• Lead annual operating and grant budgets, multiyear forecasts, monthly financial analysis, and recommendations to executive leadership on financial performance and sustainability.
• Prepare and present accurate, timely financial statements and clear, actionable financial information to executive leadership, Boards of Trustees, Finance and Audit Committees, funders, and other stakeholders.
• Direct annual independent audits and applicable federal Single Audits under Uniform Guidance; coordinate audit schedules, documentation, financial statements, and timely funder submissions.
• Ensure compliance with GAAP, Government Auditing Standards, nonprofit tax and reporting requirements, applicable Legal Services Corporation regulations, and federal, state, and local grant rules.
• Oversee timely preparation of tax and regulatory filings, including Form 990 and other applicable filings; support auditor selection and engagement processes.
• Lead, mentor, and evaluate the Finance Team; strengthen fiscal processes and financial literacy across departments.
• Oversee accounting-related aspects of insurance coverage, banking relationships, physical assets, real estate, leases, and records retention.
• Improve financial systems, reporting processes, and workflows to support efficient, reliable operations across the organizations.

SCOPE & IMPACT:

Provides strategic financial leadership across ABLE, LAWO, and the Legal Aid Foundation of Western Ohio, advising executive leadership and Boards of Trustees on financial health, compliance, organizational risk, and long-term sustainability.

This role combines executive-level financial strategy with hands‑on oversight of multi‑entity operations, restricted funding, audit readiness, and the Finance Team in support of high-quality civil legal aid.

MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS:

• Bachelor’s degree in accounting, finance, or business administration.
• At least five years of progressive experience in nonprofit accounting and fund accounting, including Government Auditing Standards.
• Extensive experience managing federal, state, and local government grants, restricted funding, and associated reporting and compliance requirements.
• Demonstrated knowledge of GAAP, nonprofit financial reporting, internal controls, grant cost allocation, and audit preparation.
• Proficiency with sophisticated fund accounting software platforms, database management, and advanced financial modeling tools; advanced Microsoft Office skills.
• Proven ability to lead and develop a finance team, manage multiple priorities, analyze complex financial information, and communicate clearly with non-financial stakeholders.
• Sound judgment, discretion with confidential information, strong organizational skills, and the ability to meet deadlines and collaborate with leadership, boards, funders, and auditors.
• Experience managing multiple funding sources and financial operations across multiple offices or entities.
• Commitment to ABLE and LAWO’s missions and to equal justice.
• Must not have worked within the previous 12 months for the accounting firm that performed ABLE and LAWO’s annual audits.

PREFERRED REQUIREMENTS:

• CPA or Certified Nonprofit Accounting Professional (CNAP) credential; MBA; and direct experience applying Legal Services Corporation (LSC) accounting requirements.

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Leads the Finance Team, including supervision of daily work, coaching, professional development, training, and performance evaluation.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS/WORK ENVIRONMENT:

• Work is performed in a normal office environment.
• Requires frequent sitting, keyboarding, and face‑to‑face or phone communication.
• Must possess a valid driver's license and be insurable.
• May require walking several blocks or overnight travel.
• New staff are required to work in the office full‑time during their first 90 days of employment. Following this onboarding period, a hybrid work schedule is available with a minimum of two in‑office days per week.

COMPENSATION, BENEFITS AND WORK LOCATION:

ABLE is committed to providing an equitable work environment, including a commitment to pay equity. The annual salary range for this position starts at $107,600 and increases based on experience. ABLE offers comprehensive fringe benefits, including health insurance, annual leave, sick leave, supplemental language compensation, and paid parental leave.

This position is based in Dayton, Ohio or Toledo, Ohio.

OTHER DUTIES: Please note this job posting is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive list of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the incumbent for this job. ABLE can revise or eliminate the requirements and responsibilities of this position at any time to reflect its needs and objectives. ABLE will notify affected employees of any changes and the effective date of such changes.

ABLE is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We strive to create an environment welcoming to all individuals.Applicants requiring accommodation for the interview/application process should contact the recruitmentcoordinator at [e-mail].