Finance Director

Mutual Ground; Aurora (IL); On-site; USD 110,000 - 150,000; Full time

Job summary

Mutual Ground is seeking a Finance Director to provide strategic and operational leadership for the organization's financial management in Aurora, IL. The role reports to the CEO and works with the Finance Committee and Board to ensure fiscal integrity and regulatory compliance.

You will oversee budgeting, financial reporting, treasury management, grant and contract compliance, audits, and internal controls while guiding financial planning to support service delivery and organizational growth.

Responsibilities

• Lead development and administration of the agency's annual operating budget and grant budgets.
• Support strategic planning through financial analysis, modeling, and long-range planning.
• Collaborate with program and admin leadership on financial planning and resource allocation.
• Monitor performance: budget-to-actual, cash flow, forecasts; identify variances and risks.
• Present financial reports to executive leadership, Finance Committee, and Board.
• Approve journal entries, reconciliations, and significant financial transactions.
• Ensure accuracy and timeliness of financial reporting.
• Provide financial guidance to support board decisions.
• Staff liaison to the Finance Committee; support fiduciary oversight.
• Develop and oversee cost allocation to comply with grants.
• Oversee grant and contract budgets; administer grant systems (GATA, CSA, SAM).
• Review disbursements, payroll allocations, reimbursements per policy.
• Manage registrations, renewals, prequalification for funding eligibility.
• Coordinate with funders on reporting and monitoring; adjust budgets.
• Ensure compliance with Uniform Guidance, GAAP, and funding regs.
• Oversee restricted funds management and compliance.
• Oversee banking relationships, cash management, liquidity.

Job description

The Finance Director provides strategic and operational leadership for the financial management of Mutual Ground Inc. and is responsible for ensuring the organization's financial stability, regulatory compliance, and fiscal integrity. The Finance Director oversees budgeting, financial reporting, treasury management, grant and contract compliance, audits, internal controls, and financial planning. This position serves as a key advisor to the Chief Executive Officer, Finance Committee, and Board of Directors and supervises the Finance Manager. The Finance Director ensures that the agency's financial systems, policies, and practices support sound stewardship of resources and compliance with federal, state, local, and private funding requirements.

Financial Leadership and Planning

• Lead development and administration of the agency's annual operating budget and oversee development of program and grant budgets.
• Support strategic planning and organizational growth through financial analysis, modeling, and long-range planning.
• Partner with program and administrative leadership on financial planning, resource allocation, and operational decision-making.
• Monitor organizational financial performance, including budget-to-actual results, cash flow, and financial forecasts; analyze significant variances, identify risks and opportunities, and work with the CEO and department leadership to develop appropriate financial strategies and corrective actions.

Financial Reporting and Board Support

• Review, analyze, and present organizational financial reports, forecasts, and recommendations to executive leadership, the Finance Committee, and the Board of Directors.
• Prepare and present monthly, quarterly, and annual financial statements, budget-to-actual reports, forecasts, and financial analyses to executive leadership, the Finance Committee, and the Board of Directors.
• Review and approve journal entries, account reconciliations, financial statements, and other significant financial transactions prepared by finance staff.
• Ensure the accuracy, integrity, and timeliness of organizational financial reporting.
• Provide financial guidance and analysis to support organizational and board decision-making.
• Serve as staff liaison to the Finance Committee and support the committee in fulfilling its fiduciary oversight responsibilities.
• Develop, approve, and oversee cost allocation methodologies to ensure personnel and operating costs are distributed accurately and in compliance with grant and funding requirements.

Grant and Contract Financial Management

• Lead development, administration, monitoring, and modification of all grant and contract budgets.
• Serve as the agency's primary administrator for grantor and regulatory systems, including GATA, CSA, SAM, and other required funding portals.
• Review and approve significant disbursements, payroll allocations, grant reimbursement requests, and other financial transactions in accordance with agency policies and internal controls.
• Oversee annual registrations, certifications, renewals, and prequalification requirements necessary to maintain funding eligibility.
• Review and approve grant reimbursement requests, financial reports, and budget modifications prior to submission.
• Coordinate directly with funders regarding financial reporting, compliance requirements, budget revisions, monitoring activities, and corrective actions.
• Ensure compliance with grant agreements, Uniform Guidance, GATA requirements, and applicable federal, state, and local funding regulations.
• Oversee restricted fund management and ensure expenditures comply with funding requirements and approved grant budgets.

Audit, Compliance, and Risk Management

• Lead annual financial audits, Single Audit activities, Form 990 preparation and review, and implementation of audit recommendations.
• Serve as the primary liaison with external auditors, funders, regulatory agencies, and financial institutions.
• Lead preparation for grant monitoring visits, compliance reviews, Single Audits, and corrective action responses.
• Oversee implementation and maintenance of internal controls, financial policies, and compliance systems.
• Lead organizational responses to audit findings, compliance reviews, and monitoring reports.
• Ensure compliance with nonprofit accounting standards, Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP), agency policies, and applicable regulatory requirements.

Treasury Management and Financial Oversight

• Oversee banking relationships, cash management activities, reserve funds, and cash flow planning.
• Monitor organizational liquidity and financial sustainability.
• Review financial processes and identify opportunities to improve efficiency, accountability, and internal controls.

Department Leadership

• Supervise and support finance staff, including the Finance Manager.
• Establish departmental priorities and ensure continuity of critical financial functions through training, cross-training, and documentation.
• Provide leadership, guidance, and oversight regarding financial procedures, compliance requirements, and fiscal accountability throughout the organization.
• Conduct performance evaluations and support professional development of finance staff.