Senior Director of Accounting

Advocates; Framingham (MA); On-site; USD 130,000 - 150,000; Full time

Job summary

Advocates, Inc. is a nonprofit organization in Massachusetts seeking a Senior Director of Accounting to supervise the General Ledger team and lead external financial reporting. The role partners with external auditors and tax authorities while ensuring accuracy of financial statements.

The position offers a competitive salary and a Monday–Friday schedule, with a focus on professional development within a mission-driven culture.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's Degree in accounting/business or related field.
• Ten+ years of accounting experience, nonprofit preferred.
• CPA/CMA/MBA is a plus.

Responsibilities

• Lead the General Ledger team and oversee staff development.
• Manage monthly close, reconciliations, and journal entries.
• Oversee external financial reporting and annual audit.
• Coordinate tax return preparation and regulatory filings.
• Provide guidance on technical accounting issues with external authorities.
• Drive process improvements and strong internal controls.

Skills

Leadership

Analytical thinking

Communication

Education

Bachelor's Degree

Job description

Salary Range: $130,000 - $150,000

Schedule: Monday through Friday 8:30am-5pm

The Senior Director of Accounting is responsible for ensuring the accuracy and integrity of the organization’s assets and the presentation of the financial statements. Advocates, Inc. & Affiliates is a multi-entity organization with net assets of $75M, and annual revenues approaching $250M. The Senior Director of Accounting will oversee the accounting team and take a lead role in external financial reporting, leading the annual financial audit, preparation of tax returns, and other regularity filings. They will provide guidance on technical accounting issues; consulting with external authorities as needed. Additionally, they will work with the accounting team on professional development activities.

Who We Are

At Advocates, we provide comprehensive services for people facing developmental, mental health, or other life challenges.

We’re a nonprofit, mission-driven organization with a person-centered approach, empowering the individuals we support to make choices, build independence, and live full, meaningful lives. Our work is rooted in respect, compassion, and inclusion, and we envision a world where individual differences are appreciated and celebrated.

At Advocates, we value the ideas, experiences, and contributions of employees and are committed to fostering a supportive, welcoming culture where everyone can grow and thrive.

Minimum Education Required

Bachelor's Degree

Responsibilities

• Manage the General Ledger team. Provide supervision and guidance to direct reports. Ensure professional development opportunities are available across the team.
• Provide training and technical support as needed.
• Research and provide guidance on technical accounting topics and new and emerging accounting guidelines. Consult with external experts as needed.
• Manage the monthly close process including overseeing reconciliations.
• Review and record journal entries required to reflect monthly activity.
• Perform Cash Management Treasury functions as well as authorized check signer.
• Liaison for Workers Compensation audit.
• Maintain and revise all policies and procedures pertaining to the Fiscal Services Team.
• Ensure compliance with all applicable laws, rules, and regulations.
• Manage preparation for and completion of year end audit and consolidated statements.
• Establish and maintain systems and controls to verify the integrity of all processes, systems, data, and reporting.
• Serve as primary contact for the annual audit and uniform financial report (UFR).
• Preparation of federal and state tax organizers and initial tax return review.
• Preparation and filing of Owner Certified Real Estate Assessment Center (REAC) filings.
• Recommend procedural improvements to processes and resolve issues.
• Assume a supervisory role of other finance and accounting staff as needed.
• Participate in a wide variety of special projects and develop ad hoc reports as requested.

Advocates is committed to cultivating a diverse and welcoming community where everyone feels respected and valued. Advocates fosters a culture of inclusion that celebrates and promotes diversity along multiple dimensions, including race, ethnicity, sex, gender identity, gender expression, sexual orientation, partnered status, age, national origin, socioeconomic status, religion, ability, culture, and experience.

• BS in Accounting or Business. Ten plus years of accounting experience, preferably in the non-profit sector, with at least three years as a supervisor preferred.
• Accounting experience in full general ledger monthly closing. CPA, CMA, or MBA preferred.
• Strong understanding of various applicable funding sources.
• Proficiency in accounting software applications.
• Strong spreadsheet and computer skills.
• Strongly prefer that a candidate will have a demonstrated understanding of and competence in serving culturally diverse populations.
• Ability to hire, develop, and mentor staff for optimal performance.
• Excellent written and oral communication skills, ability to interact and communicate effectively with all levels of internal and external stakeholders. Ability to work effectively independently and in a team atmosphere.
• Ability to communicate articulately and knowledgeably with all levels of internal staff and outside constituencies such as auditors.
• High energy level, superior interpersonal skills and ability to function in a team atmosphere.
• Must be detailed oriented and superior organizational skills.
• Must hold a valid drivers’ license and have access to an automobile.