Director, Financial Planning & Analysis

Salaries for Director Level Positions at the Cooke Foundation start at $120,000

MAJOR FUNCTION

Work collaboratively with CFO and Controller to manage accounting functions and workflow of the finance department. Primarily responsible for coordination of budget and forecast processes and completion of budget package and spending updates for Board Members and Foundation Management. Review monthly financial reports and prepare quarterly variance letters. Ensure accurate and complete financial reporting and reconciliation of the Foundation's endowment and scholarship programs for monthly and quarterly reporting and audit and tax purposes. Oversee completion of key schedules required for the audited financial statements, 990PF, and unrelated business income tax reporting. Responsible for Treasury management. Finance team lead in developing in implementing technology strategy to support financial processes, workflow, reporting, and analysis. Assist with other projects as required.

PRINCIPAL RESPONSIBILITIES

Coordinate annual budget process and complete budget packages for Board Members and Foundation Management. Work closely with CFO and Controller to design and produce an accurate and complete budget presented in a professional format including high-level analysis as well as detailed account information. Responsibilities include management and coordination of entire budget process, review and analysis of budgeted expenses by function and program, maintenance and development of budget spreadsheets, and distribution to management and staff as appropriate. Explore new tools to facilitate budget process.

Prepare periodic forecast updates for Executive Management and the Board reflecting changes to required payout and actual versus budgeted spending. Understand all variances, including scholarship payout variances. Maintain updated analysis and payout requirements based on investment returns and average asset calculations. Ensure all approved budget adjustments are accurately reflected in the financial statements.

Support Controller and Finance Staff in monthly and year-end closing processes. Prepare quarterly reports to the Board highlighting financial activity and variances to the budget. Ensure grant and scholarship expenditures and investment activity is properly reflected and reconciliations are complete. Collaborate with Outsourced Chief Investment Office (OCIO) and custodian (Northern Trust) to ensure complete, accurate and timely accounting reporting for month-end close and for audit and tax purposes.

Participate in annual financial statement audit. Specific duties include, preparation or review of financial statement disclosures related to investments and scholarships, review of account reconciliations and confirmations, collaboration with external audit team and OCIO, and compilation of annual audit documentation.

Work closely with the CFO, Controller, Senior Financial Analyst, and external tax preparers to complete the Foundation's annual federal returns and state unrelated business income tax reporting. Ensure quarterly tax payments are made and tax expense and liabilities are properly recorded in accordance with GAAP. Support Senior Financial Analyst in analysis of K-1's and tax liability by state. Coordinate with OCIO and investment managers as necessary to respond to inquiries from tax preparers.

Support CFO in treasury management. Manage banking relationships, cash forecasting, and compliance and reporting related to the Foundation's tax-exempt bonds and line of credit.

Work closely with Chief Technology Officer, Data Integrity Manager, outside consultants, and Finance Staff on technology initiatives that will improve processes and/or reporting capabilities through automation and data management. Participate in strategy conversations and project implementations to enhance, upgrade, or replace software applications as appropriate.

Manage and provide guidance to those under your supervision. Create and maintain an environment that will promote smooth workflow and teamwork across the organization while maintaining segregation of duties. Encourage professional development and ensure adequate training for your team. Work closely with the Controller to maintain a cross-training program to ensure coverage of critical finance duties.

Assume special projects as assigned by the CFO & Treasurer. Flexible to manage numerous tasks simultaneously while meeting assigned deadlines. Proactive in initiating and implementing new processes and procedures in order to automate and streamline accounting functions while maintaining a strong control environment.

Complete surveys (i.e., FFOG, Census, etc.) and ad hoc reporting as required.

JOB QUALIFICATIONS & REQUIREMENTS

• Bachelor's degree required; CPA and/or MBA preferred.
• Eight to ten years of finance or a combination of finance and accounting experience, including budgeting, planning and analysis.
• Must possess demonstrated experience in process improvements, in particular those related to technology improvements or implementations that involve complex databases and/or integrated software applications. Ability to use Microsoft Excel at an advanced level.
• Management Reporter and Great Plains Dynamics Accounting System experience is preferred.
• Experience in management of staff and accounting functions to ensure that all work is completed as required while managing changing priorities and multiple tasks.
• Strong operational and analytical skills necessary to develop and maintain accurate and timely financial, tax and grant reporting and compliance in an evolving, dynamic environment.
• The Foundation follows a 35-hour work week schedule for full-time positions. Exempt employees may be required to work additional hours as needed to perform the duties of the job.