Director of Finance

Hybrid / Los Angeles (HQ in Little Tokyo)

Position Overview

Sterling Search Inc. has been exclusively retained to recruit for the new Director of Finance for Leadership Education for Asian Pacifics (LEAP).

LEAP (Leadership Education for Asian Pacifics) is a national, nonprofit organization founded in 1982 with a mission to achieve full participation and equality for Asian and Pacific Islanders (APIs). LEAP works to achieve this mission by: Developing People, because leaders are made not born; Informing Society, because leaders know the issues; and Empowering Communities, because leaders are grounded in strong, vibrant communities. Guided by the philosophy: “Keep Your Values. Develop New Skills.®”, LEAP is focused on “uncapping talent” and filling the pipeline with Asian and Pacific Islander leaders across all sectors.

It started with a simple yet powerful idea: that in order for API communities to realize their full potential and to foster robust participation in this increasingly globalized world, these communities would have to begin producing leaders who could advocate and speak on their behalf.

LEAP’s experience providing culturally relevant workshops and programs to more than 150,000 people across the nation indicates that challenges and roadblocks continue to exist for APIs and their climb into leadership. 

Thus, the role of LEAP in the API community continues to be essential as we strive to grow leaders for all sectors of society. Guided by the philosophy: “Keep Your Values. Develop New Skills.®”, LEAP believes that Asian and Pacific Islanders can retain their culture, identity and values while developing new and vital skills that will enable them to be effective leaders in their organizations, their communities and the broader society. Over 2,700 LEAP leadership development programs, workshops, and presentations anchored by this guiding philosophy have been delivered to clients including: colleges and universities, community and student organizations, federal and state government agencies and Fortune 1000 companies across the country.

Intent on “growing leaders”, its core strategic approach is Developing People, because leaders are made not born and need to be at the decision-making table; Informing Society, because leaders need to know the issues and be a voice for the communities they are representing or advocating for; Empowering Communities, because strong leaders give back to and are grounded in strong, vibrant communities.

Our Vision: Diverse leaders shaping communities for the benefit of all. 

Our Difference: LEAP is the only Asian and Pacific Islander organization dedicated to cultivating a robust pipeline of leaders by encouraging individuals to assume leadership positions at work and in the community, and ultimately, to become role models for future leaders.

 

Website: https://www.leap.org/

Audited Financials - https://www.leap.org/financials-governance

For the last 10 years, LEAP has been led by President and CEO Linda Akutagawa. She is committed to developing Asian and Pacific Islanders leaders, and from the classroom to the boardroom, she actively advocates for inclusive pathways for diverse leaders. Linda is a Commissioner on the 2020 California Citizens Redistricting Commission and an appointed member of the California Department of Insurance Diversity Task Force. She is also the Immediate Past Chair of the Alliance for Board Diversity, a Board Member of the Asian Pacific Planning and Policy Council (a co-founding organization of #StopAAPIHate), a member of the Asian/Asian American Institute Advisory Board at California State University at Los Angeles (CSULA) and a Board member of Japanese American Community Services (JACS). She is a nationally recognized speaker and facilitator on leadership, diversity, equity, and inclusion, nonprofits, and board governance.

Under her leadership, LEAP boasts $2M in assets and $3M in revenue which is represented by 60% in contributed income and 40% fee for service. Additionally, LEAP has 3 months of operating cost reserves, $1.2M in cash and a line of credit available. Earlier this year, LEAP’s Sr. Vice President of Administration & CFO retired after a long and productive career with the organization. LEAP has retained her financial leadership on a part-time consulting capacity to assist with special projects and onboarding the successful candidate. LEAP has historically had clean audits and will be going out with an RFP for a new audit firm this year.

LEAP is now seeking its new Finance Director who will focus on the tactical day to day financial operations and have the ability and aspiration to grow into a strategic role working closely with the 5-person Finance Committee. This individual must possess intellectual horsepower and be naturally persuasive and fair, and value accountability for themselves and others.

About This Role 

LEAP is seeking a Director of Finance to oversee a diverse array of accounting, finance and operational/administrative services (including Human Resources and benefits,) which are fundamental to both daily operations and the achievement of organizational priorities and objectives. This position reports to the President and CEO and will be integral in assisting senior management in developing and implementing strategies that facilitate organizational growth and impact.

To be successful in this position, the Director of Finance must have strong leadership, management, technology, analytical and communication skills. You must enjoy working in a hybrid team environment, possess strong interpersonal skills with the ability to be highly flexible and excel in a fast paced, multi-tasking and dynamic work environment.

What You’ll Do 

FINANCIAL MANAGEMENT

  • Develop sound financial and administrative policies and procedures and internal controls for accounting, auditing, budgeting, payroll, and administrative services functions. Implement and monitor policies, procedures, and internal controls to ensure accuracy and efficiency.

  • Lead activities relating to the management and control of cash flow and banking relations.

  • Manage and carry out the organization’s daily administrative and financial activities, including financial record keeping, production of financial statements and personnel records.

BUDGETING AND PLANNING

  • Work with the Board Treasurer, Finance and Risk Committee, Board of Directors, and the President and CEO in the development of financial objectives for the organization.

  • Direct the preparation of organizational operating budgets and forecasts with staff and Executive Management Team, Finance and Risk Committee and Board approval.

  • Prepare operating budgets and forecasts for all financial functions; monitor revenues and expenses against approved budget. Recommend and monitor expense control initiatives. Prepare analyses of variances and recommend revision of plan and budget.

  • Work closely with Executive Management Team, and other designated staff in long- range strategic planning for the organization, grant creation and reporting, and budget preparation.

RECORD-KEEPING

  • Carry out timely preparation and maintenance of all accounting records and provide appropriate financial/statistical reports.

  • Maintain the organization's revenue and expense records, produce monthly financial statements, process accounts payable and accounts receivable, process deposits, and maintain annuity records.

  • Oversee and direct payroll and tax payment systems; direct the preparation and maintenance of all payroll records and reporting, assuring compliance with all legal requirements and organizational objectives.

  • Prepare and submit federal, state, and local income tax forms, withholding forms, and other forms as required.

  • Ensure compliance with all financial/tax reporting requirements of agencies and foundations.

AUDIT AND TAXES REPORTING

  • Review audit needs of the organization; liaison to Audit Committee as to selection of auditors.

  • Personally carry out audit preparation.

  • Work with the auditors in preparation of the annual audit report and filing of tax reports. Review and approve all drafts; assure distribution of reports as required.

  • Respond to auditor's findings and recommendations in consultation with Finance and Risk Committee, taking action as appropriate.

  • Develop internal audit procedures to ensure that systems are functioning as planned.

  • Support the preparation of Form 990 and ensure that a copy of the most recent IRS form 990 and related schedules are available for review according to federal law.

ADMINISTRATIVE

  • Negotiate contracts; coordinate the administration of all operating leases and contracts, including consultant agreements, insurance, building lease, and other services.

  • Prepare and review all contracts for major contracted services, and staff employment offers

  • Hire, train, manage, and evaluate all finance/administrative staff.

  • Serve as part of the Executive Management team to assist the President and CEO in setting and implementing administrative policies established by the Board.

  • Work with the organization's legal counsel to resolve legal matters.

  • Serve as a strategic thought partner to the President and CEO, senior management, and the board, aiding in policy formation and management.

BOARD OF DIRECTORS

  • Liaison to Executive Committee of Board, Finance and Risk Committee and Audit Committee; interact with Board Treasurer as needed.

  • Prepare monthly financial statements and interim reports as requested by Board Treasurer, Finance and Risk Committee as required.

PERSONNEL

  • Working with the HR Consultant, oversee the establishment of personnel policies for all staff.

  • Direct the execution of all benefits programs, including retirement programs, health insurance, and all other types of institutional insurance, maintaining accurate records and filing all required reports.

  • Maintain employee records showing date of hire, compensation, and benefits, leave records, and other pertinent personnel data.

  • Prepare and file employer reports to government agencies, insurance companies, etc.

  • Oversight of organizational and personnel surveys as needed.

  • Supervise Operations Manager

 Who You Are 

  • Bachelor’s degree in accounting or business administration.

  • 5-8 years accounting experience; work in a nonprofit is a plus.

  • Working knowledge of generally accepted accounting principles related to 501 C (3) entities.

  • Working knowledge of QuickBooks and Excel is a must; knowledgeable using Lacerte is a plus.

  • Experience with grants management and individual donors.

  • 3 years supervisory experience and working in a senior level role.

  • Enjoys working hands-on with a lean hard-working team, including consultants and contractors.

  • Proven successful interactions with Boards and a diverse array of community stakeholders.

  • Professional demeanor and ability to interact with clients, donors, vendors, executives, and staff.

  • Ability to quickly build trust and strong relationships throughout LEAP’s organization and with our clients, donors, and vendors.

  • A leader who focuses on the growth and well-being of others.

  • A sense of humor, confidence, flexibility, and a commitment of excellence.

Other Information 

  • Hybrid role - able to travel to our office in Little Tokyo, Los Angeles 2 days per week.

  • Occasional travel to attend Board meetings and events as a representative of the organization.

  • Full-time, exempt position.

  • Full health, vision, and dental coverage; long-term disability after two months employment.

  • Option to participate in Health Savings Account with employer contribution.

  • Participate in 401K Retirement Plan with 4% employer match after one-year of employment.

  • Unlimited paid time off.

  • Winter and Spring office closures.

  • Personal development and skill-building support.

Compensation:

A competitive compensation package will be offered to attract an outstanding candidate. The budgeted salary range is $110-120k, and the salary will be commensurate with experience.

Please contact Julie Lugo or Sarah Agee for a confidential conversation and to learn more about this opportunity.

Phone: (310) 909-4897 or (949) 903-2891
Email: Julie@SterlingSearchInc.com or Sarah@SterlingSearchInc.com

Please direct all correspondence, emails, and telephone calls to Sterling Search, Inc. Any communication with LEAP will be redirected back to Sterling Search.

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