Position: Director of Accounting 

Department: Finance & Operations 

Office Location: The ideal candidate is located in any of the following states or major metropolitan areas where Lambda Legal has an office: New York, NY (Headquarters); Atlanta, GA (Southern); Dallas, TX (South Central); Chicago, IL (Midwest); Los Angeles, CA (Western); or Washington, D.C.   

Work Type Designation: Hybrid or Work from Home  

Reports to: Chief Financial Officer 

Union Salary Grade: This is not a union position. 

Annual Salary Range: $120,000-$150,000. The salary for this role will be determined by a candidate's years of relevant experience related to the position, as well as their geographic region.    
Travel:  Up to 10%  

FLSA Status:  Exempt/Full-time 

Supervisory Responsibilities: Will be assigned to manage accounting staff, which currently includes one Staff Accountant. 
 

Who We Are  

Lambda Legal is a national advocacy organization committed to achieving full recognition of the civil rights for the LGBTQ+ community and everyone living with HIV through impact litigation, education, and public policy work. Since 1973, Lambda Legal has used impact litigation and other advocacy tools to decriminalize same-sex relationships; challenge discrimination against LGBTQ+ people and people living with HIV in the workplace, in the home, in schools, in health care, and in the military; and protect LGBTQ+ families, including by winning and defending marriage equality. Our clients are not charged for legal representation or advocacy and Lambda Legal receives no government funding. Headquartered in New York City, Lambda Legal also has regional offices in Los Angeles, Chicago, Atlanta, Dallas, and Washington, DC.   
  
We believe that serving the full breadth of the LGBTQ+ and HIV communities requires cultural competency and enthusiasm for diversity of all kinds. To be successful, we must approach our work with an understanding that discrimination based on sexual orientation, gender identity, or HIV status is not the only obstacle to achieving full formal and lived equality for LGBTQ+ people and everyone living with HIV; rather, we recognize the intersectional nature of discrimination, specifically including biases based on race, religion, national origin, gender, disability, education, and class. Considering this reality, we prioritize a proactive commitment to counteracting these biases and their compounding effects in the work we do, but also in how we work together as an organization. 

Director of Accounting
The Director of Accounting is responsible for overseeing the accounting operations of the organization, including financial reporting, general ledger management, month-end and year-end close cycles, and compliance with internal policies and external regulations. This role supervises and develops accounting staff, ensures the accuracy of grant and fund accounting, and supports annual audits and tax filings. With a focus on maintaining strong internal controls and efficient processes, the Director of Accounting plays a key leadership role in supporting the organization’s financial health and strategic goals.  

What you'll do:

Reporting to the Chief Financial Officer, the Director of Accounting requires someone who takes initiative and has an eye for attention to detail.  The following is a list of the core responsibilities for the Director of Accounting. 

• Financial Reporting 
  • Oversee the preparation of accurate and timely monthly, quarterly, and annual financial reports, ensuring compliance with GAAP and organizational policies. 
  • Prepare detailed financial statements, including balance sheets, income statements, and cash flow reports for management and board review. 
  • Assist in the development of specialized reports for grants and restricted funds. 
• General Ledger Management 
  • Manage and oversee all aspects of the general ledger, including maintaining proper records, reconciling accounts, and ensuring the accuracy of financial data. 
  • Ensure proper classification of income and expenses, including restricted and unrestricted funds. 
  • Maintain and oversee chart of accounts and manage all journal entries. 
• Month-end and Year-end Close Processes 
  • Lead the month-end and year-end close processes, ensuring all deadlines are met. 
  • Review and reconcile accounts, enduring accurate accruals, deferrals, and adjustments are made. 
  • Support detailed variance analyses of actual results compared to budget. 
• Audit Preparation and Support 
  • Coordinate with the CFO, Board Audit Committee, staff, and external auditors during the annual audit process. 
  • Prepare audit schedules and respond to auditor inquiries, ensuring a smooth and timely audit. 
  • Implement any audit recommendations related to financial processes and internal controls. 
• Grant and Accounting Reporting 
  • Oversee the financial tracking and reporting for grants, including monitoring compliance with donor restrictions and ensuring proper use of restricted funds. 
  • Collaborate with program and development teams to provide financial information for grant proposals, budgets, and reports. 
  • Prepare required financial reports for funders and foundations. 
• Internal Controls and Compliance 
  • Implement and maintain strong internal controls, ensuring accuracy, completeness, and timeliness of financial transactions. 
  • Ensure compliance with organizational policies, donor requirements, and applicable laws and regulations. 
  • Periodically review internal controls and recommend improvements as necessary. 
• Accounts Payable and Receivable 
  • Oversee the accounts payable function, ensuring timely processing of invoices and payments and monitoring aging reports. 
  • Reconcile revenue with development records on a monthly basis, ensuring proper revenue recognition and tracking of receivables. 
  • Ensure proper coding and approval of all transactions. 
• Cash Management 
  • Assist the CFO in managing daily cash flow, enduring that funds are available to meet operational needs. 
  • Monitor bank balances and transfers, ensuring all deposits and withdrawals are properly recorded. 
  • Reconcile bank accounts monthly, including investment accounts. 
• Financial Systems and Software 
  • Maintain and enhance financial systems, enduring data integrity and proper functionality. 
  • Train and support staff in using financial software, providing troubleshooting as needed. 
  • Identify opportunities to improve efficiency through automation and system improvements. 
• Tax Reporting and Other Compliance 
  • Lead the preparation and review of the Form 990 and other tax filings. 
  • Ensuring timely and accurate filing of all necessary tax reports, including payroll and sales tax returns where applicable, and other compliance reports such as charitable registration filings, corporate registration filings, and charitable gift annuity reporting. 
  • Keep up to date with changes in tax laws relevant to nonprofit organizations. 
• Supervision and People Management 
  • Directly supervise the accounting staff, including hiring, onboarding, coaching, performance management, and professional development 
  • Delegate and oversee day-to-day tasks and priorities to ensure effective team execution of goals 
  • Conduct regular check-ins and annual performance reviews 
  • Participate in personnel decisions and/or oversight of additional staff or contractors related to accounting functions 
  • Provide training to the accounting staff on financial processes and systems. 
• Cross-Departmental Collaboration  
  • Partner with program and development teams to ensure proper financial oversight and accountability. 
  • Collaborate across the organization to improve efficiency in accounting processes. 
  • Provide financial data and analysis to support decision-making across the organization. 
• Other duties as assigned. 

Who you are: 

Requirements: 

• 8+ years of progressive accounting leadership experience and at least 2 years of people management experience. 
• A bachelor’s degree in accounting or a related field; CPA designation and advanced degree (Master’s in Accounting or Master’s in Business Administration) are a strong plus. 
• Proficiency in GAAP, nonprofit accounting principles, and fund accounting. Familiarity with financial compliance requirements for grants and contracts is highly desired. 
• Advanced experience with financial software and systems (e.g. Blackbaud Financial Edge, Sage Intacct, etc.) and sophisticated skillsets with Excel and PowerPoint. Experience with Concur or similar expense management tools is a plus. 
• Demonstrated expertise in internal controls and the ability to design and implement policies to ensure compliance and accuracy. 
• Exceptional analytics, critical thinking, and problem-solving skills, with the ability to interpret complex financial data and clearly communicate insights to diverse audiences. 
• Proven track record of managing and developing accounting teams, fostering a culture of collaboration, accountability, and professional growth. 
• Highest level of professional ethics and confidentiality, with the ability to manage multiple deadlines in a fast-paced environment. 
• Strong organizational, time management, and prioritization skills, with the ability to manage multiple deadlines in a fast-paced environment. 
• Ability to adapt to a changing environment and maintain composure under pressure. 
• High level of commitment – must display a positive, confident assertive personality and be able to work on projects until completion. 
• Must possess the following personal attributes: Trustworthy, Strategic, Organized, Results-driven, Self-starter, Inclusive, Transparent and Collaborative. 
• Ability to interact with all levels of the organization and to excel in an environment that emphasizes teamwork and collaboration. 
• Any successful candidate will welcome the opportunity to work in a racially- and gender-diverse environment 

Nice-to-haves: 

• Experience in a non-profit environment with complex grant or fund accounting requirements. 
• Experience working as a manager in a unionized workplace. 
• Experience working with other historically marginalized communities in a professional or volunteer capacity. 
• Prior work on behalf of the LGBTQ+ community and/or people living with HIV. 

Why Work at Lambda Legal? 

You get to do meaningful, life-changing work at a national level for LGBTQ+ people and everyone living with HIV. Lambda Legal also proudly offers competitive benefits for our team. We understand that our staff’s dedication and effort are instrumental in achieving our mission. A highlight of the benefits we offer include: 

• Medical benefits that begin on your start date 
• Dental, Vision, and Life insurance (effective 30 days from your start date) 
• Short & Long-Term Disability plans (effective 30 days from your start date) 
• 403(b) Retirement Plan (employer contribution and matching program begins after 90 days of employment) 
• Paid Time Off: 
  • Paid Vacation (15 Days) 
  • Sick Leave (12 Days) 
  • Personal Leave (3 Days) 
  • Religious Observance Leave (3 Days) 
  • Bereavement and Bereavement Anniversary Leave 
  • Floating Holiday (1 Day) 
• 12 paid holidays and 5 early office closures 
• Flexible Spending Account (FSA/DC FSA) and Commuter Benefits 
• Health Reimbursement Account 
• Annual professional development funds 
• $50 monthly mobile phone reimbursement 
• Summer Fridays from Memorial Day to Labor Day 
• Premium subscription to the Calm App 
• Paid sabbatical after 7 years of service at Lambda Legal (4 weeks for non-exempt positions and 8 weeks for exempt positions) 

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Read more about Lambda Legal's work on our blog and Instagram.

Lambda Legal believes in creating a more equitable playing field for applicants and values the depth of relevant skills built through successful education, work, and life experiences. If your background and skills are a close match for this position, you are strongly encouraged to apply.

Lambda Legal is committed to further building and maintaining a staff that reflects the full range of LGBTQ+, HIV-affected and allied communities, and is an equal opportunity employer. We value a diverse workforce and an inclusive culture. Lambda Legal encourages applications from all qualified individuals without regard to race, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, age, national origin, marital status, citizenship or immigration status, disability, veteran status, record of arrest or conviction, or any other characteristic protected by applicable law. Black people, Indigenous people, people of color, lesbian, gay, bisexual, queer, transgender and gender-diverse people, women, people with abilities in multiple languages, immigrants, people living with disabilities, protected veterans, and formerly incarcerated individuals and individuals living with HIV are all encouraged to apply.