Senior Director, Finance & Accounting

American Rivers

Senior Director of Finance & Accounting at American Rivers. Responsible for financial transactions, compliance, and team leadership in a nonprofit context.

Posted 6/17/2026full-timeWashington • District of Columbia, Washington • 🇺🇸 United StatesSenior💰 $154,000 - $168,000 per yearWebsite

About the role

Key responsibilities & impact

Ensure accounts, ledgers, and reports comply with non-profit GAAP and Federal and State regulatory requirements.
Work with the CFO to develop and maintain a service-centered financial system that meets the information needs required for external reporting, internal financial planning, and program implementation.
Prepare, review, and approve financial statements and month-end entries and accounting report package for accuracy and timely distribution to the Executive Team, as well as the Finance Committee and Board as needed.
Monitor financial performance and keep CFO informed of significant variances across periods and impact on cash needs.
Prepare annual financial statements and notes.
Oversee and consolidate information in the preparation of annual tax returns.
Maintain internal controls and safeguards for receipts, payments, fixed assets, and recording transactions.
Serve as primary point of contact with outside auditors to coordinate audit activity.
Recommend and implement improvements for accounting processes to increase efficiency and accuracy.
Provide training and guidance to stakeholders on finance and accounting current best practices to support effective program implementation.
Monitor operating account balances and recommend necessary cash transfers among bank accounts and/or investment accounts.
Administers bank portal.
In consultation with the CFO, maintains and sets up new accounts as needed with the bank.
Consolidate and prepare multi-year cashflow model for c3 and c4 entities to report to Executive Team and Board.
Develop, communicate, and update Finance and Accounting policies and procedures.
Review and update Finance SOPs to clarify roles and responsibilities.
Coordinate with the CFO to ensure a balanced separation of duties.
Enforce established internal controls and recommend changes as necessary.
Supports CFO with team management in line with AR’s vision and core values.
Lead team members to develop skills and increase their knowledge base.
Clarify roles and responsibilities while building a supportive team environment.
Strengthen internal communications with staff; promote process efficiency and accuracy across functions and departments.

Requirements

What you’ll need

Bachelor’s degree in accounting or finance and CPA required.
Minimum of 10 years of nonprofit experience.
At least 10 years of supervisory experience and 15 years of progressive experience in finance and accounting with management experience.
Knowledge of tax laws and related issues for 501(c)(3) and 501(c)(4) organizations, including UBI, lobbying disclosures, federal and state filings, and internal controls
Expertise in accounting software and office software products (Sage Intacct preferred).
Superior understanding of all aspects of nonprofit accounting, financial management, and FASB pronouncements.
Experience in accounting for deferred gifts.
Excellent organizational and management skills.
Strong verbal and written communications skills.
Ability to multi-task and prioritize duties.
Ability to handle sensitive and confidential matters with discretion.
Able to produce high quality work and exercise good judgment.
Candidates who are unsure if they meet all minimum qualifications or who have transferable skills and experience beyond the conservation sector are encouraged to apply.

Benefits

Comp & perks

Health and Wellness: Medical, dental, vision, long-term and short-term disability, and life insurance.
Financial Security: After one year of service, American Rivers begins contributing a 3% employer contribution. There is no vesting schedule for employer contributions as employees are 100% vested upon participation.
Time Off: Four weeks of paid leave, eleven paid holidays, three floating holidays, and sick leave.

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Hard Skills & Tools

non-profit GAAPfinancial statementsmonth-end entriesannual tax returnsinternal controlscashflow modelaccounting softwarefinancial managementdeferred giftsFASB pronouncements

Soft Skills

organizational skillsmanagement skillsverbal communicationwritten communicationmulti-taskingprioritizationdiscretionjudgmentteam leadershipsupportive team environment

Certifications

Bachelor’s degree in accountingBachelor’s degree in financeCPA