Director of Finance

EMERGE Scholars•Houston, TX

30d•$95,000 - $110,000•Hybrid

About The Position

EMERGE is seeking a Director of Finance to lead its accounting, financial reporting, internal controls, budgeting support, and compliance. This is a hands-on role focused on maintaining accurate financial records, managing the monthly close process, and building systems for confident decision-making in a growing organization. The Director of Finance will oversee day-to-day finance operations, including monthly close, financial reporting, audit and Form 990 preparation, 1099 filing, payroll reconciliation, accounts payable and receivable, grant and restricted-fund tracking, and compliance with GAAP and nonprofit accounting standards. The role involves managing a part-time staff accountant and/or outsourced accounting support, and coordinating with external partners for audit, tax, and specialized compliance work. This position requires strong technical accounting skills combined with the ability to leverage external expertise when needed. The Director of Finance will partner with various internal teams, including the CEO, Finance Committee, Development, People & Culture, and program leaders, to enhance financial systems, support informed decision-making, and ensure fiscal stewardship. The role may also contribute to broader operational and administrative initiatives as EMERGE grows, requiring a finance-first individual comfortable with diverse responsibilities.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in accounting, finance, or business administration required
Minimum five years of experience with nonprofit fund accounting and GAAP required
Experience in a grant-funded environment strongly preferred
Experience with audit support, Form 990 coordination, 1099 filing, and internal controls
Experience supervising, coaching, or managing finance staff or external accounting partners
Extensive experience with QuickBooks required
Proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, Outlook, PowerPoint)
Ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously in a deadline-driven environment
Excellent verbal, written, and interpersonal communication skills

Nice To Haves

CPA and/or nonprofit finance certification preferred, not required
Experience with Bill.com preferred

Responsibilities

Own core accounting: maintain accurate, audit-ready financial records and ensure compliance with GAAP and nonprofit accounting standards
Manage and continuously strengthen internal controls
Lead audit preparation and serve as the primary internal liaison to external auditors
Coordinate Form 990 preparation and annual 1099 filing with external partners
Oversee accounts payable and receivable, track donor restrictions, and reconcile payroll activity
Support the annual budgeting process, monthly close, budget-to-actual reporting, forecasting, and financial analysis
Prepare clear, timely financial reports for department leaders, the CEO, Finance Committee, and Board that tell the story behind the numbers, not just the figures, to support strong decision-making and organizational planning
Oversee restricted grant tracking, donor and funder reporting, district receivables, and revenue recognition
Partner with Development and program leaders on the financial components of grants, RFPs, contracts, and cost modeling for district partnerships
Manage finance systems and processes, including QuickBooks, Bill.com, banking, vendor payments, cash flow monitoring, insurance coordination, and vendor contract support
Identify opportunities to improve financial processes, strengthen controls, and create clearer cross-functional workflows with People & Culture and program teams
Supervise a part-time staff accountant and/or outsourced accounting support, setting clear expectations and ensuring accurate, timely, compliant work
Coordinate closely with internal stakeholders and external accounting, audit, and tax partners to ensure smooth, reliable financial operations
Perform other operational or administrative duties as assigned to support EMERGE’s growth