Director of Accounting & Finance

Job Title: Director of Accounting & Finance

Reports to: Chief Operations Officer

Employment Status: Full-Time

Supervisory Status: Supervises Staff

Salary: $95,000-$115,000

FLSA Status: Exempt 

Location: Remote 

About Warrior-Scholar Project

In partnership with colleges and universities, Warrior-Scholar Project (WSP) hosts intensive, one-week college-preparatory academic boot camps for enlisted veterans and transitioning service members. Boot camps are offered in three disciplines: college readiness, STEM, and business. Through faculty lectures, workshops and research projects, tailored assignments, and one-on-one tutoring, warrior-scholars acquire the skills to succeed in higher education and navigate the cultural shift from military service to college. Throughout the course, warrior-scholars are mentored by WSP alumni who are student veterans who have successfully transitioned from the military to college.

WSP also offers workshops tailored to address the unique needs of veterans enrolled in community colleges and targeted programming for underrepresented veterans. All programming is provided at no cost to warrior-scholars.

WSP also hosts additional programming for boot camp alumni, including a graduate school support program, academic support workshops, professional development information sessions, and community engagement opportunities.

About the Director of Accounting & Finance

The Director of Accounting & Finance provides operational leadership and strategic direction for all financial functions of the organization. This role oversees accounting, budgeting, financial reporting, compliance, and audit activities while serving as a key advisor to the Chief Operations Officer (COO) and executive team developing and stewarding financial recommendations and overseeing their implementation in partnership with leadership. The Director of Accounting & Finance ensures the organization’s financial health, supports long-term financial strategy, strengthens internal controls, and builds financial capacity across staff and departments to advance organizational and programmatic goals.

Essential Functions and Responsibilities

The following duties represent the essential functions of the position. Duties are performed with reasonable accommodation where required. This position description is not intended to be all-inclusive and may be modified based on organizational needs.

• Provide strategic financial recommendations to leadership and oversee all organizational financial functions, including accounting, budgeting, cash flow management, financial reporting, and compliance, ensuring accuracy, transparency, and alignment with organizational priorities.

• Lead the development, monitoring, and refinement of the annual organizational budget in partnership with the COO, executive team, and department heads; analyze and report on budget-to-actual performance to inform decision-making.

• Oversee monthly and annual close processes, including preparation of internal and external financial statements, ensuring timely, accurate reporting for the executive team, the Board of Directors, and funders.

• Direct preparation for the annual external audit and Form 990, serving as the primary liaison with auditors and ensuring strong internal controls, compliance with nonprofit accounting standards, and timely completion of all filings.

• Supervise and mentor finance staff, including the Staff Accountant and the Seasonal Accountant, while establishing clear workflows, performance expectations, and professional development opportunities to build a high-performing finance team.

• Develop, maintain, and continuously improve accounting policies, procedures, and internal controls; train staff organization-wide on finance-related processes, compliance requirements, and best practices.

• Oversee grant and restricted fund financial management in coordination with the Chief Advancement Officer, including budgeting support for grant applications, tracking and reporting on grant funds, and ensuring compliance with funder requirements.

• Manage organizational financial operations, including vendor relationships, independent contractor payments and 1099 preparation, and oversight of the corporate credit card program.

• Serve as a strategic thought partner to the COO, Board, and executive team by providing financial analysis, forecasting, and insights that support long-term financial sustainability and organizational growth.

• Collaborate with external partners and consultants to enhance financial systems, strengthen financial strategy, and implement best practices across the organization.

• Other duties as assigned.

Travel Requirements

To meet organizational needs, travel may be required to staff summits, trainings, conferences, and program delivery sites. Travel frequency may fluctuate based on programmatic and organizational needs.

Desired Experience and Background

• Bachelor’s degree required, advanced degree or CPA strongly preferred. Equivalent professional experience may be considered in lieu of formal education.

• 7+ Years of experience required.

• Proficiency in relevant business technology platforms required; experience utilizing Sage Intacct for accounting and finance activities strongly preferred.

• Excellent oral and written communication skills with diverse audiences required; clear, confident communicator who can present financial information to non-financial audiences and influence decision-making at the executive level.

• Strong organizational, time management, and administrative skills required.

• Ability to work in fast-paced environments and make data-informed decisions required.

• Strong commitment to WSP’s values required.

• Deep understanding of nonprofit accounting principles, audits, Form 990, restricted funds, and grant compliance requirements required.

• Experience designing, documenting, and improving financial systems, policies, internal controls, and workflows to increase efficiency, accuracy, and accountability required.

Physical Requirements

The physical demands described here are representative of those required to perform the essential functions of this position. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential job functions.

• Ability to remain in a stationary position for extended periods and/or move about the workspace as needed to perform job duties.

• Ability to communicate with others to exchange information in person, by phone, and through digital platforms.

• Ability to lift and move items up to 20 pounds (e.g., laptops, program materials).

• Ability to use a computer and related technology to complete essential job tasks, including sufficient visual acuity for reading, typing, and responding to communications.

Equal Opportunity Employer
Warrior-Scholar Project is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to sex, race, color, age, national origin, religion, disability, genetic information, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, citizenship, pregnancy or maternity status, veteran status, or any other status protected by applicable law.

Warrior-Scholar Project complies with federal and state disability laws and makes reasonable accommodations for applicants and employees with disabilities. If reasonable accommodation is needed to participate in the application or interview process or to perform essential job functions, please contact the Director of Human Resources at mdarois@warrior-scholar.org.

Applicants must be legally authorized to work in the United States and must not require current or future sponsorship for employment authorization.