Director of Accounting & Finance

About Main Street America (MSA) :

Main Street America (MSA) leads an inclusive, impact-driven movement dedicated to reenergizing and strengthening downtown and neighborhood commercial districts through placebased economic development and community preservation. We work in collaboration with thousands of local partners and grassroots leaders across the nation who share our commitment to advancing shared prosperity, creating resilient economies, and improving quality of life. Since its founding in 1980, the MSA network has helped to generate over $100 billion in local reinvestment, create 700,000 new jobs, and start 160,000 new businesses in over 2,000 communities. Main Street America is a subsidiary of the National Trust for Historic Preservation.

About the Team:

MSA is a small but growing, geographically dispersed team. Our group is passionate about Main Street’s mission, with ambitions to significantly scale and deepen our impact in communities across the country. Staff members have deep expertise across a broad range of disciplines including economic development, historic preservation, urban planning, finance, and public affairs. They have a proven track record in helping a diverse range of communities through direct technical assistance, professional development programs, thought leadership, and targeted tools. We strive for a culture that is team-oriented, collaborative, high performing, and committed to equity and inclusion. MSA provides an environment in which team members can thrive in both their professional and personal lives by offering flexible work arrangements, including the option to work remotely.

JOB SUMMARY:

The Director of Accounting & Finance is responsible for the day-to-day leadership and management of the Finance Department. Reporting to the Chief Financial & Operations Officer, the Director leads the organization's accounting operations while supporting financial planning and organizational decision-making through accurate financial reporting, budgeting and forecasting, cash flow management, grant accounting, financial systems, and internal controls. The Director develops staff, strengthens financial processes, and works collaboratively with organizational leadership to improve financial stewardship and operational effectiveness.

AREAS OF RESPONSIBILITY:

Department Leadership
- Lead and manage the day-to-day operations of the Finance Department.
- Provide leadership, direction, and performance management for finance staff while fostering a culture of accountability, collaboration, and continuous improvement.
- Establish departmental priorities, assign work, and ensure timely completion of responsibilities.
- Establish clear expectations, standardized processes, and accountability measures that strengthen departmental performance, improve operational efficiency, and support continuous improvement.

Accounting & Financial Management
- Ensure the accuracy, integrity, and timeliness of financial records and reporting.
- Direct accounting operations, including the general ledger, financial reporting, month-end and year-end close, reconciliations, accounts payable, accounts receivable, payroll accounting, and other core accounting functions.
- Develop, implement, and maintain accounting policies, procedures, and documentation in accordance with Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP).
- Prepare and review financial statements, management reports, and analyses to support leadership decision-making.

Budgeting, Cash Flow & Grant Management
- Support the annual budgeting and financial forecasting processes by coordinating financial data, developing budget models, reviewing submissions, and providing financial analysis.
- Monitor departmental budgets and provide ongoing variance analysis and forecasting throughout the fiscal year.
- Monitor organizational cash flow and liquidity by identifying trends, forecasting cash needs, and supporting proactive cash management and infor