About the Department

The Local Partnership Fiscal Director is responsible for the execution and monitoring of over $40 million in annual Local Partnership (LP) expenditures and manages all LP fiscal support functions. Serves as the primary financial liaison to the 46 First Steps LP offices. This includes supervising and leading the First Steps LP fiscal team and overseeing the contracted fiscal management firm(s) and the annual LP external audit process. Serves as overall administrator and project manager for the LP financial system (SAGE). Oversees transaction processing, accounting, reporting and fiscal management of 46 First Steps LP 501(c)3 organizations in compliance with state and local laws and the approved First Steps LP Fiscal and Operations Guide. Leads the development, implementation, modification and maintenance of accounting and reporting practices that enable full accountability and professional fiscal management of each LP office, including budget development and management, reporting, and cash flow and spending management. Ensures LP offices are provided with excellent fiscal customer service while maintaining strict adherence to established policies, procedures and applicable laws.

Reporting to the Chief Financial Officer, the employee must exercise a high degree of self-management, independent judgement and initiative. Must be able to plan and organize work activities for self and team and prioritize task completion according to organization’s long-term strategic vision and short- and long-term schedules and goals. Candidate must possess knowledge of the principles, practices, theories, and terminology of accounting, financial reporting, auditing, banking, budgeting financial management and grants management. Must be highly proficient in Excel and MS Word. Must be able to work independently, apply strong judgment and common sense and demonstrate very strong problem-solving skills. Must have excellent written and verbal communication skills. Must have excellent customer service skills. Requires strong collaboration skills, and strong ability to diffuse and resolve conflict. Training and presentation experience is also helpful.

• Supervises staff to include preparing performance planning and evaluation documents and related personnel paperwork. Coaches, counsels and trains employees. Establishes and monitors work processes. Implements management policies and initiatives and promotes teamwork.
• Oversees and guides the performance of the LP fiscal management firm(s). This includes monitoring the efficiency, correctness and effectiveness of their accounting and reporting processes; the appropriateness, clarity and effectiveness of their communications with the LP staff; and other aspects of the quality of customer service they provide to First Steps and the LP offices. Specifically monitors the firm(s)' enforcement of Local Partnership Fiscal and Operating Guide requirements and completion/receipt of all other deliverables outlined in First Steps' contract(s) with the firm(s). Closely tracks and reports adherence to monthly financial closing processes and schedules. Promptly reports any issues noted to the Chief Financial Officer and the Chief Administrative Officer and addresses them with the fiscal managers as appropriate.
• Oversees and guides the performance of the LP fiscal management firm(s). This includes monitoring the efficiency, correctness and effectiveness of their accounting and reporting processes; the appropriateness, clarity and effectiveness of their communications with the LP staff; and other aspects of the quality of customer service they provide to First Steps and the LP offices. Specifically monitors the firm(s)' enforcement of Local Partnership Fiscal and Operating Guide requirements and completion/receipt of all other deliverables outlined in First Steps' contract(s) with the firm(s). Closely tracks and reports adherence to monthly financial closing processes and schedules. Promptly reports any issues noted to the Chief Financial Officer and the Chief Administrative Officer and addresses them with the fiscal managers as appropriate.
• Designs, implements and leads Local Partnership on-site and desk monitoring protocol to be followed by the First Steps Local Partnership fiscal staff to ensure local partnership and fiscal management firm adherence to fiscal and operational guidelines and prompt follow-up on variances therefrom.
• Collaborates with First Steps Finance and LP Program staff teams to develop and arrange delivery of routine and special purpose, periodic and annual financial reports from the LP fiscal management system that meet the oversight needs of First Steps, and the management needs of the 46 LP offices. Collaborates and leads in development, implementation and routine review of reporting required from the 46 LP Executive Directors and boards to First Steps state office, such as budget variance analysis, program unit costs analysis, etc. Follows up as appropriate on reporting deficiencies and questions as well as positive and negative amounts and trends and drives further investigation and/or additional reporting.
• Takes primary responsibility for financial training for the 46 LP Executive Directors as well as internal and external staff. Collaborates with the Director of LP Professional Development to design and ensure active and high-quality fiscal and operational trainings are offered to LP staff and boards routinely. Serves as the trainer when needed. Provides daily guidance to LP Executive Directors and staff as needed and provides advanced assistance with non-profit business fundamentals such as budget development and cash flow analysis.
• Service as First Steps’ liaison with the accounting firm contracted to complete annual financial statements and single audits (when applicable) for each of the 46 LP offices. In collaboration with First Steps financial management, reviews the overall audit plan with the firm and monitors the overall timeliness and effectiveness of their execution of the plan as well as the prompt response to auditor requests for information from First Steps staff, the fiscal management firm and LP staff.
• Manages the annual solicitation, review and response to requests for changes to the Local Partnership Fiscal and Operations Guide. Collaborates with the Chief Partnership Officer and other senior management to draft, finalize and communicate/train on agreed changes. Performs on-site visits to Local Partnership offices as needed to resolve problems and advise/coach LP Executive Director's. Communicates fiscal issues, concerns, and findings to LP Executive Director's. Works with LP Program Officers to ensure coordination of communications and efforts to monitor and address compliance with policies and procedures. Other duties as assigned.

Position Duties

• A bachelor's degree in accounting, finance, or business and professional experience in related areas, such as accounting, auditing, finance, or banking. Employee must have demonstrated ability to collect, assimilate, analyze and interpret complex financial data and reports. Must have demonstrated ability to design and produce routine and special purpose reports with a high degree of clarity and usefulness to both financial and non-financial personnel. Experience with designing audit work programs and conducting, managing and supervising audits. Must have knowledge and experience using financial management software. Must have excellent supervisory skills and experience. 

Additional Requirements:

• Position requires non-essential declaration.
• Position may be required to report to work during emergency situations.

Minimum Qualifications

• Certified Public Accounting designation is preferred.
  

Other Qualifications

SC First Steps is committed to providing equal employment opportunities to all applicants and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy, childbirth or related medical conditions, including, but not limited, to lactation), national origin, age (40 or older), disability or genetic information.

Supplemental questions are considered part of your official application.  Any misrepresentation will result in your disqualification from employment.  Please complete the state application to include all current and previous work history and education.  A resume will not be accepted nor reviewed to determine if an applicant has met the qualifications for the position.

SC First Steps offers an exceptional benefits package for full time (FTE) employees: 

1. Health, dental, vision, long-term disability, and life insurance for employees, spouses, and children. Click here for additional information.
2. 15 days annual (vacation) leave per year
3. 15 days sick leave per year
4. 13 paid holidays
5. Paid Parental Leave
6. S.C. Deferred Compensation Program available (S.C. Deferred Compensation)
7. Retirement benefit choices* 
   1. State Retirement Plan (SCRS)
   2. State Optional Retirement Program (State ORP)

*Enrollment in one of the listed plans is required for all FTE employees; please refer to the contribution section of hyperlinked retirement sites for the current contribution rate of gross pay.