What you should know about Merrick Community Services

For more than 110 years, Merrick Community Services has demonstrated through its mission that it supports individuals and families to navigate life transitions, find health and stability, and promote independence.  

Merrick Community Services was founded on Saint Paul’s East Side in 1908 as the Christ Child Society, a part of a national model of settlement houses, which provided essential services to economically disadvantaged communities.  Today, Merrick Community Services stands as one of the oldest nonprofit agencies in Ramsey County, with a history of assisting individuals and families transition from poverty and become self-sufficient and stable.  The core programs of MCS are Nutritional and Independence Services (comprised of the Food Shelves and MOW/Senior Services) and Employment, Family and Youth Services.

CURRENT OPENINGS

Director of Finance & Operations

Position Type:                 Full-time/Salaried (40 hours per week)
Location:                          Saint Paul, MN
Travel Required             Local (under 10%)
Required Education:     BA in Accounting or related field Preferred, MBA or equivalent
Min Exp Required:         5 years

Organization Overview
For more than 111 years, Merrick Community Services has demonstrated through its mission that it supports individuals and families to navigate life transitions, find health and stability, and promote independence.  

Merrick Community Services was founded on Saint Paul’s East Side in 1908 as the Christ Child Society, as a settlement house dedicated to providing essential services to new arrivals, immigrants, and economically disadvantaged communities.  Today, Merrick Community Services stands as one of the oldest nonprofit agencies in Ramsey County, with a history of assisting individuals and families transition from poverty to become self-sufficient and stable.  The core programs of MCS are Nutritional and Independence Services (comprised of the Food Shelves and MOW/Senior Services) and Employment, Family and Youth Services.

Description
The Director of Finance & Operations provides overall direction for all financial management, accounting/budgeting functions and also supervises IT, facilities, and human resource functions.  This position develops financial procedures, systems, and controls and directs their implementation.  The Finance & Operations Director manages all financial and accounting activities and performs financial planning, as part of the Leadership Team.  She/He also ensures financial records accurately represent the financial position of the organization, which includes monthly and annual presentation of financial information. The Director supervises an Accounting/Payroll Clerk, Receptionist, Custodian, and IT Consultant.  This position reports to the Executive Director and works closely with the Board Treasurer, Finance Committee, Development Director, and Program Managers and other key staff.

 Duties and Responsibilities
Accounting Management

  • Directs, performs, and ensures accounting functions are conducted within legal parameters, set schedules, and in accordance with Generally Accepted Accounting Principles.
  • Develop and implement systems for day-to-day accounting and reporting procedures.
  • Ensure and coordinate accurate and timely preparation and collection of all accounts receivable and timely preparation of accounts payable.
  • Monitor and ensure timely bank deposits, operating checking account, and the money market account.
  • Manage and review the accurate payment of benefit accounts.
  • Supervise the accurate and timely processing of bi-weekly payroll; ensure prompt and accurate communication of any payroll changes/revisions.
  • Track and monitor employee individual flex spending accounts, ensuring accuracy and prompt reimbursement.
  • Ensure accurate transfer of pension information to vendor.
  • Maintain and monitor accurate Merrick Community Services Endowment accounts.
  • Prepare appropriate State and Federal Tax Return schedules.

Financial Documentation

  • Manages the financial recordkeeping systems of MCS to ensure they meet the needs of the users, funders and regulatory bodies.
  • Prepares appropriate general ledger journal entries to ensure accurate and timely preparation of financial statements.
  • Reconcile general ledger accounts on a monthly or semi-monthly basis, as deemed necessary.
  • Coordinate the timely and accurate completion and distribution of financial reports and related analysis to Executive Director, and program/operations budget managers.
  • Prepare and manage Annual Budget and monthly financial reports for Finance Committee and Board of Directors.
  • Collaborate with the Development Director to produce funding proposals, including preparation of proposed grant/contract budgets.
  • Assist Executive Director with special projects and/or reports.
  • Develop and maintain a Finance Procedure Manual.
  • Calculates and prepares invoices and reports for funders who require reporting for reimbursement.

Human Resource & Operations

  • Oversee Human Resources and Employee Benefits responsibilities for the Agency, including registering employees and completing termination paperwork for employees leaving Merrick.
  • Ensure various insurance obligations are maintained and periodically reviewed, including Workers Compensation, Unemployment, Auto, General Liability, Director’s & Officers, etc.
  • Annually review and coordinate with Benefits Broker Employee Group Medical, Health Reimbursement Account, Flexible Spending Account, Group Dental, Life & Disability, and Vision Coverage.
  • Property Management of Agency facility, including lease rental use of space.
  • Supervise IT infrastructure, hardware and software equipment and purchases, and various technology and security tools.
  • Manage long-term lease compliance issues with landlord.

Supervision/Management/Leadership

  • Train Finance Department staff to insure the work is completed in an accurate and timely manner.
  • Collaborate with the Executive Director to interview and hire Department staff.
  • Monitor, guide and support Department staff to meet objectives, attain goals, and identify opportunities and/or barriers related to job performance.
  • Evaluate work performance and recommend compensation.
  • Model, promote, and direct compliance with the agency’s Personnel Policy Guidelines.
  • Ensure staff participates in required agency and program-related training, as necessary.
  • Supervise, evaluate work performance, and recommend compensation for Accounting/Payroll Clerk, Receptionist, Custodian, and IT Consultant.
  • Contribute to the overall management/leadership of MCS, to successfully achieve its mission.
  • Plan and coordinate the Annual Audit, completing necessary schedules, reports and documentation, and ensuring the Audit is completed and financial statements are presented to the Board in a timely manner.
  • Manages, builds and promotes good business partnerships with Program Managers to ensure their financial needs and questions are answered in a timely manner.
  • Promote Merrick Community Services, its programs and services.
  • Participate in MCS fundraisers and community events.
  • Represent MCS to the community in a supportive, positive and professional manner.
  • Perform other tasks and duties as assigned.

Qualifications

  • A minimum of a BA degree in accounting or related field and five-years’ experience in similar positions or a combination of training and experience providing equivalent knowledge.
  • MBA or equivalent preferred.
  • Proven track record of progressive growth in general accounting and financial responsibilities; demonstrative ability to work with senior level personnel.
  • Innovative, critical thinker and creative problem-solver who thinks outside the box to address challenges.
  • Proven experience with fund accounting and reporting procedures, including financial analysis.
  • Knowledge of Generally Accepted Accounting Principles and Non-Profit Accounting Practices.
  • Minimum of three to four years of supervisory experience.
  • Proven ability to maintain optimal confidentiality.
  • Ability to plan, organize and clearly communicate verbally and in writing.
  • Advanced proficiency with personal computers, Sage accounting software, and other financial software systems.
  • Proven ability to be self-directive, meet specific deadlines, and work independently, in the context of being part of a team.
  • Experience modeling respectful, inclusive, and responsible behavior that is consistent with the agency’s mission, vision, and values.
  • Ability to multi-task and work in an environment with many interruptions.

The above statements are not intended to encompass all functions and qualifications of the position.  Rather they are intended to provide a general framework of the requirements of the position.  Job incumbents may be required to perform other functions not specifically addressed in this job description. 
Employment at Merrick Community Services is at-will and may be terminated by either employee or employer for any lawful reason.