Position: Director of Finance & Accounting
Status: Full Time Position
Reports to: Chief Executive Officer (CEO)
Supervisory Responsibility: Accounting Associate, Accounting Specialist
Location: Downingtown, PA Office (on-site; one day per week remote once fully onboarded)
How to Apply: Submit a Cover Letter and Resume to Cory.McGinley@TRGConsultants.com
Organization Information:
The Friedreich’s Ataxia Research Alliance (FARA) is a national 501(c)(3) non-profit organization dedicated to the pursuit of scientific research leading to treatments and a cure for Friedreich’s ataxia (FA).
We are a mission-driven, collaborative community dedicated to supporting the advancement of research that drives the development of treatments for people living with FA.
Our compassionate team understands that at the heart of every research grant, clinical trial, and scientific breakthrough are dynamic and resilient individuals and families living with FA whose strength inspires everything we do. Together, we fund and facilitate research to slow, stop, reverse, and cure FA.
Position Summary:
The Friedreich’s Ataxia Research Alliance (FARA) is seeking an experienced Director of Finance and Accounting to provide strategic financial leadership and hands-on financial management for a dual-entity nonprofit organization with approximately $15 million in annual revenue. This role is central to FARA’s mission, overseeing all aspects of financial operations for FARA US and its affiliated European entity, FARA Europe, including accounting, financial reporting, treasury, audit management, compliance, and budget oversight.
Professional Experience Requirements:
- Bachelor’s degree in Accounting, Finance, Business, or related field required
- CPA designation preferred; candidates with an MBA or equivalent advanced degree with relevant experience will be considered
- Minimum of seven (7) years of progressive experience in finance and accounting
- Knowledge of generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP)
- Nonprofit finance and accounting experience including knowledge of federal and state laws for nonprofits strongly preferred
- Familiarity with fund accounting and grant financial management a plus
- Experience with multi-entity or consolidated financial reporting, including international operations preferred
- Proficiency with QuickBooks Online preferred; experience with NetSuite, Exact or other nonprofit ERP platforms a plus
- Familiarity with US federal and state tax compliance, including sales tax in multiple states; experience navigating international tax considerations (e.g., Netherlands/EU) a plus
- Experience with healthcare-related regulatory reporting (e.g., Sunshine Act / Open Payments) a plus
- Proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint) and online banking platforms required
Skills Requirements:
- Consistently Demonstrate and embody ethical behavior and business practices as aligns with the values of the organization
- Clear, timely, and effective communication; comfort and poise presenting financial information to Boards of Directors, executive leadership, and non-financial stakeholders
- Work cooperatively and effectively to set goals, resolve problems, and make decisions that enhance organizational effectiveness; ability to mentor and support junior finance staff
- Set relevant team priorities, develop work schedules, monitor progress toward goals, determine strategies to move the organization forward, and evaluate processes and results
- Strong attention to detail, demonstrating accuracy and efficiency in financial data entry, reporting, and business correspondence
Essential Responsibilities:
1. Financial Management and Accounting
a. Oversee and manage all day-to-day accounting functions for FARA US and FARA Europe, including accounts payable, accounts receivable, general ledger, and bank reconciliations
b. Directly supervise, mentor and provide guidance to the Accounting Associate and Accounting Specialist
c. Prepare, review, and oversee monthly consolidations, journal entries and general ledger activity
d. Manage cash flow and prepare cash flow forecasts
e. Ensure proper fund and restriction accounting, including tracking and reporting on restricted gifts, industry awards, and program-specific expenditures
f. Advance fund accounting capabilities as FARA pursues additional grant funding sources
g. Support financial oversight of ongoing international tax and compliance matters related to FARA Europe
2. Financial Reporting and Analysis
h. Prepare and present timely and accurate internal financial reports for the CEO, Board of Directors, Finance Committee, and Audit Committee
i. Implement variance reporting, reviewing results against budget and providing analysis to leadership
j. Provide and supervise financial analysis and reporting across all program teams including fundraising and communications, research grant and clinical operations, community education, advocacy and engagement and restricted fund allocation and release
k. Lead annual budgeting process for both FARA US and FARA Europe entities; monitor performance against budget throughout the year
l. Assist program directors and project managers with the preparation of budgets and performance reports
m. Prepare consolidated financial statements incorporating the European entity
3. Audit, Compliance, and Tax
n. Manage annual audit processes for both FARA US (US-based auditors) and FARA Europe (Netherlands-based auditors), ensuring accurate, thorough, and appropriate financial statements in accordance with GAAP
o. Coordinate with external accountants on US tax filings, IRS submissions, and compliance, including oversight of state and local sales tax obligations in applicable jurisdictions
p. Ensure compliance with FARA’s internal policies and procedures and report annually to the Finance Committee
q. Work with the CEO and Finance/Audit Committee to ensure the organization has financial policies in place to ensure proper stewardship and fiduciary oversight of assets and resources
r. Oversee compliance with applicable international financial regulations, including foreign currency translation adjustments and treasury risk management for FARA Europe
s. Develop internal expertise in Sunshine Act / Open Payments reporting in coordination with the clinical team
4. Treasury, Risk Management, and Investment Oversight
t. Oversee FARA’s global treasury operations in stewardship of FARA’s funds, working with banking and investment partners to ensure compliance, controls and sustain liquidity resources
u. Collaborate with management and team leaders on risk management initiatives and identify and mitigate financial risks in accordance with FARA policies and procedures
v. Work with FARA’s investment advisors to provide at least semi-annual reports to the Finance Committee on the performance of FARA’s investment accounts and manage the annual evaluation of investment advisors and updates to the organizations investment policies
w. Execute any recommendations or decisions of the board in the administration, reporting, or oversight of investment accounts
Additional Responsibilities:
- Attend board meetings and relevant staff retreats as needed, including occasional domestic travel (e.g., annual board meetings)
- Represent FARA’s financial position credibly and professionally in communications with applicable stakeholders
- Ability to work independently and in a team setting
- Exhibit a strong work ethic and a collaborative, detail-oriented, and mission-aligned work style
- Follow established organizational policies and procedures and contribute to developing and refining financial policies as needed
The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by individuals assigned to this job. They are not intended to be an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties and skills required of the position. All employees may have other duties assigned at any time.
Additional Information:
FARA is an Equal Opportunity Employer. FARA shall not discriminate because of race, color, age, sex, disability, genetic information, national origin or ancestry, or religion.
Applicants must be authorized to work for any employer in the U.S. We are unable to sponsor or take over sponsorship of an employment visa at this time.
If employed by FARA, employees agree to accept and certify to abide by FARA’s policies including Child Safeguarding Policy and FARA’s Code of Conduct at https://www.curefa.org/privacy-policy/.
FARA offers competitive benefits including medical, dental, life, long-term disability and paid family and medical leave benefits, plus a 401K retirement plan. Salary range $125,200.00 – $147,300.00 commensurate with experience.
Job Type: Full-time
Benefits:
- 401(k) with matching
- Medical, dental, and vision insurance
- Life insurance
- Long-term disability insurance
- Paid time off
- Parental leave
- Flexible schedule
FARA is committed to safeguarding your privacy and data rights. You can read the FARA Privacy Policy for more information: curefa.org/privacy-policy