Director of Finance

About Dream Yard

Dream Yard is a Bronx-based arts and social justice education organization that partners with young people, families, and schools to expand pathways to equity and opportunity. Dream Yard is committed to being an anti-racist organization and to advancing its mission through strong community partnerships, sustained learning, and responsible stewardship of resources.

The Director of Finance owns Dream Yard’s accounting, budgeting, forecasting, cash management, grant finance, reporting, audit, and internal-control functions. Reporting to the Chief Operating Officer, the Director translates financial information into clear recommendations for leadership and the Board, manages the accountant, and ensures timely, accurate, GAAP-compliant financial operations. The role combines strategic planning with hands‑on review and, when needed, transaction-level support.

Financial Planning, Forecasting, and Analysis

• Lead the annual organization-wide budget process; build the budget calendar, templates, assumptions, department targets, and final consolidated budget for leadership and Board approval.

• Distribute monthly budget-to-actual reports to department leaders and hold monthly variance reviews with budget owners; investigate material variances, document explanations, and update the full-year forecast and action plan.

• Maintain a rolling cash-flow forecast, monitor bank balances and liquidity, and alert the COO to projected shortfalls, timing risks, or financing needs.

• Prepare quarterly forecasts, multi-year financial scenarios, contingency plans, and trend analyses covering revenue, expenses, staffing, cash, and reserves.

• Prepare Finance Committee and Board materials, including financial statements, budget-to-actual results, cash outlook, key risks, and management recommendations.

• Partner with the COO and external financial consultant on financial strategy, complex accounting matters, multi-year scenarios, and organizational risk management.

• Participate in Leadership Team meetings and connect financial decisions to Dream Yard’s mission, operating priorities, and racial-equity commitments.

Accounting and Month-End Close

• Own the monthly close calendar and review accounts payable, accounts receivable, bank and credit-card reconciliations, payroll entries, accruals, prepaids, and other close schedules completed by the accountant.

• Review the trial balance and reconcile all balance-sheet accounts monthly; investigate unusual balances, aging items and suspense activity.

• Produce monthly GAAP financial statements and management reports, including the statement of financial position, statement of activities, and budget-to-actual analysis.

• Maintain the chart of accounts, dimensions, reporting structures, close checklists, and supporting work papers so reports can be produced consistently from the accounting system.

Grant, Contract, and Revenue Management

• Review grant and contract agreements when awarded; document funding amount, period, restrictions, match requirements, reporting deadlines, billing terms, and revenue-recognition treatment

• Maintain grant budgets and revenue schedules and reconcile restricted net assets, releases from restriction, receivables, deferred revenue, and grant expenses each month.

• Coordinate with Development and Program teams to verify coding, allowable costs, budget availability, deliverables, and reporting data before invoices or funder reports are submitted.

• Oversee government contract billing portals and schedules; review invoices and supporting documentation, track submissions and collections, and elevate overdue receivables.

• Review financial reports for foundation, corporate, and government funders and ensure reported amounts tie to the general…