Director of Accounting and Financial Operations

At Ave Maria Press, our work is about more than books—we exist to set hearts on fire through content that forms, inspires, and serves the Church. Behind that mission is a commitment to operational excellence, stewardship, and wise financial leadership.

The Director of Accounting plays a critical role in that mission by ensuring the integrity, clarity, and effectiveness of our financial operations. This role provides both hands‑on leadership and strategic oversight across accounting, financial reporting, and key financial systems, enabling the organization to grow with discipline and purpose.

As a key partner to executive leadership, the Director of Accounting ensures that our financial foundation is strong, our processes are scalable, and our decisions are informed—supporting a dynamic publishing environment that includes print, digital, ecommerce, and partner distribution channels.

• Direct and oversee all accounting operations, including general ledger, accounts payable, accounts receivable, payroll coordination, royalty payments, and month‑end/year‑end close.
• Ensure accurate and timely financial reporting in accordance with GAAP and nonprofit standards, including oversight of audits and Form 990.
• Maintain strong internal controls, financial policies, and compliance with all regulatory requirements.
• Oversee sales tax compliance and strategy, including nexus monitoring, collection, remittance, and implementation of efficient, cost‑effective systems and processes.

• Serve as a strategic financial partner to executive leadership, providing insights that support organizational planning and decision‑making.
• Lead the development of the annual budget and ongoing financial forecasts, including scenario planning tied to publishing schedules and operational priorities.
• Monitor financial performance and provide clear, actionable reporting, variance analysis, and key performance indicators to leadership and the board.
• Oversee cash flow, liquidity, and working capital management, including banking relationships and evaluation of financial tools and partners.

• Oversee accounting for publishing operations, including inventory, cost of goods sold, print production, and product returns.
• Ensure accurate accounting for multi‑channel revenue streams, including direct‑to‑consumer ecommerce, Amazon, and other platforms, and distribution partners.
• Own the royalty accounting function at a departmental level, ensuring accurate calculation, accrual, reporting, and payment processes, with strong systems and controls in place.
• Ensure alignment between sales data, inventory, and financial reporting to provide clear visibility into title‑level performance, margins, and profitability.
• Lead the annual physical inventory process, coordinating cross‑functional teams and external partners to ensure accurate counts, timely reconciliation, and alignment with financial reporting and audit requirements.

• Lead the administration and optimization of ERP and accounting systems to support financial reporting, inventory management, and order‑to‑cash processes.
• Drive improvements in financial systems, workflows, and reporting capabilities, leveraging automation and AI where appropriate.
• Partner with IT and leadership to ensure systems support operational needs and organizational growth.

• Serve as the financial partner to leaders across sales, editorial, production, marketing, and distribution, ensuring alignment between financial management and operational execution.
• Provide financial guidance on new initiatives, product launches, and strategic decisions.
• Lead, mentor, and develop the accounting team, fostering a culture of accountability, continuous improvement, and stewardship.
• Guide the team through financial modernization and change initiatives, including system implementations and process improvements.
• Establish clear processes, roles, and expectations that support operational efficiency and transparency.

• Bachelor’s degree in Accounting, Finance, or related field required; MBA…