Overview

Every day, we work to support and build inclusive, powerful, healthy communities characterized by racial equity and economically just systems.” With this as our purpose and reason for being, Health Forward Foundation is building the future of our region by grasping the issues that cause disparate health outcomes at their roots. Health Forward Foundation’s mission is to achieve health equity and secure a fair and just region through leadership, advocacy, and resources. We support direct services and drive systems change for healthy people, community power, and equitable and just places. We support and partner with community-based and cross-sector organizations to improve health on all fronts, from providing vital health services, to working to advance safe and affordable housing, to amplifying the power that exists in our communities through civic engagement on matters that influence heath.

Health Forward was created in 2003 with an original endowment of $440 million from the sale of Health Midwest, a nonprofit hospital system, to Hospital Corporation of America (HCA), a for-profit hospital management company. Health Forward’s service area encompasses Kansas City, Missouri, and Jackson, Cass, and Lafayette counties in Missouri, and Johnson, Wyandotte, and Allen counties in Kansas. Our history in these communities predates the foundation, as these were the places served by Health Midwest, which after the hospital’s sale evolved to form Health Forward. The foundation is governed by a 21-member board of directors and is managed by a professional staff of around 30 employees. 

Health Forward is committed to the process and the outcome of equity, inclusion, and anti-racism in its investments in services and systems change, employment practices, talent management, investments, vendor selection, and governance. Health Forward views equity as a fundamental element of social justice and integral in our purpose and to our mission.

This position serves as a strategic leader of the Foundation’s accounting and financial reporting processes, reporting to the Chief Administrative, Financial, and Investment Officer (CAFIO). This position works to develop, implement, and ensure compliance with internal financial policies and procedures as well as external body regulations. This strong leader will directly supervise accounting and administrative staff members and collaborate extensively with Impact teams (Programs and Grants), HR, and IT on financial decision making, benefits administration, systems integration, and strategic vendor selections. They will act as the primary liaison to the board of directors’ audit committee and will support additional board and committee work.

Responsibilities

General Accounting and Financial Partnership and Management

• Serve as strong partner to our Community Impact teams working on programs and grants for alignment on liquidity, allocations, fiscal sponsorship, etc.
• Oversee all accounting activity to include, but not limited to general ledger, payables, investment accounting, financial reporting, budgeting, payroll.
• Develop and document financial policies and procedures to maintain adequate systems of internal controls and safeguards over assets while achieving efficiency of processes and integration of key grants management and accounting systems.
• Develop and prepare monthly, quarterly, annual and ad-hoc financial statements tailored to the needs of intended audiences.
• Partner on annual budgeting processes including participation in budget planning meetings, preparing board presentation materials, templates, schedules, and update of accounting software for effective budget reporting.
• Monitor actual vs budget performance with a view to identify, explain, and correct variances as appropriate. 

Investment Accounting

• Setup and oversee accounting systems and processes to track investment activity in accordance with internal accounting policies and GAAP.
• Monitor investment accounting system to external investment performance reporting, ensuring dual controls and accuracy in reporting.
• Oversee preparation and accounting of cash distributions and capital calls, ensuring timely remittances and recording for tight cash flow management. 

Expense / Cash Management

• Monitor operating cash balances, initiating bank transfers when necessary and recommending LOC draws and investment liquidations when needed.
• Review and approve administrative and grant expenses, validating documentation and general ledger account coding before payment. Collaborate closely with grants management staff to administer grants recordkeeping through the Foundation’s grants management system.
• Oversee accounts payable processes performed by team members, providing oversight, system improvements, guidance and training as needed.
• Ensure update of all signatory lists for checking, custodial, and investment accounts as authorized signers change with turn-over of board members and staff.

Audit / Tax Management and Board Engagement

• Manage annual audit and 990 work for all required federal and state filings, serving as the lead staff member engaged with the external audit firm and the internal audit committee.
• Ensure proper preparation of annual IRS 1099 and 1042 forms.
• Stay abreast of accounting and tax pronouncements and potential impact to Foundation operations, advising executive leadership as necessary.
• Staff Liaison responsibility for audit committee and support CAFIO with other committees and board engagement.

Payroll, Insurance, and Benefits Administration

• Provide leadership and compliance through payroll system and files for all federal, state, and local payroll tax requirements and required filings; ensuring adherence to requirements; and advising management on needed actions.
• Oversee semi-monthly payroll processes, providing oversight, system improvements, guidance, and training as needed.
• Work in partnership with HR, and third-party providers for the administration of employee programs.
• Risk management and insurance administration in partnership with operations teams.

Other duties and special projects as assigned.

RELATIONSHIPS

The Director of Accounting and Finance Admin reports to the…

• CAFIO, Chief Administrative, Financial, and Investment Officer

The Director of Accounting and Finance Administration provides direct supervision to the…

• Accounting & Payroll Specialist
• Finance & Operations Associate

The Director of Accounting and Finance Administration supports critical relationships with…

• Associates across the organization. Partnership is critical with Impact, IT, and HR functions
• Impact Operations Team members for Grants Administration
• Board of Directors, particularly related Committees
• Vendors, suppliers and other external parties for all aspects of the work

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Accounting with seven years in progressive accounting or related positions. CPA or advanced degree is preferred.
• Significant experience in areas such as nonprofit accounting, including grant accounting, investment accounting, payroll laws and compliance, and financial reporting.
• Experience supervising staff and leading the organization in the functional area. Prefer 3-5 years management experience of an accounting team.
• Solid experience leading audit and 990 preparation activities.
• Ability to develop strategic goals and meet timelines within broad parameters and to work independently, taking initiative and exercising independent judgement.
• Advanced knowledge of Microsoft Excel and finance and accounting software packages.
• Technologically astute with a recognition of how technology can improve the work of the Foundation.
• Ability to read, analyze and interpret financial reports, technical procedures and government regulations.
• Ability to apply accounting principles and methods to a variety of accounting transactions and situations.
• Ability to perform detailed work with written or numerical data, and to make mathematical calculations accurately. High degree of accuracy and attention to detail required.
• Excellent interpersonal, collaboration, and presentation skills.
• Strong listening, verbal and written communication skills.
• Ability to work as a team member where differing viewpoints and give and take are expected and encouraged.

PERSONAL QUALITIES

Advocate for the mission of Health Forward Foundation who embodies our stated values of Trust, Partnership, Learning, Stewardship, and Equity, Inclusion and Antiracism. Purpose, Mission, and Values - Health Forward Foundation

COMPENSATION:

The anticipated hiring salary range for this position is $128,800 – $161,000. The package will be determined by the experience level, credentials and personal characteristics of the candidate offered. Health Forward Foundation offers its employees a comprehensive benefits package including medical, dental and vision insurance, a retirement plan, group life insurance, paid time off, and a hybrid work environment.

NON-DISCRIMINATION:

Health Forward Foundation firmly supports the principle and philosophy of equal opportunity for all individuals, regardless of age, race, color, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, pregnancy, religion, disability, veteran status, genetic information or any other protected characteristic pursuant to applicable federal, state, or local laws.