Full-Time | Exempt

UCAN is seeking a Director of Accounting to lead and manage our accounting operations, including direct oversight of accounting staff, financial reporting, accounting systems and internal controls in a complex, mission-driven, grant-funded environment. This role serves as the organization’s technical accounting authority, with responsibility for the accuracy, integrity, and compliance of all financial records and statements.

Reporting to and working in close partnership with the CFO, the Director of Accounting plays a critical role in agency-wide financial decision-making, compliance, audit readiness, and continuous improvement of systems and controls. This is a hands-on leadership role ideal for an experienced accounting professional who enjoys building strong teams, improving processes, and ensuring financial excellence in a nonprofit setting.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS OF THE POSITION

The essential functions of this position require prioritizing and completing all assigned tasks in a timely and efficient manner, adjusting for changing priorities and availability of resources, and demonstrating initiative in identifying additional job-related tasks to be completed when time permits. These duties are a representative example of position expectations. Actual duties assigned may vary and change depending on the business needs of the department and the agency.

As Director of Accounting, you will:

• Lead and manage all core accounting operations, including accounts payable, accounts receivable, cash receipts, general ledger, fixed assets, and grant accounting.
• Own the month-end and year-end close process, including close schedules, reconciliations, accruals, and review of journal entries. Ensure financial statements and reports are complete, accurate, and review-ready for CFO approval.
• Supervise and lead accounting staff, including assigning work, setting priorities, reviewing work product, enforcing deadlines, and fostering a culture of accountability for accuracy, completeness, and timeliness. Develop and mentor accounting staff to build organizational capacity and continuity by ensuring the accounting team has the tools, guidance, and capacity needed to meet organizational demands.
• Implement, monitor, and enforce internal controls related to accounting, procurement, revenue recognition, and expenditure processing. Identify risks and recommend corrective actions to mitigate risk and strengthen audit outcomes.
• Ensure compliance with GAAP, Uniform Guidance, Head Start requirements, and other federal, state, and funder regulations. Analyze and resolve technical accounting issues and document accounting decisions. Lead continuous improvement of accounting systems, workflows, and reporting processes to increase efficiency and accuracy.
• Design, implement, and enforce internal controls; identify risks and recommend corrective actions.
• Serve as the primary accounting lead for the annual audit and other fiscal monitoring activities, coordinating schedules, documentation, and responses to findings.
• Manage and maintain fixed asset records and oversee inventory processes to ensure accurate tracking, proper capitalization, depreciation, and safeguarding of assets.
• Monitor program and funding-source expenditures, ensuring accurate cost allocation and alignment with approved budgets.
• In coordination with the CFO, present and explain financial statements, variances, and accounting activity to the Finance Committee and other governance or leadership bodies as requested.
• Support the CFO by providing accurate accounting data, technical insight, and execution-level perspective related to financial statements, audits, compliance, internal controls, and allocation methodology. Serve as the primary accounting decision maker, escalating material or policy-level issues to the CFO.
• Maintain and update accounting procedures, templates, and documentation to ensure consistency, clarity, and compliance with agency policies and regulatory requirements.
• Communicate in a professional, respectful, and courteous manner with all employees, clients, the Board of Directors, and others. Contribute to a successful work group and foster a team-oriented culture through positive interactions, active listening, meaningful collaborations, and the constructive exchange of ideas.
• Drive a company vehicle in the performance of job duties. Driving will be required to travel to multiple UCAN facilities, board meetings, and other locations to perform essential functions as needed.
• Complete designated job tasks, special projects, and all other duties as assigned to meet team, department, and agency goals while actively demonstrating accountability, high levels of employee engagement, and responsibility for achieving desired outcomes and measurable results.

Physical Demands

The physical demands described below are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this position. Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

The physical effort typically applied in this job includes:

• Bending
• Lifting
• Reaching
• Walking
• Carrying
• Sitting
• Keyboarding
• Standing

 The amount of lifting effort typically applied and the percentage of time the effort is applied:

• Less than 1 lb. = 40-70%
• Between 1 & 5 lbs. = 15-40%
• Between 5 & 25 lbs. = Less than 15%
• Between 25 & 60 lbs. = Less than 15%

Mental or Visual Demands

This position requires concentrated mental and/or visual attention; the work involves complex tasks to very close accuracy and quality specifications; or a high degree or hand and eye coordination for sustained periods. 

Working Conditions

Work is typically performed under very comfortable working conditions; any disagreeable elements are generally absent during normal performance of the job.

WHAT WE’RE LOOKING FOR

We’re looking for a confident, detail-oriented accounting leader who can balance technical expertise with practical execution and team leadership.

Required Qualifications

• 8+ years of progressively responsible accounting experience.
• Prior experience in a Controller, Accounting Manager, or equivalent role.

Preferred Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Accounting, Finance, Business Administration, or a related field.
• Experience working in heavily grant-funded or federally regulated environments.

An equivalent combination of experience and education that demonstrates the required knowledge, skills and abilities required for the position will be considered in lieu of the outlined requirements.

Additional Requirements

• At time of appointment, must possess valid driver’s license and have a driving record that meets UCAN's acceptable driver standards. Oregon Driver’s license required within 30 days of employment. 
• Must pass criminal background check prior to hire and successfully meet all screening standards when required by department funding source(s).
• Prior to hire and continuously during employment - Enrollment in the Oregon Department of Education, Early Learning Division, Criminal Background Registry. Link to website application: https://secure.emp.state.or.us/ccd/ 
• Within 60 days of appointment – Participate in the Head Start Staff Health Appraisal.
• This position requires demonstrated experience and competency operating and working effectively and efficiently with computers and other forms of office technology, electronic data, computer programs, and software applications, especially Microsoft 365, Word, Excel, Outlook, and Teams. Ability to use electronic timekeeping system is required.
• This position requires regular, consistent on-site attendance while working independently and with others during standard business hours. Exempt employees are expected to work as many hours as are necessary to ensure that the goals and needs established by UCAN are met.

Why Join UCAN?

United Community Action Network (UCAN) is a poverty fighting non-profit located in Southern Oregon. Founded in 1969 by low-income community organizers, UCAN deploys services and programs to equip our neighbors experiencing the symptoms of poverty with resources and opportunities to help them reach their full social, civic, and economic potential. Our dedicated and energetic employees provide essential and supportive services to individuals and families. We take pride in caring for our communities each and every day. At UCAN, your work directly supports programs that serve children, families, and communities.

UCAN has a generous Benefit Package including:

• Medical Coverage
• Dental and Voluntary Vision insurance,
• Generous leave,
• Retirement plans,
• Basic Life and Voluntary life insurance,
• Employee Assistance program. 

UCAN is an Equal Employment Opportunity Employer that does not discriminate in the terms and conditions of employment against any applicant or current employee on the basis of any status or class protected under applicable federal, state, or local law.

If you require special assistance at any point during the application or selection process and would like to request an accommodation due to a disability, please e-mail a description of your request to Human Resources:  ucanhr@ucancap.org

About United Community Action Network

United Community Action Network (UCAN) is a poverty fighting non-profit located in Southern Oregon. Founded in 1969 by low-income community organizers, UCAN deploys services and programs to equip our neighbors experiencing the symptoms of poverty with resources and opportunities to help them reach their full social, civic, and economic potential. Our dedicated and energetic employees provide essential and supportive services to individuals and families. We take pride in caring for our communities each and every day. At UCAN, your work directly supports programs that serve children, families, and communities.

Connections working at United Community Action Network