Head of Finance

Head of Finance Operations

Location: Remote (U.S.-based)

Reports to: Chief Operating and Technology Officer (COTO)

Works closely with: Controller, Executive Leadership

Position Overview

The Head of Finance Operations will lead and manage the full scope of Grassroots Grocery's financial operations, combining strategic oversight with day-to-day execution. This role is both a builder and an operator—responsible for designing scalable financial systems while also owning essential accounting and compliance functions. The Director will oversee grant and government contract compliance, accounts payable and receivable, budgeting, reporting, and audit preparation.

This role reports to the Chief Operating and Technology Officer (COTO), who leads finance, technology, and operations across the organization. The Director will work closely with the COTO to align financial infrastructure with organizational strategy and ensure that financial systems support program delivery, fundraising, and long-term sustainability.

The Director will also work in close collaboration with the part-time Controller, who supports monthly close and ensures accurate general ledger management. As the most senior finance staff member on the internal team, the Director will serve as both the lead architect and day-to-day executor of financial operations.

Key Responsibilities
Process Innovation and Optimization
Design and implement financial processes that are efficient, scalable, and compliant with nonprofit and government requirementsAutomate or systematize functions like expense tracking, reimbursements, and approvalsDocument workflows and ensure process clarity across departmentsServe as the finance systems owner for tools like QuickBooks Online and RampGrant Management and Compliance
Lead all financial aspects of grant management, including proposal budgets, fund allocation, spend tracking, and funder reportingTrack restricted and unrestricted funds and ensure appropriate useCollaborate with program and development teams to align financial records with grant goals and compliance standardsDay-to-Day Accounting
Perform or oversee all core bookkeeping functions including categorization, coding, and reconciliations in QuickBooks OnlineManage accounts payable and accounts receivable, including timely processing of payments, invoices, reimbursements, and donor pledges

Maintain organized documentation for all financial activity, vendor records, and transaction supportFinancial Reporting and Monthly Close
Coordinate monthly close in partnership with the Controller, including reconciliations, journal entries, and accrualsProduce timely and accurate internal reports, including income statements, balance sheets, and cash flow projectionsTranslate financial data into insights for the COTO, CEO, and BoardBudgeting, Forecasting, and Spend Management
Lead the annual budgeting process in coordination with leadership and department headsBuild multi-year financial forecasts and scenario plans using FP&A tools or equivalent modelsMonitor budget performance, conduct variance analyses, and recommend corrective actionMaintain dashboards and planning models that support data-driven decision-makingGovernment Contracts and Audit
Manage financial tracking and reporting for all city, state, and federal contractsSubmit accurate and timely invoices and backup documentation for reimbursementsLead the preparation for the annual audit and coordinate with external auditors and the ControllerEnsure timely preparation and submission of IRS Form 990Financial Dashboards and Internal Visibility
Develop dashboards and tools that provide real-time insight into financial health, fundraising performance, and program efficiencyBuild financial reports tailored to different audiences including department leads, executive staff, and Board membersEnsure consistency across data sources and systems used for financial reportingTeam Building and Future Delegation
Establish the foundation for future finance team growth, including workflows, documentation, and delegation modelsManage external vendors (e.g. payroll providers, audit firms) and explore the potential for hiring offshore or part-time support to handle transactional functions as the organization growsKey Qualifications
Education
Bachelor's degree in Accounting, Finance, or a related fieldMSc/MBA or relevant certification (e.g. CFA/CPA) is a plusExperience
Minimum 5 years of progressive experience in nonprofit financial operations, combining both strategy and hands-on executionExperience managing the full accounting cycle including A/P, A/R, reconciliations, close, budgeting, and funder reportingFamiliarity with restricted funding, government contract compliance, and nonprofit GAAP (A plus)Skills
Advanced proficiency in QuickBooks Online and Excel or Google SheetsExperience with FP&A tools such as ReachReporting, or comparable platforms for budgeting, forecasting, and reportingStrong communicator able to convey financial concepts to non-finance audiencesHighly organized, analytical, and detail-oriented with a systems-building mindsetFamiliarity with tools like Ramp, FundraiseUp, HubSpot, or Salesforce is a plus

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