Job Postings
Finance and Operations Manager
Transcend’s mission is to support communities to create and spread extraordinary, equitable learning environments. Founded in 2015, Transcend has partnered with over 200 schools and 50 systems which collectively serve nearly 500,000 students in 30 states across the country. As a research and development (R&D) hub for the education field, Transcend provides schools and systems with research-backed, community-driven models, resources, and capacity so they can make significant leaps to reimagine the future of education. Transcend is a nonprofit that operates with a fully remote, nationwide team.
For more information, visit our website; follow us on LinkedIn or Twitter; or check out this recent podcast featuring our two co-founders on Class Disrupted.
The Opportunity:
Come build and sustain the financial health and smooth operations for a caring and top-notch team – focused on redesigning school so that all young people can thrive.
As the first Finance + Operations Manager on our team, you will play a critical role in ensuring our financial and operational systems, routines, and tools provide accurate, timely, and actionable information for decision-making and long-term sustainability. In stewarding our financial resources and operations, you will get a birds-eye view of an entrepreneurial nonprofit in action, and provide critical support to the entire team.
Transcend is a young and growing nonprofit, entering year 7 of operations with ~80 teammates nationwide. The role can be based anywhere in the US, as Transcend is a fully virtual/remote team. This role reports to Trevor Bynoe, Director of Finance and Operations.
In this role, you will get to:
Do sophisticated financial modeling to help create, manage and improve Transcend’s complex financial models and reporting tools to analyze cash flow, budget performance, resource allocations, and overall financial health.
Design new analytic tools and conduct ad-hoc analyses to support decision making across development, finance, and talent, including grant tracking, resource allocation tools, financial dashboards for a range of audiences, and more!
Craft compelling and clear data visualizations. Stacked bar or trend line? You know what works for what type of information, and relish the chance to design clear and compelling visuals that turn numbers into actionable insights.
Manage key finance-related ops and HR systems and activities for Transcend, including creating contracts with school partners and independent contractors, salary benchmarking and equity checks for our team and contractors, and managing our printed products inventory and sales process.
Research and implement new systems to support us as we grow, including PEO and benefits providers, software to support team allocations, and secure and smooth knowledge management (G-drive).
Ensure compliance in our financial policies and systems, and support us in our annual financial audit.
Start Date: Immediate
Role Type: Full time
Location: Flexible — Fully remote/virtual team
Travel: Willingness to travel 2-3 times/year for team collaboration
Who You Are:
You are an analytical thinker, with advanced skills in Excel and/or Google Sheets, who relishes the sweet moment when your complex analysis ties-out. You are precise and neat with your numbers, and spending quiet hours in a financial model brings you joy. You are familiar with GAAP financial statements and the fundamentals of accounting, and are eager to continue to
grow your skills in finance, accounting, and related org operations. When you aren’t deep in the numbers — you are researching and musing on the most efficient, values-aligned system that might improve team operations or streamline a routine process.
You have strong organizational and project management skills, and enjoy seeing tasks through from idea to practice to iteration. You are masterful in managing your time, balancing competing demands and communicating actively with others who rely on you. Although you are comfortable working remotely, you understand and appreciate that your work is deeply connected with that of others, and look forward to building trusting relationships with a variety of teammates. You openly share your goals and ask for help when you need it, so work can be well-coordinated, especially in a virtual environment.
The opportunity to work for a small, growing nonprofit — and all that entails — sounds like fun. You are comfortable with ambiguity, flexible to adjust to changing needs, and eager to roll-up your sleeves to help build Transcend as a lasting institution.
Lastly, you love that your everyday work is in service to a mission that matters! You believe deeply in the power of education to change lives, and can’t wait to provide your analytical and operational expertise and ongoing learning to this cause.
To all of this, you bring:
A commitment to Transcend’s mission of transforming education, with a passion for creating extraordinary and equitable learning environments
A commitment to advancing diversity, equity, inclusion in your approach to finance and operations
Advanced skills in Excel and/or Google Sheets (e.g., INDEX MATCH, nested functions, queries, etc.) and eagerness to continue to build expertise in financial modeling
Familiarity with GAAP accounting and creating and understanding financial statements
Problem solving and critical thinking skills to support us in navigating through new problems, effective research, and implementation and management of new systems ● Ability to independently problem solve and drive your own work, across multiple projects that move quickly in a remote work environment, with effective prioritization
Hunger for feedback and growth based on a personal commitment to excellence and constant learning – thriving on feedback from multiple sources
A willingness to travel up to 5% of the time to collaborate with your team
Eagerness to embrace and live into Transcend’s core values
Perks and Benefits
Transcend is committed to providing our colleagues with a competitive benefits package. Transcend offers medical, dental and vision coverage options, org-wide holidays, paid time off, paid parental leave, professional development opportunities, and fully remote work. We’re also proud of our values-grounded, equity-focused, and fun(!) work environment, incredible
colleagues, and a dedication to our work and each other. We are open to a range of experience profiles for this role. Early in our process, we will ensure that the salary band for the role based on your experience level and location is aligned with your expectations.
Join Us!
Transcend is an equal opportunity employer. We are building a diverse team that values diversity, equity, and inclusion, and we encourage candidates from historically underrepresented groups to apply.
Financial Analyst, Anacortes
Department: Fiscal
Report To: Assistant Superintendent for Finance and Compliance
Supervises: N/A
Classification: Professional/Technical
FLSA Status: Exempt
Salary Range: Schedule III, Range 3
Summary:
The Financial Analyst is responsible for key functions including financial consulting support for program staff, agency wide budget monitoring, procurement compliance assistance, and contract administration activities. The Financial Analyst may also fill the project management role for the fiscal department in their continuous improvement efforts, as appropriate.
Essential Functions:
Partners with program staff throughout the agency on the development of new business strategies and grant opportunities, by providing financial modeling and consulting support.
Assists with the development and preparation of the annual budget and future projections.
Assists the program staff throughout the agency on budget and financial analysis of program activities.
Responds to inquiries from outside agencies and internal departments regarding budget and program financial reports.
Develops specialized reports for use by program staff for budget monitoring.
Meets with and communicates program budget status to management and program staff.
Develops a wide variety of regular and special purpose financial reports for the purpose of providing information and reference materials and complying with legal mandates.
Conducts analysis, research, and modeling of the district’s budgeted and actual revenues and expenditures.
Assists the program staff throughout the agency on procurement of goods and services in accordance with NWESD policies and State and Federal regulations.
Manages the bidding process for procurement of goods and services requiring a formal public process in accordance with NWESD policies and State and Federal regulations.
Assists the program staff throughout the agency with the addition of vendors and qualification of contractors that wish to do business with the agency.
Assists program staff throughout the agency with prevailing wage compliance and paperwork.
Manages agency wide external contracting to include, but not limited to, contract development, administration, and monitoring.
Provides the compliance approval for all agency wide purchase orders.
Project management of fiscal department process improvement efforts with agency wide impact.
Prepares other analysis or presentation materials as requested.
Assists the Assistant Superintendent of Finance & Compliance with financial matters related to the operations and programs of the NWESD.
Performs related duties as assigned. Related duties may not specifically be listed but are within the general occupational series and responsibility level typically associated with the employee’s classification of work.
Required knowledge, skills, and abilities:
Knowledge of principles, practices, and procedures of governmental accounting obtained through formal education and experience.
High level creative thinking, research skills and problem-solving skills.
Strong written and verbal communication and interpersonal skills.
Advanced skills in the use of Microsoft Excel, Word, and other applicable software applications.
Skill in effective project management across departmental lines.
Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships, while using tact, discretion, and courtesy in working with agency staff.
Ability to become proficient working with Qmlativ software accounting system for educational service districts.
Ability to communicate complex regulations to individuals with varying levels of accounting backgrounds.
Ability to work independently using effective time management and organizational skills.
Ability to work well with others to accomplish system objectives.
Ability to prepare accurate, clear, and concise statistical statements and reports.
Ability to interpret financial reports and statements and organize complex financial data.
Ability to work with a high degree of accuracy and attention to detail.
Ability to develop and make improvements in financial accounting systems, procedures, forms, and records.
Qualifications:
A Bachelor’s Degree in Accounting, Business, Finance, Public Administration or related field and a minimum of three years of applicable financial experience is required. Experience in project management, financial consulting and working in public sector finance is preferred. An equivalent combination of education and experience may be substituted which provides the skills, knowledge, and abilities to perform the essential functions of the position. Requires a valid Washington State driver’s license. Washington State Patrol background clearance required.
Working Conditions/Physical Requirements:
Work is performed primarily in an office environment; however, travel may be required for workshops, committee representation or conferences. Lifts and carries a maximum of 40 pounds. Adequate manual and finger dexterity, hearing, speech, and vision are necessary to perform the essential functions of this position.
Per Governor’s Proclamation 21-14.1, all employees working for public and private K-12 schools in Washington must be vaccinated against COVID-19 or obtain a religious or medical accommodation by October 18, 2021. Please be advised that all candidates offered positions within the NWESD will be required to comply with this order.
Hazards: Those present in a normal office environment; no known significant hazards.
The statements contained herein reflect general details as necessary to describe the essential functions of this position, the level of knowledge and skill typically required, and the scope of responsibility, but should not be considered an all-inclusive listing of work requirements. Individuals may perform other duties as assigned, including work in other functional areas to cover absences or relief, to equalize peak work periods, or otherwise to balance the workload. Changes to the position description may be made at the discretion of the employer.
It is the policy of the Northwest Educational Service District No. 189 to not discriminate against any person with regard to race, color, religion, sex, age, national origin, marital status or physical or mental disability.
To apply, please visit: https://www.nwesd.org/job/financial-analyst/