Job Description

Background:
Queens Public Library (QPL) is a large library system providing access to a vast collection of books, digital resources, and services to the residents of Queens in New York City.  It is a national and international leader in the delivery of public library service, with a of mission of transforming lives through cultivating personal andintellectual growth, resulting in building strong communities. QPL offers a wide range of programs and events for all ages, including educational workshops, cultural events, and technology classes.    It welcomesinnovators and leaders to contribute to a long history and dynamic future of serving the most diverse county in the United States.

The Queens Public Library is a private, non-profit corporation with 1,700 employees serving 65 locations throughout Queens. 

The Position:
The Queens Public Library is seeing a Vice President of Finance to support the work of the Library.  They report to the Chief Financial Officer (CFO) and Senior Vice President (SVP), and is responsible for all financial reporting, general accounting, and management of the audit for an annual operating budget of $180 million. They will provide leadership for establishing accounting operating policies, reporting systems, and processes and procedures to ensure compliance and timely, accurate financial information. In addition, they will provide analysis and make recommendations to support all business operations, enhance decision-making, and prepare for regulatory and evolving transparency requirements. They will be expected to drivethe strategic evolution of the Finance operations and infrastructure including the accounting, financial planning and analysis, and control functions. Serves as a key member of the Leadership Team.

The successful candidate must be able to work closely and collaboratively with the Chief Financial Officer, other executives, and the Library staff, and be able to integrate smoothly into the senior management at the Queens Public Library, fitting into the organization’s culture.  They must be able to quickly become knowledgeable about the Library’s work, and be able to work in a collegial, supportive, and direct manner in a spirit of mutual trust. 

The Vice President of Finance must be a highly skilled and experienced financial executive who has held significant management positions for a number of years, particularly for governments, nonprofits or in related organizations.  This person will be a strategic thinker with a collaborative management style who is thoroughly familiar with generally accepted accounting principles.  The Vice President of Finance has strong interpersonal skills, excellent written and oral communication skills, and the ability to address and solve problems or issues as they arise. In addition, this person will be diplomatic, of the highest integrity, and possesses sound judgment as well as a good sense of humor and of self. 

Specific Responsibilities include:

Accounting Operations

·       Supervises, supports, and facilitates daily activities of the accounting staff and grant accounting teams, ensuring compliance, and reporting requirements.

·       Reviews and approves journal entries and account analyses.

·       Monitors the closing processes and preparation of all financial reports.

·       Coordinates and manages all internal and external audits.

·       Reviews audit related schedules and analyses.

·       Coordinates the preparation of audit lead schedules; collects and organizes analyses; monitors and forecasts cash flow and reports upcoming needs to CFO.

·       Works with external auditors to prepare annual Form 990.

·       Prepares the Finance section of the State annual reports.

·       Supports all special projects as needed.

Financial Reporting

·       Prepares, analyzes, and completes all financial statements in accordance with generally accepted accounting standards (GAAP).

·       Provides financial analysis of expenses, costs, funding, managing the analysis and development and budgeting, forecasting, and analyzing business results.

·       Prepares and manage monthly, quarterly, and year-end accounting and grant reporting processes.

·       Responsible for all external reporting requirements for compliance (to government and funders).

·       Provides financial analysis of expenses, costs, funding, managing the analysis and development and budgeting, forecasting, and analyzing business results.

·       Assists the CFO in creating, updating, and maintaining the annual operating budget.

·       Measures actual results against budgeted levels, providing detailed reports on major variances and provide subsequent periodic updates to the CFO.

·       Seeks to identify areas for improvement in the financial reporting process and works with the CFO and staff to implement timely and efficient changes.

Financial Controls

·       Monitors accounting systems to ensure internal control standards are being maintained and improvements recommended, developed, and implemented.

·       Recommends benchmarks for measuring the financial and operating performance of agencies and departments.

·       Defines problems, collects data, establishes facts, and draws valid conclusions; recommends and/or implements solutions to identified problems.

·       Improves expenditure control and identifies opportunities for cash savings by performing financial analysis on all key expense categories.

·       Development and compliance with policies and procedures to ensure the timely, reliable, and accurate preparation and reporting of financial information in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles.

·       Develops and documents business and accounting policies and processes.

·       Works with CFO to strengthen and improve internal controls.

·       Identifies problems as they occur and recommend solutions to the CFO.

Supervision of Staff

·       Leads, manages, and mentors staff, including ensuring performance reviews are accurate and completed in a timely manner in accordance with the Library’s performance management system.

·       Supervises Finance staff in absence of CFO.

Qualifications:

·       Bachelor’s degree in Accounting, Finance, or Economics. M.B.A. or other advanced degree in Finance. CPA a plus.

·       A minimum of 10 years of professional experience in finance/accounting management, preferably in the nonprofit or government sectors with budgets of over $50 million.

·       Strong knowledge of GAAP and GASB.

·       A minimum of 5 years supervising a Finance team.

·       Experience with grant funding and accounting from government and private entities.

·       Demonstrated initiative and leadership to lead and improve finance and accounting processes.

·       Demonstrated ability to utilize an automated financial system (SAP or equivalent) and other related software including Microsoft Suite.

·       Must have excellent Excel skills.

·       Communicates effectively both verbally and in writing with internal and external stakeholders and customers at various levels within the organization, including writing reports and business correspondence. Demonstrated ability to communicate complex financial material to staff, QPL leadership and Board of Trustees.

·       Must have ability to balance a workload with tight deadlines and multiple projects and tasks and complete all assignments within specified parameters of quality, quantity, and timeliness.

·       Ability to manage, analyze and interpret financial data and apply established practices, procedures, and principles of accounting with great attention to detail.

·       Works collaboratively with a team and is willing to assist others when needed.

·       Effectively presents information and responds to common inquiries or complaints from internal customers and regulatory agencies; interacts effectively with all customers; maintains confidentiality and utilizes discretion.

·       Demonstrated commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion.

Other Information:
Projected salary range is:  $150,000 to $175,000.  Hybrid work environment.  Exceptional benefits.

All positions at the Queens Public Library are filled without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, disability, HIV/AIDS status, veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law.  All are encouraged to apply. 

To Apply:
The Queens Public Library has retained the services of Harris Rand Lusk to conduct this search. Inquiries, nominations, and applications may be directed in confidence to:
Anne McCarthy, Chief Operating Officer
Harris Rand Lusk
260 Madison Avenue, 15^th Floor
New York, NY  10016

Email cover letter and resume to: amccarthy@harrisrand.com

Please include “QPL VPoF” in the subject line of the email

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