Director of Accounting - Fort Collins - Housing Catalyst

Description

Job Type
Full-time
Description
At Housing Catalyst, we're all about making a difference through affordable housing, and we know that starts with a passionate team. We're looking for a strategic Director of Accounting to help us ensure our mission stays on solid financial ground.
This role leads the full scope of accounting operations for a complex affordable housing portfolio, including both LIHTC and non-LIHTC properties across multiple entities and partnerships. The Director of Accounting is responsible for overseeing consolidated financial reporting, investor and lender reporting requirements, and compliance with bond, loan, and tax credit regulatory agreements. The position requires strong technical accounting expertise, including the ability to research, interpret, and implement complex GAAP and GASB pronouncements. This leader must think strategically, provide forward-looking financial insight to executive leadership, and effectively prioritize competing deadlines in a fast-paced, deadline-driven environment.
Why You'll Love Working Here

• Impact: Your financial skills will play a big role in creating and maintaining affordable housing in Northern Colorado.
• Culture: We're a Health Links Certified Healthy WorkplaceTM, and we really believe in things like mindfulness, work-life balance, and having a good time. It's not just talk-we show it in everything we do.
• Location: We're in the lively Fort Collins, a bike-friendly city that gets about 300 days of sunshine, all set against the beautiful backdrop of the Rocky Mountains.

What You'll Do
In your role as our financial lead, you'll need to be creative and forward-thinking, using your good judgment to navigate through complex financial situations.

• Strategic Financial Leadership: Provide strategic financial leadership, oversee consolidated reporting, lead technical GAAP/GASB implementation, and deliver forward-looking financial analysis to support executive decision-making.
• Team Development & Mentorship: You'll take charge of a team of professionals-hiring, coaching, and mentoring them to build a strong group and create a culture of continuous learning and cross-training.
• Complex Portfolio Management: Direct accounting for a multi-entity LIHTC and non-LIHTC affordable housing portfolio, including partnership reporting, investor and lender requirements, debt service, and covenant compliance.
• Systems & Innovation: Your goal will be to boost efficiency by designing and rolling out innovative workflow improvements. This means updating our accounting systems and internal controls to keep us growing and functioning smoothly.
• Financial Reporting & Internal Controls: Oversee preparation of the Annual Comprehensive Financial Report (ACFR), external audits, internal controls, and accounting policies to ensure accurate, compliant, and reliable financial reporting.
• Cross-Department Collaboration: Collaborate with peers across all departments and executive leadership to support transactions, new projects, and portfolio performance.

Requirements
Education & Experience
We're looking for candidates from various educational and professional backgrounds. Typically, you'll find that a successful candidate has:
Essential Qualifications

• A bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university-preferably in Accounting, Finance, Business, or something similar.
• At least 10 years of relevant experience in accounting, including some leadership roles.
• We'll also consider equivalent combinations of education and experience.

Knowledge & Skills

• A solid grasp of Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP), Governmental Accounting Standards Board (GASB) standards, and government accounting practices.
• Some familiarity with HUD reporting requirements, Low-Income Housing Tax Credits, and financial tools like bonds and loans.
• Proven management and leadership skills, along with the ability to communicate effectively.
• Strong analytical abilities to pull together information from various sources and make sound decisions.
• The ability to understand and apply complex GAAP/GASB announcements.

Physical & Mental Requirements

• Must be able to walk, stand, sit, bend, do some light lifting, and handle manual tasks as required for office work.
• Effective communication, both verbal and written, is essential.
• Should be prepared to manage the mental and emotional aspects of a leadership role.
• We'll provide reasonable accommodations to help individuals with disabilities perform essential functions.

Work Environment

• Standard office environment with moderate noise.
• There may be occasional overnight travel and some work outside of regular business hours.

Preferred Qualifications

• A Certified Public Accountant (CPA) license, or the ability to get one within 30 days of starting.
• Experience in affordable housing, the public sector, or nonprofit finance would be a plus.
• Previous involvement with HUD, LIHTC, or similar housing programs is beneficial.
• Direct experience in affordable housing finance with LIHTC structures preferred.
• Experience working with investor reporting and regulatory compliance preferred.
• An advanced degree (like an MBA, MPA, or a related field) is also preferred.

Benefits
At Housing Catalyst, we really care about our employees' well-being and growth. That's why we offer a solid benefits package, which includes:

• Paid Holidays & Wellness Days: You'll get 10 paid holidays, a floating holiday, and a chance to earn a paid Wellness Day every year.
• Generous Vacation Time: You start off with 6.15 hours of vacation for every two-week pay period, and that increases the longer you're with us.
• Retirement Security: We contribute 10% of your gross salary to a 401(a) tax-deferred account (with a 3-year vesting schedule) through Mission Square. You'll need to contribute at least 6.2% yourself.
• Medical, Dental, and Vision Insurance: You receive $280 every pay period to help with group medical, dental, and vision premiums, which often means you won't have to pay anything out of pocket for coverage. If you want to cover dependents, that's available for an extra charge. Medical coverage kicks in on the first of the month after you're hired.
• Medical Expense Reimbursement: We also help out with high deductibles through a Medical Expense Reimbursement Plan.
• Health Savings & Flexible Spending Accounts: You can set aside pre-tax dollars for Health Savings Accounts (HSAs) or Flexible Spending Accounts (FSAs) to cover medical expenses, dependent care, and transit or parking costs.
• Life Insurance: We provide employer-paid term life insurance equal to a year's salary, plus options for supplemental life and AD&D coverage.
• Disability Coverage: You'll get employer-paid short-term disability (up to 11 weeks at two-thirds salary) and long-term disability (up to $7,500 each month).
• Employee Assistance Program: We offer free counseling and support services for you and your family.
• Educational Support: You can get up to $5,000 a year in tuition reimbursement to help with professional development.
• Wellness Program: You'll have access to a comprehensive health and safety program, recognized by Health Links Colorado as a Certified Leader in wellness.

Equal Employment Opportunity
Housing Catalyst is committed to being an Equal Opportunity Employer. We welcome all qualified applicants regardless of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, genetic information, veteran status, or any other protected status under the law. We're dedicated to providing reasonable accommodations for applicants and employees with disabilities. If you need help or any accommodations during the application process, just reach out to us.
Salary Description