Director, Financial Information Systems

ASHA requires all new employees to present proof they are fully vaccinated against COVID-19 when they start work. Currently, “fully vaccinated” is defined as someone that has received both doses of the Pfizer/Moderna COVID-19 vaccines or one dose of the Johnson & Johnson COVID-19 vaccine 14 days or more before they begin work. Individuals with a disability or a religious reason preventing them from taking the vaccine may request an accommodation.

A. General Description:

The purpose of this position is to strategically plan for and continuously develop and direct all financial information technology for ASHA and its four affiliated entities.  The incumbent is responsible for the planning, design, testing, documentation, and implementation of financial information systems to meet business strategies, internal control, and user requirements.  The incumbent evaluates business systems and incorporates best practices into system development and documentation ensures consistent practices are used throughout ASHA to maintain system integrity and operational adherence to financial control procedures; leads the development and reporting of performance metrics in order to measure productivity and ensure timely provision of member services; and provides high-level expertise related to financial reporting; regulatory and tax compliance; completion of annual external audit, member dues renewal, and revenue recognition.  Total revenue of ASHA and its affiliates exceeds $74 million.

B. Responsibilities:

1. Lead, direct, and manage all aspects of the financial information systems including Financial Reporting, Accounts Receivable, Accounts Payable, Purchasing, and Advanced Allocations.  This also includes the financial aspects of the AMS relating to Certification, Membership, Continuing Education, Advertising Sales, Product Sales, Subscriptions, Special Interest Group, Meeting related sales, Fundraising, and Accreditation.
2. Lead, direct, and manage the implementation of new financial information software projects including planning, design, testing, configuration, documentation, training, and post implementation review.  The projects include the integration of new products, product enhancements, product upgrades, and interfaces between financial systems and other software applications.  The software includes accounting, financial aspects of the AMS and related integrated systems, in-house electronic payments, eCommerce, tax preparation and filing, financial reporting, AMS reporting, document management, sales tax, UKG payroll, PAC software, Foundation software, and Blackline.
3. Advocate the use of technology and evaluate new technology to meet ASHA’s business strategies, internal control, and user requirements.  Assist users (performing the functions in #1 above) in the development of system requirements, specifications, and test plans.  Evaluate system options using processing scenarios to determine best practices.
4. Analyze current business systems and processes that impact all areas of the association.  Develop project plans and direct, manage, and implement improvements to achieve greater efficiency and accuracy resulting in cost savings to the association.
5. Provide high-level expertise, technical review, and guidance to ensure the timely and accurate completion of annual external audits for ASHA and its affiliates including financial and Information Technology systems audits.  Safeguard the assets and resources of ASHA by ensuring consistent practices are used throughout ASHA to maintain system integrity and operational adherence to financial control procedures.  Develop, implement, and evaluate financial system internal control policies and standards that result in well documented audit trails and accountability.
6. Provide high-level expertise and review related to regulatory and tax compliance for ASHA and its affiliates that result in timely and accurate filing of all required documents and tax returns.  This includes: federal information and unrelated business income returns (Forms 990 and 990T), state income and property tax returns (MD), state sales tax returns (up to 20 states).
7. Provide high-level expertise related to financial system operations, including the preparation of financial reports, financial planning, preparation of dues revenue budget and components of Finance Cluster budget, revenue recognition, and debt financing/leasing options.
8. Participate on the Dues Renewal Team.  ASHA and NSSLHA annual tasks include AMS product configuration for dues renewals, reinstatements, applicants including discounts, and Special Interest Groups; generation of electronic renewal invoices; dues invoice report testing; ordering of dues and ID card supplies; creating specifications for annual lockbox processing changes; and the member drop process.  ASHA tasks include the add late fee process and coordinating the vendor mailing of paper renewal notices and postcard reminders.

C. Contacts:

The incumbent reports directly to the Chief Financial Officer and supervises the Financial Information Systems Analyst and Finance Analyst.

To accomplish responsibilities listed above, the incumbent has contact with:

1. All levels of National Office staff, especially the decision-makers in the following ASHA units: Finance, Information Systems, Purchasing, Membership, Certification, Continuing Education, Advertising Sales, Product Sales, Subscriptions, Action Center, Special Interest Divisions, Convention & Meetings, ASHA Professional Development, Marketing Asset Team, and Accreditation.  Also included is the leadership teams of ASHA and its affiliates: Foundation, NSSLHA, NAHSA, and ASHA-PAC.
2. All National Office staff as the primary contact for all financial/business system matters including participating on cross-functional teams.  Emphasis is on analyzing, establishing, and improving business systems and processes.
3. Users of financial information technology and representatives from external organizations utilizing similar technologies to develop a best practices approach for ASHA.
4. Outside professional service providers including software vendors, software consultants, business consultants, auditors, tax advisors, bank personnel, attorney, investment advisors, and Convention registration processing firms.
5. Members, customers, and vendors to resolve problems and respond to inquiries.
6. Governmental, regulatory, and taxing authorities regarding technical and compliance matters.

D. Freedom to Act:

The incumbent receives very broad work direction from the Chief Financial Officer, exhibits independence of thought, and utilizes a wide degree of creativity and latitude to determine approaches, procedures, and methodologies for the continuous development of ASHA’s financial information systems and financial, accounting, and business procedures.  The incumbent is expected to continually enhance, improve and upgrade the accuracy and efficiency of the association’s business systems.  The incumbent exercises sound professional judgement about seeking outside advice when an issue is beyond available internal resources and experience.

E. Qualifications – Education, Experience, Knowledge, Skills:

Knowledge and skills typically acquired through:

• CPA designation maintained active through 80 hours of professional continuing education every 2 years (public accounting experience desirable)
• At least 8 – 10 years of progressively responsible related experience (experience in large membership associations preferred)
• Baccalaureate degree in accounting or business administration
• 4 or more years supervisory and/or training experience

Scope and depth of technical skills/knowledge:

• Expert knowledge of general ledger, accounts receivable, accounts payable, budgeting, and tax filings.
• Demonstrated success in leading and developing financial information technology of a major organization.
• Extensive knowledge and experience related to financial information systems: requirements analysis, system selection, design, testing, and implementation.
• Extensive knowledge of Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP), Generally Accepted Auditing Standards (GAAS), and Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) Pronouncements (including FASBs 116, 117, and 124) affecting not-for-profit organizations.
• Excellent understanding of grant administration and reporting, indirect cost proposal preparation, OMB A-133, and other related grant regulations.
• Strong analytical skills related to the evaluation of operational performance and financial alternatives. 
• Extensive knowledge of the Internal Revenue Code, including experience with Federal and State rules and regulations controlling 501(c)6 and 501(c)3 organizations, maintenance of tax-exempt status, and filing of all Federal and State tax and informational returns.
• Experience in the management of a $70 million plus budget
• Experience with Microsoft SQL administration and relational database systems.
• Advance skills in Excel, reporting software, and intermediate skills in Microsoft Access and Word.

Scope and depth of nontechnical skills/knowledge:

• Demonstrated success in conducting short and long-range financial system planning for an organization similar in size and complexity as ASHA.
• Excellent organizational, team, and decision-making skills.
• Excellent oral and written communication, interpersonal, and project management skills.

F. National Office EEO Policy:

It is the policy of the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association to provide equal opportunity to all employees without regard for race, sex, national origin, religion, marital status, disability, veteran's status, age, sexual orientation or LGBT status, genetic information, citizenship, or any other factor protected by applicable federal, state, or local laws and ASHA's Bylaws. This policy applies to recruiting, hiring, transfer, promotion, compensation and benefits, upward mobility, training and development, access to facilities, termination, and other personnel actions. Under the direction of the Chief Executive Officer, with a firm commitment from coaches at all levels within the organizational structure of the National Office, affirmative action will be taken to ensure the full utilization of members of racial/ethnic minority groups, women, persons with disabilities, and Vietnam and disabled veterans within our workforce.

G. Disclaimer:

“This description is intended to provide an overview of the responsibilities and duties of the position. It is not all inclusive. The incumbent in the position will be expected to perform other duties as required. The responsibilities may change over time. This description is provided for informational purposes only and does not form the basis of a contract.”