Director of Finance

The Mackinac Center for Public Policy seeks a full-time Director of Finance to lead our financial operations, stewarding our resources to advance our mission of liberty and opportunity. This role oversees day-to-day financial functions, including accounting, accounts payable, accounts receivable, payroll, and reporting, ensuring fiscal stability for a nonprofit well known for operational excellence. Reporting to the Vice President of People and Operations, the director will play a pivotal role informing strategic decisions and fostering a collaborative, mission-driven workplace.

Responsibilities:

• Conduct the organization’s financial operations according to GAAP (generally accepted accounting principles) and in a manner that promotes financial stability, accuracy and timeliness.
• Produce accurate monthly and quarterly financial statements, management dashboards and grant reports.
• Maintain and refine the chart of accounts, internal controls and accounting policies/procedures.
• Assist senior leadership in the organization‑wide annual budget process; provide department heads with budgets; monitor budget‑to‑actuals and recommend course‑corrections.
• Serve as primary liaison to external auditors; coordinate the annual audit and 990 preparation.
• Manage cash flow and banking relationships.
• Support the board investment committee; prepare meeting materials and execute investment decisions.
• Translate financial insights into strategic recommendations for senior leaders and the board of directors. Prepare board finance packets.
• Depending on qualifications, position may include supervisory duties.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in accounting or finance; CPA and/or MBA a bonus.
• 5+ years finance/accounting experience, with at least 3 years supervising staff.
• Deep knowledge of GAAP.
• Nonprofit accounting experience strongly preferred.
• Demonstrated success managing budgets, financial forecasts and annual audits.
• Ability to present financial information to senior executives and board members.
• Advanced Excel skills.
• Proficiency with Blackbaud Financial Edge or ability to master quickly.
• Strong communication skills.
• Enthusiastically supports the mission of the Mackinac Center

The Mackinac Center is a nonpartisan research and educational institute dedicated to improving the quality of life of all Michigan residents by promoting sound solutions to state and local policy questions. We advance liberty and opportunity for all people by developing free-market policies, challenging government overreach and influencing public opinion so that it encourages policymakers to act in the broad public interest rather than narrow private or government interests. The Mackinac Center is a nonprofit organization with 45 full-time employees, a 50-member Board of Scholars and an annual operating budget of $11 million.

This position is a full-time, in-house position located at our headquarters in Midland, Michigan, and will report to the vice president of people and operations. The Mackinac Center offers competitive salary and benefits including but not limited to health, dental, life, disability insurance and 30 days paid time off, in addition to nine paid holidays per year.

Application Process

To apply , please send a cover letter describing your interest in the position and in the mission of the Mackinac Center, resume, three professional references[*] and salary history to:

Michael Reitz
Executive Vice President
Email: careers@mackinac.org
Fax: (989) 631-0964

While we thank all applicants for their interest in this position, we are only able to contact those whom we are considering for an interview. No telephone calls, please.

[*] References will not be contacted without prior permission from the candidate.