Assistant Finance Director

Assistant Director of Finance Location: On-Site in Fairfield County - remote flexibility following probationary period Salary: $120,000 - $130,000 annually Benefits include: Health, dental, and vision insurance Life insurance Retirement plan Paid time off and parental leave Flexible spending account (FSA) Employee assistance program (EAP) Tuition reimbursement and professional development support Position Summary The Housing Authority is seeking an experienced and highly motivated Assistant Director of Finance to support and oversee the Authority's financial operations. This role is responsible for accounting functions, budgeting, compliance, and financial reporting across the Authority and its affiliated nonprofit entities. Reporting directly to the Director of Finance, this position exercises independent judgment in managing financial transactions, supervising accounting staff, and ensuring compliance with applicable federal, state, and local regulations, including U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) requirements. The Assistant Director serves as the Director's designee in their absence and plays a key leadership role in maintaining fiscal integrity and supporting strategic decision-making. Why Join the Housing Authority? This is an opportunity to play a meaningful role in advancing the mission of providing quality affordable housing. The Assistant Director of Finance will directly contribute to the organization's financial stability, regulatory compliance, and long-term strategic success while working in a mission-driven environment. Key Responsibilities Financial Management & Reporting Maintain accounting and fiscal records for the Housing Authority and related nonprofit entities Prepare financial reports, operating budgets, forecasts, and analyses for leadership, Board of Commissioners, HUD, and regulatory agencies Perform monthly reconciliations, year-end close, account analyses, and financial statement preparation Analyze financial operations and recommend improvements to processes and systems Budgeting & Cash Flow Assist in the development and administration of the annual operating budget Monitor financial performance against budget and provide variance analysis Analyze cash flow and manage investment transfers Compliance & Controls Ensure compliance with GASB, GAAP, HUD regulations , and other financial requirements Oversee eLOCCS requisitions and Voucher Management System (VMS) reporting Ensure timely submission of tax filings, retirement reports, and other regulatory requirements Develop and strengthen internal controls, policies, and procedures Accounting Operations Oversee disbursement of funds for payroll, contracts, and expenses Supervise payroll processing and employee earnings records Manage fixed assets and inventory systems Conduct internal audits and prepare adjusting journal entries Leadership & Audit Coordination Supervise and support accounting staff, including training and professional development Assist with workload management and departmental leadership Coordinate and support external audits and financial statement preparation Serve as backup to the Director of Finance as needed Qualifications Education Bachelor's degree in Accounting, Finance, Business Administration, or related field (required) Master's degree (MBA, MPA, or similar) (preferred) CPA designation (strongly preferred) Experience 5+ years of progressively responsible financial management experience Experience in housing authorities, governmental agencies, nonprofits, or affordable housing preferred Demonstrated experience with: Fund accounting Financial reporting and budgeting Internal controls Strong knowledge of: HUD programs (Public Housing, HCV/Section 8) LIHTC and CHFA programs (preferred) Property management or housing authority systems (preferred) Knowledge, Skills & Abilities Deep understanding of governmental accounting (GASB), GAAP, and HUD regulations Strong analytical and problem-solving skills Ability to prepare complex financial reports and maintain accurate records Proven ability to develop and implement financial policies and controls Excellent communication and leadership skills Advanced proficiency in Microsoft Excel and financial systems Ability to build relationships with internal teams, auditors, regulators, and external stakeholders