Director, Accounting and Finance

Through litigation, policy advocacy, communications, and network-building, the National Immigration Law Center (NILC) works to advance and defend the rights of low-income immigrant communities and drive lasting, transformational change toward a society where everyone can thrive, regardless of income, background, or where they were born. As Director, Accounting and Finance, you will maintain the accuracy and accountability required to operate in an environment with strict regulatory requirements, where transparency and consistency are essential to carrying out our mission.

NILC is a financially strong $26MM organization with healthy reserves and operates across multiple entities (501(c)(3) and 501(c)(4)). Reporting to the Executive Vice President, Operations, the Director, Accounting and Finance leads all finance and accounting operations, managing three direct reports—an FP&A manager, a senior staff accountant, and a staff accountant—and a fractional outsourced accounting partner. The role upholds rigorous compliance through immaculate internal controls, with day-to-day oversight of all financial accounting processes, including monthly close, financial reporting, accounts payable and receivable, payroll, and audit processes. Clear, timely financial reporting is a core responsibility, along with partnering with senior leadership and the Finance Committee to support decision-making. Building on a well-functioning set of financial systems and processes, the director will refine them over time to strengthen accuracy and efficiency.

How You’ll Make an Impact

Success in your first 1-2 years will be demonstrated by:

• Maintaining a disciplined and reliable accounting function, ensuring an efficient close process, accurate and timely financial reporting, audit-ready processes, and strong internal controls.
• Supporting responsible stewardship of resources through cyclical fluctuations in funding, helping NILC allocate and pace spending to maintain long-term sustainability.
• As NILC Immigrant Justice Fund activity ramps up, serving as a key partner in defining and implementing approaches to resource sharing and cost allocation across entities, working closely with leadership and counsel to ensure compliance.
• Strengthening team capacity and support by hiring a senior staff accountant, coaching and mentoring current staff, and effectively managing a blended in-house and outsourced model.

Work Environment, Salary, and Benefits

• This role offers a primarily remote work environment with travel to NILC’s office in Washington, D.C., or another location, at least quarterly, to meet with colleagues and attend leadership meetings. Applicants must live in one of the following locations: Arkansas, Arizona, California, Colorado, Connecticut, District of Columbia, Georgia, Maryland, Montana, North Carolina, New Mexico, New York, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, Texas, Utah, Virginia, and Wisconsin.
• The budgeted salary range for this position is $150,000 – $170,000, with compensation commensurate with experience.
• Final compensation offers will be reviewed through NILC’s internal equity review process to ensure alignment with the organization’s compensation structure.
• NILC offers an incredible benefits package, including employer-paid healthcare; dental and vision coverage; a 403(b) with employer contributions; paid parental leave; monthly cell phone and wellness stipends; pre-tax transit, health, and childcare accounts (FSA); short- and long-term disability and life insurance; and generous PTO (15 holidays and 22 days of paid time off, increasing to 32 after 2 years).
• NILC is a qualifying public service employer. All full-time NILC employees qualify for the Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) Program.

Responsibilities

Finance and Accounting Leadership

• In collaboration with the Executive Vice President, Operations, lead strategic planning and the implementation of long-term and day-to-day finance and accounting processes to strengthen NILC’s financial oversight and position.
• Lead core accounting operations, ensuring accurate and timely recording of revenue and expenses, a disciplined month-end close, and clear, reliable financial data for internal stakeholders.
• Maintain and continuously improve internal controls, policies, and well-documented procedures across key areas, including revenue receipt, costs, program budgets, and disbursements.
• Oversee the general ledger and reporting structure; produce accurate interim and annual financial reporting and ensure compliance with GAAP and applicable regulatory requirements.
• Serve as point of contact for the annual 403(b) audit, annual financial statement audit, and tax filings (Form 990 and others as applicable), and manage required state and federal tax forms, registrations, licenses, and insurance renewals.
• Oversee payroll accounting and ensure compliance with tax reporting, including employer withholding, Unemployment Insurance, and paid family leave taxes.
• In collaboration with the Finance Team and HR, configure and maintain financial systems and tools, including the GL, expense management, budgeting, banking, disbursement, payroll, and timekeeping systems.
• Communicate accounting and finance recommendations, risks, reports, and plans to the EVP, Operations, Boards of Directors, Executive and Senior Leadership teams, staff, and other stakeholders as needed.

Team Leadership

• Lead and develop a high-performing accounting and finance team, including recruiting, hiring, and onboarding, and setting clear expectations, workflows, and feedback loops to support accountability.
• Coach and manage performance, providing clear feedback, supporting growth, and addressing issues in alignment with organizational policies.
• Oversee external partners and vendors, including outsourced accounting support, ensuring work is coordinated, high-quality, and responsive to organizational needs.

Shared Organization Responsibilities

• Champion NILC & IJF’s mission by demonstrating a commitment to human rights and racial, economic, and social justice.
• Build strong working relationships across NILC and IJF, valuing diverse perspectives and assuming good intent.
• Act with integrity by following through on commitments, communicating directly and truthfully, maintaining confidentiality, and aligning actions with values.

Qualifications

• 10+ years of accounting experience, including 4+ years in a supervisory role; bachelor’s degree in accounting, finance, or a related field required. An MBA and/or CPA is strongly preferred.
• Deep knowledge of non-profit accounting, including financial reporting, audits, and internal controls; experience with multi-entity structures (e.g., 501(c)(3) and 501(c)(4)) preferred.
• Demonstrated ability to lead and develop teams, including performance management, coaching, and building clear structures for accountability.
• Sound judgment and strong attention to detail, with a track record of maintaining accuracy, mitigating risk, and handling sensitive financial matters with integrity.
• Strong communication skills, including the ability to translate financial information for senior leaders and support decision-making.
• Demonstrated commitment to NILC & IJF’s mission of advancing the rights of immigrants with low income, grounded in human rights and racial, economic, and social justice, as well as equity, diversity, inclusion, and justice for all.

About the National Immigration Law Center

Founded in 1979, the National Immigration Law Center (NILC) is a leading non-profit organization (501(c)(3)) in the U.S. exclusively dedicated to defending and advancing the rights and opportunities of low-income immigrants and their loved ones. NILC’s mission is grounded in the belief that everyone living in the U.S., regardless of race, gender/gender identity, immigration status, or economic status — should have equal access to justice, resources, and educational and economic opportunities that enable them to achieve their full human potential. Together, NILC and the affiliated NILC Immigrant Justice Fund (IJF), a 501(c)(4) organization, work to advocate more directly for federal immigration reform policies. NILC is committed to advancing its mission — which intersects race, immigration status, and class — through racial, economic, and gender justice and equity orientation.

At NILC, we know that talented people may have different backgrounds or experiences, and if your education and experience doesn’t exactly align with the above, that’s okay! NILC believes that diversity in all dimensions of the organization supports and bolsters the innovative thinking essential to its success and is committed to providing equal employment opportunity to all qualified applicants. NILC’s goal is for our people to reflect the communities in which we live and serve and to ensure representation of people of color, women, veterans, and individuals with disabilities in our organization.

Staffing Advisors is committed to reducing bias in every aspect of the hiring process. We have long recommended a competency-driven approach to hiring. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, genetics, disability, age, veteran status, or any other basis protected by law. We encourage you to apply even if your experience is not a 100% match with the position description; we will consider people from a variety of backgrounds and career experiences.