Accounting and Financial Systems Manager

Vision
 Circular Action Alliance (CAA) is the leading Producer Responsibility Organization advancing the circular economy through extended producer responsibility (EPR) for paper and packaging.

Mission
 CAA helps producers comply with EPR laws, provides harmonized best-in-class services, and partners with governments, businesses, and communities to reduce waste and increase recycling.

CAA ACTIvE Values 

• Accountability: We take ownership of our actions, holding ourselves and others to the highest standards. We ensure transparency and reliability in all that we do by fulfilling our commitments and embracing responsibility.
• Collaboration: We work together harmoniously, drawing on diverse perspectives and skills to achieve common goals. By sharing knowledge and supporting one another, we enhance our collective effectiveness to deliver exceptional services.
• Trust & Integrity: We act with honesty, ethics, and dependability, building relationships founded on mutual respect. Our actions are consistently aligned with our values, creating a trustworthy environment.
• Innovation: We drive continuous improvement by embracing creativity and change, aiming to reduce waste and advance the circular economy through experimentation and forward-thinking.
• Empowerment: We empower our team with the resources, autonomy, and support necessary for success, fostering growth and trust in one another’s abilities to achieve excellence.

Background

Circular Action Alliance (CAA), a 501(c)3, is poised to be a leader in changing how packaging is designed, responsibly managed and given a second life in a circular economy. CAA became the first U.S. Producer Responsibility Organization (PRO) for paper and packaging in 2023, and in less than a year was selected by California, Colorado and Maryland to represent producers and meet the requirements of their laws. The organization is poised to deliver best-in-class compliance services, scale innovation, and build systems that help both companies and consumers waste less and recycle more in these states, and in other states that have passed or will pass EPR laws in the future.

Working with CAA presents an opportunity to be on the front edge of recycling system innovations that will have a meaningful and lasting impact. As a member of the CAA team, you will support the organization’s mission-driven work with our 20 Founding Members who are leaders in the food, beverage, consumer goods, and retail industries; companies (“producers”) whose packaging will be managed under these new laws; and a diverse array of stakeholders whose collaboration will be critical to delivering on the requirements of U.S. EPR laws and creating a circular economy for paper and packaging. We are looking for passionate, mission-driven, big thinkers to help us realize the full potential of the nation’s first EPR laws.

Purpose of this Position

This new role within the organization will play a critical part in implementing Workday Financials as our ERP system, ensuring the organization’s financial operations run efficiently. The Accounting and Financial Systems Manager will serve as the primary leader and “Super-User,” responsible for designing, configuring, and operating the system to meet the organization’s financial needs. Post-implementation, this individual will oversee the day-to-day accounting operations, including Accounts Payable (A/P) and Accounts Receivable (A/R) management, financial reporting, month-end close, budgeting, planning, and forecasting, and financial analysis. This role offers a unique opportunity to shape and optimize financial processes in a nonprofit startup environment.

This individual will also build a strong accounting team, ensuring full ownership of A/P, A/R, Payroll, Taxes, Fixed Asset Accounting, Accounting Compliance, and Financial Reporting. The role reports directly to the Director of Accounting and Reporting.

Key Deliverables for the Role:

Financial Systems Lead:

• Manage the financial systems transition from Sage Intacct to Workday Financials, leading cutover activities. 
• Serve as the primary point of contact for financial systems. 
• Lead the design, testing, and implementation of financial systems, ensuring the project meets its objectives and timeline.
• Act as the organization’s “Super User,” responsible for ongoing system management, updates, and user training.
• Collaborate with stakeholders to understand business requirements and translate them into system configurations.
• Design and implement custom reports, dashboards, and workflows within financial systems to improve financial processes and visibility.
• Provide continuous support and training to end users on financial systems’ functionality and best practices.

Financial Accounting and Analysis:

• Focus on high-volume A/P and A/R transactions, ensuring seamless integration with Workday Financials. 
• Manage A/P and A/R processes, including invoice processing, payments, and reconciliations, ensuring timely and accurate processing of payments, expense reports, and billing activities.
• Work with internal teams and external vendors to resolve discrepancies and manage payment inquiries. 
• Analyze and identify opportunities for automation and standardization within the organization’s financial processes.
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams to drive improvements in financial workflows and internal controls.
• Manage month-end and year-end close processes, including journal entries and account reconciliations to ensure completeness and accuracy.
• Manage monthly, quarterly, and annual financial reports and analysis that meet internal and external reporting requirements, including flux, variance, budget to actuals, and cash flows analysis and financial performances.
• Create financial reports, forecasts, and budgets for leadership and external stakeholders.
• Identify and report key financial performance metrics and trends, providing insights for decision-making.

Experience and Professional Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree in Accounting, Finance, Business Administration, or a related field.
• 5+ years of hands-on experience with Workday Financials configuration and administration.
• Strong understanding of accounting principles, financial reporting, and financial analysis, particularly within accounts payable and receivable.
• Proven track record in financial system implementation, financial reporting, and driving process improvements.
• Analytical and problem-solving skills with the ability to interpret complex financial data and provide actionable insights.
• Exceptional communication skills with experience collaborating with stakeholders at all levels.
• Workday Financials certification a plus.
• Professional certifications (CPA, CMA) a plus.
• Ability to lead and build strong teams, especially in remote work settings.
• Experience working in a startup or nonprofit environment is highly desirable.

Compensation and Other Information:

• Location: Initially Fully Remote (future location TBD, relocation may be required).
• The actual base salary offered to a successful candidate will be between $108,000-$142,000 based on a variety of factors in accordance with applicable law, including the successful candidate’s relevant experience, skills, knowledge, and work location. In addition to base salary, this role is eligible for medical, dental, and vision benefits, life insurance, retirement, and paid time off.
• Circular Action Alliance is an equal employment opportunity employer.  All qualified applicants for employment will be considered without regard to race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy, childbirth, lactation, and related medical conditions), national origin, military or veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, or any other category protected by applicable federal, state, or local law.  If you require accommodation as part of the application process, please contact HR at  HR@circularaction.org
• For questions, please email HR@circularactionalliance.org