Finance Manager

Wilson-McShane Corporation, a third party administrator for Taft-Hartley funds, is a seeking a full-time Finance Manager in our Kansas City, MO office. The Finance Manager is responsible for leading the accounting and finance operations supporting Taft-Hartley benefit funds. This role oversees financial reporting, audit coordination, accounting operations, staff development, and process improvement initiatives. The Finance Manager serves as a key liaison to Fund management, auditors, and Trustees by researching accounting activity, reviewing transactions and journal entries, explaining financial variances, and ensuring the accuracy and completeness of financial reporting.

The ideal candidate is a highly analytical and detail-oriented accounting professional with strong leadership skills and experience improving processes, strengthening internal controls, and leading organizational change. This individual must be capable of developing a high-performing team by establishing clear expectations, driving accountability, effectively delegating work, coaching staff, and creating a culture of continuous improvement. Experience with MIP Fund Accounting and Taft-Hartley benefit plans is strongly preferred.

Essential duties and responsibilities include the following:

• Oversee the day-to-day operations of the Finance department in conjunction with the Finance Supervisor.
• Review MIP transactions, general ledger activity, and supporting documentation to ensure accuracy and completeness.
• Review, analyze, and approve complex accounting transactions, journal entries, and account balances.
• Lead month-end and year-end close processes while ensuring timely and accurate financial reporting.
• Review, analyze, and approve Funds audited financial statements, reports, schedules, and reconciliations.
• Investigate financial variances and prepare clear written explanations and supporting narratives for Fund management, auditors, Trustees, and other stakeholders.
• Coordinate with internal and external stakeholders to resolve accounting questions, reporting issues, and audit inquiries.
• Ensure financial reports and schedules are accurate, complete, and supported by appropriate documentation.
• Oversee & manage all external Fund audits, including but not limited to, annual audits, Department of Labor (DOL) and IRS audits. 
• Monitor, develop, train and implement accounting policies and proper application of GAAP.
• Other duties or special projects as assigned. 

 This is an exempt position with a compensation range of $87,000 - $100,000 per year and includes the following benefits: 

• Low Deductible Health, Prescription Drug and Dental Benefits 
• Voluntary Vision, Accident, Critical Illness and Pet Insurance 
• Flexible Spending Account (FSA) 
• Employer Contribution to 401(k) & Employee Stock Ownership Plan (ESOP) 
• 401(k) and Roth 401(k) 
• Paid Holidays and Paid time off 
• Dependent Care Reimbursement Account 
• Life Insurance and AD&D 
• Employee Assistance Program, including access to confidential counseling (virtual and in-person) 

To perform the job successfully, an individual should demonstrate the following competencies

Leadership & Accountability

• Establish clear expectations, priorities, and accountability for team members.
• Effectively delegates work while maintaining appropriate oversight and ownership.
• Develop staff through coaching, training, mentoring, and ongoing feedback.
• Address performance concerns constructively and in a timely manner.
• Produce high-quality work and holds self and others accountable for results.

Accounting & Financial Acumen

• Strong understanding of accounting principles, financial reporting, reconciliations, audits, and GAAP.
• Ability to research, resolve, and communicate complex accounting matters.
• Knowledge of Taft-Hartley Fund accounting preferred; MIP experience strongly preferred.

Analytical, Investigative & Financial Review Skills

• Demonstrate exceptional attention to detail and analytical thinking.
• Research transactions, journal entries, account balances, and financial variances to determine root causes.
• Critically reviews financial information and supporting documentation and identifies inconsistencies, unusual transactions, or unsupported conclusions.
• Validate assumptions through research and analysis before communicating financial results.
• Use sound judgment to evaluate financial information and ensure accuracy, completeness, and compliance.
• Independently investigate issues and communicate findings clearly and concisely.

Process Improvement & Change Management

• Identify inefficiencies and opportunities to improve workflows, controls, and service delivery.
• Lead process improvement initiatives from assessment through implementation.
• Adapt effectively to changing priorities and organizational needs.
• Help staff navigate and adopt new processes, procedures, and expectations.

Communication & Relationship Management

• Communicate complex accounting matters clearly and concisely.
• Prepare professional financial explanations, narratives, and correspondence.
• Build effective relationships with management, auditors, Trustees, clients, and stakeholders.

To perform the job successfully, an individual should have the following qualifications:

Required

• Bachelor's degree in Accounting, Finance, or related field.
• Minimum 5 years of progressive accounting experience, including responsibility for financial reporting, account reconciliations, general ledger review, and audit support.
• Minimum 3 years of experience leading, supervising, and developing accounting or finance staff.
• Demonstrated success leading and improving accounting or finance teams through clear expectations, accountability, workload management, coaching, and effective delegation.
• Strong experience researching and resolving accounting issues, reviewing journal entries, reconciling accounts, and investigating financial variances.
• Exceptional analytical, problem-solving, and organizational skills with strong attention to detail.
• Experience reviewing and approving financial statement packages, supporting schedules, and narrative explanations prepared by staff.
• Experience reviewing and improving accounting processes, procedures, and internal controls.
• Strong written communication skills with the ability to prepare clear, professional explanations of financial activity, accounting transactions, and reporting variances for Fund management, auditors, and Trustees.
• Advanced proficiency in Microsoft Excel and Microsoft Office applications, and ability to work with many different types of accounting software.
• Up to 10% travel may be required to other office locations.

Preferred

• CPA designation.
• Experience with Taft-Hartley and/or multiemployer benefit plans.
• Experience with MIP Fund Accounting software.
• Experience leading process improvement, workflow redesign, or operational transformation initiatives.
• Experience strengthening internal controls and implementing standardized accounting procedures.
• Experience leading teams through organizational changes, performance improvement, or departmental restructuring.