Fiona Hutton & Associates (FHA) is looking for a highly driven, innovative professional to join our California-based strategic communications and public affairs agency as Vice President of Finance & Operations.
Recognized as one of the nation’s top independent communications firms and a pacesetter in industry best practices, FHA specializes in reputation management, corporate communications, policy advocacy, regulatory challenges, litigation support and public outreach campaigns for a blue-chip client roster. You’re not a number here or a cog in a publicly traded conglomerate wheel, you’re a member of a tight knit team of independent thinkers who get to collaborate on some of California's most pressing and important issues, including health equity, climate resiliency, clean energy, technology advancements and much more.
Our work and people are unique and featured nationally. FHA consistently earns high marks in annual rankings of public relations agencies, including 6th in PR Week’s list of Top 10 US Public Affairs agencies, PRSA’s PRism Awards, Capitol Weekly’s Top 100 Influencers and the Los Angeles Business Journal’s Top Disruptors.
Reporting to the Founder/CEO, you will play a critical role in leading and managing our company’s finance and operational activities to ensure optimal performance of our people and sustainable growth of the agency.
COOL STUFF YOU’LL GET TO DO:
Financial/General Accounting
- Support leadership in executing on the strategic plan and annual budget.
- Oversee day-to-day financial management of accounting operations including accounts payable, billing, accounts receivable, payroll and tax preparation.
- Supervise company bookkeeper (in-house).
- Identify and implement innovations and advancements in financial process, reduction in costs, efficiency of operations, cash flow and staffing.
- Provide complete, timely and accurate monthly financial statements with variance analysis.
- Ensure all accounting information, procedures and reporting conform to generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP) and industry best practices.
- Prepare California, Los Angeles County and City of Los Angeles business taxes.
- Evaluate and implement an appropriate system of accounting policies/standards, internal controls and procedures.
- Manage retirement plan administration and compliance.
- Manage healthcare benefits, including employee enrollment, evaluate benefits renewals, present analysis and recommendations.
- Collaborate with company external CPA for tax forecasting and final tax preparation.
- Provide/review client budgets.
- Negotiate client contracts.
- Participate in preparing budgets for new business proposals.
- Represent agency to government agencies, auditors, clients, vendors and bankers.
Operations/People Management
- Develop strategies/innovate programs and processes to boost business functions, efficiencies and productivity.
- Manage company business operations, including insurance, legal compliance, vendor management, office facilities, IT, time tracking/resource management, contracts and more.
- Oversee allocation of staffing/resources to revenue forecasts.
- Analyze utilization trends and make recommendations on staffing.
- Maintain competitive compensation and benefits model.
- Evolve agency’s performance evaluation process.
- Manage administrative staff and functions of the organization.
Human Resources/Legal
- Work in close collaboration with the company’s external human resources consultant and legal counsel.
- Oversee development and day-to-day implementation of company policies.
- Ensure company compliance with applicable regulations.
- Coordinate state mandated employee trainings (workplace violence, harassment) and professional workshops (business ethics, unconscious bias, etc).
GREAT THINGS WE’LL DO FOR YOU:
- Results oriented culture that rewards success and individual achievement.
- Be clear about our mission and purpose – addressing some of California’s most important challenges and elevating our people.
- Ensure you’re challenged and motivated.
- Drive a culture that celebrates and recognizes your accomplishments and links them to the growth of the team and agency as a whole.
- Provide a supportive environment that focuses on team first.
- Structure monthly mentoring meetings and formalized performance evaluations with clear metrics.
- Provide a transparent environment where company goals and metrics are shared.
DESIRED SKILLSETS:
- Minimum 5-10 years of accounting experience with at least 3 years as an accounting manager or controller, working in a client services-related company.
- Strong preference given to candidates with experience within a public relations agency.
- Comfortable and confident in complex, multi-tasking management role.
- Highly organized manager of projects.
- Strong writing and interpersonal skills; articulate and able to communicate effectively.
- Highly principled, model professional behavior and work ethic.
- Bachelor’s Degree in Accounting, Business Administration, or related experience.
WHAT WE OFFER:
“When you package the right team with the right tools, you get results!” We want all employees to feel valued through their work/life balance and compensation. As such, we offer competitive salaries and discretionary performance bonuses, medical/dental/vision, 401k, PTO, professional development and mentoring, lunch and learns, team building events and employee recognition.
FHA embraces diversity, actively pursues equity, and cultivates an inclusive environment. We are committed to offering equal employment opportunities regardless of race, ancestry, national origin, gender identity, sexual orientation, age, religion, or disability.
This full-time salaried position will be located in the company’s Los Angeles [Studio City] office (hybrid model with 3 days a week in office required). Salary $125,000 – $150,000 depending on experience.
Qualified candidates should submit a resume via resume@fionahuttonassoc.com.
Find us online at https://fionahuttonassoc.com/
