Application Guide

How to Apply for Senior Director, Finance

at UpStart

🏢 About UpStart

UpStart is a nonprofit that uniquely blends Jewish community building with venture philanthropy, supporting early-stage ventures that strengthen Jewish life. As a remote-first organization, it offers flexibility while fostering a mission-driven culture focused on innovation and entrepreneurship. Working here means contributing to a dynamic ecosystem where your financial expertise directly enables groundbreaking community initiatives.

About This Role

As Senior Director, Finance, you will own the entire financial lifecycle, from monthly close to annual audits, ensuring GAAP compliance and transparent reporting to the board. This role is impactful because you'll partner with leadership to drive budgeting and cash flow forecasting, directly enabling UpStart's ventures to thrive. Your stewardship will build trust with donors and stakeholders, underpinning the organization's growth and community impact.

💡 A Day in the Life

A typical day might start with reviewing the bookkeeping firm's work from the prior day, then diving into month-end close tasks like preparing journal entries and variance analysis. Midday, you could meet with the Deputy CEO to discuss budget assumptions or cash flow projections, followed by time updating grant-level financials. The afternoon might involve preparing board report drafts or responding to auditor requests, with flexibility to handle ad hoc requests from the CEO.

🚀 Application Tools

Generate Cover Letter

AI-powered, tailored for UpStart

Interview Prep

Practice questions for this role

🎯 Who UpStart Is Looking For

  • A seasoned finance professional with 7+ years of progressive experience, including at least 3 years owning audits and month-end close in a nonprofit setting.
  • Deep expertise in ASC 958, including net asset classification, donor restrictions, and functional expense allocation, with the ability to apply these concepts to grant tracking.
  • Hands-on experience leading or co-leading annual audits, managing auditor relationships, and preparing PBC schedules with minimal supervision.
  • Proficient in QuickBooks Online and comfortable using it as the primary accounting system, with a knack for process improvement and data accuracy.

📝 Tips for Applying to UpStart

1

Tailor your resume to highlight specific experience with ASC 958 and nonprofit audits, using concrete examples like 'Led audit for $5M nonprofit, reducing close time by 20%.'

2

In your cover letter, explicitly mention your proficiency with QuickBooks Online and any experience with grant-level financial tracking.

3

Showcase your ability to prepare board-ready financial packages by linking your experience to UpStart's need for monthly/quarterly reporting to the Finance Committee.

4

Demonstrate your partnership skills by describing how you've collaborated with CEOs or Deputy CEOs on budgeting and forecasting.

5

Mention any familiarity with Jewish community organizations or venture philanthropy to align with UpStart's mission, but avoid overstating if not applicable.

✉️ What to Emphasize in Your Cover Letter

['Your hands-on experience with nonprofit audits and month-end close, emphasizing ownership and GAAP compliance.', 'Your ability to translate complex financial data into clear reports for non-financial stakeholders like the board.', "Your collaborative approach to budgeting and forecasting, highlighting how you've partnered with leadership to drive strategic decisions.", 'Your comfort with remote work and managing external vendors (e.g., bookkeeping firms) to ensure seamless operations.']

Generate Cover Letter →

🔍 Research Before Applying

To stand out, make sure you've researched:

  • → Review UpStart's website and recent annual reports to understand their venture portfolio and how they measure impact.
  • → Read about their signature programs like the 'UpStart Challenge' or 'Jewish Venture Philanthropy Network' to grasp their innovation model.
  • → Look into their leadership team, especially the Deputy CEO and CEO, to understand their backgrounds and communication styles.
  • → Check news or blogs about UpStart's recent initiatives or partnerships to demonstrate current awareness in the interview.
Visit UpStart's Website →

💬 Prepare for These Interview Topics

Based on this role, you may be asked about:

1 Walk me through your experience leading an annual audit under ASC 958. What challenges did you face and how did you overcome them?
2 How have you managed the month-end close process in a remote environment? What tools or processes do you use to ensure accuracy and timeliness?
3 Describe a time you presented financial reports to a board or finance committee. How did you tailor the information for different audiences?
4 How do you approach cash flow forecasting for a nonprofit with multiple grants and revenue streams? Can you give an example?
5 What experience do you have with QuickBooks Online, and how have you used it to improve financial reporting or efficiency?
Practice Interview Questions →

⚠️ Common Mistakes to Avoid

  • Failing to emphasize nonprofit-specific experience, especially ASC 958 and audit ownership—generic corporate finance experience won't suffice.
  • Overlooking the remote aspect: ensure you highlight your ability to work independently and manage external vendors without daily supervision.
  • Not preparing to discuss grant-level tracking in detail, as it's a key part of the role—be ready to explain how you've allocated expenses across programs.

📅 Application Timeline

This position is open until filled. However, we recommend applying as soon as possible as roles at mission-driven organizations tend to fill quickly.

Typical hiring timeline:

1

Application Review

1-2 weeks

2

Initial Screening

Phone call or written assessment

3

Interviews

1-2 rounds, usually virtual

✓

Offer

Congratulations!

Ready to Apply?

Good luck with your application to UpStart!

← Back to Job Listing Apply Now →