Title: Accounting Director Reports To: Chief Financial Officer
FLSA Status: Exempt
Department: Finance and Accounting Organizational Overview: The Cincinnati Center City Development Corporation (3CDC) is a 501(c)(3), tax-exempt, private, non-profit corporation. The organization’s mission and strategic focus is to strengthen the core assets of downtown by revitalizing and connecting the Central Business District and Over-the-Rhine (OTR). 3CDC works in close collaboration with the Cincinnati corporate community and City of Cincinnati to carry out its mission. With an annual operating budget of $31 million, the organization has a team of approximately 140 full-time staff and 180 part-time staff engaged in real estate development, real estate management, civic space management and programming, and business district management. - Real Estate Development - To date, 3CDC has played a direct role in over $2.0 billion in development projects in downtown Cincinnati and the adjacent neighborhood of Over-the-Rhine. In completing over 100 development projects, 3CDC has reimagined key civic spaces, added market-rate and affordable housing to the urban core and created density through mixed-use residential and office projects that support local small businesses.
- Real Estate Management - 3CDC leases and manages nearly 700,000 square feet of commercial space, almost 200 mixed income apartment units, and over 5,900 parking spaces with annual operating revenues exceeding $51 million.
- Civic Space Management and Programming - 3CDC manages and programs seven civic spaces – Fountain Square, Elm Street Plaza, Court Street Plaza, Washington Park, Ziegler Park, Memorial Hall, and Imagination Alley. 3CDC hosts nearly 1,600 free family-friendly events each year at these spaces.
- Business District Management – The organization manages two special improvement districts – the Downtown Cincinnati Improvement District and Over-the-Rhine South Special Improvement District – providing clean and safe services, homeless outreach, beatification efforts and marketing support to both districts.
Job Summary: The Accounting Director reports directly to the CFO and leads a team of five accounting professionals responsible for the financial management, reporting, and budget execution of key operational areas of 3CDC, including corporate operations, civic space management and programming, and business district management. The role ensures accurate and timely accounting, strong internal controls, and clear, useful financial reporting that supports effective operational performance across the organization. Beyond day‑to‑day accounting oversight, the Accounting Director is expected to think strategically about how the function operates. This includes improving processes, strengthening internal discipline, and using financial results to identify trends, explain variances, and support stronger decision‑making. The position requires a hands‑on leader who can balance technical expertise, systems stewardship, analysis, process improvement, and people leadership in a complex, fast‑moving environment. Primary Responsibilities: Team Leadership & Accountability - Lead, mentor, and develop a team of five, setting clear expectations for accuracy, timeliness, and accountability.
- Provide structured review, coaching, and support to build staff capability and independence.
- Collaborate closely with the other Accounting Director to maintain consistent processes, documentation standards, workload balance, and quality expectations across the accounting function.
- Ensure staff understand how their work supports organizational goals and contributes to overall performance.
- Develop and maintain a structured onboarding and cross‑training program to ensure team resilience and continuity.
- Foster an environment where issues are identified early, discussed openly, and resolved constructively.
Strategic Financial Leadership & Budget Oversight - Lead the annual budgeting process for assigned departments, translating operational plans into clear, realistic financial expectations.
- Serve as a strategic finance partner to operational leaders and staff by building strong working relationships, ensuring open communication, and helping them interpret financial results and the financial impact of operational decisions.
- Monitor financial performance throughout the year, identifying trends, issues, risks, and opportunities for improvement.
- Provide clear, actionable recommendations to department and organizational leadership.
Accounting Oversight, Controls & Reporting - Oversee and manage month‑end close activities for assigned entities, ensuring accuracy, completeness, and timeliness.
- Review key journal entries, reconciliations, and internal financial reports, ensuring issues are understood and resolved quickly.
- Maintain and strengthen accounting processes and internal controls to support reliability, consistency, and efficiency.
- Assist in maintaining and configuring business settings within the organization’s accounting systems to ensure accurate processing and reporting, coordinating with IT or vendors as needed.
- Ensure internal financial reporting is well‑organized, clear, and tailored to the needs of leadership, committees, and the Board.
Process Improvement & Financial Analysis - Identify opportunities to improve efficiency and accuracy within accounting systems and workflows, and implement changes in coordination with IT or system vendors.
- Lead efforts to improve the clarity, timeliness, and usefulness of financial information used for operational decision‑making.
- Analyze financial results to identify trends and variances and to highlight opportunities for operational or process improvements.
- Help shift the function beyond producing results toward interpreting what they mean and guiding improvements.
Governance Support & Coordination - Prepare financial materials and analysis for leadership, committee, and Board discussions and participate in meetings as needed.
- Coordinate with external auditors for assigned entities and ensure timely, complete, and accurate support and documentation.
- Work closely with the CFO, the other Accounting Director, and finance leadership to ensure alignment in processes, reporting, and financial practices across the organization.
- Elevate issues requiring leadership attention with clear context, implications, and recommended next steps.
This job description is not intended to be all inclusive. The employee will also perform other reasonably related business duties as assigned by their immediate supervisor and other management as required. Qualifications & Experience - Bachelor’s degree in accounting or a related field; CPA preferred but not required.
- Minimum of 5 years of progressively responsible experience in accounting or finance, including direct staff leadership.
- Strong knowledge of accounting, budgeting, internal controls, financial reporting, and real estate finance concepts.
- Ability to research and interpret technical accounting issues and applicable IRS or GAAP guidance.
- Excellent analytical, organizational, and time‑management skills, with the ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast‑paced environment.
- Strong oral and written communication skills, including the ability to present information clearly to Board and committee audiences.
- Demonstrated problem‑solving ability and experience supporting financial statement audits.
- Professional, collaborative approach with the ability to work effectively with internal and external stakeholders.
Skills or specialized knowledge: - Proficiency with Microsoft Office, especially Excel.
- Ability to learn and effectively manage the business‑side configuration of accounting and financial systems.
- Ability to maintain confidentiality and exercise sound judgment.
Disclaimer: This job description does not constitute a written or implied contract of employment. It is not intended and should not be construed to be an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, skills, efforts, or work conditions associated with the job. Furthermore, the employer reserves the right to revise or change the job duties and responsibilities as the need arises.
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