Ballast Books

Compensation

Full Description

Director of Finance / Human Resources (Hybrid Book Publisher) Location: Remote (U.S.-based preferred) Job Type: Full-Time Experience: 5+ years Compensation: Competitive salary + benefits (commensurate with experience) About Us We are a fast-growing hybrid book publisher with a small, hardworking core team (7 full-time employees and 5–10 regular contractors) and a large community of authors. Our mission is to empower authors through high-quality editorial, design, and production services while maintaining clear, accurate, and transparent financial operations. We’re looking for a proactive, trustworthy, experienced accounting professional to take ownership of our financial systems and help support our next stage of growth. Position Overview We’re seeking a mid-level accounting and finance professional who can independently manage all day-to-day financial operations—from accounts payable/receivable to author royalty calculations to monthly reporting. In addition, you will be responsible for running payroll and maintaining compliance in the multiple states where our employees reside. You’ll replace a small part-time team, streamlining our financial processes and serving as the organization’s go-to person for all numbers-related matters. This is a role for someone who loves structure, accuracy, and autonomy, and who wants to grow with a mission-driven creative company. Key Responsibilities • Accounts Payable & Accounts Receivable: Manage vendor invoices, contractor payments, author payments, and customer billing. • Royalty Accounting: Calculate quarterly author royalties, generate detailed royalty statements, and maintain accurate sales and expense records for hundreds of authors. • Sales Reporting: Compile monthly sales reports across distribution channels and ensure accuracy and timeliness. • QuickBooks Management: Own and maintain our QuickBooks Online account; handle reconciliations, categorization, journal entries, and monthly close. • Payroll Coordination: Work with our HR/payroll provider to ensure timely and accurate payroll processing. • Financial Reporting: Prepare monthly, quarterly, and annual financial reports for leadership. • Budgeting & Forecasting: Assist in developing budgets, cash flow analysis, and forecasting to support strategic planning. • Process Improvement: Streamline and optimize financial workflows currently spread across part-time resources. • Compliance: Support tax preparation, 1099s, and maintain accurate financial records. • Team Support: Work collaboratively with leadership, editors, and operations staff on finance-related needs. Qualifications • 5+ years of accounting or finance experience, preferably in a small business, publishing company, agency, or similar environment. • Strong proficiency with QuickBooks Online and Excel/Sheets (pivot tables, VLOOKUP, macros a plus). • Experience with royalty accounting or other complex client/vendor payout structures (preferred). • Exceptional attention to detail—accuracy is mission critical. • Proactive, resourceful, and able to work independently without micromanagement. • Strong communication skills; able to clearly explain financial details to non-financial team members. • Comfortable working with remote teams and asynchronous communication. • High integrity and trustworthiness; able to maintain confidentiality and handle sensitive information. Why Work With Us • Work remotely with a creative, mission-driven team. • Opportunity to build and own the finance function for a growing publisher. • Flexible work environment with room for leadership, autonomy, and growth. • Meaningful work helping authors bring important stories and ideas into the world. How to Apply Please submit your resume and a brief cover letter explaining your relevant experience and why you’re the right fit for this role. While a remote roll, the hours are a standard 8-5 workday, M-F. Job Type: Full-time Pay: $65,000.00 - $80,000.00 per year Benefits: • 401(k) matching • Paid time off Work Location: Remote