Director of Finance in Dallas, Texas at SHM Architects

Job Title: Director of Finance

Accountable To: Chief Operating Officer

FLSA Classification: Regular Full Time Exempt (Salary)

Who We Are

SHM Architects, PLLC is a Dallas-based architecture, landscape, and interior design firm with extensive experience in boutique planning, single-family and multi-family residential, master planning, retail, and niche commercial architecture. A review of our portfolio will show no singular “style,” reflecting our design philosophy that unites our client’s programmatic requirements, budget, and a healthy respect for their site. We are ordinary people that are extraordinarily good at our work. Through the collaborative process and strong working relationships, we believe our portfolio reflects a more thoughtful and engaging work than that achieved by a single individual. For more information, please visit our website at http://www.shmarchitects.com

What We Believe

Our passion is enriching lives by enhancing the beauty of our environment. We believe creating beautiful designs with purpose requires two things: passion and time. Our clients understand that, while our process may be uncompromising, it results in personalized, luxurious designs that are never flashy, and are always aspirational.

SHM Core Values:

• Embraces Imperfect Beauty
• Engaged to Make a Difference
• Displays Humility and Compassion
• Individually Driven
• Honest and Truthful

Are You a Fit?

Are you individually driven and engaged to make a difference at work and in the community? Does the idea of supporting a group of design professionals in creating beautiful living environments excite you? Would others describe you as a lifelong learner dedicated to taking a relaxed approach to finding new ways of solving complex problems? Are you comfortable embracing imperfect beauty?

If you answered yes, then read on!

A Day in the Office Looks Like This:

The Finance Director leads SHM’s financial planning, reporting, and controls to support sound business decisions, operational effectiveness, and the firm’s long-term financial health. Reporting to the Chief Operating Officer, this position serves on SHM’s leadership team alongside the owners and other Directors, with direct access to the owners on firm-level financial matters. The Finance Director translates financial information into clear insights, anticipates risks and opportunities, and helps guide the firm’s strategic and financial direction.

The ideal candidate combines strategic financial judgment with strong operational leadership. They can see the big picture while maintaining appropriate oversight of financial details, communicate complex information clearly, and build effective relationships across a collaborative, high-volume professional services environment. The role requires both the leadership perspective to advise owners and Directors and the hands-on Deltek Ajera expertise needed to maintain and improve the firm’s financial reporting and project-accounting capabilities. We are seeking an individual who can move into a Chief Financial Officer role in the future as the firm grows.

• Serve as a member of the firm’s leadership team and a strategic financial partner to the owners, Chief Operating Officer, and other Directors, providing analysis and recommendations on financial performance, profitability, cash flow, risk, and opportunities for sustainable growth.
• Lead the firm’s financial planning and forecasting processes, including the annual operating budget, periodic reforecasts, and analysis of actual results against budget and prior periods; present key findings and recommendations to leadership.
• Oversee the preparation and review of timely, accurate monthly financial statements and management reports in accordance with applicable accounting standards; explain significant variances, trends, and implications for business decisions.
• Serve as SHM’s subject matter expert for Deltek Ajera, maintaining deep working knowledge of the system and its project-accounting and reporting capabilities. Oversee the integrity and effectiveness of Ajera data, reporting, workflows, and system use so leadership has reliable project-, studio-, and firm-level information.
• Monitor cash flow, working capital, project financial performance, billing, and collections; partner with project and studio leaders to identify issues, strengthen financial outcomes, and support timely corrective action.
• Advise the owners and leadership team on the financial aspects of prospective work and firm operations, including fee proposals, contract terms, project budgets, resource allocation, and other strategic business decisions.
• Lead and develop the Accounting Department, establishing clear responsibilities, effective workflows, service expectations, and appropriate review procedures; ensure the team delivers accurate, timely, and decision-useful financial information.
• Maintain and continually improve internal controls, accounting policies, and financial processes, including accounts payable, accounts receivable, expense management, and financial close procedures.
• Oversee tax compliance and reporting, including Texas sales tax and applicable federal, state, and local filings; coordinate with Human Resources on payroll-related reporting, tax filings, and 401(k) reporting.
• Oversee financial planning and vendor coordination for information technology, including budgeting, purchasing, and alignment with firm priorities.
• Manage relationships with external financial partners, including banking institutions, the independent CPA, insurance brokers, and other advisors; oversee insurance renewals and evaluate coverage, risk, and cost in partnership with leadership.

Do You Have the Skills and Experience? Here’s What We’re Looking For:

• 10–15 years of progressive accounting and finance experience, including leadership responsibility, in a professional services environment; experience in architecture, engineering, or construction (AEC) is strongly preferred.
• Bachelor’s degree in accounting, finance, business administration, or a related field; an MBA or other relevant advanced qualification is preferred.
• Strong understanding of financial statements, budgeting, forecasting, cash flow management, internal controls, and accounting principles applicable to a professional services firm.
• Experience with project accounting, project profitability, and cost accounting in professional or design services.
• Expert-level working knowledge of Deltek Ajera is required, including its project-accounting, financial reporting, and data-management capabilities; ability to serve as the firm’s internal subject matter expert and guide effective use of the system.
• Demonstrated ability to translate financial data into practical insights and recommendations for senior leadership and non-financial stakeholders.
• Experience leading, coaching, and developing accounting or finance team members, while establishing clear accountability and effective processes.
• Strong analytical and technology skills, including advanced Excel and the ability to use financial systems and reporting tools effectively.
• Excellent communication, collaboration, organization, prioritization, and follow-through skills, with the ability to manage competing deadlines and adapt as business needs change.
• High professional integrity, sound judgment, discretion, accountability, and a commitment to continuous improvement and long-term professional growth.

And Here’s Our End of the Bargain:

• Competitive salary with additional bonus opportunities
• Medical insurance 100% paid for employee only, based on coverage selected, along with a nurse concierge service
• 100% paid short- and long-term disability and group life & AD&D insurance for employees
• Other voluntary benefits like dental, vision, additional life insurance, Legal Shield/ID Shield, critical illness insurance, accident insurance, and pet insurance
• Annual healthy living benefit
• Free use of Energy Square Fitness Center for employees
• HSA quarterly employer contributions
• Safe Harbor 401(k) retirement plan with company contributions whether you contribute or not
• Personalized PTO
• Five (5) paid holidays plus a winter break typically 12/24 through 1/1
• Paid leave for new parents (birth, adoption, placement / maternal and paternal) to support work/life balance and family bonding
• Professional development opportunities
• Paid covered parking for all employees
• Other perks like weekly breakfasts, monthly happy hours, office lunches, our Spring/Summer event, Texas State Fair Day and team building event, Halloween contests, Thanksgiving Family Luncheon, Winter Holiday Party, and the list goes on!

Supervisory Responsibilities

This position supervises the Accounting Department, including setting priorities, assigning and reviewing work, coaching and developing team members, and ensuring the department delivers accurate, timely, and reliable financial services.

Work Environment

We work in a collaborative, indoor office environment at the top of the historic Meadows Building at Energy Square. This is a great location with quick access to US-75 and the Lovers Lane DART Station practically on site.

Normal work hours are 8:30 AM – 5:30 PM Central Monday through Friday with one hour for lunch, but we are flexible if our business and customers’ needs remain priority #1. Occasionally, there may be a need to work outside of normal work hours or weekends to meet business needs and deadlines.

Physical Demands

This is a largely sedentary role and requires the ability to sit for long periods of time, operate a keyboard, and communicate clearly and effectively on the phone, in-person, and via written communication. However, there may be occasional specific situations that require lifting, bending, stooping, twisting, kneeling, and/or reaching.

Work Authorization Requirement

Must be authorized to work in the US when an offer of employment is accepted. In compliance with federal law, all persons hired will be required to verify identity and eligibility to work in the United States and to complete the required employment verification form (Form I-9) upon hire.

Affirmative Action/EEO Statement

It is the policy of SHM Architects, PLLC to provide equal employment opportunities without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, marital status, veteran status, sexual orientation, genetic information, or any other protected characteristic under applicable law.

Other Duties

Please note this job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties, or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job. Duties, responsibilities, and activities may change at any time with or without notice.

• Bachelor’s degree in accounting, finance, business administration, or a related field; MBA or other relevant advanced degree preferred.
• 10–15 years of progressive accounting and finance experience in a professional services environment, preferably within the architecture, engineering, and construction (AEC) industry.
• Familiarity with the Entrepreneurial Operating System (EOS) is a plus.
• Expert-level working knowledge of Deltek Ajera is required, including experience with project accounting, financial reporting, and system workflows.
• Experience with project accounting, project profitability, and cost accounting in professional or design services.
• Experience leading an accounting or finance function and partnering with owners and senior leadership on budgeting, forecasting, financial analysis, and firm-level business decisions.