Finance Manager

The Finance Manager is responsible for leading the organization's financial operations while driving financial strategy, accountability, and long-term sustainability. This role serves as a key business partner to executive leadership, providing financial insight that supports informed decision-making, organizational growth, and operational excellence.

The Finance Manager oversees accounting, budgeting, financial reporting, grant and restricted fund management, compliance, audit coordination, and internal controls. The ideal candidate brings deep nonprofit financial expertise, strong leadership capabilities, and a proven ability to build scalable systems, optimize processes, and strengthen financial stewardship within a mission-driven environment.

Top 5 Critical Responsibilities

1. Financial Leadership & Accounting Management

Lead and oversee all financial operations, including general ledger management, accounts payable, accounts receivable, payroll oversight, reconciliations, month-end close, and financial reporting. Ensure financial records are accurate, timely, and compliant with Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP) and organizational policies.

2. Budgeting, Forecasting & Strategic Financial Planning

Develop, manage, and monitor annual operating budgets and multi-year financial projections in partnership with executive leadership. Conduct budget-to-actual analysis, forecasting, and financial modeling while providing strategic recommendations that support organizational sustainability, growth, and resource allocation decisions.

3. Grant, Contract & Restricted Fund Management

Oversee the financial administration of grants, contracts, and restricted funding streams. Ensure funds are tracked, allocated, and reported in accordance with donor requirements, contractual obligations, and regulatory standards. Strengthen systems and processes that enhance financial accountability and funding compliance.

4. Compliance, Audit & Risk Management

Maintain compliance with all applicable federal, state, and local regulations. Lead preparation for annual audits, tax filings, indirect cost rate submissions, and regulatory reporting requirements. Establish and maintain strong internal controls, risk mitigation strategies, and financial governance practices.

5. Process Improvement, Systems Development & Scalability

Continuously evaluate and improve financial systems, processes, and reporting capabilities to support organizational growth and operational efficiency. Implement technology solutions, automation tools, dashboards, and data integration initiatives that reduce manual processes, improve accuracy, and prepare the organization for expansion.

Key Responsibilities

Financial Management & Reporting

• Oversee daily accounting and financial operations.
• Ensure accurate financial reporting, reconciliations, and month-end close processes.
• Prepare monthly, quarterly, and annual financial statements and management reports.
• Monitor cash flow and working capital requirements.
• Provide financial analysis and recommendations to support executive decision-making.

Budgeting & Financial Planning

• Lead annual budgeting and forecasting processes.
• Develop financial models and scenario planning analyses.
• Monitor organizational performance against budget and strategic goals.
• Support department leaders in budget management and financial planning.
• Analyze financial trends and provide recommendations to improve performance.

Grant & Fund Accounting

• Manage grant budgets, financial reporting, and compliance requirements.
• Ensure proper allocation and tracking of restricted and unrestricted funds.
• Monitor funding utilization and support grant modification processes as needed.
• Collaborate with program leaders to ensure alignment between programmatic and financial objectives.

Compliance & Audit Management

• Coordinate annual financial audits and grant audits.
• Support preparation of Form 990 and other regulatory filings.
• Maintain compliance with nonprofit accounting standards and funding regulations.
• Develop and maintain strong internal controls and financial policies.
• Identify financial risks and implement mitigation strategies.

Systems & Organizational Growth

• Drive continuous process improvement initiatives.
• Implement financial technologies, automation tools, and reporting enhancements.
• Build financial dashboards and performance metrics for leadership.
• Support integration of financial data with CRM and enterprise systems.
• Develop scalable financial infrastructure to support future growth.

Leadership & Team Management

• Supervise and develop accounting and finance personnel.
• Foster a culture of accountability, collaboration, and continuous improvement.
• Translate complex financial information into actionable insights for non-financial stakeholders.
• Present financial results and strategic recommendations to executive leadership, board members, funders, and key stakeholders.
• Participate in organizational planning and strategic initiatives.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Accounting, Finance, Business Administration, or a related field.
• Minimum of eight (8) years of progressive experience in finance, accounting, or nonprofit financial management.
• Minimum of three (3) years of leadership or supervisory experience.
• Strong knowledge of GAAP, fund accounting, grant compliance, and nonprofit financial management practices.
• Demonstrated experience in budgeting, forecasting, financial analysis, audits, and financial reporting.
• Experience managing restricted funds, grants, and government or foundation funding requirements.
• Advanced proficiency in financial systems and reporting tools, including QuickBooks, Microsoft Excel (Pivot Tables, XLOOKUP), and business intelligence platforms.
• Experience leveraging technology, automation, and AI-enabled tools to improve financial operations.
• Exceptional analytical, organizational, and problem-solving skills.
• Strong communication and stakeholder management abilities.

Preferred Qualifications

• Certified Public Accountant (CPA), Certified Management Accountant (CMA), or equivalent professional certification.
• Experience supporting multi-site, multi-program, or rapidly growing organizations.
• Experience implementing financial systems, dashboards, and process automation initiatives.
• Knowledge of CRM-finance integrations and enterprise reporting platforms.

Core Competencies

Financial Stewardship

Demonstrates the highest standards of integrity, accountability, transparency, and responsible resource management.

Strategic Leadership

Applies financial expertise to drive organizational effectiveness, sustainability, and long-term growth.

Business Acumen

Understands the relationship between financial performance, operational effectiveness, and organizational impact.

Analytical Thinking

Uses data and financial insights to identify opportunities, assess risks, and support decision-making.

Communication & Influence

Effectively communicates financial information to diverse audiences and builds trust across all levels of the organization.

Collaboration

Partners effectively with executive leadership, department leaders, funders, and external stakeholders.

Continuous Improvement

Champions innovation, process optimization, and technology adoption to enhance organizational performance and scalability.

Results Orientation

Maintains focus on accuracy, accountability, efficiency, and achieving measurable outcomes.