What are the responsibilities and job description for the Finance Associate position at The CAFE' Group?
COMPANY OVERVIEW
The CAFE Group was launched in 2020 by Don Thompson, former CEO of McDonald’s Corporation, and Liz Thompson, a seasoned nonprofit executive and nationally respected board leader. Together, they launched The CAFE Group to lead a national movement to reimagine education and philanthropy through systemic, love-centered change. The CAFE Group is reshaping how resources, relationships, and leadership are activated to create generational impact—especially in Black communities historically excluded from full participation in these systems.
What makes The CAFE Group unique isn’t just what we fund—it’s who we are. This initiative wasn’t built by distant funders or traditional intermediaries. It was created by philanthropists who have lived the complexities of the challenges we aim to address and who know what it takes to successfully lead through them.
Long before launching The CAFE Group, Don and Liz founded Cleveland Avenue, LLC, a venture capital firm investing in entrepreneurs whose innovations are transforming and disrupting markets. Their backgrounds as social impact strategists and as corporate leaders and community stewards give them a rare perspective. Don and Liz bring the full weight of their professional expertise, personal networks, and love-centered leadership to every aspect of our work. They show up. They host. They invest. And they actively share their social capital with those we serve—opening doors, making connections, and helping Luminaries and LEAD interns thrive in rooms where decisions are made and futures are shaped.
The CAFE Group operates as a catalytic intermediary. We do this through two connected initiatives: The 1954 Project and the LEAD Internship Program. These programs are interdependent investments in leadership across the arc of influence. Together, they form a powerful continuum: LEAD sows the seeds; The 1954 Project nurtures the fruit.
POSITION OVERVIEW
The Finance Associate plays a vital role in supporting the operational and financial integrity of The CAFE Group. Working closely with the Chief Financial Officer (CFO), this individual will manage the day-to-day financial processes that keep the organization running efficiently — from processing expenses and reconciling credit card statements to ensuring timely payments and supporting financial reporting.
This position sits at the heart of our back-office infrastructure, ensuring that every transaction reflects our values of excellence, accountability, and love as strategy. The Finance Associate will serve as the first point of contact for staff expense inquiries, vendor payments, and budget tracking, helping to translate financial systems into tools of transparency and trust.
Beyond processing and reconciliation, the Finance Associate will gain exposure to the full financial ecosystem of a growing philanthropic organization — supporting budgeting cycles, grant reporting, and annual audits. The right candidate will be eager to learn, grounded in detail, and motivated by a desire to contribute to work that strengthens communities and leaders across the nation.
Financial Operations & Processing
● Prepare and process expense reports, ensuring accuracy, completeness, and alignment with organizational policies.
● Manage credit card reconciliation across departments, verifying transactions and resolving discrepancies each month.
● Review, code, and process invoices, reimbursements, and vendor payments in a timely and accurate manner.
● Support accounts payable and receivable functions in coordination with the CFO and external accounting partners.
● Maintain organized and up-to-date financial files, records, and supporting documentation.
Reporting & Reconciliation
● Assist with monthly and quarterly close activities by reconciling accounts and preparing documentation for review.
● Support the CFO in producing internal reports and dashboards for leadership and the board finance committee.
● Conduct periodic reviews of spending trends and flag inconsistencies or areas for improved accuracy.
Budget & Grant Support
● Track program and departmental expenses against approved budgets and funding allocations.
● Assist in compiling data for grant reports and funder submissions, ensuring alignment between financial and programmatic information.
● Maintain documentation for all restricted funds and support accurate fund tracking and reconciliation.
Audit, Compliance, & Systems
● Assist with preparation for the annual audit, including gathering receipts, contracts, and other supporting materials.
● Ensure compliance with internal financial control procedures and nonprofit accounting standards (GAAP).
● Help maintain and improve systems such as QuickBooks, Expensify, Bill.com, and Salesforce, in collaboration with the CFO and operations team.
Team & Administrative Support
● Serve as a resource to staff for financial process questions (e.g., expense submissions, budget coding, invoice timing).
● Support training efforts to ensure staff compliance with financial and expense reporting policies.
● Assist in preparing materials, presentations, and minutes for the finance and audit committees.
Qualifications
● Bachelor’s degree or equivalent experience in Accounting, Finance, Business Administration, or related field.
● 1–3 years of experience in accounting, bookkeeping, or finance operations (nonprofit experience preferred).
● Familiarity with accounting and finance platforms such as QuickBooks, Bill.com, and Expensify; Salesforce experience a plus.
● Proficiency in Microsoft Excel and other data management tools.
● Exceptional attention to detail and organizational skills.
● Strong communication and interpersonal skills, with a customer-service mindset.
● Demonstrated integrity, discretion, and professionalism in handling sensitive information.
● A commitment to The CAFE Group’s mission, values, and culture rooted in equity and love-centered leadership.
Ideal Candidate Attributes
● You take pride in being dependable, precise, and proactive, understanding that excellence in the details is a form of service.
● You thrive in a collaborative, mission-driven environment where systems and relationships intersect.
● You find meaning in building the financial infrastructure that allows vision and impact to flourish.
● You bring a spirit of curiosity and care, balancing accuracy with empathy in every interaction.