Finance Manager

Position Summary:

As a member of Audubon’s Finance Team, the Finance Manager is the first resource for program staff in assigned departments who need guidance on coding and processing business expenses. The successful candidate will have an excellent grasp of financial and accounting concepts, be comfortable learning new systems to solve problems, and be able to communicate financial information clearly. They will thrive in a fast-paced environment and be able to juggle multiple projects. The position requires sophisticated financial systems skills (especially budgeting systems) and the ability to create and analyze budget and variance reports.

The Finance Manager will report to the Director, Financial Planning and Analysis (FP&A) for National Programs and may be based at either an Audubon office location or a remote home office.

Compensation:

Salary range based on geo-differentials:

• $75,000 - $85,000/year = National

• $85,000 - $95,000/year = Alaska, CA (not San Francisco), Connecticut, D.C., Chicago, Oyster Bay, NY

• $95,000 - $105,000/year = NYC (not Oyster Bay), San Francisco, Seattle

Essential Functions

• Responsible for the integrity of budget/forecast data for assigned Audubon departments.

• Work directly with budget managers to create and manage their departmental budgets and make updates for forecasts; provide excellent customer service to budget managers and other stakeholders in assigned departments

• Enter and update staff allocations in Audubon’s budgeting system to ensure the accuracy of operating budget and forecast scenarios; in collaboration with Grants & Compliance team, provide analysis for allocation changes and highlight where changes affect grant spending, compliance with donor restrictions, and the use of unrestricted funds.

• Respond to questions about sharing costs across teams, addressing grant over/underspend, and using remaining budget, with support from Director, FP&A when needed.

• Disseminate variance reports for assigned departments, calling budget managers’ attention to areas that need their feedback, action, or approval.

• Support proposal budget development processes that include assigned departments and, as needed, develop budgets representing comprehensive cost of cross-cutting work.

• Escalate to Finance leadership material variances and outgoing proposals that do not follow best practices for recovering personnel and indirect costs.

• Provide assigned departments with consistent, accurate guidance on expense coding practices and advise on tracking new or developing lines of work.

• If needed, serve as a first reviewer for invoices and staff reimbursements for assigned departments to ensure proper coding.

• Work with Finance Administration team to identify payments that require contracts or other agreements and communicate promptly to program staff managing vendor/partner relationships.

• Prepare and submit journal entries, including to recognize revenue for program expenses that meet donor restrictions and to reclass expenses as needed; update Director, FP&A on coding issues that affect monthly variances and reporting.

• Gather and submit materials for year-end journal entries for assigned departments, including draws on reserves and restricted funds, referring to the approved budget or forecast.

• Use Audubon’s systems to resolve staff questions regarding vendors, invoices, contracts, staff allocations, and other financial data; use discretion to consult Finance colleagues and/or the Director, FP&A when needed.

• Collaborate with Audubon staff to ensure that equity, diversity, inclusion and belonging principles are incorporated and followed in all aspects of our work.

• Perform other job-related duties as assigned.

Qualifications and Experience

• Associate degree or Bachelor’s degree in business, accounting, or a related field, or equivalent work experience.

• 5+ years financial/accounting experience in a nonprofit organization, working with diverse funding sources, including public funding.

• Direct experience in nonprofit budgeting and variance reporting required, with experience tracking expenses in a decentralized organization preferred; must be able to communicate financial management concepts to varied audiences.

• Experience providing excellent customer service to a wide range of constituents.

• Strong financial systems expertise, including both general ledger and budgeting systems; experience with Financial Edge or Prophix a plus.

• Must be well organized, have meticulous attention to detail, and be comfortable using multiple communication methods to solve problems.

• Advanced skills in Microsoft Excel and strong knowledge of other Microsoft Office programs.

• Interest in, understanding of, and commitment to conservation and the mission of National Audubon Society.

• Commitment to Audubon’s organizational values of care, collaboration, change, integrity, impact, and innovation.

• Demonstrated personal and professional commitment to and experience in advancing equity, diversity, inclusion, and belonging.

This position is represented by the Communication Workers of America (CWA).

National Audubon Society Competencies: This role will also be accountable to apply and develop the following competencies.

Fostering Relationships: Build trust, mutual respect, and understanding through regular and genuine interactions while promoting a positive and inclusive environment. 

Analytical Thinking: Recognize and value diverse perspectives and experiences in data analysis to foster a more comprehensive and equitable approach to problem-solving. 

Creativity and Innovation: Leverage creativity and imagination to generate new insights and solutions while embracing diverse ideas and approaches that foster innovation. 

Facilitating Change: Work with others to explore innovative approaches to problem-solving while promoting inclusivity, equity, accessibility, and belonging in the change process. 

Team Leadership: Communicate vision and engage others or the team to solve problems while valuing diverse perspectives and fostering inclusivity.