Finance Manager (Nonprofit)

Position: Finance Manager

Status: Full-Time (40 hours per week, full benefits)

Reports to: Senior Director, Finance

Salary Range: $78,000-$95,000

Location: Washington, DC preferred; open to remote candidates with regular travel to DC required

About Us:

Issue One is a leading cross-partisan democracy reform organization working to strengthen American democracy for the sake of freedom, fairness, and opportunity. We believe the biggest challenges facing our country cannot be solved until we address the political dysfunction that prevents the government from working effectively for the American people. Through policy advocacy, coalition building, and strategic engagement with leaders across the political spectrum, Issue One advances solutions that strengthen democratic institutions, promote accountability, safeguard elections, and ensure government serves the public interest, not special interests.

Position:

The Finance Manager is responsible for core accounting operations for an affiliated 501(c)(3) and 501(c)(4). The position has full ownership of accounts payable and 1099 reporting, records payroll allocation journal entries, supports accounts receivable and revenue reconciliation, and supports month-end, quarter-end and year-end close and the annual audit for both entities.

The Finance Manager works closely with the Senior Director as a thought partner on financial processes, controls and accuracy. The role calls for a high level of independence, consistency, and attention to detail. The ideal candidate is an experienced nonprofit accountant who follows established procedures reliably, spots issues before they become problems and brings ideas for improving how the work gets done. The role has no direct reports and works closely with the organization’s outsourced controller and external accounting partners.

Responsibilities: 

Accounts Payable

• Own the full accounts payable process for both entities through the organization’s online AP platform, including vendor onboarding, invoice processing, coding, approval routing and payment.
• Make sure every payment is properly supported, approved under the organization’s approval matrix and charged to the correct entity, program, grant and class code.
• Maintain vendor records, including W-9s, payment information and contract documentation.
• Review expense reimbursements and corporate card transactions for policy compliance, required receipts and accurate coding.
• Reconcile AP subledgers and vendor balances, and resolve discrepancies promptly.
• Prepare and file Forms 1099 for both entities, including year-round vendor data maintenance, year-end review and correction of any errors.
• Serve as the main point of contact for vendor and staff questions about invoices and payments.

Accounts Receivable and Revenue Support

• Record deposits and cash receipts in the general ledger for both entities, using deposit documentation provided by the Philanthropy team.
• Reconcile contributions, grants and pledge payments recorded in the accounting system against the donor database and payment platforms monthly, and flag discrepancies to Philanthropy for resolution.
• Maintain supporting schedules for grants and pledges receivable, including payment status and restricted balances, for review by the outsourced controller.
• Track outstanding receivables and alert the Senior Director and Philanthropy to past-due payments.
• Record any non-contribution revenue and related receivables, such as fiscal sponsorship fees and intercompany reimbursements.

Payroll Accounting

• Prepare and post payroll journal entries each pay cycle, allocating salaries, taxes and benefits across entities, programs, grants and functions under the approved cost allocation methodology.
• Reconcile payroll registers, allocation worksheets and general ledger balances, and resolve variances with People & Culture and payroll providers.
• Make sure time and effort documentation supports payroll allocations, especially for shared staff and lobbying activity.

Close, Reconciliation and Reporting

• Support month-end, quarter-end and year-end close for both entities in coordination with the outsourced controller, following the close calendar and checklist.
• Prepare journal entries, accruals, prepaid and accrued expense schedules, and balance sheet reconciliations.
• Record and reconcile intercompany activity and shared-cost allocations between the entities.
• Help prepare monthly financial reports, variance analyses and supporting schedules.
• Maintain organized, audit-ready documentation for all transactions and reconciliations.

Audit and Compliance

• Prepare audit schedules, reconciliations and supporting documentation, and respond to auditor requests for both entities.
• Support preparation of information for Form 990, charitable registrations and other required filings.
• Follow and help strengthen internal controls, including segregation of duties, approval workflows and payment controls.
• Prepare journal entries and reconciliations for review and approval by the Senior Director or outsourced controller.
• Apply donor restrictions, grant terms and entity-separation requirements accurately in day-to-day accounting.

Process Improvement and Partnership

• Follow standard operating procedures consistently, and recommend updates when processes or systems change.
• Identify errors, risks and inefficiencies, and propose practical solutions to the Senior Director.
• Help train staff on AP, expense, coding and documentation requirements.
• Perform other finance duties as assigned.

Qualifications

• At least five years of progressively responsible accounting experience, including at least three years in a nonprofit setting. This is not an entry-level role.
• Bachelor’s degree in accounting, finance, business, or a related field, or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Demonstrated, hands-on knowledge of GAAP and nonprofit accounting, including net asset classifications, restricted funds, revenue recognition and functional expense allocation. Candidates will be asked to show this knowledge during the interview process.
• Full-cycle accounts payable experience, including 1099 preparation and filing.
• Experience reconciling contributions and grants receivable with a donor database or CRM.
• Experience preparing journal entries, reconciliations and close schedules, and supporting a financial audit.
• Experience with multi-entity accounting, cost allocation or affiliated 501(c)(3)/501(c)(4) organizations strongly preferred.

Technical Knowledge and Skills

• Strong understanding of GAAP, accrual accounting and nonprofit financial reporting.
• Proficiency with cloud-based accounting and AP platforms, such as QuickBooks Online and BILL or comparable systems.
• Advanced Excel skills, including lookups, pivot tables and reconciliation workbooks.
• Ability to read and apply policies, contracts, grant terms and allocation methodologies accurately.

Professional Skills

• Exceptional attention to detail and accuracy.
• Consistent, disciplined adherence to SOPs, deadlines and documentation requirements.
• Strong judgment about when to escalate issues and when to resolve them independently.
• A proactive thought partner who asks good questions and suggests improvements.
• Clear, professional written and verbal communication with staff, vendors and auditors.
• Integrity and discretion in handling confidential financial, personnel and vendor information.

Work Coordination and Supervision

The Finance Manager makes day-to-day decisions about transaction processing, coding, reconciliations and vendor administration within established policies, procedures and delegated authority. The position escalates policy exceptions, unusual transactions, control concerns and unresolved discrepancies to the Senior Director.

Structure and Location

This is a full-time, exempt, fully benefited position requiring 40 hours per week. Washington, DC is the preferred location, though Issue One is open to remote candidates. Candidates based outside of DC will be expected to travel to the DC office regularly and should be prepared to discuss logistics with the hiring manager prior to an employment offer. Issue One operates a hybrid work environment, with staff coming to the office two days a week (Tuesdays and Wednesdays) and working remotely the other three days.

Physical Demands 

Most work is performed at a computer in a remote or office environment for extended periods. Reasonable accommodations will be provided to enable qualified individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of the position.

Tentative Recruitment Timeline

October 27-November 10: Position posted and resumes collected

November 11-13: Resumes screened and top candidates identified for interviews

November 16-20: First-round panel interviews

December 4-December 11: Second-round panel interviews with finalists

December 14: Preferred candidate named and role offered (contingent on background check and verification of educational credentials)

January 11: New candidate begins (flexible if needed) 

Special Notes: While Issue One will do its best to follow the above timeline, there are instances where the selection process is shortened or delayed due to circumstances beyond our control. Issue One will do its best to update all selected candidates on any changes to the timeline. In addition, while resumes may be submitted after the posted deadline, there is no guarantee they will be screened for a potential interview.

Due to the volume of applications, we will, unfortunately, be unable to acknowledge receipt of all applications. No phone calls, please. 

Issue One is committed to the principles of equal employment. We are committed to complying with all federal, state, and local laws providing equal employment opportunities and all other employment laws and regulations. We intend to maintain a work environment that is free of harassment, discrimination, or retaliation because of age, race, color, national origin, ancestry, religion, sex, sexual orientation (including transgender status, gender identity or expression), pregnancy (including childbirth, lactation, and related medical conditions), reproductive health decisions, marital status, personal appearance, matriculation, political affiliation, credit information, employment status, physical or mental disability, genetic information (including testing and characteristics), veteran status, uniformed service member status, status as a victim or family member of a victim of domestic violence, a sexual offense, or stalking, homeless status, or any other status protected by federal, state, or local laws. Issue One is dedicated to the fulfillment of this policy in regard to all aspects of employment, including, but not limited to, recruiting, hiring, placement, transfer, training, promotion, rates of pay, fringe benefits, and other compensation, the application of disability and/or temporary disability policies, termination, and all other terms, conditions, and privileges of employment.