Finance Specialist

The Finance Specialist for the Kentucky, Tennessee, and Virginia provides advanced financial management support across a shared services unit (pod), partnering with the Finance Manager, Finance Director, and business unit staff to deliver high-quality financial services. Supports budgeting, forecasting, financial close, reporting, and other core financial management activities across assigned states or business units within the pod, and may assist in supporting other Southern Division business units or pods as the need arises.

What We Can Achieve Together:

The Finance Specialist for the Kentucky, Tennessee, and Virginia provides advanced financial management support across a shared services unit (pod), partnering with the Finance Manager, Finance Director, and business unit staff to deliver high-quality financial services. This role supports one or more states or organizational areas within the pod, providing shared finance expertise that flexes to meet business priorities and operational needs. The Finance Specialist serves as a trusted partner by delivering financial analysis, reporting, budgeting, forecasting, and other financial management activities while ensuring compliance with organizational policies, procedures, and best practices.

We're Looking for You:

The Finance Specialist provides advanced financial support across assigned states, programs, or business units within a shared services pod. Working collaboratively with the Finance Manager and the Finance Director, the position supports budgeting, forecasting, financial reporting, month- and year-end close activities, financial analysis, and ongoing financial management. The role develops a strong understanding of assigned business operations and provides timely financial guidance to support informed decision-making.

The Finance Specialist administers financial activities in accordance with TNC policies, procedures, and financial management best practices. The position prepares analyses, reconciliations, and reports; monitors financial performance; identifies trends, risks, and opportunities; and recommends process improvements to enhance efficiency, consistency, and stewardship of organizational resources. The role responds to moderately complex financial questions and serves as a resource to staff on finance processes, systems, and reporting.

Work Arrangement: This role is remote with preference to the Eastern or Central time zones.

RESPONSIBILITIES & SCOPE

• Supports budgeting, forecasting, financial close, reporting, and other core financial management activities across assigned states or business units within the pod, and may assist in supporting other Southern Division business units or pods as the need arises.
  
• Prepares and delivers financial reports, analyses, reconciliations, and other financial deliverables that support operational and strategic decision-making.
  
• Monitors financial performance, identifies trends, variances, risks, and opportunities, and communicates findings and recommendations to Finance Managers, Finance Directors, and business leaders.
  
• Maintains the accuracy, integrity, and quality of financial data, reporting, systems, and business processes.
  
• Supports compliance with organizational policies, internal controls, audit requirements, donor restrictions, and applicable regulatory requirements while identifying and escalating potential issues.
  
• Provides guidance to staff on finance processes, systems, reporting tools, and standard operating procedures and may coordinate or deliver training as needed.
  
• Partners with the Finance Manager, the Finance Director, Operations, Conservation, and Philanthropy staff to support financial planning, implementation of organizational priorities, and effective stewardship of resources.
  
• Contributes to finance initiatives, process improvements, system implementations, and cross-functional projects that enhance consistency and effectiveness across the pod.
  

What You'll Bring:

• Bachelor's Degree in Finance, Accounting, Business Administration or related field and 3 years' related experience or equivalent combination.
  
• Experience with accounting/financial issues and analysis.
  
• Experience using accounting and financial reporting systems.
  
• Technical experience with spreadsheet programs, general ledger reports and financial management tools.
  
• Experience with GAAP, practices and regulations.
  
• Experience, coursework or other training with U.S. Federal Uniform Guidance, state and local regulations, multilateral and international regulations, and standard contract clauses, as applicable.
  

Desired Qualifications:

• Multi-lingual skills and/or multi-cultural experience appreciated.
  
• Ability to manipulate, analyze and interpret data. Advanced expertise in Microsoft Excel.
  
• Strong organizational skills.
  
• Accuracy, attention to detail and the ability to multi-task.
  
• Non-profit accounting experience.
  
• May require technical expertise on complex accounting/financial issues.
  
• US government grants accounting experience.