Contracts and Budget Specialist

Lantern Community Services Inc•New York, NY

2d•Onsite

About The Position

The Contracts and Budget Specialist supports the Finance and Grants team in the administration and oversight of government-funded contracts, including those with HASA, DOHMH, DHS, and OMH. This entry-level role assists with budget development, financial tracking, and compliance to ensure alignment with funding requirements and organizational policies. The ideal candidate is detail-oriented, organized, and eager to grow within nonprofit finance and public sector funding.

Requirements

Bachelor's degree in Accounting, Finance, Business Administration, Public Administration, or a related field required.
Zero to two years of experience in finance, accounting, or grants administration; internship experience accepted.
Basic understanding of budgeting and financial reporting principles.
Strong attention to detail and organizational skills.
Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite, particularly Excel.
Ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment.

Nice To Haves

Experience or familiarity with nonprofit or government-funded programs.
Exposure to contracts funded by HASA, DOHMH, DHS, or OMH.
Experience with financial systems or accounting software.
Interest in nonprofit finance and public sector funding.

Responsibilities

Assist in developing contract budgets, budget modifications, and financial projections in collaboration with the Controller and CAFO.
Support the preparation of annual budgets and financial closeouts for government-funded contracts.
Review monthly billing for accuracy prior to submission to funding agencies.
Prepare monthly contract variance reports, including budget-to-actual and year-to-date analysis.
Assist with pre-award activities, including reviewing proposal guidelines and preparing administrative components.
Support post-award processes, including account setup, expenditure tracking, and compliance monitoring.
Assist with invoice preparation, payment tracking, and cost allocation across programs.
Support grant tracking, projections, and contract closeout activities.
Assist in ensuring timely contract renewals, extensions, and modifications.
Participate in monthly financial (P&L) meetings and assist in preparing reports for program leadership.
Track and follow up on internal and external communications related to contracts and finance.
Collaborate with Finance and Procurement leadership to support department operations.
Assist in preparing weekly, monthly, and annual financial reports.
Perform other job-related duties as assigned.