Finance Associate

The CAFE' Group • Chicago, IL

9h

About The Position

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.

Requirements

• 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.

Nice To Haves

• 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.

Responsibilities

• 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.
• 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.
• 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.
• 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.
• 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.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Entry Level