Finance Manager

Issue One•Washington, DC

13d•$78,000 - $95,000•Hybrid

About The Position

The Finance Manager is responsible for core accounting operations for Issue One’s affiliated 501(c)(3) and 501(c)(4) entities. The role owns the full accounts payable process and 1099 reporting, records payroll allocation journal entries, supports accounts receivable and revenue reconciliation, and supports month-, quarter-, and year-end close and the annual audit for both entities. Working closely with the Senior Director of Finance as a thought partner on financial processes, controls, and accuracy, the Finance Manager operates with a high level of independence, consistency, and attention to detail. The position has no direct reports and collaborates with the organization’s outsourced controller and external accounting partners. It makes day-to-day decisions within established policies, procedures, and delegated authority, while escalating policy exceptions, unusual transactions, control concerns, and unresolved discrepancies to the Senior Director. This is a full-time, exempt, fully benefited position requiring 40 hours per week. Washington, DC is preferred, but remote candidates are welcome and must travel to the DC office regularly. Issue One has a hybrid work environment: staff work in the office Tuesdays and Wednesdays and remotely the other three days. The work is generally performed at a computer in a remote or office environment for extended periods. Reasonable accommodations are available to enable qualified individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of the position.

Requirements

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.
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 demonstrate this knowledge during the interview process.
Full-cycle accounts payable experience, including preparation and filing of 1099s.
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.
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 accurately apply policies, contracts, grant terms, and allocation methodologies.
Exceptional attention to detail and accuracy.
Consistent, disciplined adherence to standard operating procedures, deadlines, and documentation requirements.
Strong judgment about when to escalate issues and when to resolve them independently.
Proactive thought partnership, including asking questions and suggesting improvements.
Clear, professional written and verbal communication with staff, vendors, and auditors.
Integrity and discretion when handling confidential financial, personnel, and vendor information.
Ability to travel regularly to the DC office if based outside Washington, DC.
Ability to perform the essential functions of the position, with reasonable accommodations as applicable.

Nice To Haves

Experience with multi-entity accounting, cost allocation, or affiliated 501(c)(3)/501(c)(4) organizations is strongly preferred.

Responsibilities

Own the accounts payable process for both entities, including vendor onboarding, invoice processing, coding, approval routing, and payment through the online AP platform.
Ensure payments are properly supported, approved under the 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.
Prepare and file Forms 1099 for both entities, including year-round vendor data maintenance and year-end review and corrections.
Respond to vendor and staff questions about invoices and payments.
Record deposits and cash receipts in the general ledger for both entities using documentation from the Philanthropy team.
Monthly, reconcile contributions, grants, and pledge payments in the accounting system against the donor database and payment platforms, and flag discrepancies for resolution.
Maintain supporting schedules for grants and pledges receivable, including payment status and restricted balances, for outsourced-controller review.
Track outstanding receivables and alert the Senior Director and Philanthropy team to past-due payments.
Record non-contribution revenue and related receivables, including fiscal sponsorship fees and intercompany reimbursements.
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, resolving variances with People & Culture and payroll providers.
Ensure time and effort documentation supports payroll allocations, particularly for shared staff and lobbying activity.
Support month-, quarter-, and year-end close for both entities in coordination with the outsourced controller and according to 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 transaction and reconciliation documentation.
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.
Follow standard operating procedures 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 accounts payable, expense, coding, and documentation requirements.
Perform other finance duties as assigned.