Finance Specialist

The Nature Conservancy•Arlington, TX

About The Position

The Finance Specialist provides specialized finance/accounting-related services to the Global Protect Oceans, Lands and Waters (POLW) business unit. The position manages assigned finance activities and supports assigned POLW programs and projects. The Finance Specialist provides specialized services in financial management and reporting; accounting; grants administration, management and reporting; or similar financial activities for a department or business unit. They have a high level of expertise in their area(s) of specialization. The position administers and maintains finance/accounting activities in accordance with TNC policies and procedures and best practices in financial management. The Finance Specialist provides assistance to staff in their specialty area. They respond to moderately complex employee/management questions and problems based on advanced knowledge of the subject area. The Finance Specialist supports assigned program Finance Managers with multiyear, collaborative protection-outcome programs and projects across priority geographic regions. The position works with conservation teams, finance and business-unit leadership, centralized finance and accounting staff, philanthropy relationship managers, donor stewards, and other internal and external partners. The Finance Specialist facilitates planning, budgeting, fund allocation, accounting, financial reporting, and donor reporting activities in support of assigned program Finance Managers and their programs and funding portfolios. The position collaborates with program teams to help them understand financial positions, applicable financial practices, processes, and systems. It also provides financial guidance to staff to strengthen financial literacy and promote the consistent application of TNC financial policies, procedures, and requirements. The Finance Specialist performs assigned financial activities, prepares analyses and reports, maintains financial information, and supports the timely completion of finance and donor requirements. The position responds to moderately complex employee and management questions based on advanced knowledge of the subject area and escalates matters requiring broader financial decisions or authority to the assigned program Finance Managers.

Requirements

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, preparing financial reports, reconciliations, journal entries, adjustments, or related supporting documentation.
Experience providing financial, accounting, budgeting, or reporting support to finance supervisor, program managers, or other internal clients.
Experience facilitating financial activities and deliverables across multiple teams or stakeholders.
Technical experience with spreadsheet programs, general ledger reports and financial management tools.

Nice To Haves

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 may be preferred or required.

Responsibilities

Facilitates multiyear financial planning, budgeting, forecasting, and fund allocation activities for assigned programs and funding portfolios under the direction of assigned program Finance Managers.
Supports program Finance Managers and program teams in preparing, monitoring, and updating budgets, forecasts, and financial plans, and in maintaining accurate financial information.
Supports fund allocation, transfers, and related financial processes by compiling financial information, preparing supporting analyses, maintaining records, and following up on required actions.
Works with global, regional, and country teams, particularly finance contacts, to support financial planning, funds management, accounting, reporting, and issue resolution.
Prepares monthly, quarterly, annual, and ad hoc financial reports, analyses, schedules, and supporting documentation for review by assigned program Finance Managers.
Supports donor and award financial reporting by compiling financial information, reconciling transactions, preparing schedules and draft reports, and maintaining supporting documentation.
Performs accounting activities, including preparing journal entries and adjustments (coordinates or performs, as applies), completing reconciliations, reviewing financial transactions, and assisting with program financial data maintenance.
Reviews financial data and reports to identify coding errors, variances, outstanding items, or misallocated costs, and communicates findings and potential issues to the assigned program Finance Manager.
Maintains financial data, files, systems, trackers, project records, grant records, award records, and supporting documentation for assigned programs and funding portfolios.
Supports program Finance Managers and program teams in understanding financial positions, donor restrictions, applicable financial practices, processes, systems, and reporting requirements.
Facilitates projects and team activities related to shared funds, restricted funding, fund administration, and financial tracking to support timely and consistent financial processes.
Coordinates with philanthropy, conservation, and operations staff to prepare the financial components of proposals, donor reports, and other funding-related deliverables.
Serves as a point of contact for routine financial inquiries and works with Shared Services and other internal teams to resolve financial, payroll, expense, invoice, coding, and transaction-related issues.
Supports month-end, quarter-end, year-end close processes, audits, donor deadlines, award closeout activities, and other recurring finance cycles.
Participates in Global Protect Operations Team activities, broader operational initiatives, and assigned special projects.
Documents recurring financial processes and assists staff in understanding financial procedures, coding practices, expense requirements, timesheet requirements, and donor restrictions.
Follows up with relevant staff and teams regarding outstanding financial information, documentation, approvals, compliance requirements, and reporting deliverables.
Provides day-to-day support and guidance on financial processes, coding, timesheets, expenses, donor requirements, and financial systems, and escalates matters requiring financial decisions, exceptions, or higher-level review to the assigned program Finance Manager and program team.
Ensures assigned activities are completed in accordance with donor intent and restrictions, TNC policies and procedures, financial standards, and applicable legal and regulatory requirements.
Reinforces the consistent application of organizational policies and procedures and provides operational support within assigned areas of responsibility.