Finance Specialist

The Nature Conservancy•Lansing, MI

About The Position

The Financial Specialist provides highly specialized finance/accounting-related services to a department or business unit, specifically the Operations team and the Michigan Business Unit. They offer specialized services in financial management and reporting, accounting, and grants administration, management, and reporting. This role requires a high level of expertise in these areas of specialization. The position involves administering and maintaining finance/accounting activities in accordance with TNC policies and procedures and best practices in financial management. The Finance Specialist also assists staff in their specialty area and responds to moderately complex employee/management questions and problems based on advanced knowledge of the subject area. The ideal candidate should have strong experience in leading a varied, multi-disciplinary team, exceptional communication and collaboration skills, and experience in the management of controls and reports of a business unit. This is an exciting opportunity to contribute to the ongoing mission of conservation by directing and shaping the work of our team!

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.
Technical experience with spreadsheet programs, general ledger reports and financial management tools.
Experience with GAAP and fund accounting principles, 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.

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

Acts as transactional leader for processes including accounts payable, cash receipting, accounts receivable, expense reports, etc., by stewarding items through established procedures.
Compiles financial reporting packets for internal financial management use.
Acts as front-line responder to colleagues with finance questions, triaging using established procedures and escalating as appropriate.
Acts as on-the-ground assessment of process efficiency and effectiveness, bringing forth improvement ideas through a commitment to continuous improvement.
Assists finance and BU leadership as needed in other financial related matters.
Ensures programmatic commitments, TNC policies and procedures, financial standards and legal requirements are met and managed for compliance.