Senior Finance Manager – Non-Profit at Data & Society Research Institute Full Time

Position Summary

The Senior Finance Manager is responsible for managing the day to day accounting and financial operations of the Finance Department at Data & Society.  The Senior Finance Manager will engage with employees of all levels across Data & Society and relevant external parties.  This role is a central part of the Finance team and will support and report into the Chief Operating Officer; executing the strategy, vision, policies and processes set forth. The Senior Finance Manager manages the finance team and is responsible for their development, acting as a mentor and coach.

About Data & Society

Data & Society is an independent nonprofit research organization, studying the social implications of data-centric technologies, automation, and AI. We recognize that the same innovative technologies that may benefit society can also be abused to invade privacy, provide new tools of discrimination, foreclose opportunity, and harm individuals and communities. Through original research and inclusive engagement, we work to ensure that empirical evidence and respect for human dignity guide how technology is developed and governed.

PRIMARY RESPONSIBILITIES

Accounting & Financial 

• Perform accounting functions and transactional activities necessary to complete day-to-day operations;
• Responsible for the month, quarter, and year end close, to include but not limited to:
  • Recording necessary transactions and adjustments, reviewing, reconciling accounts, and resolving issues that relate to all g/l accounts – revenue, receivables, and collections; expenses, payables, and disbursements; prepaids, fixed assets, and other asset accounts; accruals, deferrals, and other liabilities.
• Perform other aspects of the accounting process, such as general ledger maintenance, journal entry preparation, documenting period fluctuations, and researching/clearing issues with account transactions as they arise;
• Prepare and continuously update the Net Asset Roll Forward; make recommendations with regards to grant allocations in collaboration with the Grants & Contracts Administrator and record appropriate entries and adjustments;
• Accurately and in a timely manner prepare the monthly Financial Reporting Package along with supporting workpapers, with insightful data analysis for reporting to the Chief Operating Officer (COO);
• Prepare other Financial analysis and reporting as directed by Chief Operating Officer for management and Board decision making and presentations
• Review award letters and expense contracts, providing guidance to and working collaboratively with the Grants and Contracts Administrator to ensure revenue and expense transactions strictly adhere to donor conditions, restrictions, and reporting requirements;
• Collaboratively work with the Grants and Contracts Administrator and Development team in the creation and review of financial documentation required for funding proposals and funder reports;
• Manage and oversee audit and tax services;
• Prepare for and manage the annual audit, liaising with external auditors;
• Support the preparation of and review government and regulatory filings such as the Form 990;
• Lead and oversee the annual organizational budgeting process, working across teams, and supporting the COO in securing the Board of Directors’ approval;
• Support and partner with all budget managers in the review and management of their budgets; responding to questions about budget spending, translating budget reports, projecting future spending, and providing scenario analysis in support of decision making;
• ​​Support the COO in identifying and implementing improvements and actionable remedies to accounting, internal control, and compliance processes and procedures that optimize efficiencies and improve the quality of financial analysis and reporting
• Support the COO in proactively monitoring financial risks to develop, promote, and maintain best accounting practices around strong internal controls;
• Maintain compliance with and documentation of fiscal policies and procedures;
• Collaborate with the Human Resources team in financial aspects of employee lifecycle including but not limited to onboarding, offboarding, and payroll review;
• Operate as the point person for day-to-day finance & accounting matters with internal and external parties;
• Actively assess and make recommendations to the COO that relate to organizational financial risk;
• Encourage and support the development of greater financial acumen within the organization;
• Perform ad hoc financial requests and analysis as needed;

Team Management

• Effectively people manage Finance team members while building a positive, productive and equitable team culture.

SKILLS and QUALIFICATIONS

• Bachelor’s Degree required, in Accounting or Finance;
• CPA certification preferred;
• 5 or more years of accounting experience required;
• 5 or more years of public accounting experience strongly preferred;
• Non-profit accounting experience required;
• Thorough understanding of Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP);
• High level of proficiency with QuickBooks;
• High level of proficiency with Microsoft Excel and PowerPoint;
• Exposure to Google Workspace preferred;
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills;
• Prior staff or team management experience strongly preferred;
• Experience collaborating with individuals at all levels of the organization;
• Analytical thinker – a passion for metrics and the ability to be detail oriented while focusing on the big picture.

CORE COMPETENCIES

• Professionalism and ethics;
• Demonstrated ability to appropriately manage highly confidential information;
• Meticulous attention to detail;
• Communication across all organizational levels and teams;
• Demonstrated ability to translate financial information to non-finance partners;
• Cultural humility;
• Conflict resolution;
• Managing complexity.

Practical Considerations

• Data & Society has committed to safety requirements to protect our staff from the COVID-19 pandemic. We require that prospective employees are fully vaccinated against COVID-19 before joining our organization. Please note that any reasonable accommodation request is not guaranteed to be approved, and we will comply with ADA-related requirements to evaluate the accommodation against business needs.
• This position is available as either a part-time (24 hours or more) or full-time remote position in the Finance Department. Data & Society is based in New York City, and will for the foreseeable future operate as a Remote-First organization. While this role will start as completely virtual, it may involve onsite components in the future.
• You must be living and authorized to work in the United States; we are unable to sponsor visas.
• The salary range for this role is $105,000 to $116,500 annually (prorated for a part-time hire), commensurate with experience. If the hire is full-time, the offer will include a generous benefits package including medical, dental, and vision insurance and access to a range of opt-in products and services including additional insurance and 401k management as well as paid time off, and paid federal holidays. Employees scheduled to work under 30 hours per week are considered part-time and ineligible for the benefits package.

The salary range for this position is noted within this job posting. Where a prospective employee or employee is compensated within this salary range is dependent upon, among other factors, actual compensation for current/former employees in the subject position; market considerations; budgetary considerations; tenure, and standing with the organization (applicable to current employees); as well as the employee’s/applicant’s overall qualifications: knowledge, skills, pertinent experience, and abilities.

To apply, please submit the following (applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis):

• Resume
• Cover letter

Please feel free to contact us at jobs@datasociety.net should you have any questions about the role. Questions about the opportunity or process will not reflect negatively on your application.