The Finance & Grants Associate provides specialized administrative, technical, and accounting support for finance/accounting-related services for The Nature Conservancy’s Washington Chapter.
ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS
The Finance & Grants Associate supports finance/accounting activities for The Nature Conservancy’s Washington Chapter. They administer and maintain finance/accounting activities in accordance with internal policies and procedures, donor and government requirements and best practices in financial management.
Specifically, this position provides a wide range of administrative and finance-related support to the Finance Manager and Grants Specialists which may include maintaining database systems, handling inquiries about grant and financial activities, conducting research on expenses recorded to the financial system, and responding to internal requests for information or guidance. The Finance & Grants Associate is responsible for efficient and timely action on administrative matters and may communicate on behalf of the supervisor, Finance Representative, or Grants Specialist with internal and external sources, including staff, partners, and donors. Specific responsibilities may include:
Administrative Support
- Set up and maintenance of award master files,
- Coordinating deliverables, timelines, and due dates on public or private-funded projects,
- Working with vendors,
- Drafting correspondence and securing internal approvals,
- Maintaining tracking systems, and
- Drafting outgoing grant agreements or contracts for services.
Finance and Accounting
- Assisting with set-up of budgets and assignment of costs in the central finance system,
- Monitoring income and expense budgets,
- Assisting in the production of financial reports and invoices,
- Reconciling financial entries,
- Reviewing internal and partner financial reports,
- Preparing journal entries and other financial transactions, and
- Communicating financial information to project staff.
RESPONSIBILITIES AND SCOPE
This is a junior position and duties are performed under general supervision and established guidelines. Within the scope of the position, the Finance & Grants Associate will:
- Ensure TNC policies and procedures, financial standards and legal requirements are met.
- Reinforce consistency in the organization's policies and procedures and provide support related to finance, accounting and grants administration.
- Prioritize tasks in the absence of specific instructions and make day-to-day decisions within the scope of work assignments; duties are performed according to instructions or established practices and supervisor will resolve any problems or questions.
- Demonstrate sensitivity in handling confidential information.
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS
- Bachelor’s Degree and 2 years' related experience OR Associate’s Degree in Accounting, Finance or related field and 4 years’ related experience ORequivalent combination of education and experience.
- Experience with basic principles of accounting/finance.
- Experience using automated and electronic accounting systems.
- Experience organizing time and managing diverse activities to meet deadlines.
PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS
- Degree or certificate in Finance, Accounting, Business Administration or related field.
- Strong organizational skills, accuracy and attention to detail.
- Experience with GAAP and fund accounting principles, practices and regulations.
- Working knowledge of grants accounting.
- Proficiency with Microsoft Excel.
- Experience working with databases.
- Multi-lingual skills and/or multi-cultural experience appreciated.