Finance Specialist

Position Type: .75 to 1 FTE (30-40 hours/week), Exempt

Work Location: Bozeman, MT

Work Arrangement: In-person at our Bozeman Office

Compensation: FTE of $65,000 – $70,000 annually, DOE

Benefits: 100% employer-paid medical, dental & vision insurance, up to a 5% match on 401k contributions, generous PTO, and flexible scheduling 

Reports to: Chief Operations Officer

Application Deadline: Open until filled, preference given to applications received by March 3rd

Preferred start date: As soon as possible

About the Center for Large Landscape Conservation (CLLC / the Center)

The Center for Large Landscape Conservation (CLLC) is a nonprofit organization based in Bozeman, Montana. We bring science, policy, and proven solutions directly to communities working to protect and restore the health and climate integrity of the planet through large-scale conservation measures. The Center is a leader in the fast-growing global movement to reverse landscape fragmentation, restore nature’s resilience to climate change, and support community-led action. 

The Center offers a supportive, flexible, and dynamic work environment. We place a high degree of emphasis on hiring staff who bring diverse skills, backgrounds, and life experience, consistent enthusiasm and energy, and a collaborative mindset to the Center.  We work to actively cultivate an inclusive workplace and people of color, LGBTQ+ persons, and people from other historically marginalized communities are strongly encouraged to apply.

Position Overview

The Finance Specialist manages the day-to-day financial activities of the organization with an emphasis on accounts payable and receivable, project/program budget tracking and reporting, detailed record keeping, and supporting the COO with financial oversight. The ideal candidate has an aptitude for financial literacy, a high level of integrity, an understanding of non-profit accounting and a strong attention to detail.

Responsibilities & Tasks

• Oversee financial aspects of grants and contract management, including budget compliance, expense tracking and reporting. Administer payments for subawards and contracts as required; maintain accurate accounting registers that properly track expenses for restricted grants; complete financial reports for funders as required. Communicate with program and project leads regularly regarding budget to actual spending, including fiscally sponsored project teams.
• Coordinate and support the annual audit process. Liaise with external auditors and provide preliminary and follow up audit support documents as required.
• Support the COO and management staff in the creation of our annual operating budgets. Coordinate with program managers and the development team to arrive at accurate projections and provide relevant materials from our accounting software as requested.
• Manage Accounts Payable and Receivable, including the allocation of revenue and expenses to the correct accounts, classes and restriction categories. Ensure the proper process has been followed for invoice approval and that payments are remitted in a timely manner.
• Provide financial reports for and participate in Grant Portfolio meetings.
• Work with the development staff to ensure proper revenue tracking and complete monthly reconciliations between QuickBooks and Little Green Light. Update the Sources of Income worksheet on a quarterly basis and participate in revenue budget versus actual meetings.
• Responsible for invoicing, tracking and recording payments due to CLLC. Reconcile grant and contract receivable accounts on a quarterly basis.
• Work with a third-party accountant on monthly reconciliations in QuickBooks and immediately address any discrepancies.
• Ensure compliance with and make improvements to the Financial Policy and Procedure Manual.
• Prepare semi-monthly payroll worksheets for processing by a third-party accountant. Collect and maintain proper time-keeping records; manage corresponding time allocations to grants and ensure compliance with state and federal employment regulations.
• Process Employee Expense Reimbursement Reports including organizing and filing receipts, checking the accuracy of reports and currency exchange rates applied, performing electronic data entry, and ensure reimbursements are accurately remitted.
• Administrate CLLC’s credit card accounts including gathering, organizing, and filing receipts for all cards, recording transactions in QuickBooks, regularly checking card transactions for fraud and assisting employees with fraud claims when necessary. Drive process improvements that reduce the number of unknown or unverified charges on CLLC credit cards.
• Responsible for receipt and invoice organization, perform data entry related to other expenses as needed.

Preferred Qualifications

• A minimum of 6 years’ experience working in nonprofit finance
• A bachelor’s degree in finance, accounting or similar or an equivalent combination of education and experience
• Proficiency with QuickBooks, QB Desktop Enterprise strongly preferred
• Experience with grant and funder budget tracking and financial reporting; federal grants a plus
• Experience executing accounts payable and receivable, including an understanding of cash flow management
• Ability to analyze and interpret financial information
• Strong knowledge of best practices for financial management and budgeting in a nonprofit setting
• Possess troubleshooting and problem-solving skills
• Proficiency in, or an aptitude to learn, various computer programs and software (Excel, Google Workspace, BambooHR timekeeping, grant reporting platforms, etc.)

Essential Qualifications

• Be legally authorized to work in the United States
• Be able to ascend and descend three flights of stairs daily (due to on-site software at our office location)
• Ability to maintain confidentiality and discretion with sensitive information
• Possess a high level of integrity
• Strong attention to detail and accuracy

General Expectations

• Support CLLC’s internal policies and processes and help to advance organizational effectiveness
• Be a reliable team member
• Demonstrate excellent verbal and written communication skills, including the ability to receive and process information in a professional manner
• Independently demonstrate dependability to meet deadlines and deliver high quality work
• Positively represent the Program and CLLC in both public and private settings