Finance Associate

Founded in 1973, Lower Manhattan Cultural Council champions and makes space for artists and community throughout the borough and beyond, and as NYC’s largest re-grantor of city and state funding, awarding nearly 2 million to Manhattan based artists and art organizations. Through a unique model of private-public partnerships, LMCC creates opportunities for artists to advance in their careers and practices, providing grants, artists’ residencies, and exhibition and presentation opportunities. LMCC also produces public programming such as the River To River Festival, Open Studios, and curates and operates the newly renovated and expanded Arts Center at Governors Island, a 40,000 square foot arts space for residency programs, public presentations, and exhibitions.

LMCC seeks a permanent full-time Finance Associate to join immediately. The Finance Associate is an integral part of the Finance team working closely with the Director of Budget & Finance and Finance & HR Manager in all activities involving the accounting and financial management at LMCC.

Values and Qualities

• A can-do approach to problem solving
• An interest in the arts and LMCC’s mission to serve artists
• Attention to detail
• Works well on teams
• A desire to learn

Responsibilities Include

FINANCIAL TRANSACTIONS AND RECORD KEEPING

• • Process and record all financial transactions, including accounts payable, and accounts receivable.
  • Maintain accurate and up-to-date financial records in compliance with organizational policies and accounting standards.
  • Review check and credit card request forms and their backups for correct cost codes, cost allocations and ensure their completeness.
  • Files and maintains backup documentation for all bills, invoices, and contracts
  • Keep an account of all incoming and outgoing bank account transactions to record expenses and income accurately
  • Enters contact information into QuickBooks and Salesforce as needed

ACCOUNTS PAYABLE

• • Processes check requests, bills, and invoices
  • Creates weekly account payable reports
  • Prints and processes weekly checks, ACH, or Wire and prepares for signatures; sends/distributes checks as needed
  • Keep track of uncleared payments and proceed according to policy for reissue/ adjustment
  • Create payment records and update departments as needed

AUDIT SUPPORT AND FINANCIAL REPORTING

• • Track actual expenditures against budgeted amounts and provide variance analysis.
  • Assist with monthly department budget vs actual reports
  • Assist in the annual Audit process
  • Assist with processing year-end 1099 forms, and 1096 form
  • Assists in reconciling all bank accounts, and credit cards(monthly)

ADMINISTRATION

• • Maintains relationships with general LMCC vendors
  • Corresponds with vendors regarding bills and other items
  • Communicate with internal and external staff and vendors regarding changes and services
  • Files statements, vendor correspondence, and insurance documents
  • Assist with COI requests and insurance renewals
  • Maintains an organized and efficient file system (both physical and electronic)
  • Works closely with all LMCC departments to facilitate internal communication with the Director of Finance & Budget and handles documents requiring their approval
  • Prepares correspondence and responds to email and phone inquiries
  • Screen mails weekly for invoices, potential income, and other official correspondence.
  • Other duties as assigned

Key Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in accounting/finance, Arts Administration, Nonprofit Management, or related fields
• 1-2 years of experience in the field
• Excellent organizational, written, verbal and analytical skills. 
• Proficiency in financial software (e.g., QuickBooks, Excel)
• Knowledge of accounting principles, bookkeeping and generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP)
• Ability to multi-task in a fast-paced environment, prioritize workload and meet deadlines, as well as manage details while being graceful and diplomatic.