Budget and Finance Specialist

Budget and Finance Specialist

Organization Mission and Vision

Founded 40 years ago, the “I Have A Dream” Foundation (IHDF) is a national nonprofit organization whose mission is to empower children from under-resourced communities to succeed in school, college, and career by providing academic, social, and emotional support from elementary school through college, along with a guaranteed post-secondary scholarship. Our dream is a world where every child has equal access to the educational and career opportunities that will ignite their innate potential.

Position location

Our office is located in the Chelsea neighborhood of New York City. There are flexible remote work opportunities within the New York Tri-State area.

Compensation & Benefits (FLSA Status: Exempt)

IHDF offers a competitive salary based on the organization’s compensation philosophy, which is grounded in market data. The salary range for this position is $85,000 -100,000 depending on qualifications. We also offer comprehensive benefits (medical and dental insurance) and top of the market paid time off (vacation, sick leave, and paid holidays).

Position Summary

The "I Have a Dream" Foundation is seeking a proactive and detail-oriented Budget and Finance Specialist to strengthen our financial operations by adding an internal finance lead to our team. Reporting to the Chief Operating Officer, this role addresses a key organizational need: improving real-time decision-making by supplementing our current outsourced financial management with an in-house finance expert.

This position offers an opportunity to take ownership of financial processes, provide immediate insights, and enhance the organization's ability to make timely, data-driven decisions. The Budget and Finance Specialist will play a pivotal role in ensuring financial accuracy, efficiency, and responsiveness to organizational needs.

This role provides the chance to make a meaningful impact by improving financial transparency, responsiveness, and decision-making at a pivotal time for the organization.

The ideal candidate will demonstrate success in the following areas

1. Enhanced Reporting: Deliver timely and accurate financial reports, including budget-to-actuals analysis and cash flow updates, to support real-time decision-making.
2. Strong Communications: Establish a framework for responding to leadership and program team inquiries efficiently and precisely .
3. Cash Flow Oversight: Implement effective cash flow monitoring to ensure the organization’s financial stability and operational needs are met.
4. Stakeholder Collaboration: Build strong relationships with internal teams to align financial practices with organizational priorities and facilitate seamless decision-making.

This role is ideal for a financial professional ready to make an immediate impact by enhancing fiscal oversight, strengthening financial processes, and empowering leadership with actionable insights.

Principal Duties and Responsibilities

Budget Development and Analysis

• Lead the preparation and consolidation of the annual budget in collaboration with leadership and program teams.
• Conduct regular budget-to-actuals analysis, identifying variances and providing actionable recommendations.
• Support program teams in developing project-level budgets and forecasts.
• Perform cost-benefit analyses and scenario planning to inform decision-making.

Accounting and General Ledger Management

Maintain and oversee the general ledger, ensuring accurate coding, reconciliation, and classification of all transactions.

Review and approve journal entries and account reconciliations.

Ensure accurate allocation of revenues and expenses across departments and projects.

Maintain and update financial records to comply with nonprofit accounting standards.

Financial Operations and Reporting

• Maintain and reconcile the general ledger, ensuring accurate coding of revenues and expenses.
• Prepare monthly, quarterly, and annual financial reports, including balance sheets, income statements, and cash flow statements.
• Ensure accurate tracking and reporting of restricted and unrestricted funds, including grant reporting.

Cash Flow and Compliance

• Monitor cash flow to ensure sufficient funds are available to support day-to-day operations and ongoing projects.
• Ensure compliance with all regulatory requirements, including nonprofit accounting standards and tax filings.
• Oversee the audit process and coordinate with external auditors to supply required documentation.

Systems Development and Process Improvement

• Establish and optimize financial systems and tools for efficiency and transparency.
• Implement internal controls and financial policies to safeguard the organization’s resources.
• Train staff and program teams on budget management and financial processes.

Strategic Support and Collaboration

• Serve as a strategic advisor to the COO and leadership team on financial planning and risk management.
• Provide insights to support organizational growth, resource allocation, and sustainability.
• Collaborate with development and program teams to align financial planning with organizational goals.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Finance, Accounting, or a related field.
• 3+ years of progressive experience in financial management, including budgeting, forecasting, and reporting.
• Strong proficiency in accounting software (e.g., SAGE Intacct,) and advanced Excel skills.
• Knowledge of nonprofit financial management, including grant tracking and compliance.
• Exceptional analytical and problem-solving skills with attention to detail.
• Experience with Salesforce is a plus

Skills and Abilities

• CPA, CMA, or similar certification is a plus
• Experience transitioning or building in-house financial systems.
• Strong interpersonal skills with the ability to communicate complex financial information to non-financial stakeholders.
• Commitment to the mission and values of the “I Have A Dream” Foundation

Hiring Process and Timeline

Our hiring process is designed to ensure a transparent and equitable experience for all candidates. All stages will be conducted via Zoom and follow the timeline below:

1. Round 1: Screening Interview (Mid-January)
   • An initial screening interview to discuss your qualifications, experience, and interest in the role.
2. Round 2: Interview with Supervisor and Peer (Late January)
   • A deeper discussion with your potential supervisor and a peer from the team to assess alignment with the role and team dynamics.
3. Round 3: Live Practical Exercise (Early February)
   • A live, task-based practical exercise where you will collaborate with a representative from our current finance team, our COO, and CEO. This step will help evaluate your technical skills and problem-solving abilities in a real-world context.
4. Reference Checks (Early to Mid-February)
   • Following the practical exercise, we will conduct reference checks for final candidates to confirm qualifications and alignment with the role.
5. Offer Extended (Mid-February)
   • We aim to extend an offer by mid-February, with a proposed start date shortly thereafter.

We value your time and effort throughout this process and are committed to clear communication at every stage.

How to Apply

To apply for this position, please submit the following materials:

1. A cover letter outlining your qualifications, experience, and interest in the role.
2. A current resume.
3. A list of professional references (minimum of three).

Email your application to hr@ihaveadreamfoundation.org with the subject line: Budget Specialist/Your Last Name.

Submissions received by January 15 will receive first consideration.

We look forward to reviewing your application!

“I Have A Dream '' Foundation is an equal opportunity employer and strongly encourages applications from people of color, persons with disabilities, women, and people who identify as LGBTQ+.