Finance Manager

Exceptional Minds; Los Angeles (CA); On-site; USD 90,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

Exceptional Minds in Los Angeles seeks a Finance Manager to lead all accounting functions, ensure compliant financial reporting, and strengthen internal controls within a nonprofit context. Reporting to the CEO, you will own the full accounting cycle—from daily transactions to month-end close, grant accounting, and audit preparation—while guiding staff and managing vendor relationships.

This role demands nonprofit experience, GAAP expertise, and proficiency with cloud-based ERP software to drive

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Accounting/Finance (Master’s preferred).
• 5–7 years of accounting experience with nonprofit experience favored.
• Solid understanding of GAAP and nonprofit accounting standards.
• Proficient in cloud-based ERP/accounting software.

Responsibilities

• Oversee and record daily financial transactions, AP/AR, and ensure proper coding to the GL.
• Execute full-cycle month-end close within a 10-day window.
• Prepare financial statements for CEO and Board review; assist with grant accounting.
• Lead audit readiness and support annual IRS Form 990 filings; ensure donor restrictions compliance.
• Maintain internal controls and act as accounting software administrator.

Skills

GAAP knowledge

Nonprofit accounting

Financial reporting

Budgeting

Education

Bachelor's degree in Accounting/Finance

Master’s degree preferred

Tools

Cloud-based ERP software

Job description

For over a decade, our award-winning nonprofit academy and working production studio has been preparing young adults on the autism spectrum for careers in animation and the digital arts. Exceptional Minds develops a diverse and inclusive workforce of thoughtful and talented artists once on the margins, who now have what every young professional seeks - dignity, hope, and a command of the skills and tools necessary to lead successful careers.

Title: Finance Manager

FLSA Classification: Exempt

Job Type: Full Time

Department: Administration

Compensation: $90,000 - $120,000 annually

JOB DESCRIPTION

Summary/Objective

The Finance Manager plays an important role in developing staff, maintaining quality standards, and ensuring the finance team operates as a cohesive, high-performing unit. The role also carries operational responsibility, serving as a backup point of contact for select vendor relationships, systems administration, and policy compliance.

This is an ideal opportunity for an experienced accountant who is ready to step into management, deepen their nonprofit finance expertise, and grow toward a senior finance leadership role. Reporting to the CEO, the Finance Manager is responsible for all accounting functions of the organization. This role owns the full accounting cycle from day-to-day transaction review through monthly close, financial reporting, audit preparation, and grant compliance.

Essential Functions

Accounting Operations & Daily Work

• Daily Transaction Management: Oversee and record daily financial transactions, ensuring proper coding to the general ledger and compliance with nonprofit restricted fund accounting.
• Accounts Payable & Receivable: Review and approve weekly payment runs; manage the billing process and monitor aging reports to ensure timely collections and vendor payments.
• Cash Management: Perform daily cash positioning and weekly bank reconciliations across multiple accounts to ensure adequate liquidity for operations.
• Credit Card & Expense Oversight: Manage the corporate credit card program, ensuring all staff submissions are documented, receipts are attached, and expenses are coded correctly.

Month-End & Financial Reporting

• Full-Cycle Month-End Close: Execute the monthly closing process, including journal entry preparation, accruals, prepayments, and intercompany reconciliations within a strictly defined 10-day window.
• General Ledger Integrity: Perform monthly balance sheet reconciliations to ensure accuracy and provide supporting documentation for all account balances.
• Fixed Asset Management: Maintain the fixed asset ledger, recording additions, disposals, and monthly depreciation/amortization.
• Financial Statement Preparation: Assist the CEO in drafting departmental P&L reports and organizational balance sheets for Board review.
• Grant Accounting: Track expenditures against specific grant budgets to ensure compliance with donor restrictions and prepare financial reports for grantors.
• Audit Readiness: Serve as the primary point of contact for the annual external audit, preparing all required schedules and pulling sample documentation for the PBC (Provided by Client) list.
• Tax Compliance: Assist in the preparation of the annual IRS Form 990 and ensure all 1099 filings are completed accurately and on time.
• Cross-Functional Collaboration: Partner with department heads to resolve accounting discrepancies and support cross-functional financial literacy. Lead monthly budget/actuals meetings with department heads.
• Operational Support: Serve as an operational point of contact for select vendor relationships, facilities matters, and policy administration.

Systems & Process Improvement

• Internal Controls: Annually review and update internal financial policies to mitigate risk and improve the segregation of duties.
• Systems Administration: Act as the primary administrator for the accounting software, managing user access and ensuring reconciliation between payroll, fundraising dollars and the CRM system

Preferred Education and Experience

• Education: Bachelor's degree in Accounting, Finance, or a related field. Master’s degree preferred.
• Experience: 5–7 years of experience in accounting, with at least 3 years in a nonprofit or mission-driven organization.
• Technical Skills: Solid understanding of GAAP and nonprofit accounting standards. Strong proficiency in cloud-based ERP/accounting software.

We are an equal-opportunity employer and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, or national origin.

We will ensure that individuals with disabilities are provided reasonable accommodation to participate in the job application or interview process, to perform critical job functions, and to receive other benefits and privileges of employment. Please contact us to request an accommodation.

Employment at Exceptional Minds is at-will, meaning either the employee or the organization may terminate the employment relationship at any time, with or without cause or advance notice.