Finance Manager

African American Policy Forum; New York (NY); On-site; USD 85,000 - 95,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, Vision, Dental coverage

401(k) option

Technology stipend

Professional development stipend

PTO and paid holidays

Job summary

African American Policy Forum (AAPF) in New York City seeks an experienced Finance Manager to oversee budgeting, forecasting, and financial reporting in a nonprofit setting. This full-time role partners with leadership to align financial planning with program goals and ensure strong internal controls.

The Finance Manager will manage grants, audits, payroll, and contracts, driving data-driven strategies and risk mitigation while maintaining compliance with nonprofit regulations.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in accounting or finance; CPA or MBA is a plus.
• Minimum five years of demonstrated experience within a nonprofit accounting or finance department.
• Strong understanding of GAAP.
• Familiarity with Bill.com, Harvest, Rippling or similar platforms strongly preferred.
• Advanced proficiency in Google Suite, Microsoft Excel and QuickBooks.

Responsibilities

• Develop and oversee the organization’s annual budget and long‑term financial strategy.
• Collaborate with department heads to create program budgets, forecasts and financial models.
• Monitor cash flow and forecast future financial needs.
• Record transactions in accordance with GAAP and prepare monthly/quarterly/annual reports.
• Oversee payroll processing and compliance with legal requirements.
• Provide financial analysis to support decisions on initiatives and partnerships.
• Manage audits, internal controls, and external vendor contracts for cost‑effectiveness.
• Coordinate procurement processes and vendor selection.

Skills

GAAP

Financial analysis

Vendor management

Stakeholder communication

Excel proficiency

Education

Bachelor’s degree in accounting or finance

CPA or MBA

Tools

Bill.com

Harvest

Rippling

Google Suite

Microsoft Excel

QuickBooks

Job description

AAPF is seeking an experienced Finance Manager to join our team! This position is a full-time salaried role. The Finance Manager will oversee the financial operations of the organization, ensuring sound fiscal management that supports our mission and strategic goals.

About AAPF

Founded in 1996, The African American Policy Forum (AAPF) is an innovative think tank that connects academics, activists, and policy-makers to promote efforts to dismantle structural inequality. We utilize new ideas and innovative perspectives to transform public discourse and policy. We promote frameworks and strategies that address a vision of racial justice that embraces the intersections of race, gender, class, and the array of barriers that disempower those who are marginalized in society. AAPF is dedicated to advancing and expanding racial justice, gender equality, and the indivisibility of all human rights, both in the U.S. and internationally.

As an adept financial professional with a passion for social justice, you will bring a detail-oriented approach and a proven track record of success in financial management. You will play a critical role in budgeting, forecasting, and financial reporting, while ensuring compliance with nonprofit financial regulations and best practices. This role involves managing all aspects of the organization's financial health, including overseeing accounting functions, maintaining internal controls, managing audits, and ensuring timely and accurate financial reporting. You will collaborate closely with AAPF’s leadership team to align financial planning with programmatic goals, ensuring resources are optimally allocated to maximize impact.

The position is based in New York City and may require infrequent travel for conferences and meetings.

Duties and Responsibilities include, but are not limited to:

Financial Planning & Budgeting

Develop and oversee the organization’s annual budget, ensuring alignment with AAPF’s programmatic goals and long‑term financial strategy.

Collaborate with department heads to create program‑specific budgets, forecasts, and financial models. We should include this with the first bullet point.

Monitor organizational cash flow and forecast future financial needs.

Ensure timely and accurate recording of all financial transactions in accordance with GAAP (Generally Accepted Accounting Principles).

Prepare monthly, quarterly, and annual financial reports for internal use (including statement of activities, statement of financial position, cash flow etc.) and external stakeholders, including the Executive Leadership Team, funders, and board of directors.

Oversee the timely reconciliation of accounts, including bank and credit card accounts, as well as general ledger reconciliation.

Grants & Fund Management

Manage financial aspects of grant applications, including budget creation, grant reporting, and tracking of restricted and unrestricted funds.

Ensure compliance with donor restrictions and reporting requirements for grants and contracts.

Audit & Compliance

Lead and manage the internal preparation for the annual audit process, liaising with external auditors and ensuring all necessary documentation is prepared and accurate.

Ensure compliance with all federal, state, and local tax and nonprofit regulations, including filing of required forms (e.g., 990).

Maintain internal controls to safeguard the organization’s assets and ensure accurate financial records.

Payroll & Benefits Administration

Oversee payroll processing, ensuring accuracy and compliance with legal and organizational requirements.

Financial Analysis & Strategy

Develop, implement, and maintain AAPF’s financial policies and procedures in alignment with the organization’s strategic goals.

Provide financial analysis to support decision‑making on new initiatives, investments, and partnerships.

Advise senior leadership on financial trends, forecasts, and strategic opportunities.

Assist in identifying potential risks and implementing mitigation strategies to maintain financial stability.

Oversee the management of contracts with external vendors and service providers, ensuring cost‑effectiveness and compliance with agreed terms.

Coordinating the procurement process by identifying vendors, preparing RFPs, reviewing responses, and managing the vetting and selection process.

Team Collaboration & Capacity Building

Collaborate with cross‑functional teams to provide financial insights and align financial resources with programmatic priorities.

Oversee the implementation and maintenance of financial software and tools to streamline accounting and reporting processes.

Ensure data integrity and security within financial systems.

Qualifications

Bachelor’s degree in accounting or finance; CPA or MBA are a plus.

Minimum of five years demonstrated experience within a non‑profit accounting or finance department.

Strong understanding of Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP).

Familiarity with Bill.com, Harvest, Rippling or similar platforms strongly preferred.

Advanced proficiency in Google suite, Microsoft Excel and QuickBooks.

Application Process:

The salary range for this position is $85,000-$95,000 plus a benefits package that includes medical, vision and dental coverage, 401(k) option, technology stipend, professional development stipend, PTO and a number of paid holidays.

• medical
• vision and dental coverage
• 401(k) option
• technology stipend
• professional development stipend
• PTO
• a number of paid holidays

The African American Policy Forum (AAPF) is an equal opportunity employer that values a diverse and inclusive workplace. We are committed to building a team that reflects a variety of backgrounds, perspectives, and skills, and we strongly encourage applications from individuals who have historically been underrepresented in nonprofit, academic, and policy work.

AAPF prioritizes the employment of people of color, women, individuals with disabilities, members of the LGBTQ+ community, and those with lived experiences that align with our mission. We believe that diversity in all forms enhances our ability to achieve our organizational goals and fosters a work environment where every individual can thrive. We welcome applicants who bring different perspectives and experiences, as we work to advance social justice and racial equity in all aspects of our programming and advocacy.

If you are committed to advancing racial and social justice and thrive in a collaborative, fast-paced environment, we encourage you to apply.