Finance Specialist

The Nature Conservancy; Washington (District of Columbia); Hybrid; USD 55,000 - 75,000; Full time

Job summary

The Nature Conservancy is seeking a Finance Specialist to provide specialized finance and accounting services to assigned Business Units. The role collaborates with Finance Managers, Directors, contracts staff, and other Finance team members to maintain accurate financial information, support timely financial processes, and promote compliance with organizational policies and procedures.

This is a hybrid position, requiring at least 2 days per week of in-person attendance at our Conshohocken, PA,

Qualifications

• Bachelor's Degree in Finance, Accounting, Business Administration or related field and 3 years' related experience or equivalent.
• Experience with GAAP and fund accounting principles, practices, and regulations.
• Experience using automated accounting systems.

Responsibilities

• Perform accounting activities including journal entries, allocations, reconciliations, account analysis, and financial record maintenance.
• Support accounts payable, vendor administration, invoice routing, payment processing, and other routine accounting workflows.
• Support month-end, quarter-end, and fiscal year-end close processes and related accounting activities.
• Coordinates financial information, documentation, schedules, approvals, and follow-up activities to support effective finance operations and service delivery.
• Ensure accounting activities are completed accurately and in accordance with organizational policies, accounting standards, and internal controls.
• Maintain financial records, supporting documentation, and audit‑ready files.
• Maintains the quality, completeness, and accuracy of financial data used for reporting, analysis, compliance, and operational decision‑making.
• Supports budgeting, forecasting, financial close, reporting, and related financial activities for assigned areas
• Supports budget managers and Finance Managers by preparing reports, gathering financial information, maintaining tracking tools, and assisting with budgeting, forecasting, and financial monitoring activities.
• Supports grants, contracts, awards, projects, restricted funding activities, and other assigned finance processes.
• Assists with compliance monitoring, audit requests, internal controls, and documentation requirements.
• Responds to routine finance questions and provides support on finance systems, processes, reports, and procedures.
• Supports implementation of finance initiatives, process improvements, and organizational projects.
• Escalates complex issues, exceptions, or risks to more senior staff.
• Works independently while managing recurring accounting cycles, deadlines, stakeholder requests, and special projects.

Skills

GAAP knowledge

Fund accounting

Automated accounting systems

Education

Bachelor's Degree in Finance or Accounting or related field

Job description

What We Can Achieve Together

The Finance Specialist provides specialized finance and accounting services to assigned Business Units. The role works collaboratively with Finance Managers, Finance Directors, Contracts staff, and other Finance team members to maintain accurate financial information, support timely financial processes, and promote compliance with organizational policies and procedures.

The Finance Specialist supports accounting operations, reconciliations, financial close activities, financial reporting, transaction processing, compliance-related processes, and financial data management. Responsibilities are carried out in accordance with established TNC policies, procedures, internal controls, and financial management practices to ensure accuracy, timeliness, and effective administration of financial information and processes.

This is a hybrid position, requiring at least 2 days per week of in-person attendance at our Conshohocken, PA, Arlington, VA, or Elkins, WV offices.

Responsibilities & Scope

• Perform accounting activities including journal entries, allocations, reconciliations, account analysis, and financial record maintenance.
• Support accounts payable, vendor administration, invoice routing, payment processing, and other routine accounting workflows.
• Support month-end, quarter-end, and fiscal year-end close processes and related accounting activities.
• Coordinates financial information, documentation, schedules, approvals, and follow-up activities to support effective finance operations and service delivery.
• Ensure accounting activities are completed accurately and in accordance with organizational policies, accounting standards, and internal controls.
• Maintain financial records, supporting documentation, and audit‑ready files.
• Maintains the quality, completeness, and accuracy of financial data used for reporting, analysis, compliance, and operational decision‑making.
• Supports budgeting, forecasting, financial close, reporting, and related financial activities for assigned areas
• Supports budget managers and Finance Managers by preparing reports, gathering financial information, maintaining tracking tools, and assisting with budgeting, forecasting, and financial monitoring activities.
• Supports grants, contracts, awards, projects, restricted funding activities, and other assigned finance processes.
• Assists with compliance monitoring, audit requests, internal controls, and documentation requirements.
• Responds to routine finance questions and provides support on finance systems, processes, reports, and procedures.
• Supports implementation of finance initiatives, process improvements, and organizational projects.
• Escalates complex issues, exceptions, or risks to more senior staff.
• Works independently while managing recurring accounting cycles, deadlines, stakeholder requests, and special projects.

We’re Looking For You

Are you looking for work you can believe in? At TNC we strive to embody a philosophy of Work that You Can Believe in where you can feel like you are making a difference every day. We’re looking for someone with strong experience in leading a diverse, multi‑disciplinary team. The ideal candidate should have exceptional communication and collaboration skills and experience in management of controls and reports of a business unit. This is an exciting opportunity to contribute to the ongoing mission of conservation by directing and shaping the work of our team!

What You’ll Bring

• Bachelor's Degree in Finance, Accounting, Business Administration or related field and 3 years' related experience or equivalent combination.
• Experience with GAAP and fund accounting principles, practices, and regulations.
• Experience using automated accounting systems.

Desired Qualifications

• Multi‑lingual skills and/or multi‑cultural experience appreciated.
• Experience supporting month‑end and year‑end close activities.
• Experience researching and resolving accounting discrepancies and reconciliation issues.