Finance Manager

POSITION OVERVIEW

The Finance Manager leads the financial operations and planning of Sylvania Community Services (SCS), a community nonprofit with approximately 70 employees and expanding programs. This hands-on leadership position is accountable for accurate accrual-basis accounting, timely reporting, responsible stewardship of public and private funds, and practical financial guidance that supports the organization’s mission and long-term stability.

Reporting to the Executive Director, the Manager independently organizes and leads the staff work supporting the Finance Committee and Board of Trustees. The Manager anticipates needs, identifies issues, recommends solutions, and follows through without routine prompting. The position develops and monitors budgets, policies, and delegated authority; the Executive Director and Board retain their respective approval and oversight responsibilities.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

Financial Leadership and Board Support

Serve as SCS’s senior staff resource for finance; provide clear analysis, recommendations, and early notice of financial risks and opportunities to the Executive Director.
Coordinate financial agendas with the Executive Director and Finance Committee chair; prepare and distribute accurate financial statements and analysis within established advance deadlines, present results, answer questions, and track assigned follow-up actions.
Explain financial information in plain language to board members and program leaders, including budget variances, cash availability, funding restrictions, and decisions requiring attention.
Supervise, review, and coordinate accounting staff work, including remote personnel; establish clear assignments, deadlines, backup coverage, and documented procedures.
Lead financial integration of new programs, including budgets, opening balances, reporting structures, systems, funding requirements, and consistent controls.

Accounting Operations and Reporting

Own monthly, quarterly, and annual closing and the preparation of complete, accurate accrual-basis financial statements in accordance with applicable nonprofit accounting standards and GAAP.
Ensure appropriate recording and review of accruals, prepaid expenses, deferred revenue, receivables, payables, fixed assets, depreciation, and net assets with and without donor restrictions.
Oversee and perform accounting work as needed, including general ledger maintenance, accounts payable, billing, collections, deposits, payroll review, and coordination with HR and outside providers.
Review account reconciliations, journal entries, supporting schedules, and reports for accuracy and completeness; investigate unusual balances and resolve discrepancies before reports are distributed.
Maintain secure, organized financial records and reliable reporting across accounting, payroll, donation, and program billing systems.

Budgeting and Financial Planning

Lead the annual budget process with the Executive Director and program leaders; develop organizational and program budgets, assumptions, and schedules for review and approval.
Monitor results against budgets, explain significant variances, and recommend corrective action; prepare forecasts and cash flow projections that account for the timing and availability of restricted funding.
Maintain program-level financial reporting and documented, consistently applied allocations of shared administrative and facility costs.
Evaluate program costs, pricing, revenue trends, and proposed initiatives to support informed decisions and organizational sustainability.
Review contracts, subscriptions, purchasing, fees, and workflows; recommend measurable savings and efficiencies while considering service quality and operational needs.
Monitor cash, reserves, investments, and organizational assets in accordance with approved policies.

Funding and Program Accountability

Maintain clear accounting for levy revenue, grants, donations, tuition, program fees, contracts, and other revenue sources; distinguish donor restrictions, funding requirements, and internal designations.
Track restricted funds and levy-supported expenditures, eligible uses, matching requirements, balances, and releases from restriction; identify concerns before funds are spent.
Prepare timely financial reports for funders and provide budgets and financial support for grant applications, fundraising, and program planning.
Work with program leaders to reconcile revenue and receivables, resolve billing issues, and improve collections under approved policies.

Audit Compliance and Internal Controls

Maintain and manage a financial calendar covering closing, board and committee materials, grant reports, audits, required filings, renewals, and other financial obligations; coordinate dependencies and escalate obstacles before deadlines are missed.
Lead the annual audit and coordinate preparation of required tax and regulatory filings with external professionals; ensure schedules, documentation, review, and submission occur on time.
Develop and maintain practical financial policies and internal controls, including approval limits, separation of duties or compensating reviews, and periodic financial system access reviews.
Track audit findings, assign and implement corrective actions within delegated authority, and report progress to the Executive Director and Finance Committee.
Protect confidential information and maintain records in accordance with applicable retention requirements.

WORK ENVIRONMENT

Work collaboratively across departments while maintaining appropriate financial oversight. Attend scheduled Finance Committee and Board meetings, including occasional evening meetings, and travel locally between program locations as needed. Perform other related duties assigned by the Executive Director. Duties and staffing arrangements may evolve as organizational needs change.

EDUCATION AND QUALIFICATIONS

Bachelor’s degree in accounting, finance, or a related field, or an equivalent combination of relevant education and substantial accounting leadership experience.
Prefer accounting or financial management experience, including responsibility for closing, financial statements, budgeting, and audit coordination.
Demonstrated proficiency in accrual accounting and nonprofit fund accounting, including restricted funding and multiple revenue sources.
Experience preparing and presenting financial information to a board, finance committee, or comparable governing body.
Experience supervising or directing accounting work and reviewing the work of others.
Strong Excel skills and proficiency with accounting and financial reporting systems.
Demonstrated accuracy, organization, independent follow-through, sound judgment, and ability to manage competing deadlines.
Approachable, respectful communication and the ability to build productive relationships with staff, volunteers, leadership, funders, and external professionals.
Preferred: CPA or CMA credential; experience in a nonprofit with multiple programs or locations.
Preferred: Experience with public levy funding, grant compliance, shared cost allocations, and organizational transitions or program integration.
Preferred: Experience with Aplos, Paylocity, or comparable nonprofit accounting and payroll systems.

SKILLS, KNOWLEDGE AND ABILITIES

Accounting and systems: Strong Excel skills and proficiency with nonprofit accounting and financial reporting systems; Aplos and Paylocity experience preferred.
Analysis and judgment: Translate financial results into practical recommendations and identify risks and opportunities.
Organization and accountability: Maintain a financial calendar, prioritize competing responsibilities, review details, and complete follow-up without routine prompting.
Communication and leadership: Explain financial information clearly and respectfully, supervise remote and on-site accounting work, and build productive relationships across departments.
Confidentiality: Protect sensitive information and exercise sound professional judgment.

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