Finance Manager

Public Advocates Inc. is a nonprofit law firm and advocacy organization that challenges the systemic causes of poverty and racial discrimination by strengthening community voices in public policy and achieving tangible legal victories advancing education, housing, transportation equity and climate justice.

We spur change through collaboration with grassroots groups representing low-income communities, people of color and immigrants, combined with strategic policy reform, media advocacy and litigation, “making rights real” across California since 1971.

The Finance Manager is a key position for Public Advocates and presents an exciting opportunity for a nonprofit finance professional to take the next step in their professional career. Working closely with and reporting to the Chief Operating Officer, this role will add internal capacity to streamline and manage all day-to-day finance and accounting activities to successfully administer its $6.7 million dollar operating budget.

The Finance Manager will be responsible for serving as liaison to and oversight manager of the external accounting firm Public Advocates works with while also serving as the primary executor and lead on payroll processing; accounts payable and receivable; and grants budgeting, reporting and expense allocations in collaboration with Development and Program team members.

Please note that the Finance Manager is expected to work out of our San Francisco office at least two days/week.

Key responsibilities of the Finance Manager include, but are not limited to the following (approximate percentages of time in parentheses):

Accounting and Finance Reporting (55%):

• Own accounts payable (managing vendor relationships, reviewing and coding invoices via , ensuring that all payables are accurate and properly documented, escalating and resolving billing errors and inconsistencies) and accounts receivable (preparing invoices, monitoring/tracking payments, reviewing for restrictions, properly coding, mailing checks for deposit)
• Manage staff credit card budgets and expense reimbursement process, review expense reports and credit card transactions for accuracy and completeness on a timely basis; ensure that staff understand and adhere to the organization’s spending policies
• Lead the tracking and reporting of grant expenditures and expense allocations on at least a quarterly basis
• Review for reasonableness and accuracy of the external accounting firm’s work (recorded journal entries, monthly bank, investment and credit card account reconciliations; financial reports); investigate and correct errors; and maintain all related accounting files
• Reconcile accounting database information with donor database information on a monthly basis, work with the Development team to address discrepancies
• Lead preparation and coordination with external accounting firm for annual financial audit and various tax filings (e.g., 990, business property tax) – includes working with accounting firm to gather information and prepare audit schedules, confirmation letters, other supporting documentation
• Actively safeguard and maintain the confidentiality of the organization’s financial and other sensitive data
• Stay up-to-date with generally accepted accounting principles and tax-related reporting requirements

Payroll (15%):

• Manage bi-weekly payroll processing and ensure accuracy and compliance w/labor laws
• Work w/the HR Manager to ensure benefits and compensation information required for payroll processing is current and accurate
• Maintain and ensure accuracy of payroll, paid time off records for all staff

Grant Budgeting and Reporting (15%):

• Lead the reporting for State Bar grants (which represent 24% of our budget)
• Work with program teams and the COO to develop project budgets for grant proposals (including the State Bar grants)
• Prepare budget and other financial reports as required by funders

Other (15%):

• Manage organizational insurance policies and renewals
• Contribute to process and policy updates, communicate such updates to entire staff
• Assist with organizational and team budgeting, including developing forecasts to inform planning
• W…