Finance Manager

Job Description

Lower Manhattan Cultural Council

New York, NY

ABOUT LMCC

LMCC is Manhattan’s Arts Council— a dynamic non-profit organization with a 50-year history of supporting and connecting artists and communities throughout Manhattan.

Founded in 1973, LMCC serves hundreds of artists and tens of thousands of audiences each year through robust Grantmaking and Artist Residency Programs as well as a dynamic calendar of free public art events throughout Manhattan and at the Arts Center at Governors Island—a 40,000 square foot arts center that is activated year-round with public programs and art exhibitions.

We are a 15-person team of passionate and devoted arts leaders and administrators, providing funding, studio and rehearsal space, professional development, and leadership in cultural planning and advocacy. All activities and operations are supported by a $6M budget and the leadership of an engaged Board of Directors.

WHO WE ARE LOOKING FOR

The Finance Manager is a pivotal role primarily responsible for supporting the financial health and operational efficiency of the organization. Reporting directly to the Director of Finance (DOF), this position manages day-to-day financial and accounting operations, oversees payroll processing, accounts payable and receivables processing, maintains accurate financial records, and supports compliance with reporting and audit requirements. The ideal candidate is highly detail-oriented, collaborative, and experienced in nonprofit financial practices.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

The Finance Manager is responsible for the following, in addition to any other projects assigned by their manager, the Director of Finance:

Financial Operations & Record Management

Oversee daily financial operations, including accurate transaction entry, classification, and reconciliation. A core responsibility of this role is to ensure maintenance of accounting records and ensure compliance with organizational policies and internal controls related to payables.
Supervise and review bookkeeper's work, ensuring all bookkeeping aspects, especially revenue recording and reconciliation, comply with accounting standards and internal policies.
Manage general ledger entries, adjustment entries, monthly close processes, and account reconciliations.
Prepare timely and accurate monthly financial reports for departments and lead monthly departmental meetings. This includes preparing updated cash flow actuals and projections on a monthly basis.
Assist the Director of Finance in developing budgets for grant proposals and preparing grant reports, including reviewing for correct allocations.
Assist the Director of Finance in the annual audit process and preparation of IRS Form 990 including responding to auditor inquiries and assist in gathering all necessary documentation.
Process year-end 1099 and 1096 forms.

Accounts Payable & Receivables Management

Lead the weekly full accounts payable process, from reviewing check/AmEx requests and invoices, coding expenses, and securing approvals, to ensuring timely payments via ACH, wire, or checks.
Maintain positive relationships and close communication with external vendors and service providers, monitoring contracts and tracking financial obligations. Maintain vendor records in Quickbooks and Salesforce
Review, print, and prepare checks/ACHs for signatures, and manage their distribution.
Process all income/cash receipts in close coordination with the Development and Operations teams. Ensure all pledges, checks, cash, and other deposits are entered into QuickBooks and appropriately tracked throughout internal workflows.
Manage bank deposits, either physically or through secure online mobile banking apps, after review and authorization.
Assist in monthly reconciliation of all bank accounts, credit cards, and postage meter.
Reconcile all pledge/income (unearned) in close coordination with the Development team, and earned income with the Operations team.

Payroll & Benefits Administration

Work with the operation team to process semi-monthly payroll in collaboration with the Director of Finance, ensuring accurate application of wages, deductions, benefits, and PTO.
Ensure all payroll records comply with internal policies and external regulations.
Coordinate with the Operations team to maintain accurate benefit enrollment, deductions, and leave balances/accruals.

Organization-Wide Collaboration

Collaborate with department heads and supervisors to ensure operations align with financial guidelines and responsible budget utilization, and that expense requests are submitted timely.
Actively participate in relevant planning sessions, contributing strategically to prioritize departmental efforts in alignment with organizational goals.
Communicate effectively and professionally with all staff, ensuring timely and clear information sharing (written and verbal) on relevant financial matters.
Foster a collaborative environment, working towards shared goals, offering assistance, and sharing departmental responsibilities.
Serve as support staff for organization-wide events as needed.

QUALIFICATIONS

Education: Bachelor’s degree in Accounting/Finance, Arts Administration, Nonprofit Management, or related fields.
Experience: At least 3 years’ experience in the field.
Equipment / Computer Software: Proficiency in Microsoft Office, Internet, QuickBooks, Salesforce, and Asana.
Skills and Abilities: Excellent organizational, written, verbal, and analytical skills. Working knowledge of budget planning and forecasting, bookkeeping, and generally accepted accounting practices (GAAP). Ability to work independently and as part of a team. Ability to maintain confidentiality with sensitive information. Ability to maintain effective working relationships with fellow employees, other agencies, and the public. Ability to multi-task in a fast-paced environment, prioritize workload and meet deadlines, as well as manage details while being graceful and diplomatic. Strong interest and/or knowledge of the diverse artistic disciplines LMCC presents and communities we serve.

COMPENSATION

The salary for this position is $66,300 and includes an attractive benefits package including health coverage, dental and optional vision plans, life insurance, and three (3) weeks of paid time off. Additionally, LMCC has fifteen (15) paid holidays inclusive of closing the office between Christmas and New Years Day. Health benefits begin three (3) months after the first date of employment.

We maintain a hybrid work schedule, generally requiring Tuesday & Thursday in-office at the Arts Center at Governors Island with remote work on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday. This is an exempt position and will require night and weekend availability.

HOW TO APPLY

Please apply through our portal. Application should include both a resume and a cover letter outlining your qualifications and interests in the position. Applications without cover letters will not be considered.

LMCC is an equal opportunity employer dedicated to building a culturally diverse, inclusive, equitable, and safe environment for its staff. We strongly encourage applications from individuals who self-identify as BIPOC and/or women. LMCC prohibits any kind of discrimination on the basis of an individual’s race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, genetics, protected veteran status, economic status, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state, or local laws.

Flexible work from home options available.

Compensation: $66,300.00 per year

About

Founded as Lower Manhattan Cultural Council, LMCC serves, connects, and makes space for artists and community.

Since 1973, LMCC has been the champion for independent artists in New York City and the cultural life force of Lower Manhattan.

We envision New York City as a place in which artists and community in dialogue are creating a more just, equitable, and sustainable society.

LMCC Serves Artists through:

Residencies that enable artists to experiment and develop their work and ideas, with professional development, financial training, and networking opportunities
Grant funding to artists that support local/neighborhood projects
Presentation opportunities that allow artists to share their work and creative process with the public

LMCC Serves Community through:

Free public programs in Lower Manhattan and Governors Island that activate neighborhoods and bring people together through performances and rich artistic experiences
Access to the artmaking process to build connections and dialogue between artists and audiences
Grant funding for neighborhood arts and community-based organizations

Our Mission

To create a fertile and nurturing environment for artists and arts groups, enlivening public spaces with free programs in the visual, performing, and new media arts, and to provide leadership in cultural planning and advocacy.

Our Values

We believe artists are critical to a healthy society as agents of change and new ideas.
We acknowledge structural inequities and we are committed to centering equity, diversity, and inclusion.
We are driven by curiosity. Experimenting, questioning, learning, and understanding are essential to creative development.
We are collaborative. We build partnerships and relationships, and we share our resources.
We listen. Adaptation and responsiveness are essential to meeting needs and ensuring resiliency.
We give with openness and care. We strive to be radically generous and accessible to all.

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