Job Description

BAY AREA ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH INSTITUTE (BAERI) JOB DESCRIPTION - FINANCE MANAGER, FINANCE DEPARTMENT

Bay Area Environmental Research Institute (BAERI) is an exempt organization incorporated under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code and 23701(d) of the Revenue and Taxation Code. Its mission is to promote and conduct research in the environmental sciences, particularly atmospheric science. Since its establishment in 1993, the organization’s revenue has grown to $21.8M as of December 31, 2019. The majority of its revenue funding source is from National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA). BAERI is looking for a Finance Manager to oversee the Finance department and provide support for the continuous growth of research programs.

JOB SUMMARY:

The Finance Manager reports to the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) and supports BAERI's Leadership Team in key strategic and business decisions. The Finance Manager manages the accounting and financial management functions including annual budget, financial planning, financial reporting, billings and collections, payroll, accounts payable, financial statement preparation, tax reporting and cash management.

This includes quality assurance to ensure that all financial transactions related to revenues, expenses, assets and liabilities are accurately stated and that the integrity of financial transactions is maintained, supported and recorded in accordance with Generally Accepted Accounting Principles and in compliance with all applicable laws and regulations and policies and procedures.

JOB RESPONSIBILITIES:

Management and Supervision:

1. Provide guidance, leadership and training to inspire an accounting staff of 4 to achieve departmental objectives;
2. Provide performance feedback and development opportunities to staff to enhance skills or accomplish tasks;
3. Supervise, monitor and evaluate the staff's work; and create and implement solutions to resolve or address critical accounting issues;
4. Supervise staff to ensure proper internal controls for regulatory compliance and external audit reviews;
5. Utilize continuous improvement in processes, policies and procedures to nurture an environment which fosters optimal productivity and high quality of service to customers such as research groups and internal departments.

INTEGRITY AND TIMELINESS OF FINANCIAL REPORTING:

1. Manage and perform accounting tasks which include reviews of accounting transactions, revenues, disbursements, banking activities, credit card transactions and reconciliations, travel reimbursements, and general ledger transactions
2.  Prepare monthly financial statements and the Board of Directors' financial package on a timely basis for CEO's review
3. Review financial transactions processed by the accounting staff to ensure that adequate supporting documentation exists and that they are authorized in accordance with organizational policies and procedures;
4. Develop key accounting policies and procedures to ensure accurate and timely preparation of financial statements and project account reporting to other departments;
5. Provide financial reports or ad-hoc reports to VP for Grants Management and Operations as needed to support accurate reporting of contract and grants project transactions;
6. Review expenses to ensure proper matching and recording of expenses in the appropriate accounting periods;
7. Ensure that financial transactions are reported in accordance with the regulatory requirements (such as Federal Uniform Guidance, IRS, etc.).

FINANCIAL BUDGETING AND PLANNING

1. Prepare the annual budget for review by the Leadership Team
2. Drive the financial planning of the company by analyzing its performance and risks
3. Work with the Leadership Team to retain constant awareness of the company's financial position and act to ensure financial sustainability.

INDIRECT COST RATE PROPOSAL AND NEGOTIATION

1. Work with federal cognizant agency to ensure timely submission and negotiation of indirect cost rate
2. Ensure completeness and accuracy of the documentation provided to the federal cognizant agency
3. Ensure that calculation of indirect cost rate is accurately prepared, supported and submitted timely in accordance with the due dates.

LIAISON FOR EXTERNAL AUDITS

1. Manage staff to ensure that audit requests are completed in a timely manner to meet the audit requirements
2. Ensure completeness and accuracy of the documentation provided to the auditors
3.  Act as liaison for external audits such as Single Audit, retirement plan audit, workers’ compensation audit, etc.

JOB REQUIREMENTS:

1.    Proven experience as a Finance Manager or Accounting Manager for a nonprofit organization.

2.    At least 5 years of experience in finance and accounting. Preferably 2 or more years in the non-profit sector.

3.    Experience in the research sector with working knowledge in a regulatory environment is preferred.

4.     Proficient use of finance or accounting software and tools including QuickBooks, Concur, ADP, Cayuse.

5.    Strong interpersonal, communication and presentation skills.

6.    Non-profit fund accounting experience strongly preferred.

7.    Able to manage, lead and work with employees to deliver results and achieve organizational objectives.

8.    Ability and willingness to work in a team environment.

9.    Excellent organizational skills and attention to detail.

10. Hands on experience with preparation of financial statements and reports.

11. A solid understanding of accounting standards and cost principles is required.

12. BS degree in Finance, Accounting or Business Administration and related experience is required.

BENEFITS:

Compensation includes a competitive base salary along with health insurance benefits (including medical, dental, prescription drug, vision, disability, and life insurance benefits), eleven paid holidays annually, a generous vacation and sick-time accrual policy, an employer-funded 403b defined- contribution plan, and eligibility for optional participation in a 403b tax-deferred-annuity plan.

HOW TO APPLY:

Please email your resume and cover letter to BAERIHR@BAERI.org with the subject: “Finance Manager application”

ADDITIONAL DETAILS

BAER Institute is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, ancestry, national origin, religion, sex, pregnancy, sexual orientation, age, citizenship, marital status, disability, medical condition, gender identity, protected veteran status, or any other legally protected status.

If you have a disability that requires accommodation, please contact BAERI’s Director of HR, Samantha McCarthy, at mccarthy@baeri.org.

Company Description

ABOUT BAY AREA ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH INSTITUTE Bay Area Environmental Research (BAER) Institute is a growing, non-profit organization dedicated to promoting and conducting research in science, particularly atmospheric and space science. Since its establishment in 1993, BAER has become well recognized nationally for its significant contributions to various fields of scientific research. BAER’s clientele include various federal government agencies, and BAER has had a long-standing collaborative relationship with NASA. The Institute’s research and program leadership activities with NASA include work with both the Earth Science and Space Science Divisions at NASA Ames Research Center in Mountain View. BAER has developed and maintained an outstanding reputation for its project management, financial reporting, and program and partnership development capabilities as well as for its resourcefulness in providing expert scientists, researchers, and support staff for mission-critical Agency projects.