Accounting Manager

ABOUT THE JOB

The ACLU seeks applicants for the full-time position of Accounting Manager (AP) in the Finance Department of the ACLU’s National office in New York, NY. This is a hybrid role that has in-office requirements of two (2) days per week or eight (8) days per month.

Responsible for safeguarding the financial resources of the organization, the Finance team manages the financial activities of the National ACLU. From paying vendors to forecasting budgets, and everything in-between, we take pride in providing the resources and platform for informed financial decision-making. This role plays a central part in ensuring the integrity, accuracy and timeliness of our accounting operations in a fast-paced, high-volume environment.

WHAT YOU'LL DO

Reporting to the Assistant Controller (AP) the Accounting Manager (AP) is responsible for managing significant functional areas within accounting and play a critical role in the successful operations of the larger Finance Team.
We are seeking an experienced accounting leader who brings strong technical expertise, sound judgment, and the ability to run clean, consistent accounting operations. Our ideal candidate possesses exceptional attention to detail, mastery of GAAP, and an orientation toward service and collaboration.

YOUR DAY TO DAY

The following overview of responsibilities is intended to describe the type of work which will be assigned to this position. It is not an exhaustive list:

Leadership

• Lead by example in managing a team of accounting professionals, driving results through the use of data, direct feedback and strong accountability in a supportive and learning- driven environment that fosters high staff engagement and professional growth
• Serve as subject matter expert for functional area under management; create and deliver trainings on relevant accounting-related topics to accounting staff
• Serve as subject matter expert for relevant accounting and financial systems used in functional area, gaining and maintaining knowledge needed for team to perform duties using the systems’ relevant modules and reporting features
• Collaborate with intra and inter department team members, providing and exchanging information regarding existing and/or new workflows and projects and communicating possible implications for the teams
• Represent the accounting team on cross-functional organizational projects as needed.
• Complete ad hoc projects as directed by Finance Leadership

General Accounting Operations

• Set the bar for customer service excellence by providing timely, thorough, and friendly responses to internal and external stakeholder inquiries
• Manage account reconciliations relevant to functional area, ensuring their accuracy and proper documentation for internal and external reporting purposes
• Assist with relevant audits, preparing and/or reviewing audit schedules and materials and managing deliverable deadlines with staff
• Prepare or assist with preparation of required tax filings and government reporting (local, state, federal), including preparing schedules and/or draft filings for review by management
• Suggest accounting policies and procedures based on GAAP and industry best practices relevant to content area

Functional Area: Accounts Payable

• Create and/or maintain systems and structures to facilitate timely, accurate and proper processing of payments according to departmental and organizational policies
• Review payments processed to ensure compliance with organizational policies, GAAP, state and federal regulations
• Manage monthly, quarterly and annual closing entries for expense reporting, including recurring journal entries, reclassifications, allocations and intercompany transactions
• Manage monthly affiliate payment process, ensuring proper data reconciliation, accurate payment calculations, timely communications and timely remittance
• Prepare or review relevant periodic reports and schedules, such as accounts payable aging, prepaid, fixed assets, total payments by vendor, stale-dated checks, etc.
• Serve as a point of contact in communications with affiliates, vendors, employees, and state and federal agencies regarding payments made or due
• Prepare or assist with preparation of periodic federal and state tax and data filings such as 1099s, 990s, and state Sales and Use tax returns, ensuring both accuracy and facilitating timely filing
• Communicate relevant expense-related information to internal stakeholders to facilitate workflows or projects as needed
• Prepare expense-related reporting for internal stakeholders and Finance leadership
• Complete ad hoc projects as assigned by Finance Leadership Team

FUTURE ACLU'ERS WILL

• Be committed to advancing the mission of the ACLU
• Center and embed the principles of equity, inclusion and belonging in their work by demonstrating commitment to diversity with an approach that respects and values multiple perspectives
• Be committed to work collaboratively and respectfully toward resolving obstacles and conflicts

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

• Significant relevant experience with a demonstrated background managing accounting teams or functions.
• Extensive knowledge of GAAP and current accounting best practices, including upcoming regulatory changes to reporting requirements
• Excellent organizational and planning skills, with demonstrated ability to create structure and manage multiple deadlines
• Strong interpersonal skills that contribute to a positive, collaborative working environment.
• Clear and effective communication skills—able to convey expectations, timelines, and technical content succinctly and professionally.
• Ability to manage competing priorities and maintain high-quality output in a fast-paced, high-volume environment.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Excel (pivot tables, vlookups, if statements).

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Experience in Accounts Payable is a strong plus
• CPA designation is a strong plus
• Advanced knowledge of accounting and reporting software; aptitude for learning new financial technology
• High proficiency in Microsoft Office products required, with advanced skills in Excel (pivot tables, vlookups, if statements)
• Experience with web and digital platforms

COMPENSATION

WHY THE ACLU

For over 100 years, the ACLU has worked to defend and preserve the individual rights and liberties guaranteed by the Constitution and laws of the United States. Whether it’s ending mass incarceration, achieving full equality for the LGBTQ+ community, establishing new privacy protections for our digital age, or preserving the right to vote or the right to have an abortion, the ACLU takes up the toughest civil liberties cases and issues to defend all people.

We know that great people make a great organization. We value our people and know that what we offer is essential not just their work, but to their overall well-being.

At the ACLU, we offer a broad range of benefits, which include:

• Time away to focus on the things that matter with a generous paid time-off policy
• Focus on your well-being with comprehensive healthcare benefits (including medical, dental and vision coverage, parental leave, gender affirming care & fertility treatment)
• Plan for your retirement with 401k plan and employer match
• We support employee growth and development through annual professional development funds, internal professional development programs and workshops

OUR COMMITMENT TO ACCESSIBILITY, EQUITY, DIVERSITY & INCLUSION

Accessibility, equity, diversity and inclusion are core values of the ACLU and central to our work to advance liberty, equality, and justice for all. For us diversity, equity, accessibility, and inclusion are not just check-the-box activities, but a chance for us to make long-term meaningful change. We are a community committed to learning and growth, humility and grace, transparency and accountability. We believe in a collective responsibility to create a culture of belonging for all people within our organization – one that respects and embraces difference; treats everyone equitably; and empowers our colleagues to do the best work possible. We are as committed to anti-oppression, anti-ableism, and anti-racism internally as we are externally. Because whether we’re in the courts or in the office, we believe ‘We the People’ means all of us.

With this commitment in mind, we strongly encourage applications from all qualified individuals without regard to race, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, age, national origin, marital status, citizenship, disability, veteran status and record of arrest or conviction, or any other characteristic protected by applicable law.

The ACLU is committed to providing reasonable accommodation to individuals with disabilities. If you are a qualified individual with a disability and need assistance applying online, please email [email protected]. If you are selected for an interview, you will receive additional information regarding how to request an accommodation for the interview process.

The Department of Education has determined that employment in this position at the ACLU does not qualify for the Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program.