Accounts Payable Manager - Center for Justice Innovation : Job Details

THE ORGANIZATION The Center for Justice Innovation is a community justice organization that centers safety and racial justice. Since our founding in 1996, the Center has partnered with community members, courts, and the people most impacted to create stronger, healthier, more just communities. Our decades of experience in courts and communities, coupled with our field-leading research and practitioner expertise, help us drive justice nationwide in innovative, powerful, and durable ways. For more information on how and where we work, please visit www.innovatingjustice.org. The Center is a 900-employee, $100 million nonprofit that accomplishes its vision through three pillars of work: creating and scaling operating programs to test new ideas and solve problems, performing original research to determine what works (and what doesn't), and providing expert assistance and policy guidance to justice reformers around the world. Operating Programs The Center's operating programs, including the award-winning Red Hook Community Justice Center and Midtown Community Justice Center, test new ideas, solve difficult problems, and attempt to achieve systemic change within the justice system. Our projects include community-based violence prevention programs, alternatives to incarceration, reentry initiatives, and court-based initiatives that reduce the use of unnecessary incarceration and promote positive individual and family change. Through this programming, we have produced tangible results like safer streets, reduced incarceration, and improved neighborhood perceptions of justice. Research The Center's research teams are staffed with social scientists, data analysts, and lawyers who are academically-trained or have lived experience and who conduct research in the U.S. and globally on diverse criminal-legal system and justice issues. Their work includes evaluating programs and policies; conducting exploratory, community-based studies; and providing research translation and strategic planning for system actors. The Center has published studies on topics including court and jail reform, intimate partner violence, restorative justice, gun violence, reentry, sixth amendment rights, and progressive prosecution. The research teams strive to make their work meaningful and actionable to the communities they work with, policymakers, and practitioners. Policy & Expert Assistance The Center provides hands-on, planning and implementation assistance to a wide range of jurisdictions in areas of reform such as problem-solving courts (e.g., community courts, treatment courts, domestic violence courts), tribal justice, reducing incarceration and the use of fines/fees and reducing crime and violence. Our current expert assistance takes many forms, including help with analyzing data, strategic planning and consultation, policy guidance, and hosting site visits to its operating programs in the New York City area. Center Support A dedicated support team within the Center ensures the smooth functioning of operations across various domains, including finance, legal, technology, human resources, fundraising, real estate, and communications. Comprising 15% of the organization's staff, these teams provide essential infrastructure support and innovative solutions aligned with the Center's mission and values. THE OPPORTUNITY The Accounts Payable Manager leads a team of Accounts Payable Clerks and reports to the Financial Controller. Working closely with the finance leadership team, and possessing strong technical, analytical, and communication skills, the Accounts Payable Manager will oversee staff responsible for the complete, timely and accurate payment processing of the Center's expenses. Strong communication skills and the ability to develop effective working relationships across the organization and with outside vendors and partners is a must. Responsibilities include but are not limited to:

• Review, refine, and implement procedures for the timely and compliant expense payment processing for the Center's 200+ federal, state, city, and local government grants and contracts;
• Partner with the finance leadership team in developing and enforcing internal controls and policies and procedures;
• Interact with staff, vendors, and other external partners, maximizing relationships and ensuring timely, satisfying requests for information;
• Supervise team of accounts payable clerks, fostering a culture of accountability, continuous improvement, and professional development;
• Produce, review, and distribute monthly, quarterly, and annual accounts payable reports;
• Provide financial insights to aid decision making and ensure accurate reporting in line with grant and contract requirements;
• Review monthly accounting close and flag inconsistencies as needed;
• Oversee and process vendor payments efficiently, ensuring compliance with payment terms;
• Establish and maintain vendor records in the financial system, ensuring accuracy and proper classification;
• Maintain a strong financial control environment, ensuring compliance with the Center's policies and government regulations;
• Implement corrective actions when deviations or errors are identified;
• Ensure accurate recording of payables and cash disbursements in financial system, consistently monitoring for errors or discrepancies;
• Review and recommend enhancements to the accounts payable process to increase efficiency, reduce errors, and maintain compliance with regulatory and audit requirements;
• Assist with various tasks as necessary.

Qualifications: The ideal candidate will have:

• Bachelor's degree in accounting, finance, business, or related field and 5-7 years of experience in nonprofit and/or government accounting, including grant and contract accounting, compliance, and reporting required;
• Working knowledge of Coupa and NetSuite a plus;
• Strong Excel skills, including data analysis and financial modeling, are essential;
• Experience in managing and mentoring a team, with a proven ability to delegate, provide feedback, and drive team performance in a high-volume, deadline driven environment;
• Strong communication skills and the ability to develop effective working relationships across the organization and with outside vendors and partners;
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills, with a meticulous approach to identifying and resolving discrepancies;
• Ability to manage complex accounting challenges;
• Ability to manage multiple priorities, meet deadlines, and work efficiently in a fast-paced environment; and
• Familiarity with audit procedures and experience supporting various audit functions.

Position Type: Full-time. Position Location: 2-3 days a week on-site at our main office in Midtown, Manhattan. Compensation: The compensation range for this position is $85,000 - $115,000 and is commensurate with experience. The Center for Justice Innovation offers an excellent benefits package including comprehensive healthcare with a national network, free basic dental coverage, vision insurance, short-term and long-term disability, life insurance, and flexible spending accounts including commuter FSA. We prioritize mental health care for our staff and offer services like Talkspace and Ginger through our healthcare plans. We offer a 403(b) retirement plan with a two-to-one employer contribution up to 5%. The Center for Justice Innovation is an equal opportunity employer. We are committed to fostering an inclusive and diverse workplace, and as such, we do not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, gender identity, gender expression, pregnancy, national origin, age, military service eligibility, veteran status, sexual orientation, marital status, disability, or any other category protected by law. We strongly encourage and welcome applications from women, people of color, members of the lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender communities, as well as individuals with prior contact with the criminal justice system. Our aim is to create a supportive and respectful environment where every individual, irrespective of their background or identity, feels valued and included. As of February 10, 2023, New York City Executive Order 25 rescinded the requirement of the COVID-19 vaccination for City workers, new hires, and contracted employees. Accordingly, the Center does not require all new hires be vaccinated against the COVID-19 virus; however, the Center recommends all staff, interns, and volunteers stay up-to-date on the vaccination. In compliance with federal law, all persons hired will be required to verify identity and eligibility to work in the United States and to complete an employment eligibility verification document form upon hire. Kindly refer to the job posting for the relevant contact information. If the contact details are not provided, we kindly ask that you refrain from making inquiries via phone or email, as only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.