IEL Finance Coordinator

Organization Overview

The Institute for Educational Leadership (IEL) is a not-for-profit organization whose mission is to equip leaders to work together across boundaries to build effective systems that prepare children, youth, and families for postsecondary education, careers, and citizenship.

Position Summary

The Finance Coordinator is a key member of IEL’s Finance Team, responsible for supporting day-to-day financial operations with a focus on accounts payable/receivable, conference-related financial processing, and federal grant subcontractor reimbursements.

Reporting to the Vice President of Finance, the Finance Coordinator ensures accurate and timely processing of transactions, maintains strong documentation and internal controls, and provides responsive customer service to internal staff and external partners. This role is ideal for a highly organized, mid-career professional who is extremely detail-oriented, proactive, and comfortable in a fast-paced, mission-driven environment.

The Finance Coordinator also supports compliance and documentation processes, helping maintain organized financial records and adherence to federal grants, funders, and annual audit requirements. The role contributes to the development of financial procedures and identifies opportunities to streamline workflows and strengthen internal controls.

This is a hybrid position based in Washington, DC, requiring up to two days per week in-office for activities such as check deposits, payment preparation, and other finance operations, with specific days determined in consultation with the Vice President of Finance.

Key Responsibilities

General Finance & Accounts Payable/Receivable

• Process vendor invoices, staff and consultant reimbursements, other payment requests and review vouchers for proper coding and support documentation and other payment requests in a timely, accurate manner.
• Support bi-weekly credit card reconciliation, ensuring receipts, coding, and approvals.
• Prepare and process check deposits; support cash receipt entry and reconciliation.
• Performs other related duties as assigned

Conference & Event Finance Support

• Serve as a primary finance contact for IEL’s annual conference and related events, both in person and/or virtually.
• Document and reconcile registrations and payments in Cvent (or similar event platform) and coordinate with the accounting system.
• Prepare and send invoices to sponsors, exhibitors, and organizational payers; track payments, purchase orders, and follow up on outstanding balances.

Federal Grants & Subcontractor Support

• Serve as the primary financial contact for federal grant subcontractors on reimbursement processes, required documentation, and timelines.
• Review subcontractor reimbursement requests for accuracy, allowability, and compliance with federal cost principles and IEL policies.
• Track subcontractor invoices and payments, maintain current records, and support documentation for audit and reporting.
• Help coordinate and deliver financial trainings and technical assistance for subcontractors on IEL’s financial and reimbursement processes.
• Support pre-award and post-award activities, including assisting with subrecipient risk assessments and maintaining complete contract files.

Qualifications

Education & Experience

• Bachelor’s degree in Accounting, Business Administration, Nonprofit Management, Project/Operations Management, or a related field preferred; or 3–5 years of experience supporting financial or administrative operations in a nonprofit, public-sector, or similar environment.
• Familiarity with federal grants regulations (e.g., 2 CFR 200/Uniform Guidance) and other funder requirements.

Technical Skills

• Proficiency with accounting software; QuickBooks (desktop and/or online) preferred.
• Strong working knowledge of Microsoft Excel, including comfort creating and using spreadsheets, templates, and reports.
• Familiarity with event management platforms such as Cvent, and supporting events or conferences (registrations, invoicing, reconciliation) is a plus.

Competencies & Attributes

• Exceptional attention to detail, accuracy, and strong organizational skills, with the ability to manage multiple tasks, deadlines, and priorities.
• Strong problem-solving skills, a continuous improvement mindset, and the ability to streamline processes when needed.
• High level of integrity, professionalism, and discretion when handling sensitive financial information.
• Effective oral and written communication skills and the ability to work collaboratively with a wide range of staff, consultants, and external partners.

IEL offers a competitive benefits package, including health insurance, retirement contributions, paid time off, and professional development opportunities.