Finance Manager

The Organization

The Gilder Lehrman Institute of American History (GLI) is the nation’s leading nonprofit and nonpartisan organization dedicated to improving the teaching and learning of American history through educational programs and resources. We serve K–12 teachers and students, honor scholars, and welcome and inform the general public.

Since its founding in1994, GLI has created powerful and meaningful ways to teach and learn history. Focusing on primary sources, the Institute offers teacher seminars, online courses, exhibitions, digital materials, and print publications that enable students of all ages and backgrounds to study the nation’s past.

The Institute brings the work of today’s leading historians into classrooms and homes worldwide. Through public events, publications, posters, videos, exhibitions, essays, and a dedicated website rich in primary sources, GLI brings every period of American history to life. Diverse education programs, including the acclaimed Hamilton Education Program, provide opportunities to explore five centuries of American history. The Gilder Lehrman Affiliate School network comprises more than 14 million students and 97,000 educators from more than 38,000 schools worldwide.

The Position

GLI is seeking a Finance Manager to oversee the organization’s internal accounting operations and serve as a key member of the finance team. This role is responsible for managing accounts payable and accounts receivable; overseeing grant and project reporting; supporting monthly and year-end close processes; coordinating audit preparation; and ensuring compliance with sales tax filings and annual 1099 reporting. The Finance Manager will collaborate closely with colleagues across all departments to support the organization’s financial health and operational effectiveness.

The ideal candidate holds an associate’s or bachelor’s degree in accounting and brings prior experience in an accounting or finance role. This individual will demonstrate strong interpersonal and communication skills, exceptional attention to detail, and a proven ability to follow, strengthen, and improve organizational processes.

This role reports to the Chief Financial Officer and supervises the Nonprofit Accounting and HR Intern. This is a full-time hybrid role based in New York City, and currently requires working in person two days per week in GLI’s midtown office.

Roles and Responsibilities

Accounts Payable & Accounts Receivable (70%)

• Manage the full cycle of accounts payable, including reviewing, processing, and approving vendor bills, expense reimbursements, and check requests
• Maintain accurate vendor records and onboard new vendors in the accounting system
• Manage the full cycle of accounts receivable, including processing daily receipts across multiple payment platforms
• Monitor and follow up on outstanding receivables
• Generate daily cash reports
• Establish new customer accounts, issue customer invoices and donor pledges
• Reconcile donations in collaboration with the fundraising team
• Post bank activity

Budget & Financial Reporting (15%)

• Prepare recurring and adjusting journal entries to ensure accurate and timely financial reporting
• Generate and distribute monthly program grant and budget-to-actual reports; partner with program managers to review variances and update quarterly forecasts
• Support the monthly and year-end close processes, including reconciliations, documentation, and financial analysis
• Maintain investment schedules for GLI’s endowment portfolio and record related entries in the accounting system

Audit and Annual Filings (10%)

• Assist CFO with annual audit preparation
• Manage state sales tax filings
• Prepare and file vendor 1099s with the IRS

Additional responsibilities as required (5%)

• Provide prompt and accurate customer service to internal and external constituents via responses to emails and phone calls

Requirements

• Associate’s degree or bachelor’s degree in Accounting
• Previous experience in AP/AR and general ledger
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office and Google Suite applications
• Strong organizational skills with exceptional attention to detail
• Ability to manage multiple deadlines in a fast-paced environment
• Demonstrated ability to identify and resolve issues independently
• Punctuality and reliability
• Strong interpersonal, verbal, and written communication skills

Preferred

• Experience with Quickbooks
• Familiarity with Salesforce and Authorize.net
• Interest in the Institute’s mission, American history, and K–12 education

The Gilder Lehrman Institute offers a generous and inclusive benefits package, including health, dental, disability, and life insurance, 401(k) employer contribution, Flexible Spending Account plans, donation matching, and paid time off in the first year of hire, including a paid winter recess from December 25 to January 1. The Gilder Lehrman Institute also offers generous tuition reimbursement for courses taken in the Gettysburg College–Gilder Lehrman MA in American History program. Staff members who complete the MA degree are eligible for complete tuition reimbursement.