Finance Manager Fellow

OurSpace World (OSW) has a unique opportunity for an individual who has a background in finance or accounting and is really passionate about supporting the Black community. The Finance Manager Fellowship role (Fellow) is a key position in the success of Black farmers, builders and healers in the Washington, DC, Maryland and Virginia Area (DMV). This is a part-time fellowship hybrid position, with the possibility of a full-time position upon completion of the fellowship. This is a 12-month program (with a 3-month probationary period) with the opportunity to secure a permanent position within the organization after demonstrating success within your role. This would be a great opportunity for current college or graduate students, professionals looking to change careers, or those who are hardworking, intelligent, with an ability to learn quickly.

Your role, under the guidance of the Financial Director, requires seamless accounting and financial deliverables with minimal oversight. The Fellow will need to provide financial and accounting support to team members across all departments within OSW, and with farmers in the DMV.

Responsibilities

• Maintain and update accounting records.
• Prepare and assist with financial statements and reports.
• Use QuickBooks Online to record transactions, reconcile accounts, verify entries, and ensure accuracy.
• Handle vendor and contractor documentation (e.g., process W‑9s) and maintain/uphold secure and accurate banking information.
• Process vendor payments via ACH or direct deposit, ensuring proper authorization and timely disbursement.
• Assist with payroll processing: collecting required information, calculating appropriate deductions, ensuring direct deposit, updating employee records, etc.
• Serve as point of contact for internal staff, vendors, and possibly external partners regarding payment status, invoice issues, banking details, etc.
• Gather, compile, and reconcile data from various sources/software for financial reporting or analysis.
• Learn and use new financial/accounting software tools as required.
• Maintain comfort with technology, system updates, and process improvements.
• Ensure compliance with relevant policies, internal controls, and when needed, regulatory / tax requirements.
• Help in month‑end, quarter‑end, and year‑end closing tasks as needed.
• Network with financial-service leaders.
• Attendance and participation in accounting and finance conferences and professional development training.
• Shadowing rotations within various OSW program offerings, primarily focused on working hands-on with farmers and OSW food producer partners in and around Prince George’s County.
• Participation in programs, on-farms, and networking events with current OSW staff, consultants, and volunteers.
• Fluid Integration into the world of small-scale regenerative farming, land stewardship, Black food sovereignty and community building.
• A desire to acquire new knowledge in the logistics of food aggregation, distribution, and transportation.
• An enthusiasm for skills development in operational programs and services such as: Dubsado, Quickbooks, Ramp, Deputy and Notion.

Qualifications

• A lived-experience belonging to the Black Diaspora.
• A passion for, knowledge (or curiosity to learn) about topics around sustainability, agriculture, self-directed learning, and equity as it relates to Black and Indigenous folks.
• Motivated to engage in an immersive experience surrounding the financial aspects of an organization.
• Specific experience in accounting or a deep interest in learning.
• Background experience or interest in finance, accounting and public administration.
• 3-4 years of work experience in at least six of the following:
  1. Digital literacy in applications such as Google Suite, Microsoft office or Adobe
  2. Accounting and bookkeeping software such as Quickbooks
  3. Data analysis
  4. Logistics coordination
  5. Organization operations
  6. Program management
  7. Marketing and communications
  8. Research & writing
  9. Administrative support
  10. Community organizing

Preferred Qualifications

• A Bachelor’s or Associate’s Degree
• Customer Service
• Agricultural curiosity
• Non-profit experience

Probationary Period (90 Days)

• $27.50/hr depending on experience.
• Part-time hours during the fellowship, with the opportunity to go full-time with benefits at the end (last 3 months).
• A pay increase after the probationary period has ended.
• During the entirety of the fellowship (including the probationary period), payments will be made in the form of stipends (1099).

Fellowship (Remaining 9-12 Months)

• An increased hourly rate commensurate with the probationary pay.
• Travel to Ghana!
• What makes this opportunity truly unique is that the selected candidate will have the opportunity to travel to Ghana and visit OSW’s Ghanaian site after completion of their probationary period.
• This experience is included as part of the fellowship program – all travel expenses are covered!
• You’ll have the chance to meet with the organization’s founders, and work directly with them on understanding OSW’s vision for the future, and expanding OSW’s mission globally.
• Appointed mentor for weekly personal development check-ins, training, etc.