Budget Specialist

Who We Are

American Farmland Trust is the only national organization that takes a holistic approach to agriculture, focusing on the land itself, the agricultural practices used on that land, and the farmers and ranchers who do the work. Since our founding in 1980, AFT has helped permanently protect over 6.5 million acres of agricultural lands, advanced environmentally-sound farming practices on millions of additional acres and helped thousands of farm families (primarily through programs that increase farm viability and/or enhance farmland access). Long a pioneering leader, AFT is now riding a new wave of growth, driven by agriculture’s most pressing needs and opportunities. 

We believe diversity drives innovation. We are inclusive. We embrace differences. We recognize and respect the fundamental value and dignity of all our employees. We celebrate the unique traditions, heritages, and experiences our employees bring to the workplace. We are committed to creating and sustaining an inclusive culture that promotes and values diversity, and where everyone feels empowered to bring their authentic selves to work every day. 

Job purpose

Reporting directly to the Financial Planning & Systems Senior Manager, the Budget Specialist is responsible for preparing accurate budgets to meet the needs of the organization.

Position Summary

As an integral part of the AFT finance team, the Budget Specialist is responsible for various finance functions including, but not limited to, preparing the annual budget as well as proposal budgets and ensuring the integrity of financial projections. The budget specialist works closely with various departments to support budget development, provide financial insight and ensure compliance with polices and regulations. 

Duties and responsibilities

• Prepare annual budget as well as projection (forecasting)budgets. 
• Responsible for final review of grant proposal budgets to ensure alignment with financial policies, procedures, and coding. 
• Work closely with staff with budget oversight responsibility to build their budgets and identify variances.
• Implement budget policies and guidelines.
• Create and uphold the budgeting timelines.
• Develop models or suggestions for expenditures to optimize budget adherence. 
• Responsible for communications with colleagues regarding budget updates.
• Analyze budget monthly and prepare monthly variance analysis reports, including staff hours reports.
• Review expense contracts for budget feasibility and ensure procurement guidelines are followed.
• Assist with the annual financial statement audit. 
• Responsible for loading the budget and grant budgets into the ERP.
• Report customization and ad hoc analysis. 
   

The ideal candidate is familiar with budget management and grants in nonprofits, highly detail oriented and organized, feels confident reviewing reconciliations, analyzing statements and possesses:  

• Thorough understanding of grant accounting functional areas, overhead and reimbursement principles. 
• Experience with accounting computer systems, software, and applications, such as Sage Intacct.
• Should be proficient with Office365, SharePoint, ERP software, & Teams or have the ability to quickly learn software applications
• Should have advanced knowledge of Excel functions.
• Strong verbal, written, analytical and organizational skills. 
• High level of ethics, integrity, transparency, and trustworthiness.
• Strong interpersonal skills and the ability to collaborate effectively with individuals, teams, and committees.  
• Ability to translate financial concepts to individuals at all levels in the organization – including non-finance employees. 
• Desire to engage and learn from fellow colleagues and about American Farmland Trust.
• Where applicable, extensive experience working within a remote or hybrid environment and amongst a distributed workforce. 
• Experience with prioritizing competing deadlines in a fast-paced environment. 

Education & Experience

• Bachelor’s degree in accounting, Finance or Business Administration required or 
• 5+ years’ experience in a non-profit organization working with federal grants and budgets or
• Combination of education and experience that can demonstrate the ability to perform job functions. 

Working conditions

• This job operates in an office & remote environment. This role routinely uses standard office equipment such as computers, and phones. 
• Travel is not required for this position aside from an annual staff retreat. 

Compensation

American Farmland Trust offers excellent vacation, medical, retirement and other benefits. The salary range for this position is from $70,000 to $75,000 based upon experience. 

American Farmland Trust offers a full benefits package for full time employees:

• Insurance coverage begins the 1st of the month following the date of hire. 
• Medical & Prescription Coverage
• Dental Coverage
• Vision Coverage
• Company Paid Life Insurance & Long-Term Disability (LTD)
• Voluntary Life Insurance
• Flexible Spending Account (FSA) – Healthcare & Dependent Care
• Health Savings Account (HSA)
• 401(k) with 10% match after six months of employment
• Sick Leave: Regular full-time employees accrue 3.5 hours per pay period (13 “sick days” per year).
• Vacation Leave: Accrue 15 days during the first year increasing by one day per year to 20 days per year maximum.
• Holidays: AFT observes eleven fixed holidays during the year (all offices closed) plus a choice of up to three (depending on hiring month) floating holidays.

Why you should apply

• Be a part of a purpose-driven, committed, knowledgeable, high-performing, experienced and fun team
• A diverse and inclusive work environment
• A cause and mission you can be proud of
• Competitive compensation & benefits
• Remote work opportunity   

 
Please answer the screener questions and be sure to include a resume AND cover letter to be considered. Incomplete applications will not be considered.

We provide equal employment opportunities (EEO) to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, expression or identity, national origin, age, disability, or genetics. In addition to federal law requirements, American Farmland Trust complies with applicable state and local laws governing nondiscrimination in employment in every location in which we have facilities. This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including recruiting, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, transfer, leaves of absence, compensation, and training.