Budget Specialist

Job Details Level: Experienced Job Location: AFT Headquarters - WASHINGTON, DC 20006 Position Type: Full Time Salary Range: $75,000.00 - $80,000.00 /year Job Purpose Reporting directly to the Financial Planning & Services Senior Manager, the Budget Specialist is responsible for preparing accurate budgets to meet the needs of the organization. The role also collaborates on grant proposal budgets, integrating them into the organization’s overall budgeting process. The Budget Specialist balances data‑driven recommendations with technical maintenance of fiscal records. Position Summary As an integral part of the AFT finance team, the Budget Specialist prepares the annual budget, participates in proposal budgets, reforecast budgeting, and ensures integrity of financial projections. The specialist works closely with various departments to support budget development, provide financial insight, and maintain compliance with policies and regulations. Duties and Responsibilities Coordinate with the Grants Management division to prepare proposal budgets and ensure alignment with financial policies and timely completion. Prepare the annual budget and reforecast budgets, calculating year‑end projections based on YTD actuals. Collaborate with AFT teams during work planning and ensure support services are covered in budgets. Implement budget policies and guidelines, and develop models or suggestions to optimize budget adherence. Produce monthly financial statements and related analysis, including staff hours reports. Assist in reviewing expense contracts for budget feasibility and ensure procurement guidelines are followed. Assist with the annual financial statement audit. Load the budget and grant budgets into the ERP. Customize reports and perform ad‑hoc analysis. Develop dashboard reporting. Qualifications In-depth understanding of grant accounting functional areas, overhead, and reimbursement principles. Prior federal award budget management experience and knowledge of nonprofit accounting standards. Strong financial analysis skills and the ability to explain steps for resolution. Proficiency with Office365, SharePoint, Teams, and advanced 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 non‑finance employees at all levels. Familiarity with federal and foundation funding arrangements, including match requirements and overhead limitations. Desire to engage and learn from colleagues and about the American Farmland Trust. Experience working in a remote or hybrid environment with a distributed workforce. Ability to prioritize competing deadlines in a fast‑paced environment. Self‑starter who takes initiative to problem‑solve. Strong technical skills with financial software such as Martus, Sage Intacct, or similar budgeting and ERP programs. Education & Experience bachelor’s degree in accounting, finance, or business administration (required), 6+ years’ experience in a nonprofit organization working with federal grants and budgets, or combination of education and experience that demonstrates the ability to perform job functions. Working Conditions / Travel This job operates in an office & remote environment. Occasional work in the evenings or on weekends may be required to meet deadlines. Travel is not required aside from an annual staff retreat. Supervisory Responsibility This position has no management responsibility. Compensation & Benefits Salary range: $75,000 – $80,000 /year, based on experience. 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. Voluntary life insurance. Flexible Spending Account (FSA) – healthcare & dependent care. Health Savings Account (HSA). 401(k) plan. Regular full‑time employees accrue 13 sick days per year. Accrue 15 vacation days during the first year, increasing by one day per year to a maximum of 20 days per year. 12 fixed holidays and a week off between Christmas and New Years, plus up to three floating holidays. Timeline Application deadline: June 26th, 2026. #J-18808-Ljbffr