Finance Manager Internship

About the role

Rising Star is looking for a Finance Manager Intern who is passionate about leveraging financial data to drive social impact. In this role, you will go beyond traditional corporate accounting; you will work at the intersection of mission and money, helping us ensure every dollar is utilized effectively to further our cause. You will gain hands-on experience in nonprofit financial management, including fund accounting, grant tracking, and organizational sustainability.

Core Responsibilities

• Grant Financial Management: Assist in tracking grant expenditures, ensuring compliance with donor requirements, and preparing financial reports for grant reporting cycles.
• Budgeting and Forecasting: Support the leadership team in developing program-specific budgets and monitoring cash flow to ensure the organization meets its strategic goals.
• Payroll Administration: Assist in the end-to-end payroll process, including timesheet review, data entry into payroll systems, and ensuring timely, accurate compensation for our team.
• Donor Impact Analysis: Help analyze the cost-efficiency of our programs to demonstrate transparency and impact to our donors and board members.
• Financial Process Optimization: Assist in streamlining bookkeeping and internal financial policies to improve efficiency for our small, agile team.
• Fundraising Support: Provide data-backed insights for fundraising campaigns and support the preparation of financial materials for our Board of Directors.
• Special Projects: Support the executive team with ad-hoc analysis, such as evaluating the cost-benefit of new community outreach initiatives.

Qualifications

• Education: Currently pursuing a degree in Finance, Accounting, Nonprofit Management, or related fields.
• Passion For Mission: A demonstrated interest in the nonprofit sector and a commitment to Rising Star's cause.
• Technical Proficiency: Strong Microsoft Excel skills. Familiarity with nonprofit-specific accounting software is highly preferred.
• Communication: Ability to distill financial information into compelling stories for donors and community partners.
• Agility: Comfort working in a fast-paced, "all-hands-on-deck" boutique environment where tasks may evolve quickly.
• Integrity: A high degree of professional ethics and discretion regarding sensitive donor, financial, and employee data.

What You Will Gain

• Direct Impact: The chance to see the tangible effects of your financial work on our mission and the community we serve.
• Holistic Insight: A 360-degree view of how a boutique nonprofit operates, from fundraising and grants to operations and board relations.
• Personalized Mentorship: Direct collaboration with our Executive Director/Finance Director offering an intimate look at nonprofit leadership and strategy.
• Portfolio Building: Real-world experience building financial reports and presentations that directly support organizational growth.