The Appalachian Theatre
Finance Manager
Appalachian Theatre of the High Country, a non-profit, 501c3 organization
Position Status: Full-time, Exempt
Salary Range: $45,000 - $55,000, commensurate with experience
Benefits: Health & life insurance, paid vacation, sick days, retirement match & event tickets
Reports to: Executive Director
Location: Boone, NC. On-site, with some remote flexibility
Summary:
The Appalachian Theatre of the High Country is seeking an experienced, organized, and detail-oriented Finance Manager to oversee the Theatre's day-to-day financial operations and help ensure the organization's continued financial health and accountability.
Working closely with the Executive Director and other staff, the Finance Manager is responsible for maintaining accurate financial records, managing accounts payable and receivable, overseeing payroll and reconciliations, preparing financial reports, supporting budgeting and forecasting, coordinating audit and tax preparation, maintaining appropriate financial controls, and implementing basic human resource functions.
This is an ideal position for a finance professional who enjoys both the precision of accounting and the collaborative environment of a mission-driven nonprofit arts organization. The successful candidate will be comfortable managing the details of daily financial operations while also helping organizational leadership and board understand the Theatre's overall financial position.
ESSENTIAL DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES
Accounting & Financial Operations:
• Manage the Theatre's day-to-day accounting and bookkeeping functions and maintain accurate, timely financial records.
• Process invoices, payments, deposits, reimbursements, and other financial transactions.
• Perform monthly bank, credit card, merchant account, and other balance sheet reconciliations.
• Prepare and post appropriate journal entries and month-end adjustments.
• Maintain organized financial records and supporting documentation in accordance with organizational policies and record-retention requirements.
• Help ensure appropriate internal financial controls and separation of duties.
• Track renter insurance status, invoice rental deposits and process rental settlements.
• Compile monthly finance reports that provide analysis for internal users, Board Finance and Executive
Committees and so that budgets can be met, revenue maximized, and expenses kept in check.
• Assist in compilation and preparation of the annual budget, and special program budgets upon request, in support of an efficient and effective annual audit.
• Prepares cash receipts and makes bank deposits.
• Provides timely and accurate event settlements of event income and expense.
• Establish and maintain positive interpersonal relationships with internal and external constituents.
• Optimizes role as the organization’s finance specialist
Audit, Tax & Compliance:
• Serve as a primary staff liaison with the Theatre's outside accountant, auditor, payroll provider, financial institutions, and other financial service providers.
• Coordinate preparation for the organization's annual financial audit or review.
• Prepare schedules, reports, reconciliations, and supporting documentation requested by auditors and accountants.
• Assist with preparation of the organization's IRS Form 990 and other required federal, state, and local filings.
• Help ensure compliance with applicable nonprofit accounting standards, organizational policies, grant requirements, and financial reporting obligations.
Nonprofit, Grant & Contribution Accounting:
• Track restricted contributions and grant funds and ensure expenditures are properly recorded.
• Assist staff with financial information needed for grant applications, reports, and reimbursement requests.
• Maintain documentation supporting grant and donor restrictions.
• Maintain accurate records of restricted and unrestricted funds, grants, sponsorships, contributions, and other revenue sources.
• Coordinate with Development staff to reconcile contribution records between fundraising and accounting systems.
• Assist with financial reporting related to sponsorships, fundraising events, and contributed revenue.
• Manages annual single audit, 990 preparation, and annual reports as needed for state charitable registrations.
Payroll & Personnel Related Finance:
• Manages and prepares accurate semi-weekly and bi-monthly payroll including managing QuickBooks, Payroll processing, payroll tax payments and filing, year-end W-2 preparation.
• Maintain artists and contractor W-9s, compile data and file 1099 forms annually
• Support appropriate financial documentation related to employee compensation and benefits.
• Prepares artist and rental payments via check or ACH.
Secondary Duties:
• Assists with human resources functions, hiring paperwork, and onboarding employees.
• In collaboration with the Executive Director, serves as administrator of contracts used in daily operations, including, but not limited to, software, service, and maintenance contracts.
• Preserve and protect all resources and assets of the ATHC
• Other duties as assigned by the Executive Director
Minimum Qualifications:
• Bachelor’s Degree in accounting, finance, business administration, or a related field, or equivalent combination of education and relevant professional experience.
• Demonstrated experience with accrual bookkeeping and financial reporting
• Knowledge of generally accepted accounting principles and Not-for-Profit financial requirements and controls
• Experience preparing reconciliations and financial reports
• Extensive computer and software experience – Office 365, Excel, QuickBooks Online
• Excellent attention to detail and commitment to accuracy
• Strong organizational and time-management skills with the ability to manage multiple deadlines and priorities
• Ability to handle confidential financial and personnel information with discretion
• Ability to work and communicate effectively with staff and board members who have varying levels of financial knowledge
• Strong written and verbal communication skills
• Creative problem solver who works well with minimal supervision
• Valid NC Driver License and access to reliable vehicle
Preferred Qualifications:
• CPA certification
• Proficiency with Paylocity
• Experience in non-profit music, theatre or another performing arts environment
• Experience with human resources management, payroll administration
• Experience with nonprofit audits and Form 990 preparation
• Familiarity with ticketing, point-of-sale, merchant processing, or event-based revenue systems
• Previous experience with a performing arts organization, nonprofit, cultural organization, venue, or similarly complex small business environment.
Application Procedure:
Submit the following via email to careers@apptheatre.org. No phone calls or visits, please.
• A self-authored cover letter outlining why you are the best candidate for this role addressed by your experience, passions and strengths.
• Your resume
Applications will be reviewed beginning September 21, 2026 and will continue until the position is filled.
Physical Demands:
The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the functions.
• While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to remain in a stationary position and use the telephone. The employee is frequently required to traverse the department; use hands to finger, handle or feel; reach with hands and arms; talk and hear at normal conversational levels; operate cash register equipment. The employee is frequently required to operate office equipment, such as a computer, telephone, and other office productivity machinery, such as a calculator, copy machine, and computer printer.
Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, and peripheral vision.
Work Environment:
The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the functions of this job. Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the functions.
• The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate and occurs within a shared office space.
Special Conditions of Employment:
• The nature of this job requires the employee to work on-site as a regular work routine.