Application Guide
How to Apply for Finance Manager
at Iliad
🏢 About Iliad
Iliad is a nonprofit umbrella organization that advances applied mathematics research in AI alignment through conferences, research incubation, and fellowship programs. Unlike typical AI safety orgs, Iliad bridges rigorous mathematical theory with practical alignment work, making it a unique place for someone who wants to support cutting-edge research with solid financial infrastructure. The chance to help build the financial backbone of a growing nonprofit transitioning to independent legal status is a rare opportunity for a finance professional passionate about AI safety.
About This Role
As Finance Manager, you will own the full financial operations of Iliad, from day-to-day bookkeeping in Xero to preparing board packs and ensuring restricted grant compliance. You'll be the go-to person for accounts payable via Ramp and Mercury, monthly closes, and budget variance analysis. This role is critical during Iliad's transition to independent legal status, giving you the chance to shape financial systems and directly enable impactful AI alignment research.
💡 A Day in the Life
Your day might start with reconciling bank feeds in Xero and processing payments via Ramp and Mercury, then move to analyzing budget variances for an upcoming board meeting. You'll collaborate with program leads to track restricted grant spending and ensure compliance, and you might end the day preparing a funder report or updating financial dashboards. Expect a mix of routine bookkeeping and strategic financial planning in a remote, mission-driven environment.
🚀 Application Tools
🎯 Who Iliad Is Looking For
- US CPA license with 3+ years of accounting experience, ideally in a nonprofit or grant-funded environment.
- Hands-on expertise with Xero, Ramp, and Mercury (or similar tools) for bookkeeping, AP, and expense management.
- Proven ability to manage restricted grants, produce funder reports, and ensure compliance with nonprofit accounting standards.
- Comfortable working remotely and independently, with strong communication skills to collaborate with researchers and leadership.
- Interest in AI safety or applied mathematics research, and excitement about building financial processes from the ground up.
📝 Tips for Applying to Iliad
Highlight specific experience with Xero, Ramp, and Mercury in your resume and cover letter—these are core tools for this role.
Quantify your grant management experience: mention the number and size of restricted grants you've managed, and how you ensured compliance.
Show familiarity with nonprofit transitions to independent legal status; if you've been through a fiscal sponsorship exit or similar, emphasize it.
Demonstrate interest in AI safety by referencing Iliad's research areas (e.g., applied mathematics for AI alignment) and why you want to support that mission.
Address the remote nature of the role by giving examples of how you've successfully managed financial operations and collaborated with a distributed team.
✉️ What to Emphasize in Your Cover Letter
In your cover letter, focus on: (1) your CPA license and hands-on experience with Xero, Ramp, and Mercury; (2) a concrete example of managing restricted grants and producing funder reports; (3) your ability to lead annual budgeting and provide actionable variance analysis for a board; and (4) your motivation to apply your finance skills to AI safety, specifically mentioning Iliad's unique approach to applied mathematics research.
Generate Cover Letter →🔍 Research Before Applying
To stand out, make sure you've researched:
- → Explore Iliad's website to understand their specific research programs, conferences, and fellowship initiatives—know what they do beyond the umbrella description.
- → Research the AI safety landscape and key organizations (e.g., MIRI, ARC, Redwood Research) to contextualize Iliad's niche in applied mathematics.
- → Look up the typical financial compliance requirements for US nonprofits, especially those with restricted grants, to speak confidently about regulations.
- → Check if Iliad has any public financial reports or blog posts about their transition to independent status, to tailor your application to their current stage.
💬 Prepare for These Interview Topics
Based on this role, you may be asked about:
⚠️ Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Avoid generic cover letters that don't mention Xero, Ramp, Mercury, or nonprofit grant management—these are non-negotiable tools and skills for this role.
- Don't overlook the AI safety mission; candidates who show no interest in the cause may be seen as a poor cultural fit for a mission-driven nonprofit.
- Avoid focusing only on for-profit accounting experience without translating it to nonprofit compliance and restricted fund accounting, which are central to this role.
📅 Application Timeline
This position is open until filled. However, we recommend applying as soon as possible as roles at mission-driven organizations tend to fill quickly.
Typical hiring timeline:
Application Review
1-2 weeks
Initial Screening
Phone call or written assessment
Interviews
1-2 rounds, usually virtual
Offer
Congratulations!