Chief Financial Officer

Position Summary:

The Chief Financial Officer (CFO) will be the primary financial leader and strategist charged with driving the fiscal health and sustainability of the organization. They will be a trusted partner to the President and CEO, functional leaders, and staff at all levels. They will oversee a team of 33 staff across the offices of six budget directors, the deputy CFO, and two controllers. The ideal candidate will be an experienced CPA who brings strategic thinking and a collaborative mindset to their work. In addition, they will have a track record of developing best-in-class systems and structures to support high-quality program delivery.

This is a significant leadership position with substantial engagement across the organization. In addition to working with the executive team, the CFO will work with the Finance committee of the board of directors, providing them with information and advice that allows them to fulfill their fiduciary responsibilities. The CFO will present regularly at board meetings, delivering updates that are accessible to audiences with a range of financial experience. Above all, the CFO will embody a customer service ethos by providing excellent service to all organization staff, allowing them to serve children, youth, and families as effectively as possible. Candidates with deep experience in a large, complex, multifaceted organization with significant cross-departmental collaboration will thrive in this role.

Essential Duties:

• Understand and promote the organization's Mission, Vision, and Core Values to ensure alignment with organizational policies and procedures.

Financial Leadership

• Be the financial partner to the president and CEO and executive team, providing advice and direction for decisions affecting CA fiscal management and business model in line with CA's short- and long-term objectives and overall vision.
• Oversee the implementation of rigorous, best-in-class processes in financial planning and analysis, cost management, process improvement, metrics, and policy changes. Streamline and align reporting and information across teams and technology platforms.
• Proactively develop an understanding of the internal and external issues that most significantly impact the financial stability of CA and the social service field more broadly; anticipate financial risks and effectively mitigate them.
• Supervise seven direct reports and a total team of 33 FTEs to ensure optimal financial management and effectiveness. Provide guidance, as needed, to direct reports, and sustain a high-performance and collaborative work environment. Foster a culture of continuous improvement, accountability, and professional growth while ensuring staff have the training and tools to effectively meet the requirements of their roles.
• Promote effective communication within the finance team and across the agency, modeling partnership with other agency functions including the development, operations, and programs teams. Drive cross-functional, cross-divisional initiatives.
• Provide oversight and leadership to the deputy CFO and controllers to ensure that the agency stays current on financial reporting and compliance requirements according to city, state, and federal guidelines. Lead the annual budgeting process, working closely with the executive team and divisional budget directors.
• Be a trusted advisor to the board and relevant subcommittees, providing relevant and timely information regarding the annual audit, federal and state tax filings, and quarterly financial status; ensure information is shared in a way that is appropriate for the audience. Present the annual budget to the Board.

Financial Management, Compliance, and Reporting

• Supervise the team conducting all accounting and financial operations, including accounts payable, accounts receivable, payroll, and general ledger.
• Ensure accurate and timely financial reporting to internal and external stakeholders.
• Report quarterly to the finance committee and overall board on cash flow and the financial state
  of the agency.
• Ensure compliance with all relevant federal, state, and local regulations and requirements.
• Oversee all required reporting to government funders and partner agencies.
• Oversee the annual audit process and the production of the audited financial statements, including balance sheet, income statement, and cash flow statement. Collaborate with controllers and board finance committee on the results and reporting of the required financial activities, including the annual audit, examination of internal controls, and the federal and state tax forms. Implement and maintain effective internal controls and financial procedures.
• Perform other duties as assigned

Minimum Qualifications:

The ideal candidate will be a seasoned leader with a passion for the mission of Children's Aid and the ability to ensure that its financial excellence is commensurate with its programmatic excellence. Specifically, the CFO should have:

• Demonstrated experience in all areas of responsibility.
• At least fifteen years of senior leadership experience in a complex, multi-service, multi-site context; nonprofit and/or government experience strongly preferred.
• Experience managing large-scale, cross-departmental initiatives.
• Experience managing, and leading staff from all relevant functions the role oversees.
• Thorough understanding of budgeting, audits, and compliance required; experience with risk management preferred.
• Experience working with city agencies and differing city, state, and federal requirements a plus.
• Bachelor's degree required; advanced degree (such as an MBA) or equivalent record of continuing professional development preferred.
• CPA required.

Key Competencies:

• Excellent analytical skills and the ability to develop appropriate metrics to measure outcomes across all departments; a high level of comfort with complexity and nuance.
• Ability to operate as an effective tactical partner as well as a strategic thinker.
• Customer service orientation and highly collaborative work style; experience leading staff in ways that are inclusive, transparent, and emphasize teamwork.
• Emotional intelligence and the ability to engage with people from various backgrounds.
• Deep commitment to DEI and anti-racist values; dedication to dismantling systemic racism.