Chief Financial Officer

Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated; Chicago (IL); Hybrid; USD 150,000 - 230,000; Full time

Job summary

Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated in the United States seeks a Chief Financial Officer to lead the financial strategy, risk management, and long‑term fiscal sustainability of the national organization. You will partner with the International President & CEO, the Board, and senior leaders to advance mission‑aligned priorities.

The role oversees multi‑fund accounting, ERP modernization, internal controls, reporting, and compliance across states.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in accounting, finance, or related field; CPA or MBA preferred.
• 7+ years of progressive financial leadership in nonprofit or multi-entity organizations.
• Strong nonprofit GAAP, fund accounting, and UBIT knowledge.
• Experience with multi-state regulatory compliance and audits.
• Excellent communication skills for presenting to non-technical audiences.

Responsibilities

• Lead strategic financial planning and long-range forecasting.
• Oversee enterprise-wide accounting operations and financial reporting.
• Ensure regulatory compliance and governance across entities.
• Manage ERP modernization and data governance initiatives.
• Partner with executive leadership and the Board on financial strategy.
• Develop tools and training for chapter financial governance.

Skills

Strategic finance

Enterprise risk

Financial leadership

Data storytelling

Board reporting

Education

Bachelor's degree in accounting/finance

CPA or MBA preferred

Tools

ERP systems

Automated financial tools

Job description

Description

Who We Are

Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated®, an international service organization, was founded on the campus of Howard University in Washington, D.C. in 1908.

Comprising of more than 390,000 initiated members, Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated® has more than 1,123 graduate and undergraduate chapters located in multiple nations and territories including the United States, the Bahamas, Bermuda, Canada, Germany, Japan, Liberia, Nigeria, Puerto Rico, South Korea, South Africa, United Arab Emirates, United Kingdom, the U.S. Virgin Islands, and West Africa.

The vision of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated® (Sorority) is to be a lifelong organization that cultivates and encourages high scholastic and ethical standards, promotes unity and friendship among women, and addresses issues impacting communities worldwide. It strives to empower members to serve with purpose while advancing social justice, education, and economic progress. Through its programs and leadership, the sorority aims to create lasting change and uplift future generations.

Position Overview

The Chief Financial Officer serves as the senior executive responsible for the financial leadership, enterprise risk management, and long‑term fiscal sustainability of the Sorority’s national organization. As a key member of the Executive Leadership Team, the CFO provides strategic direction, ensures regulatory compliance across all entities, and safeguards the organization’s tax‑exempt status.

The CFO oversees national financial operations, multi‑fund accounting, chapter financial governance, housing corporation oversight, and financial infrastructure modernization. This role partners closely with the International President & CEO, Board of Directors (Board), and senior leaders to advance mission‑aligned priorities, strengthen financial stewardship, and support the Sorority’s membership, programs, and national initiatives.

Duties and Responsibilities

Strategic Financial Leadership

• Serve as a strategic advisor to the International President & CEO and Board, shaping long‑term organizational strategy and ensuring financial alignment with mission, membership growth, and national program priorities.
• Lead enterprise‑wide financial planning, multi‑year forecasting, scenario modeling, and sustainability analysis.
• Translate complex financial data into clear, actionable insights for executive leadership and the Board.
• Develop financial models that support membership economics, dues structures, retention trends, and program viability.
• Drive modernization of financial systems, automation, and analytics to enhance organizational performance.

Enterprise Financial Management & Operations

• Direct all corporate accounting operations, including general ledger, accounts payable/receivable, payroll, treasury, and cash management.
• Oversee multi‑fund accounting across General, Life, Boule, Leadership, Regional, Special, Housing, and COIP funds.
• Ensure accurate monthly, quarterly, and annual financial statements and reporting packages.
• Maintain strong internal controls, segregation of duties, and financial integrity across all departments.
• Manage banking relationships, investment strategies, and reserve policies in alignment with Board‑approved guidelines.
• Lead Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) modernization, financial system integration, and data governance initiatives.

Budgeting, Forecasting and Financial Reporting

• Lead the annual budgeting process in collaboration with corporate office departments, programs, and regional leadership.
• Monitor organizational performance against budget, providing timely analysis and recommendations.
• Oversee rigorous cash flow management to ensure liquidity for current and future programs.
• Deliver monthly financial dashboards, Key Performance Indicators (KPIs), and executive reporting to the Finance Committee and Board.
• Evaluate Return on Investment (ROI) and mission impact for existing and proposed initiatives.

Compliance, Regulatory Oversight & Governance

• Ensure full compliance with federal, state, and local nonprofit regulations, including IRS requirements for 501(c)(7) entities.
• Monitor and enforce adherence to the 35/15 IRS gross receipts rule and manage unrelated business income (UBIT) exposure.
• Oversee preparation and filing of IRS Form 990, 990‑T, and all required chapter‑level filings.
• Manage multi‑state charitable registration, sales tax compliance, payroll compliance, and grant reporting obligations.
• Maintain governance alignment with Finance, Audit, Investment, and Risk Committees.
• Ensure Payment Card Industry (PCI) compliance, data privacy protections, and secure financial information systems.

Chapter & Regional Financial Governance

• Establish financial governance frameworks for chapters, including policies, training, audits and corrective action processes.
• Oversee chapter financial reviews, risk assessments, and compliance monitoring.
• Provide tools, training, and support to regional directors, chapter treasurers, and volunteer financial officers.
• Ensure consistent financial practices across all chapters and affiliated entities.

Grant, Sponsorship & Contract Management

• Oversee accounting, tracking, and reporting for government contracts, corporate sponsorships, and private grants.
• Ensure compliance with Uniform Guidance, grant restrictions, and reporting requirements.
• Manage contract review, procurement standards, and vendor financial risk assessments.
• Maintain strong relationships with external auditors, banking partners, and funding agencies.

Enterprise Risk Management

• Lead the organization’s enterprise risk management (ERM) program, identifying and mitigating financial, operational, reputational, and compliance risks.
• Oversee insurance strategy, including D&O, cyber, event liability, property, and housing corporation coverage.
• Implement fraud prevention systems, internal audit processes, and financial risk controls.
• Partner with IT to strengthen cybersecurity, data protection, and business continuity planning.
• Assess financial risk for national conferences, events, housing operations, and major initiatives.

Leadership & Organizational Development

• Lead, mentor, and develop the finance and accounting team, fostering a culture of accountability, excellence, and service.
• Champion cross-functional collaboration with Membership, Programs, Housing, Technology, and Operations.
• Demonstrate executive presence and communicate effectively with volunteer leaders, members, and staff.
• Model integrity, transparency, and commitment to the Sorority’s mission, values, and sisterhood.
• Partner with the International President & CEO, International Treasurer, executive director, and board to present financial statements and guide strategic choices.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in accounting, finance, business administration, or related field; CPA or MBA strongly preferred.
• 7+ years of progressive financial leadership experience, including 3-5 years in a senior executive role within nonprofit, membership, or multi‑entity organizations.
• Deep expertise in nonprofit GAAP, fund accounting, 501(c)(7) compliance, and UBIT management.
• Experience overseeing multi‑state regulatory compliance, audits, grants, and complex financial operations.
• Advanced proficiency with ERP systems, automated financial tools, and analytics platforms.
• Exceptional communication skills with the ability to present financial concepts to non‑technical audiences.
• Demonstrated commitment to mission‑driven leadership and values‑based stewardship.

Leadership Attributes

• Strategic thinker with strong business acumen and enterprise‑level perspective.
• Executive presence with the ability to influence, advise, and partner with senior leaders and the Board.
• Transparent communicator who builds trust across staff, volunteers, and membership.
• Skilled change leader who drives modernization and organizational transformation.
• Ethical steward of resources with unwavering integrity and accountability.
• Collaborative partner committed to member service, operational excellence, and long‑term sustainability.