Chief Financial Officer

Management Information Exchange; Fresno (CA); Hybrid; USD 120,000 - 150,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, dental, and vision coverage

Retirement plan

Flexible or hybrid work schedules

Generous paid time off

Job summary

Central California Legal Services (CCLS) in Fresno, CA, seeks a strategic Chief Financial Officer to lead the finance team, ensure GAAP compliance, and manage budgeting, forecasting, and reporting for a nonprofit, government-funded organization.

Reporting to the Executive Director, the CFO will oversee grant accounting, collaborate with program leadership, and drive internal controls, audits, and financial strategy while leveraging hybrid work flexibility.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in accounting, finance, business management, or related field.
• 10+ years of finance experience in a complex government-funded nonprofit.
• Extensive GAAP knowledge and financial operations expertise.
• Experience with budgeting, forecasting, reporting, and reconciliations.
• Strong communication and relationship-building skills.

Responsibilities

• Lead finance team with work plans, priorities, training and controls.
• Ensure timely financial statements and accurate budgets.
• Own annual budget process including grant/program budgets.
• Manage grant accounting, receivables, and deferred revenue.
• Partner on grant compliance and GAAP-based controls.

Skills

GAAP knowledge

Budgeting

Forecasting

Financial analysis

A/P & A/R management

Communication skills

Accounting software expertise

Education

Bachelor’s degree in accounting/finance

MBA or CPA preferred

Tools

Accounting software platforms

Job description

Reports to FLSA Status
Executive Director Full-Time, Exempt (Non-Union position)

Until Filled $120,000 - $150,000 per year

CCLS is a private, not-for-profit, public interest law firm established for the purpose of providing civil legal assistance to low-income individuals, families, and communities. Our dedicated team of over 90 professionals operates from offices located in Fresno, Merced, Visalia, Mendota and Los Banos, ensuring equal access to justice for many in the Central Valley.

The Position

Reporting directly to the Executive Director, the Chief Financial Officer (CFO) serves as a member of the senior leadership team and has three direct reports, including the Controller, Fiscal Officer and Fiscal Clerk. The CFO is expected to work in the Fresno HQ office, with some hybrid flexibility available.

Key Responsibilities

Leadership & Team Support

• Manage and support the Finance team, ensuring they are equipped with work plans, priorities, training and accountability for controls.
• Participate in and support the Executive Director/CEO in meetings, providing relevant information as necessary.
• Ensure timely financial statements for the management/board, accurate budgets, and close monitoring of budget vs. actual.
• Facilitate and own the annual budget process (operating expenses, capital expenditures, and grant/program budgets).
• Manage grant accounting for all grants. Ensure staff time and all applicable expenses are properly allocated; manage grants, receivables, and deferred revenue.
• Partner with the Chief Program Officer on grant compliance matters.

Governance & Controls

• Develop and implement improved financial systems, policies, and accounting controls; ensure compliance with policies, separation of duties, GAAP, and applicable regulations.
• Serve as the board liaison for finance matters.
• Partner with the General Counsel on compensation, benefits and insurance matters.

Qualifications

Required

• Bachelor’s degree in accounting, finance, business management, or related field.
• A minimum of 10 years of finance experience within a complex government-funded nonprofit organization in a comparable management role.
• Extensive knowledge of GAAP accounting principles.
• Advanced financial operations expertise, including budgeting, forecasting, financial analysis, financial statement preparation, reporting, and account reconciliations.
• Hands on operational skills, A/P, A/R management, a bias for detail and accuracy.
• Effective communication and relationship building skills.
• Microsoft Office proficiency and extensive experience using various accounting software platforms and financial systems.

Nice to Have/Highly Preferred

• MBA and/or CPA.
• Prior comparable experience in an LSC-funded legal aid.

CCLS provides a generous benefits package that supports employees’ and overall, well‑being inclusive of medical, dental, and vision coverage, tax‑advantaged FSA, a retirement plan, and more! Employees also benefit from generous paid time off, professional development support and flexible or hybrid work schedules.

Department

Finance

Submission Deadline

10/29/26

Job Location

Central California Legal Services (Main Branch)