Chief Financial Officer

Associated Students, Inc., California State University Fullerton; Fullerton (CA); On-site; USD 150,000 - 210,000; Full time

Job summary

Associated Students Inc., California State University Fullerton seeks a Chief Financial Officer to serve as the principal corporate administrator. The CFO will lead finance, administration, IT, and internal audit functions, shaping fiscal policy and strategic planning in collaboration with the Executive Director and Board.

The role supervises budgeting, audits, and multi-entity consolidation, ensuring compliance with nonprofit standards and state and CSU requirements.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Accounting, Business Administration, Public Administration or related field.
• Master’s degree in Accounting, Business Administration, Public Administration, or related field is preferred.
• CPA may be preferred.

Responsibilities

• Directs financial planning and review to meet short and long-range corporate needs.
• Oversees cash management, investments, and financial forecasting.
• Manages accounting and finance department in compliance with GAAP and applicable policies.
• Prepares and manages annual budget process and internal controls.
• Collaborates with executives, auditors, and the Board on financial issues and policy development.

Skills

Non-profit finance

Leadership

Financial planning

GAAP

Budgeting

Regulatory compliance

Education

Bachelor's degree in Accounting/Business Admin/Public Admin

Master's degree preferred

CPA preferred

Tools

Accounting software

Job description

Under the general supervision of the Executive Director of Associated Students Inc. (ASI) the Chief Financial Officer serves as the principal corporate administrator of ASI.

The Chief Financial Officer, a member of the ASI leadership team, is responsible, with the Executive Director and the ASI Board of Directors (BOD), for collaborative strategic planning and the management, implementation, and oversight of ASI financial services, facilities, and organizational infrastructure. Specifically, the Chief Financial Officer provides leadership to the functional areas of accounting and finance, administration, and policy development, building engineering, assessment and effectiveness, information technology, internal audit, strategic planning, and other administrative functions.

The Chief Financial Officer collaborates with university colleagues to support ASI success. This position is delegated a high degree of responsibility, makes recommendations on fiscal policies and procedures and is responsible for supervising and implementing such recommendations upon approval. The Chief Financial Officer serves as ASI administrator in charge in the absence of the Executive Director and the Associate Executive Director.

Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion are core values of Associated Students Inc., CSUF. We believe that the educational environment is enhanced when diverse groups of people with diverse ideas come together to learn. The Chief Financial Officer will support ASI’s DEI plan in all services and interactions.

Business Operations Responsibilities:

1. Oversees the development and implementation of ASI’s major administrative and operational policies, procedures, and projects.
2. Works directly with Executive Director to effectively utilize resources and staff by reviewing and assessing long and short-term strategic planning objectives, operational policies, accounting procedures, staffing levels, and general administrative services.
3. Interprets and educates staff and student leaders on ASI fiscal policies, university policies, California Education Code, and Nonprofit Corporate Code.
4. Reviews and provides input and approval for all corporate contracts, as delegated by the Executive Director.
5. Meets regularly with department directors to ensure effective management of daily operations. Provides direction and assistance with financial impact of operations and recommends operational adjustments to improve overall service delivery and financial success.
6. Recommends improvements to business processes and overall functions of the organization to ensure best practices and sound utilization of current technology.

Fiscal Responsibilities

1. Directs and performs financial planning and review to meet short and long-range corporate needs such as changes in departments, facilities acquisition and development, equipment, personnel, and programs that may have a major financial impact on ASI; develops plans when necessary.
2. Responsible for all cash management activity within the organization to meet short and long-term financial requirements. Examines and translates financial information related to specific business decisions, reports on operating results, cash flow, financial forecasts, restricted fund activities, investments, and related issues.
3. Examines investments and consults with appropriate staff and investment managers regarding investment needs and maximization of investment income. Makes investment recommendations to the Executive Director and the Investment Committee of the Board of Directors.
4. Works closely with financial institutions, bond counsel, underwriters, University and Chancellor’s Office personnel, and rating agencies to finance capital acquisitions. Negotiates contracts as required. Ensures that ASI remains in compliance with all requirements related to debt service covenants.
5. Supervises and manages the accounting and finance department, ensuring compliance with all federal and state laws, CSU system requirements, ASI policy and procedures, and GAAP and GAS standards.
6. Participates in formulating and implementing financial and administrative policies, objectives, and programs. Serves as a consultant on financial issues for the Executive Director, Board of Directors, management staff, and project personnel regarding financial issues concerning the administration and operation of corporate services and facilities; research issues for resolution of problems; and develops recommendations regarding ASI operations, taxes, policies, services, and operating guidelines.
7. Oversees the multi-entity organization and consolidation of entities for the annual audit. Provides financial support for all required audit functions and ensures the corporation meets the required deadlines for external, university, and Chancellor’s Office Audits.
8. Prepares and manages the annual budget process for the organization.
9. Develops and manages a system of internal controls for sound corporate financial management.
10. In consultation with the Executive Director, establishes and maintains sound fiscal records, policies, and procedures.
11. Monitors budgets and reviews financial standing with Controller on a monthly basis, at minimum, within the context of the ASI budget. Responsible for all issues within the overall operation of the Finance and Accounting monthly activity and reporting including payroll.
12. Collaborates with and supports the ASI Corporate Affairs Manager to ensure efficient and accurate administration of the university’s Instructionally Related Activities funds in compliance with applicable university procedures.

Administration

Supervises the Director of Administration and Policy, who in turn:

1. Ensures effective day-to-day oversight of central corporate functions, including strategic planning, organizational effectiveness, risk management, corporate records, and insurance.
2. Leads the development and implementation of corporate-wide administrative policies and procedures.
3. Collaborates with Corporate Affairs Manager to ensure thorough, accurate, and compliant administration of corporate documents and records.
4. Supervises the Assistant Director for Assessment and Effectiveness to execute an organization-wide assessment program that includes student learning outcomes and high impact practices, as well as program, services, and facility assessment practices.
5. Supervises the Information Technology department to deliver technical support, network administration, information security, and procurement. Recommends technology strategies and solutions by evaluating organization needs, identifying problems, evaluating trends, and anticipating requirements.

Internal Audit

Supervises the Internal Auditor who:

1. Maintains a reporting relationship with the Executive Director:
2. Ensures ASI departments maintain compliance with management directives, applicable statements of policy and procedures, and all required university, CSU, and state guidelines.
3. Reports any and all findings concerning weaknesses, improvements, and corrections to Executive Director.
4. Ensures audit work is planned, executed, and conducted in compliance with the standards for the professional practice of internal auditing as identified by the Institute of Internal Auditors and applicable CSU standards.

Building Engineering

Supervises the Chief Engineer who:

1. Ensures the maintenance of all ASI facilities through the effective management of the building engineering department
2. Collaborates with university capital projects, construction, design, and facility staff on all ASI facility projects and upgrades.
3. Coordinates capital construction activities for the purpose of ensuring that all phases of construction project are completed within specifications and with minimal interruption to personnel and services.

Education, Work Experience Requirements and Abilities:

Education:

Bachelor’s degree in Accounting, Business Administration, Public Administration or related field from an accredited four-year college or university.

Master’s degree in Accounting, Business Administration, Public Administration, or related field from an accredited four-year college or university is preferred

CPA preferred

Experience:

Substantive experience in financial affairs within Higher Education and/or a non-profit organization Minimum of seven years of progressively responsible professional experience in the coordination of business and financial affairs within a non-profit setting. Minimum of three years supervisory/managerial experience. Experience in identifying, analyzing, and developing solutions to financial and business-related problems.

Knowledge, skills and abilities:

• Demonstrated ability to work with ethnically diverse and culturally pluralistic student body and staff.
• Demonstrated ability to lead during change and to create collaborative working relationships.
• Excellent oral and written communication skills.
• Ability to motivate and work closely with college students.
• Demonstrated ability to utilize current industry standard software and applications.
• Non-profit and operations management preferred.
• Strong organizational skills and capable of multitasking.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective and cooperative work relationships within a diverse campus environment.
• Addressing others by name, title or other respectful identifier and respecting the diversity of our work force in actions, works and deeds.
• Addressing problems and issues constructively to find mutually acceptable and practical business solutions; and
• Respecting the diversity of our work force in actions, works and deeds.

Core Competencies

• Governance, Risk and Controls
• Leadership and Management
• Communication Skills
• Ethics and Professionalism
• Staff Development and Team Building
• Strategic Planning and Execution
• Financial Planning and Analysis
• Financial Reporting
• Process Improvement
• Budget Planning/Administration

Additional Requirements:

Typical Working Conditions

Work performed in a temperature-controlled office environment. Maintain and deal with a wide variety of public contacts including campus officials, members of the Board of Directors, staff, students, and campus community.

Special Requirements:

• Upon hire employment history, criminal, and employment background check will be completed.
• First Aid and CPR Certification within six (6) months of employment.
• Required to be a Mandatory Reporter and sign ASI Mandatory Reporter Form.