CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER

Wisconsin Housing and Economic Development Authority (WHEDA); Madison (WI); Hybrid; USD 165,000 - 175,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical Insurance

Vision Insurance

Dental Insurance

State Retirement plan

457 Deferred Compensation

Life Insurance

Disability Insurance

Paid sick leave

Paid vacation

Personal holiday hours

Legal holidays

Tuition reimbursement

Job summary

Wisconsin Housing and Economic Development Authority (WHEDA) seeks a Chief Financial Officer to join the Finance Department in Madison, WI. The CFO will oversee budgeting, treasury, accounting, debt management, and financial reporting, ensuring fiscal integrity and long‑term sustainability.

This role leads staff, ensures compliance with state and federal regulations, and develops funding strategies to meet mission goals.

Qualifications

• Knowledge of debt instruments, interest rate swaps, investments, and capital markets.
• Internal controls, policy, and procedure development.
• General accounting, GAAP, GASB and FASB principles, practices, and procedures.
• Ability to interpret financial statements.
• Ability to interpret state and federal laws and regulations.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
• Problem solving skills and ability to work under pressure.
• Successful prioritizing and management of work projects.
• Maintains confidentiality related to internal/ external customers and any other information obtained in this role

Responsibilities

• Oversees funding for WHEDA programs through debt issuance and other borrowings.
• Develops funding strategies in collaboration with partners and monitors market conditions.
• Contributes to strategic initiatives and new program development.
• Ensures compliance with state and federal regulations and timely reporting for rating agencies and investors.
• Manages staff, training, performance, and succession planning.
• Oversees resources, credit ratings, and long-term financial viability.
• Manages financial statements, budget, audits, and risk assessments.
• Oversees payables, procurement, cash management, and investment functions.
• Performs other duties as assigned

Skills

Debt instruments

Interest rate swaps

Investments

Capital markets

Internal controls

Policy development

GAAP/GASB/FASB

Financial statement interpretation

Legal/regulatory interpretation

Verbal and written communication

Problem solving

Time management

Confidentiality

Education

Bachelor’s Degree in Finance or related field

CPA License

Job description

WHY WHEDA?

WHEDA serves Wisconsin residents and communities by working with others to provide creative financial and technical resources to stimulate and preserve affordable housing, small businesses, and agriculture.

WHEDA employees participate in the State of Wisconsin benefit package ( https://www.wheda.com/about-wheda/careers/benefits ). WHEDA offers an excellent benefits package that includes: Medical, Vision, and Dental Insurance, State Retirement plan; 457 Deferred Compensation, Group Term Life Insurance (and optional term life insurance for family members), Disability Insurance, paid sick leave, paid vacation time twenty eight (28) personal holiday hours, eleven (11) paid legal holidays per year, tuition reimbursement program.

WHEDA is an equal opportunity and affirmative Action employer seeking a diverse and talented workforce. Veterans are also encouraged to apply.

WHEDA has a remote work policy where certain employees may enjoy a hybrid or remote work schedule, based on position and business needs. See more details below related to this specific position.

WHEDA is seeking a Chief Financial Officer to join our Finance Department in our Madison facility.

SALARY: Hiring Range for this position is from $165,238-$174,722 Annually. Offered Salary will be based on qualifications and internal pay equity. WHEDA provides a competitive salary and WHEDA employees participate in the State of Wisconsin benefit package which includes retirement, health insurance and deferred compensation programs.

Position Overview

The Chief Financial Officer serves as a strategic member of the executive leadership team and is responsible for the overall financial management, fiscal integrity, and long‑term sustainability of WHEDA. This includes oversight of budgeting, treasury, accounting, debt management, and financial reporting, along with the preparation and interpretation of financial statements and trends, strategic planning, resource allocation, auditing functions and regulatory compliance.

Essential Duties

• Ensures adequate funding for WHEDA programs through resource management, issuance of debt and other borrowings.
• Works with external and internal partners to develop innovative funding strategies. Monitors credit markets, economic conditions and the interest rate environment making recommendations to meet profitability and mission goals.
• Participates in the creation, oversight, and implementation of the strategic initiatives of WHEDA. Participates in new program development.
• Monitors compliance with State and Federal regulations, including State of Wisconsin Statutes and proposed legislation impacting WHEDA, and ensures accurate and timely reporting for rating agencies, SEC regulations, tax‑exempt bond law and investor agreements for all debt instruments.
• Manages professional staff, ensuring adequate training and opportunity, prioritization of tasks; monitors individual performance and provides feedback to staff. Provides succession planning for the Finance team. Provides financial overview training for all staff.
• Provides management of WHEDA resources. Makes recommendation on use of surplus assets to meet strategic objectives and mission, maintains credit ratings and ensures long‑term financial viability.
• Oversees the financial statements and budget, including preparation and monitoring. Communicates financial performance and projections to internal and external partners. Provides management and coordination of internal and external audit functions and risk assessments.
• Oversees financial functions including accounts payable, procurement, cash management and investments. Responsible for compliance, internal controls, policies and Finance Committee and Board level reporting.
• Performs or assists with other duties as assigned.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s Degree in Finance or a closely related field AND 10 years of progressively responsible experience, including 5 years of supervisory experience OR a combination of education and experience
• CPA License
• Experience in public sector, housing finance, real estate development, banking or related field
• Familiarity with leveraging bonds and federal housing tax credits strongly preferred
• Valid Driver’s License

Knowledge And Skills

• Knowledge of debt instruments, interest rate swaps, investments, and capital markets;
• Internal controls, policy, and procedure development.
• General accounting, GAAP, GASB and FASB principles, practices, and procedures;
• Ability to interpret financial statements;
• Ability to interpret state and federal laws and regulations;
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills;
• Problem solving skills and ability to work under pressure;
• Successful prioritizing and management of work projects;
• Maintains confidentiality related to internal/ external customers and any other information obtained in this role

Remote Work Options

This position has a work schedule that will initially be 100% in‑office. After training is complete, it is at the discretion of the direct manager when the employee may begin a hybrid work schedule.

This position is eligible for hybrid work. As a member of the leadership team, this position is expected to be in‑office more than two (2) days per week.

APPLICATION DEADLINE

This position will remain until filled.

• Please note- no exceptions will be made after closing date

Questions may be directed to WHEDA Human Resources.

This position is not eligible for a work‑related immigration visa sponsorship.

We request you do not include a photo of yourself with your application for employment. Any submitted will be removed prior to viewing by hiring leaders.

An Equal Opportunity Employer Operating Under an affirmative Action Plan.

To be considered for positions all applications must be complete .