Chief Financial Officer

Cherry Bekaert Recruiting & Staffing Services; Washington (District of Columbia); On-site; USD 150,000 - 230,000; Full time

Job summary

Cherry Bekaert Recruiting & Staffing Services is seeking a CFO to provide strategic and operational leadership for finance and accounting, ensuring accurate reporting, strong controls, planning, and compliance across grants and contracts.

The role partners with the President & CEO, Senior Leadership Team, and Boards to shape long‑term financial strategy while guiding day‑to‑day operations to support mission and growth.

Qualifications

• At least 10 years of progressive finance experience with strategic and operational leadership in a multi‑divisional nonprofit.
• Demonstrated experience leading finance and risk management across strategic and operational areas.
• Strong nonprofit accounting experience and governance familiarity.
• Experience managing multiple sites/lines of business in a mission‑driven setting.
• Proven ability to develop, oversee, and track budgets, forecasts, and restricted/unrestricted funds.

Responsibilities

• Provide strategic financial leadership to the President/CEO, SLT, and Board on performance, risk, and sustainability.
• Lead, coach, and mentor the finance team and strengthen financial capabilities.
• Develop strategic plans and budgets aligned with priorities and growth.
• Oversee financial operations including accounting, payroll, and reporting to funders and regulators.
• Ensure timely internal/external reporting and compliance with 2 CFR Part 200/U.G.

Skills

Strategic leadership

Financial reporting

Financial planning

Cash forecasting

Risk management

Board liaison

Staff coaching

Education

MBA or related master’s degree

Job description

The Chief Financial Officer (CFO) will report directly to the President & CEO and serve as a key member of the Senior Leadership Team. The CFO will provide strategic and operational leadership for the organization’s finance and accounting functions, ensuring accurate and timely financial reporting, strong financial controls, effective planning and forecasting, and compliance with applicable regulatory and funding requirements.

The CFO will serve as a strategic business partner to the President & CEO, executive leadership, Board of Directors, Finance Committee, and Audit Committee. This individual will help guide the organization’s long-term financial strategy while ensuring that day-to-day financial operations effectively support the organization’s mission, programs, and continued growth.

Leadership

• Provide strategic financial leadership to the President & CEO, Senior Leadership Team, and Board of Directors regarding organizational performance, financial strategy, risk, and long-term sustainability.
• Serve as a key member of the Senior Leadership Team and contribute thoughtfully to overall organizational strategy and performance.
• Lead, develop, coach, and mentor the finance and accounting team, including the Controller, while strengthening financial capabilities across the organization.
• Develop and implement strategic plans and budgets that support organizational priorities and long-term objectives.
• Build strong working relationships throughout the organization, particularly with Board members, senior leadership, banks, auditors, lenders, investment managers, and other external financial partners.
• Enhance the organization’s culture of financial management by training senior and middle management in financial management and analysis.
• Lead both strategically and operationally, balancing long-term planning with hands‑on participation in the work of the finance team.
• Continuously enhance financial processes, systems, documentation, reporting, risk management, compliance, and policies and procedures.
• Lead all finance and accounting functions and oversee the organization’s financial team, systems, processes, and infrastructure.
• Oversee financial operations including accounting, accounts payable, accounts receivable, payroll, insurance, and financial reporting.
• Ensure timely and accurate internal and external financial reporting to support effective organizational decision‑making.
• Provide financial analyses and actionable recommendations based on organizational and program‑level financial results.
• Ensure organization maintains appropriate financial and accounting infrastructure to efficiently support its operating needs.
• Oversee cash forecasting and financial forecasting.
• Continuously improve financial processes and reporting mechanisms.
• Ensure timely and accurate reporting to banks, funders, and other stakeholders, including reporting associated with state, local, and federal grants and contracts.
• Oversee internal control safeguards and financial policies to ensure appropriate controls are established and maintained.
• Coordinate financial audits, governmental audits, and IRS Form 990 activities.
• Ensure accurate accounting for restricted funds, including federal grant drawdowns, compliance and reporting, and other donor‑restricted contributions.
• Remain current on emerging areas and changes in financial management and systems to support organizational efficiency and compliance.

Budgeting & Financial Planning

• Lead organizational budgeting, financial forecasting, and cash forecasting.
• Develop and implement strategic financial plans and budgets aligned with organizational objectives.
• Develop a rolling three‑year plan to enhance Finance functions and lead implementation to ensure established goals are achieved.
• Lead long‑term financial planning, including investments in operations and growth as well as cost management aligned with the organization’s strategic plan.
• Actively participate in the development and execution of organizational strategic planning activities.
• Provide analyses and financial insights that improve strategic planning, financial planning, forecasting, and decision‑making.
• Strengthen leadership’s understanding of the financial performance of individual program areas and the organization overall.
• Develop analyses of potential investments to support effective prioritization and subsequent evaluation of investment performance.

Investments & Treasury

• Provide oversight of organizational cash and financial resources in support of operating requirements and long‑term financial objectives.
• Develop financial analyses of potential investments to assist leadership in prioritizing opportunities and evaluating performance.
• Build and maintain productive relationships with investment managers, lenders, banks, public accountants, and other financial partners.
• Incorporate investments in operations, growth, and cost management into the organization’s long‑term financial planning.

Grants, Compliance & Risk Management

• Provide strategic leadership of the organization’s finance and risk management functions.
• Oversee fiscal compliance with applicable regulatory and governing bodies.
• Ensure timely and accurate financial reporting associated with state, local, and federal grants and contracts.
• Maintain appropriate accounting, compliance, and reporting for restricted and unrestricted funds.
• Oversee federal grant drawdowns and donor‑restricted contributions.
• Ensure compliance with 2 CFR Part 200 / Uniform Guidance requirements applicable to the organization’s grant‑funded activities.
• Oversee internal financial controls and coordinate financial and governmental audit activities.
• Maintain and enhance policies, procedures, controls, and financial infrastructure necessary to support a complex, multi‑site nonprofit organization.

Board & Committee Support

• Serve as a business partner to the Audit and Finance Committees of the Board of Directors.
• Prepare financial materials for the Finance Committee and Board to enable informed strategic counsel and support fiduciary and governance responsibilities.
• Provide the Board and its committees with clear, accurate, and actionable financial information.
• Build strong working relationships with Board members and provide appropriate financial guidance and support.
• Translate complex financial information into clear messages that enable effective governance and decision‑making.

Qualifications

• At least 10 years of progressive finance experience, including demonstrated strategic and operational financial leadership in a multi‑divisional organization.
• Demonstrated experience leading finance and risk management functions across both strategic and operational areas.
• Strong nonprofit accounting experience.
• Experience managing multiple sites and/or lines of business.
• Experience developing, overseeing, and tracking budgets, forecasts, and restricted and unrestricted cash.
• Experience with grant accounting, compliance, and reporting across multiple lines of business, revenue streams, and cost structures.
• Experience with 2 CFR Part 200 / Uniform Guidance.
• Strong analytical and problem‑solving capabilities and the ability to understand complex financial and operational issues.
• Demonstrated success building, supporting, and developing teams, including coaching and mentoring staff.
• Excellent written and oral communication skills, including the ability to distill complex financial topics into clear, actionable messages.
• Strong organizational and time‑management capabilities with the ability to manage multiple priorities.
• Ability to operate effectively in a collaborative, mission‑driven nonprofit environment and engage in both strategic leadership and hands‑on operations.
• Demonstrated ability to adapt to changing circumstances and lead improvements to financial processes, systems, controls, documentation, and training.

Desired Qualifications

• MBA or master’s degree in a related field.