Chief Financial Officer (ACPE)

Alaska Horizon; Anchorage (AK); Hybrid; USD 180,000 - 240,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, dental, and vision insurance

PERS/TRS retirement benefits

Paid holidays

Job summary

Alaska Commission on Postsecondary Education (ACPE) seeks a Chief Finance Officer to lead the Finance Division for ACPE and the Alaska Student Loan Corporation (ASLC). You will guide budgeting, accounting, audits, and investment strategies while coordinating with the ASLC Board and Executive Director to ensure long‑term financial stability.

You’ll supervise professionals, develop financial forecasts, and shape policies in compliance with GASB/GAAP, debt instruments, and regulatory requirements.

Qualifications

• Strategic financial leadership across multiple entities
• Expertise in budgeting, forecasting, and financial controls
• Strong understanding of GAAP, GASB, and regulatory requirements
• Experience with debt issuing, investments, and financial reporting
• Ability to liaise with boards, executives, and state agencies

Responsibilities

• Lead the Finance Division and supervise staff
• Provide strategic financial leadership for ACPE and ASLC
• Oversee budgeting, accounting, reporting, and audits
• Coordinate financing activities and debt issuance
• Develop forecasts, models, and long‑term financial plans
• Recommend revenue opportunities and cost optimization
• Serve as liaison with state agencies and external stakeholders
• testify before legislative committees on financial matters

Skills

Financial leadership

Budgeting

GAAP knowledge

GASB knowledge

Job description

Job Description

Do you thrive on analyzing complex financial data, leading teams, and guiding key decisions that positively impact higher education in Alaska? Do you enjoy turning challenges into actionable solutions, collaborating with boards and executives, and have a desire to make a real difference in the financial future of ACPE and ASLC?

If so, this is your opportunity to lead.

Position Summary:

The Alaska Commission on Postsecondary Education (ACPE) is seeking a strategic and experienced financial leader to serve as Chief Finance Officer for both ACPE and the Alaska Student Loan Corporation (ASLC). Reporting to the Executive Director, this position leads the Finance Division and oversees critical financial functions including accounting, budgeting, financial reporting, contracting, and investment performance evaluation. The Chief Finance Officer plays a key leadership role in managing the Corporation’s banking and financing activities, coordinating complex financing initiatives, and providing financial expertise to the Commission and ASLC Board in support of the organizations’ missions and long-term financial stability.

Why Join Our Team:

Mission:

Mission:

ACPE provides sustainable solutions for college, career and technical training. We are a collaborative team that supports one another. We actively support and model ACPE’s values:

Service, Innovation, Empowerment, Quality, and Accountability

.

For more information about ACPE, our mission and our services, visit our website at:

http://acpe.alaska.gov

Culture:

Wevalue continuous learning and growth. ACPE is the State’s postsecondary education agency, promoting access to, and success in, education and career training after high school. We are Alaska’s trusted higher education agency; our purpose is to serve Alaskans. We operate with integrity in everything we do.

Professional Growth:

We support training for employees and have opportunities for upward mobility. ACPE seeks engaged candidates who are eager to expand their knowledge and skills. We are committed to providing the training and support needed for the right candidate to succeed.

Office Location:

This position is located in either Anchorage or Juneau.ACPE’s Juneau office is located in the Vintage Business Park area of Mendenhall Valley, and our Anchorage office located on Bragaw Street near Northern Lights. Both locations are conveniently close to public transportation and have ample parking available.

Flexible/Hybrid Work Schedule

: This position offers a flexible/hybrid work schedule. However, during the probationary period, employees are required to work full-time, in person, at the Anchorage or Juneau office, Monday through Friday. For more information, please review the State of Alaska

Telework Policy.

Upon successfully completing the probationary period, employees become eligible to telework from the Greater Anchorage area or Juneau, AK. Employees may telework up to four days per week and work in-person at the Anchorage or Juneau office one day per week. Currently, all staff work in-office on Wednesday; this schedule may change based on agency needs, operational needs, special projects, meetings, or other job responsibilities that may require employees to work in the office more frequently. Employees should be prepared to report to the office as needed.

Benefits:

As a State of Alaska employee, you may be eligible for a comprehensive benefits package. Actual benefits vary based on bargaining unit, position type, and full – or part-time status.

For complete information about insurance, retirement, and leave benefits, visit the

State of Alaska Division of Retirement and Benefits

website.

Insurance Benefits:

• Medical, dental, and vision insurance with employer contributions
• Employer-paid Basic Life Insurance (additional optional coverage may be available)
• Optional insurance plans, including long- and short-term disability, accidental death and dismemberment (AD&D), long-term care, and supplemental survivor benefits
• Flexible Spending Accounts (FSAs) for eligible health care or dependent care expenses

Retirement Benefits:

• Membership in the Public Employees’ Retirement System (PERS) or Teachers’ Retirement System (TRS), as applicable
• Employer contributions to defined benefit or defined contribution retirement plans, depending on date of hire
• Contributions to the Alaska Supplemental Annuity in lieu of Social Security
• Optional participation in the Alaska Deferred Compensation Program

Paid Leave and Other Benefits:

• Personal leave that increases with years of service
• Twelve paid State holidays each year

What You’ll Do:

Lead the Finance Division, including supervising professional, technical, and support staff; establishing priorities; evaluating performance, and supporting staff development.

Provide strategic financial leadership to the Corporation; including identifying opportunities for revenue growth, cost minimalization, and long-term financial sustainability.

Lead the preparation of ASLC Financial Statement reports and annual audit

Manage cashflow and liquidity

Develop, implement, and direct accounting policies, procedures, and financial controls to ensure compliance with GASB, GAAP, bond documents, and other legal or regulatory requirements.

Propose annual interest rates for ASLC loan products based on analysis of internal finances, economic and market conditions, management goals, and mitigate of financial and operational risks.

Develop and maintain financial forecasts, models, and projections to support management objectives, in consideration of legislative, regulatory, or policy changes.

Assess and recommend strategic opportunities for increased revenue, investment policy amendments, monitoring national models of non-profit state education lenders.

Plan, develop, and oversee operating and capital budgets for ACPE and ASLC, coordinating with other state departments as needed.

Assist in the development and implementation of new or amended education loan programs.

Coordinate Corporation financing activities, which include, but is not limited to: collaboration with financial advisors and legal counsel, investment proceeds outcomes, and debt issuance.

Serve as the primary financial liaison with state agencies, financial institutions, and other external financial stakeholders.

Testify before legislative committees on financial and budget matters as requested or in the absence of the Executive Director.

Serve on agency senior management teams and

Participate in agency-wide strategic planning initiatives in coordination with senior management to support continued advancement and evolution of ACPE and ASLC.

Serve in acting status in the absence of Executive Director when needed.

What We’re Looking For – Desired Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

Knowledge:

Financial Statement preparation including Balance Sheet, Income Statement, Statement of Cashflows, footnotes and Management Discussion and Analysis.

Financial analysis techniques and applications

Accounting & Budgeting theories and practice

Finance and investment concepts

Investment management

Procurement management

Cashflow and liquidity management

Personnel management/Management theories, principles, and techniques

Board (FASB) rulings and pronouncements

Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP)

Government Accounting Standards Board (GASB) and Financial Accounting Standards

Skills:

Interpret and comply with state statutes, regulations, rules, procedures and practices,

Interpret and comply with federal Internal Revenue Service regulations,

Applying accounting and management theories, practices and techniques

Gathering facts and information; conducting research and analysis; developing recommendations

Writing business correspondence, testimony, executive summaries, reports, requests for proposals and contracts

Negotiating and administering contracts

Strategic planning and goal setting

Evaluating program effectiveness

Strong interpersonal skills as applied to interactio