Chief Financial Officer
Description
Job Title: Chief Financial Officer
Department: Administration
Reports To: Executive Director
FLSA Status: Exempt (Salary)
Location: Springfield, MA
Employment Type: Grant Funded Full-Time
Salary: Dependent on experience
About New North Citizens’ Council (NNCC)
New North Citizens’ Council is a community-based nonprofit organization dedicated to improving the quality of life for residents through education, workforce development, family support, and community services. NNCC is committed to equity, inclusion, and culturally responsive service delivery.
Position Summary
The Chief Financial Officer (CFO) provides strategic and operational financial leadership for NNCC, overseeing an annual operating budget exceeding $10 million and a diverse portfolio of government and private funding. As a member of the executive leadership team, the CFO is responsible for financial integrity, regulatory compliance, internal controls, cash flow management, and long-term financial sustainability. The position requires a hands-on leader capable of strengthening financial systems, developing an accountable finance team, and providing the Executive Director and Board with accurate financial information to support sound decisions and organizational stability.
Essential Duties and Responsibilities
(Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential functions.)
Financial Leadership & Strategic Planning
- Serve as the organization's senior financial advisor to the Executive Director and Board of Directors, providing clear financial analysis, recommendations, and risk assessments.
- Lead financial forecasting, scenario planning, and long-term financial strategies that support organizational stability, program sustainability, and responsible growth.
- Evaluate financial implications of staffing, program expansion, funding changes, and major organizational commitments.
- Establish financial priorities, performance expectations, and accountability measures across the Finance Department.
Financial Operations, Budgeting & Cash Management
- Direct all accounting and financial operations, including general ledger oversight, accounts payable, accounts receivable, payroll-related financial controls, and financial reporting.
- Lead the annual organizational budgeting process and oversee monthly budget-to-actual analysis across programs and departments.
- Ensure timely and accurate monthly and annual financial close processes, reconciliations, financial statements, and management reports.
- Monitor cash flow, reimbursement cycles, receivables, liabilities, and liquidity to ensure NNCC meets its financial obligations.
- Develop cash flow projections, reserve recommendations, and financial strategies to address funding delays or unexpected expenditures.
- Ensure the accuracy, integrity, and reliability of financial records and accounting systems.
Grants Management, Compliance & Internal Controls
- Oversee fiscal administration of federal, state, local, and private grants and contracts, including restricted funds, cost allocation, reimbursement requests, and financial reporting.
- Ensure compliance with applicable funding requirements, governmental regulations, accounting standards, and organizational financial policies.
- Establish, strengthen, and enforce internal controls, including appropriate approvals, segregation of duties, reconciliations, documentation, and financial oversight.
- Monitor grant expenditures, allowable costs, reporting deadlines, and funding utilization in collaboration with program leadership.
- Lead annual financial audits and other fiscal monitoring activities, serving as the primary contact for external auditors and financial reviewers.
- Identify financial risks, control weaknesses, and compliance concerns; implement corrective actions and monitor their effectiveness.
Finance Department Leadership & Accountability
- Supervise, coach, and evaluate Finance Department staff, establishing clear responsibilities, deadlines, performance standards, and accountability.
- Assess existing financial procedures, staffing workflows, and reporting systems to identify gaps and implement improvements.
- Ensure appropriate oversight and continuity of essential financial functions, including reconciliations, grant billing, accounts payable, accounts receivable, and reporting.
- Develop staff capabilities, strengthen cross-training, and establish procedures that reduce operational dependency on individual employees.
- Promote a culture of accuracy, confidentiality, ethical conduct, collaboration, and continuous improvement.
Board Reporting, Partnerships & Housing Development
- Prepare and present timely, accurate, and understandable financial reports to the Executive Director, Board of Directors, and relevant Board committees.
- Communicate significant financial risks, funding concerns, cash flow issues, and recommended corrective actions.
- Partner with program directors to strengthen budget management, grant compliance, financial planning, and fiscal accountability.
- Provide financial oversight and analysis for NNCC's housing development initiative, including project budgets, financial projections, funding commitments, and related risks.
- Coordinate with external accountants, auditors, lenders, consultants, government agencies, and development partners as appropriate.
Required Qualifications
- Bachelor's degree in Accounting, Finance, Business Administration, or a related field.
- Minimum seven years of progressively responsible financial or accounting experience, including significant leadership responsibility in a nonprofit or publicly funded environment.
- Demonstrated experience managing organizational budgets of $5 million or more, including multiple funding sources and restricted funds.
- Strong knowledge of nonprofit accounting, financial reporting, budgeting, cash flow management, and government grant requirements.
- Demonstrated ability to establish, evaluate, and enforce effective internal controls, financial policies, and accounting procedures.
- Experience managing audits, financial compliance, reconciliations, and grant-related financial reporting.
- Proven experience supervising accounting or finance personnel and holding teams accountable for performance and deadlines.
- Strong analytical, strategic planning, problem-solving, and independent decision-making skills.
- Ability to communicate complex financial information clearly to executive leadership, Board members, and nonfinancial staff.
- Proficiency with accounting software, financial reporting systems, and advanced Excel functions.
Preferred Qualifications
- Master's degree in Accounting, Finance, Business Administration, or a related field.
- Certified Public Accountant (CPA) designation or comparable professional credential.
- Experience serving as a CFO, Controller, Finance Director, or senior financial executive.
- Experience with federal funding requirements, including Uniform Guidance (2 CFR Part 200).
- Experience supporting affordable housing development, capital projects, real estate transactions, or complex project financing.
- Familiarity with HUD, Massachusetts housing and community development funding, CDBG, or similar government funding programs.
Core Competencies
- Strategic Financial Leadership
- Financial Integrity & Internal Controls
- Risk Management & Independent Judgment
- Staff Leadership & Accountability
- Grants Compliance & Fiscal Stewardship
- Executive Communication & Collaboration
Work Environment & Physical Requirements
This is a full-time executive leadership position requiring regular on-site presence, participation in leadership and Board meetings, and flexibility during audits, budgeting cycles, and other critical financial activities. The CFO is expected to maintain the highest standards of confidentiality, ethical conduct, financial transparency, and professional accountability.
Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable qualified individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of the position.
Equal Employment Opportunity Statement
New North Citizens’ Council is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We do not discriminate based on race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, disability, veteran status, or any other protected status under federal, state, or local law.
ADA & Reasonable Accommodation Statement
NNCC is committed to providing reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities in accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA).
At-Will Employment Disclaimer
Employment with NNCC is at-will and may be terminated by either the employee or the organization at any time, with or without cause or notice, in accordance with applicable law.