Associate Chief Financial Officer

Walton Arts Center • Fayetteville, AR

40d • Hybrid

About The Position

The Associate Chief Financial Officer (Associate CFO) serves as a strategic financial leader and trusted advisor to the Chief Financial Officer, helping guide the long-term financial health and sustainability of Walton Arts Center, Walmart AMP, NWA Entertainment, and affiliated entities. As a member of the senior leadership team, this position provides executive level financial leadership by translating complex financial information into strategic business decisions that strengthen organizational performance, support growth, and advance the organization's mission. Reporting directly to the CFO, the Associate CFO provides leadership through the Director of Finance, who oversees the organization's daily accounting operations. The Associate CFO focuses on strategic financial planning, forecasting, enterprise risk management, organizational performance, governance, financial analysis, and executive decision support rather than transactional accounting. This role collaborates extensively with executive leadership, department leaders, Human Resources, external partners, and the Board of Directors to ensure sound financial stewardship while supporting innovation, operational excellence, and long-term organizational success.

Requirements

• Master’s degree in Accounting, Finance, Business Administration, or a related discipline.
• Minimum of eight years of progressively responsible financial leadership experience, including executive level responsibility for budgeting, forecasting, financial planning, and organizational strategy.
• Demonstrated experience leading finance professionals through subordinate managers.
• Extensive knowledge of nonprofit financial management, fund accounting, tax exempt regulations, and Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP).
• Experience presenting financial information to executive leadership, Finance Committees, and governing boards.
• Strong analytical, strategic thinking, communication, and relationship building skills.
• Experience leading organizational change and continuous improvement initiatives.
• Advanced proficiency with enterprise financial systems and Microsoft Excel.

Nice To Haves

• Certified Public Accountant (CPA).
• Experience within performing arts, entertainment, hospitality, or nonprofit organizations.
• Experience with event settlement accounting and complex revenue structures.
• Experience partnering with Human Resources on compensation planning and organizational strategy.
• Experience using Financial Edge, Tessitura, Sage, QuickBooks, or similar enterprise financial systems.

Responsibilities

• Partner with the Chief Financial Officer and executive leadership to develop and execute long term financial strategies aligned with organizational priorities.
• Lead enterprise budgeting, forecasting, financial modeling, and long range financial planning efforts.
• Evaluate organizational performance and identify opportunities to improve financial sustainability and operational effectiveness.
• Translate financial data into meaningful insights that support executive and Board level decision making.
• Develop financial performance metrics, dashboards, and reporting tools that measure organizational success.
• Provide executive oversight of financial operations through the Director of Finance, ensuring strong internal controls, regulatory compliance, financial integrity, and accountability.
• Support the development and implementation of financial policies, procedures, and governance practices.
• Oversee organizational cash flow planning, liquidity management, and financial risk mitigation strategies.
• Partner with the CFO to oversee annual audits, Form 990 preparation, grant compliance, and regulatory reporting.
• Maintain strong relationships with external auditors, financial institutions, government agencies, and other strategic partners.
• Collaborate with executive leadership to evaluate new business opportunities, capital investments, major contracts, and strategic initiatives.
• Provide financial guidance supporting programming decisions, pricing strategies, event profitability, and organizational growth.
• Identify financial risks and opportunities while recommending solutions that support long term organizational objectives.
• Support cross functional initiatives that improve organizational efficiency and financial performance.
• Provide leadership and mentorship to the Finance Department through the Director of Finance while fostering accountability, collaboration, innovation, and continuous improvement.
• Build leadership capability within the Finance team through coaching, succession planning, and professional development.
• Participate as an active member of the senior leadership team, contributing to enterprise wide planning and organizational initiatives.
• Represent the Finance Division during executive meetings, Finance Committee meetings, Board meetings, audits, and other organizational functions as assigned.
• Partner with Human Resources to support compensation strategy, workforce planning, organizational design, benefits financial analysis, and other enterprise initiatives.
• Provide financial insight that supports talent investment decisions and long term organizational effectiveness.

Benefits

• Comprehensive health, retirement, and paid time off benefits.
• Complimentary or discounted tickets to performances and concerts.
• Direct exposure to executive leadership, Board governance, and strategic decision-making.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Executive