Chief, Finance and Operations

Access-HR, Inc.•Baltimore, MD

2d•Hybrid

About The Position

Our Client is seeking a Chief, Finance and Operations to serve as a senior financial officer and a member of the C-Suite, responsible for the integrity of our financial systems, reporting, compliance, and internal controls. This is a hands-on, multi-faceted leadership role, a strategic partner to the CEO office and fellow C-Suite for financial strategy and enterprise risk management; operator ensuring the books, budgets, and audits are airtight; and responsible for the transition from fiscal sponsorship to fiscal agency to an independent multi-entity structure. The Chief, Finance and Operations will directly supervise the Director of Operations and oversee the transition of the finance function from external to internal, which includes building a team to match the organization’s growing needs.

Requirements

10+ years of progressive nonprofit or public-sector accounting/finance experience, including at least 4–5 years in a senior finance leadership role (CFO, VP of Finance, or comparable).
CPA preferred; deep working knowledge of GAAP and nonprofit fund accounting required.
Experience managing complex, multi-funder budgets, including government/public grants (state and federal).
Experience with multi-entity or consolidated nonprofit structures (segmented ledgers, inter-entity transactions, entity-level reporting, managing governance across related entities).
Direct experience with a fiscal sponsorship exit, nonprofit spin-off, entity formation, or comparable organizational restructuring is required.
Track record leading or directly supporting clean independent audits.
Strong systems fluency (accounting software, budgeting tools) and ability to translate financial data into clear, non-technical narratives for board and staff.
Cash management experience including banking relationships, reserves, forecasting, liquidity management and investment oversight.
History of implementing financial systems and related technologies to support organizational growth and operational efficiency.
Comfortable operating in a collective-impact, systems-change environment with an evolving co-CEO leadership structure.
Demonstrated people-management experience, with the ability to supervise and coach employees.
Strong alignment to the Client's Organizational Values and Race Equity and Inclusion Statement.

Responsibilities

Partner with the CEO and executive leadership on long-term financial sustainability, financing, reserves, infrastructure investment, staffing affordability, cost allocation, earned revenue, grant profitability, and indirect cost recovery.
Lead financial risk management, including scenario planning, liquidity analysis, stress testing, contingency planning, and financial KPIs.
Develop and maintain strong internal controls, fiscal policies, and financial procedures.
Oversee day-to-day accounting operations, including general ledger, AP/AR, payroll, monthly close, and financial controls.
Lead the annual independent audit and manage external auditor relationships.
Oversee treasury operations, banking relationships, cash management, credit, payment approvals, and short- and long-term cash-flow forecasting.
Anticipate funding and reimbursement timing gaps and develop strategies to maintain adequate liquidity.
Partner with the CEO and C-Suite to develop and monitor annual budgets and organizational financial plans.
Prepare timely, board-ready financial reports, dashboards, and forecasts.
Oversee grant budgets, spending, burn rates, reporting requirements, and compliance across restricted and unrestricted funds.
Serve as the primary finance liaison to funders and ensure compliance with federal, state, foundation, and pass-through funding requirements.
Manage indirect cost rates and ensure consistent application across grants.
Develop and maintain systems to track grant terms, reporting deadlines, match/cost-share requirements, and financial performance.
Ensure compliance with GAAP, nonprofit financial regulations, grant requirements, and applicable single-audit requirements.
Oversee audit preparation and financial risk reporting.
Serve as a strategic financial partner to the CEO, C-Suite, and Board Finance/Audit Committee.
Lead financial presentations, dashboards, risk reporting, and financial education for organizational leadership and governing bodies.
Build and lead the finance function as the organization grows.
Lead the financial work stream for the organization’s transition from fiscal sponsorship to independent operations, including risk assessment, transition planning, budgeting, and timelines.
Establish independent financial infrastructure, including banking, insurance, accounting systems, and financial policies and procedures.
Oversee the transfer of grants, restricted funds, contracts, and other financial obligations in partnership with legal counsel.
Develop multi-entity and consolidated accounting structures, including inter-company transactions, cost allocations, segmented reporting, and entity-level financial statements.