Financial Consultant

Aspen Valley Land Trust•Carbondale, CO

4d•$25,000 - $30,000•Hybrid

About The Position

2026 Financial Systems and Accounting Implementation Support Organizational Context Aspen Valley Land Trust is the only locally based, nonpartisan land conservation organization dedicated to protecting private lands in the Roaring Fork and middle Colorado River valleys. As AVLT advances an ambitious conservation, stewardship, and community engagement agenda, the organization is simultaneously investing in the internal systems, governance, and financial infrastructure required to sustain this work over the long term. In 2025, AVLT engaged a partner to conduct a comprehensive assessment of the organization’s finance and accounting function. The assessment included interviews with staff and board leadership, review of financial statements and processes, and benchmarking against nonprofit best practices. The resulting findings and recommendations provide a clear roadmap for modernizing AVLT’s financial systems, improving GAAP compliance, strengthening internal controls, and significantly improving the quality and usefulness of financial reporting for management and the board. In 2026, AVLT is moving from assessment to implementation in a deliberate, well-sequenced manner to lay a foundation for future growth. This Request for Proposal invites qualified financial consultants and CPA firms to partner with AVLT in this next phase. Purpose of Engagement The purpose of this engagement is to support AVLT in implementing priority recommendations from the recent assessment, with emphasis on transitioning to a modern, integrated accounting ecosystem; improving GAAP-based reporting and controls; and strengthening financial planning and board-level decision support. AVLT is intentionally seeking a partner to help the organization walk, not run. This engagement is not intended to be a wholesale overhaul. Rather, AVLT is looking for a thoughtful, experienced partner who can help lay the right foundation in 2026, sequence changes appropriately, and design systems and processes that can be built upon over time without needing to be dismantled and rebuilt during a period of organizational growth. Scope of Work AVLT anticipates that the scope of work will be phased and iterative, with priorities informed by the completed assessment. Proposals should describe how respondents would partner with AVLT to advance the following areas, while remaining appropriately scaled to the proposed budget and level of effort. Financial Systems Strategy and Integration A core priority of this engagement is addressing the assessment finding that AVLT’s current systems are fragmented, manual, and not aligned with industry standards for nonprofit financial operations. Proposals should emphasize experience with integrated, system-based approaches rather than standalone tools. The selected partner will support AVLT in developing a clear, right-sized strategy for transitioning away from QuickBooks Desktop to a modern accounting platform that supports consolidation of multiple company files while maintaining individual integrity for delineation of liabilities; accrual-based, GAAP-compliant accounting; grant and project tracking; and integration with key operational systems. This work may include advising on system selection; designing an appropriate chart of accounts and dimensions; identifying and prioritizing integrations with banking, payroll, bill pay, expense management, time tracking, and development systems; and creating a realistic implementation roadmap. AVLT is especially interested in approaches that reduce manual data entry, improve data integrity, and strengthen internal controls through system-based workflows and approvals. Importantly, AVLT is not seeking to implement every possible tool at once. Proposals should demonstrate a clear philosophy for sequencing integrations and system enhancements over time, beginning with a strong core financial system and layering in additional functionality thoughtfully. Reporting, Dashboards, and Board Materials A central goal of this engagement is to shift AVLT’s financial reporting from statement-heavy outputs to clear, decision-oriented information for leadership and the board. The assessment noted that current board reporting focuses on data rather than insight and lacks dashboards, KPIs, and narrative context. The selected partner will work with AVLT leadership and finance staff to define key metrics, design dashboards, and develop reporting formats that support ongoing fiscal oversight and strategic decision-making. Multi-Year Financial Planning and Scenario Analysis To support board-level planning and governance, AVLT seeks assistance in developing multi-year financial projections and scenario analyses that integrate operating, fundraising, and capital considerations. This work should help leadership and the board understand risks, tradeoffs, and long-term implications of strategic decisions. This component of the engagement is expected to inform board discussions in 2026, including review and potential revision of the Investment Policy Statement. Proposals should describe experience translating financial models into clear, board-ready narratives. Change Management, Training, and Sustainability AVLT places high value on adoption and sustainability. The selected partner will be expected to work closely with internal staff, build internal understanding and confidence, and avoid solutions that rely on external expertise to function. Proposals should describe how respondents approach training, documentation, and handoff, and how they help organizations reduce reliance on spreadsheets and manual work without overwhelming staff or disrupting operations. Budget AVLT anticipates a budget range of $25,000–$30,000 for this engagement. Proposals should recommend an appropriate scope, timeline, and fee structure aligned with this range, and may describe optional or phased components if helpful. AVLT recognizes that meaningful systems and process improvements require investment and is prioritizing depth, sequencing, and long-term value over speed or breadth. Proposal Requirements AVLT encourages a concise, straightforward proposal process. Proposals should be no longer than 3–5 pages and focus on clarity of approach rather than marketing materials. We are most interested in understanding how you would partner with AVLT in this moment, your experience implementing integrated nonprofit financial systems, and how you would help the organization lay a durable foundation for the future. Proposals should include: Brief description of relevant experience with nonprofits of similar scale and complexity Proposed approach to implementing assessment recommendations, with emphasis on systems integration and sequencing Description of how you balance progress with sustainability and staff capacity Anticipated time commitment and proposed fee structure Key personnel who would be involved Two to three references Timeline Proposals are requested by: March 6, 2026 Please email them to Melissa Sumera and Torrey Udall at [email protected] and [email protected] Support is expected to begin in early to mid-2026, with the goal of completing foundational systems and reporting improvements within the calendar year and supporting board-level planning by Q2 2026.

Responsibilities

Support AVLT in implementing priority recommendations from the recent assessment
Transition to a modern, integrated accounting ecosystem
Improve GAAP-based reporting and controls
Strengthen financial planning and board-level decision support
Develop a clear, right-sized strategy for transitioning away from QuickBooks Desktop to a modern accounting platform
Advise on system selection
Design an appropriate chart of accounts and dimensions
Identify and prioritize integrations with banking, payroll, bill pay, expense management, time tracking, and development systems
Create a realistic implementation roadmap
Define key metrics, design dashboards, and develop reporting formats that support ongoing fiscal oversight and strategic decision-making
Develop multi-year financial projections and scenario analyses that integrate operating, fundraising, and capital considerations
Translate financial models into clear, board-ready narratives
Work closely with internal staff, build internal understanding and confidence, and avoid solutions that rely on external expertise to function
Training, documentation, and handoff
Help organizations reduce reliance on spreadsheets and manual work without overwhelming staff or disrupting operations