Chief Financial Officer

POSITION SUMMARY

The Chief Financial Officer (CFO) will be responsible for bringing high-level strategic capability and leadership skills to the finance, accounting, and grants functions. The CFO will have experience managing federal government grants and working with non-profit revenue sources, such as state and municipal government contracts, donations, and private philanthropic foundations. Responsibilities encompass overseeing financial management, annual budget development, grant accounting and compliance, and developing short- and long-term financial forecasting models.

ABOUT US

CSS is a Catholic human and social services agency and behavioral health care provider that welcomes people of all faiths through its programs and employment. We provide help for our Alaskan neighbors through a variety of supportive service programs, including emergency shelter, food stability, housing, case management, and refugee assistance. CSS empowers individuals and families on their path to permanent stability, creating thriving communities for all. Located in Anchorage, Alaska, CSS is a nationally accredited organization through the Council on Accreditation (COA), which recognizes that CSS provides high quality services that meet best practice standards in the social service field.

Mission: We compassionately serve those in need, strengthen individuals and families, and advocate for the common good.

Vision: All Individuals and Families are Flourishing.

Impact Statement: Catholic Social Services empowers individuals and families on their path to permanent stability, creating thriving communities for all.

Guiding Principles: - Catholic Social Teachings - Reverence for humanity - Striving for excellence - Empowering personal fulfillment - Strengthening through collaboration

ABOUT OUR DEPARTMENT

The Finance and Grants Department plays a crucial role in ensuring the financial health and sustainability of the organization. With a strong focus on accounting functions, including accurate financial recording, reporting, and compliance with applicable financial regulations, this department lays the foundation for CSS's fiscal integrity. In conjunction with these accounting responsibilities, the department also actively engages in grants management. It is responsible for securing, tracking, and effectively utilizing grants to support CSS's mission of providing compassionate and comprehensive social services to individuals and families in need across Alaska. This dual emphasis on accounting and grants management ensures CSS maintains transparent and accountable financial practices while maximizing the impact of grant funds in fulfilling its mission.

REQUIRED COMPETENCIES

Teamwork: Interacts with people effectively. Encourages and respects the input of all team members. Communicates openly and honestly. Cooperates within the team and across the agency. Supports group decisions and puts group goals ahead of personal goals.

Accountability: Takes ownership for delivering on commitments. Owns mistakes and uses them as opportunities for learning and development. Openly discusses his/her actions and their consequences both good and bad. Ability to identify strengths and developmental opportunities and leverages insight to adjust to improve their effectiveness. Courage to have difficult conversations.

Business Acumen: Understands how finance and grants impact CSS’s strategic plan and organizational goals. Able to analyze and present data, develop performance metrics, and able to provide financial forecasts for different decision paths.

Communicates Effectively: Shares information. Listens and involves others. Clearly conveys ideas in a manner that engages others and helps them understand and retain the message. Actively listens, expresses ideas and information clearly verbally and in writing, and adapts communication styles to different audiences. Fosters an environment of open dialogue, transparency, and understanding. Promotes collaboration and trust among employees and leadership.

Confidentiality: Maintains the highest level of confidentiality regarding CSS’s records and information. Uses internal confidential information for business purposes only.

Decision Making and Judgment: Approaches problems and decisions methodically and objectively. Involves others as needed. Uses sound judgment in making decisions and understanding the impact to themselves, customers, their team, and the organization. Conducts the appropriate analysis to identify the symptoms and root cause of issues. Makes timely decisions.

Integrity: Demonstrates honesty and ethical principles. Integrates CSS’s values through the department and organizational policy. Committed to doing what is right, not what is easy. Does what they say they will do. Fosters trust and reliability.

Software Proficiency: Proficient in Microsoft Office; advanced skills in Excel. Extensive experience with financial software systems that preferably includes design/build and maintenance experience.

Risk Management: Proficient in identifying, assessing, and mitigating financial risks. Extensive knowledge of financial laws, regulations, and compliance standards relevant to the industry.

RESPONSIBILITIES:

Serve as a strategic partner in finance by analyzing financial data to uncover actionable insights and potential opportunities. Proactively identify financial issues that could impact the agency in the short term and long term.
Build relationships with other members of the Leadership Team. Provide accurate budget reports and financial assessments for investment options and priorities. Use data visualization to shift focus from reporting on past performance to telling stories about key metrics and future performance.

Lead the finance, accounting, and grants departments and develop an annual plan with clear performance objectives, metrics, and standards.

Supervise the development, tracking, and reporting of contracts, grants, funding, government programs, grant budgets, and contract billing processes.

Identify improvements in strategic areas of finance, such as FP&A, capital structures, tax planning, controllership, internal audit, and financial-risk management.

Enhance agency financial decision-making by educating budget managers and providing clear, visualized financial data and forecasts. Lead regular reviews with finance, grants, and senior leadership to ensure budget and grant compliance. Guide the finance and grants team in integrating data to give budget managers a comprehensive view of their budgets, including unrestricted revenue, grant utilization, and performance.

Oversee cash flow planning and management, including the preparation and review of budgets and tracking operational metrics.

Develop a reliable cash flow projection process and reporting mechanism that includes a minimum cash threshold to meet operating needs.

Identify, analyze, and mitigate financial risks across the organization. Develop and implement risk management strategies to safeguard the agency's assets and ensure compliance with regulations.

Prepare detailed financial forecasts and financial planning. In collaboration with the executives, perform due diligence on potential investments and new program operations.

Analyze, develop, and negotiate agency indirect and fringe cost agreements. Ensure all statutory requirements of the agency are met, including Charitable Status, Withholding Payments, Income Tax, Goods and Services Tax, and Low-Income Housing/Supportive Housing Tax Credits.

Ensure timely and accurate payment of vendors and staff. Lead the Finance and Grants Team to prepare all tax reports, returns, and other documentation.

Optimize the accounting software to best meet the agency’s needs and explore additional options for automation and integration.

Manage and oversee Medicaid billing and reimbursement procedures, ensuring compliance and optimizing revenue cycles.

QUALIFICATIONS:

Minimum Education Requirement: Master’s degree in finance, business administration, or a related field.

Minimum Experience Requirement: Fifteen (15) or more years’ financial experience, six (6) years of which must have been in a senior financial leadership position. Nonprofit experience required.

Advanced degree or professional certifications (e.g., CPA, CGMS, GPC) preferred.

WORK ENVIRONMENT

Work is performed in a standard indoor office environment. Occasional lifting of up to 25 pounds. Frequently sitting or standing at a desk for several hours at a time.

Travel out of Alaska is rare. Frequent travel within the Municipality of Anchorage is required. Occasional travel to the Matanuska-Susitna Borough is required.

Location: 4600 Debarr Road, Anchorage, Alaska.

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