Chief Financial Officer

Commonpoint Queens

POSITION

Chief Financial Officer

ORGANIZATION

Commonpoint Queens

commonpointqueens.org

LOCATION

Queens, NY

ABOUT THE ORGANIZATION:
Commonpoint Queens is a multifaceted community center dedicated to sustaining and enhancing the quality of individual, family and communal life throughout Queens, offering services to people of all ages, ability levels, stages of life and backgrounds. They strive to meet the evolving needs of their community of over 77,000 members ranging from providing in-school and after-school programs, professional and career development, assistance with food insecurity, legal services, financial counseling, mental health services, senior classes, dementia care programs, and tax preparation assistance to name a few. Commonpoint Queens has grown tremendously in the last five years and now has a budget of about $70 MM, a mission-driven staff of 3,000 and close to 70 sites in the five boroughs (although mainly concentrated in Queens).

ABOUT THE OPPORTUNITY:
Within our holistic, strength-focused, and family-supported practice framework, the Chief Financial Officer (CFO) will report to the President and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) and manage a team of roughly 15. The CFO has primary responsibility for overseeing and directing fiscal strategy, financial management, accounting, compliance, and investment activities in support of the goals and mission of Commonpoint Queens.
The successful candidate will partner with the senior leadership and the Board of Directors to develop strategies that support organizational growth, financial stability, and agency impact goals. The CFO also seeks ways to continuously improve the finance department to align with organizational values and expand community investment opportunities. The CFO ensures compliance with relevant laws and contractual requirements and manages organizational risks and liabilities.

Key responsibilities include:

Financial Oversight and Management

  • Develop credibility for the agency’s financial operations by providing practical, timely, and accurate analysis of budgets, financial reports, cash management, and financial trends and by effectively managing solutions to agency challenges to assist the CEO, the Board, and others on the Leadership Team in leading the organization and fulfilling the mission.
  • Oversee the comptroller and accounting department to ensure timely completion of monthly general ledger management and accounting close, e.g., accruals, deferred revenue, sub-ledger reconciliation and other monthly closing procedures.
  • Lead and manage the different branches of the accounting department to ensure accurate and timely budget reporting and financial projections.
  • Supervise, train, and develop the management of Accounts Receivable, Accounts Payable, Contracts Management, and Payroll.
  • Maintain all banking relationships and initiate strategies to strengthen cash position.
  • Collaborate with the accounting department to leverage financial software to ensure the precision of information, facilitate informed decision-making and guide the formulation of effective policies.

Financial Analysis, Strategy, and Budgeting

  • Spearhead financial growth strategies that respond to the dynamic landscape of Commonpoint Queens. Provide strategic financial input and leadership on issues affecting the organization and its mission, values, and programs.
  • Establish budget and forecast preparation guidelines and prepare the annual budget in collaboration with the CEO, Senior Leaders, and the Board of Directors.
  • Drive strategy around continually improving the budgeting process by educating department directors and managers on financial issues impacting department budgets.
  • Develop a reliable cash flow projection process and reporting mechanism with a minimum cash threshold to meet operating needs.
  • Engage and play a leadership role in the Board Finance and Investment Committees to develop short, and long-term financial plans and projections.

Compliance and Internal Controls

  • Oversee the agency audit process and manage the relationship with external auditors. Ensure smooth processes for contract audits.
  • Monitor compliance with grant record-keeping and billing requirements in alignment with local, state, and federal guidelines, including an annual A-133.
  • Oversee the finance department’s grants management division to ensure that grants are tracked and matched with corresponding expenses within the accounting system.

ABOUT THE SUCCESSFUL CANDIDATE:
The ideal CFO will be forward-thinking, people-focused, and strategic about financial management and budgeting, community building, team development, and urban engagement. The successful candidate will be a highly credible and accomplished financial strategist, leader and manager, committed to the mission, vision, and values of Commonpoint Queens and energized by its impact in the community.

Qualifications:

  • Minimum of 15 years senior level financial experience in the nonprofit sector and/or equivalent business experience, with at least 10 years in a senior management position.
  • A strong track record of understanding and managing government contracts, including regulatory compliance, negotiation, and change management.
  • Possess strong analytical skills and have a data-driven approach; adept at informing, creating, and managing budgets.
  • Demonstrated success leveraging exceptional strategic thinking and creative problem-solving skills to improve systems and processes, navigate complexity, overcome challenges, and achieve impact. Strong systems skills required.
  • Ability to balance the demands of big-picture strategy with day-to-day orientation to details.
  • Record of accomplishments building and leading effective teams and coaching/developing others to maximize their potential.
  • A high EQ, and a capacity for embracing change, fostering a team culture that is adaptable, and skillfully guiding individuals through transitions with a reassuring and steady leadership approach.
  • Clear and effective communicator with extensive experience presenting to executives and boards.
  • Approachable with strong interpersonal skills and ability to work effectively with a wide variety of people; ability to inspire trust and motivate staff.
  • Experience intentionally using financial software to produce timely and accurate data.
  • High standard of ethics, integrity, respect, and humility.

The incoming CFO will bring the following professional and personal attributes to Commonpoint Queens:

  • Not-for-profit experience: You’ve worked in a not-for-profit agency, understand regulatory compliance expectations of public funding (Federal, State and City-level) and understand some of the unique challenges and opportunities that come with the territory.
  • Strategic and financial expertise: You will bring experience, insight and a data-driven approach to the executive and board meetings. This insight will provide you with the ability to creatively problem-solve, make decisions, and implement changes quickly and soundly.
  • Growth and innovation: You will be energized by the potential for compelling opportunities and tackling new problems through programs. You will have the ability to evaluate long-term budgetary strategic direction, help develop strategy, and build the team to execute on it. You also thrive in a fast-paced, dynamic, and inclusive environment.
  • Building high-performing teams: You have a framework for how organizations build, manage, retain, and inspire great teams. You know leading a team requires incredible communication skills, attention to detail, and the ability to assimilate a high volume of information across disciplines and departments.
  • Inspiring and thoughtful communications: Your ability to craft the right message to the team in a variety of situations will help the organization stay connected, aligned, and focused.

EDUCATION: BA/BS required; MBA, CPA, CFA, CFP or equivalent advanced accounting and financial experience preferred.

COMPENSATION & BENEFITS: Salary range for this role is $225,000 – $240,000 commensurate with experience.

Commonpoint Queens provides a suite of competitive benefits including health insurance (including dental & vision), FSA, a 403(b) Plan and Pension Plan, Life Insurance, and a generous and flexible PTO system.

LOCATION & EXPECTATIONS: This position reports to offices located in Little Neck, and Forest Hills, Queens with some flexibility. Presence at other locations within NYC may be required, in addition to evening/weekend hours as needed.

HOW TO APPLY: WE ARE NO LONGER ACCEPTING APPLICATIONS FOR THIS POSITION

Commonpoint Queens provides equal employment opportunities to all applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy, gender identity, and sexual orientation), parental status, national origin, age, disability, genetic information (including family medical history), political affiliation, military service in accordance with applicable federal, state, and local laws. We encourage candidates from the local Eastern Queens/Western Long Island communities to consider applying for this employment opportunity.