Chief Financial Officer (Cfo)

Position Type:
Finance
Date Posted:
11/2/2023
Location:
Waterbury, CT
Date Available:
11/02/2023
The State Education Resource Center (SERC), a quasi-public agency serving the State of Connecticut, is seeking candidates to fill the full-time position of Chief Financial Officer. This position will be responsible for the financial and operational strategy, metrics tied to that strategy, and ongoing development and monitoring of control systems designed to preserve SERC assets and report accurate financial results. This position reports directly to the Executive Director. This is a full-time, salaried exempt position.
SERC's mission is to provide resources, professional development, and a centralized library to educators, families, and community members in collaboration with the CT State Board of Education and other partners. SERC believes that all students have the right to access opportunities and experiences that reflect and respect their differences and abilities. Research indicates that educational outcomes for students of color, students who are English learners, and students with disabilities continue to lag behind other students' outcomes. SERC's consultants and staff, in collaboration with our partners in school districts and organizations, build the capacity of educators, service providers, and families to meet the diverse needs of our student population.
General Summary
The SERC Chief Financial Officer will work in collaboration with the Executive Director, Board of Directors, and other administrative staff. SERC's Chief Financial Officer is directly responsible for the administration, planning, forecasting, and analysis of financial risk-based models related to new, and ongoing, agency programs and services. Responsibilities include, but are not limited to management financial modeling and reporting, job costing, cost benefit analysis, forecasting needs, ash management, accounting operations and investment strategies. This is a supervisory position.
Essential Job Functions
he SERC Chief Financial Officer provides a wide range of services. Applicants must have the ability to complete the following essential job functions:

• Work with agency leaders on the strategic short, and long-range, fiscal vision of the organization including cultivating and fostering relationships and potential alliances;
• Partner with Executive Director and Board of Directors on operational and strategic issues as they arise; provide strategic recommendations based on financial analysis and projections, and revenue/expense analysis;
• Develop and promote a framework to drive financial acumen and accountability across the agency; provide timely and meaningful analyses and reporting to agency leaders; direct and oversee all aspects of the Finance and Accounting functions of the agency;
• Oversee all financial transactions, including billing, finance information to Board of Directors or other committees. Prepare and communicate monthly and financial statements;
• Collaborate with Executive Director on developing the operating budget. Oversee long-term budgetary planning and cost management in alignment with agency's funding diversification plan, to include advice on the financial implications of business activities and seeking full-range business solutions;
• Provide financial discipline and business decision-making to support and evaluate long term and short term strategic agency fiscal growth opportunities;
• Plan, organize, coordinate, direct and monitor all fiscal and financial operations of the agency, including accounting, payroll, financial reporting/systems, budget, cash management, purchasing, procurement, contracting, and other finance-related functions;
• Monitor, with fidelity, the accurate and timely completion of all agency tax reporting requirements;
• Ensure that effective internal controls are in place and ensure compliance with GAAP and applicable federal, state and local regulatory laws and rules for financial and tax reporting;
• Oversee all financial, project/program and grants accounting;
• Advise on contract negotiations from a financial impact perspective; and
• Maintain external relationships with banks, auditors, and third party vendors.

Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential job functions.
Responsibilities
The SERC Chief Financial Officer position encompasses a host of responsibilities. Duties include, but are not limited to:
Planning

• Drive the agency's financial planning and compare to actual results with a view to identify, explain, and correct variances as appropriate; and
• Ensure cash flow is appropriate for the agency's operations, to include a view on investment strategies.

Operations

• Oversee all accounts, ledgers, and reporting systems maintaining compliance with appropriate state standards and regulatory requirements, and ensuring the accurate and timely processing of accounts payable, purchase orders, petty cash, posting journal vouchers, core employee expense reports, cash control, core payroll processing and total corporate payroll tax compliance;
• Oversee the activities of the accounts receivable department to ensure the accurate and timely management of all accounts receivable including billings, cash receipts, quarter and year-end payroll closing, including federal and state reports;
• Analyze financial data and present financial reports in an accurate and timely manner; clearly communicate monthly, quarterly, and annual financial statements; monitor progress and changes and keep agency leadership team abreast of the organization's financial status;
• Ensure expenditures are consistently aligned with grant and program budgets throughout the grant/fund period; collate financial reporting materials for government, corporate, and foundation grants;
• Manage organizational cash flow forecasting by working in partnership with agency leadership; continuously collaborate with Program Director to assess the financial efficacy of program operations; and establish finance and administrative systems to support program operations; and
• Develop and implements fiscal policies and procedures regarding accounts payable and accounts receivable in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles and the State's Core Fiscal Processing Manual.

Risk Management

• Understand and mitigate key elements of the agency's risk profile;
• Construct and monitor reliable control systems;
• Ensure SERC complies with all legal and regulatory requirements;
• Ensure record keeping meets the requirements of auditors and government agencies;
• Report risk issues to the Board of Directors;
• Maintain relations with external auditors and investigate their findings and recommendations; and
• Ensure SERC complies with all government regulations covering taxation and withholding payments.

Additional duties may be required.
Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities
Knowledge of:

• Quasi-public government statutes and risk management procedures.

Skill In:

• Examining, developing, re-engineering, and recommending financial policies and procedures.
• Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions, or approaches to problems;
• Administering programs, interpersonal and consulting skills; needs assessment, problem solving, collaboration, and supervision to drive results;
• Balancing complex situations while considering the combination of set-in-stone processes against outside-the-box thinking;
• Maintaining a growth mindset and commitment to learning through self-reflection, research, and professional development as a means to translate industry trends into actionable insights; and
• Working in Microsoft Office software (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Access, etc.) and established Human Resource Information System (HRIS) such as ADP Workforce Now.

Ability to:

• Ability to define problems, collect data, and establish facts in order to draw valid conclusions as a change agent;
• Ability to stay organized while leading multiple projects concurrently, while paying close attention to detail;
• Adopt an unwavering and unilateral commitment to ethics, even when challenged;
• Maintain discretion on particularly sensitive and private issues and/or documents, as well as limiting access to anyone without appropriate business "need to know";
• Adopt a diplomatic ear and problem-solving approach to negotiate solutions and reach successful conflict resolution;
• Communicate effectively in both oral and written form; and
• Handle difficult and stressful situations with professional composure.
• Demonstrates confidentiality and accountability while safeguarding sensitive material.

The ideal applicants must have demonstrated effectiveness in a collaborative, highly team-oriented environment, yet possess initiative, self-motivation and work with minimal supervision.
Supervisory Responsibility
This position will supervise the fiscal department personnel.
Work Environment
The Chief Financial Officer will operate in a professional office and virtual environment. Professional business attire will be required. This role routinely uses standard office equipment such as computers and phones. Off-site requirements are specific to workshops, training, or school and community work.
Physical Demands
The physical demands described here represent those that an employee must meet to perform the essential functions of this job successfully.
Position Type/Expected Hours of Work
This is a full-time salary exempt position. Days and hours of work are Monday through Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Occasionally, weekend or after hours, work might be necessary.
Education and Experience
Master's degree in Accounting, Finance, or Business Administration from an accredited college and ten (10) or more years of progressively responsible full-time experience in a major company or division. At least 24 months of this experience must have been in an administrative or supervisory capacity; CPA and/or MBA with a Major in Accounting, Finance, or related field with at least eight (8) years of administrative or supervisory experience; OR any similar combination of education and experience.
Salary Range
*$120,000
*All new hires start at the first step of the salary range.
This position will remain open until filled. For consideration, a thorough, updated resume, cover letter, and at least three professional references submitted with the application package are required. Apply online at www.ctserc.org (select Employment under the about tab).
Disclaimer
SERC reserves the right to substitute years of experience for certification or degrees. SERC may expand inquiries into materials submitted supporting an applicant's candidacy without further permission from the applicant. SERC reserves the right to modify compensation, benefits, minimum qualifications, desired skills, and job duties for this position at any time. A complete satisfactory background check is required.
SERC is an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity Employer and strongly encourages the application of individuals from racially, culturally, and linguistically diverse backgrounds and from persons with disabilities.
Attachment(s):

• Vacancy Announcement - Chief Financial Officer .pdf