Chief Financial Officer (CFO)

Chief Financial Officer (CFO)

Albuquerque, NM

This position is based in our Albuquerque office and reports to the Executive Director.

The Chief Financial Officer (CFO) is a key member of the New Mexico Legal Aid (NMLA) Executive Management Team and is responsible for the overall leadership, integrity, and operation of the organization's financial and accounting functions. The CFO provides strategic financial leadership while remaining actively engaged in the day-to-day financial operations of the organization.

The CFO has overall responsibility for accounting, financial reporting, budgeting and forecasting, cash, and investment management, internal controls, audits and tax compliance, payroll-related financial processes, grant and contract financial management, cost allocation, and financial systems and processes The CFO ensures that NMLA maintains accurate and timely financial information, effective internal controls, and compliance with applicable accounting standards, laws, regulations, grant requirements, and organizational policies.

Working closely with the Executive Director, Board of Directors, organizational leadership, program managers, and Finance Department staff, the CFO serves as a trusted financial advisor and translates complex financial information into practical guidance that supports organizational decision-making, responsible stewardship of resources, and NMLA's long-term financial sustainability.

As part of a small Finance Department, the CFO serves as both a strategic leader and a hands-on financial professional and is expected to directly perform or participate in accounting and financial activities as organizational needs require.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

Strategic Financial Leadership

• Serve as a member of NMLA's Executive Management Team and provide financial expertise and perspective in organizational planning and decision making
• Advise the Executive Director, Board of Directors, and organizational leadership regarding NMLA's financial position, risks, opportunities, and long-term financial sustainability.
• Provide fiscal support and financial information to the Board of Directors ant its committees, including participation in Board and committee meetings and presentations as needed.
• Develop financial scenarios and multi-year forecasts to support strategic initiatives, organizational planning, and programmatic decisions.
• Assess the financial and internal control implications of proposed initiatives, programs, contracts, and significant organizational decisions and provide recommendations.
• Identify opportunities for cost efficiencies, improved resource allocation, and responsible financial stewardship.
• Provide financial analysis and information necessary to support collective bargaining and other organizational processes.

Budgeting, Financial Planning, and Analysis

• Lead development of NMLA's annual organizational budget in collaboration with the Executive Director, organizational leadership, managers, and other appropriate staff.
• Develop and maintain financial forecasts and projections, including multi-year financial modeling and scenario planning.
• Monitor organizational financial performance against approved budgets and forecasts and identify significant trends, variances, risks and opportunities.
• Ensure managers and organizational leaders receive accurate, clear, and timely financial information necessary to effectively manage programs, grants, and departmental resources.
• Analyze operating results and NMLA's overall financial position and communicate findings and recommendations to organizational leadership.
• Conduct cost-benefit and other financial analyses related to significant organizational expenditures, leases, capital assets, programs, projects, and proposed initiatives.
• Coordinate financial planning with organizational strategic and service-delivery priorities to ensure plans and projects are financially sustainable and achievable.

Accounting, Tax, and Financial Operations

• Maintain overall responsibility and accountability for NMLA's accounting and financial operations and directly perform or support financial activities as needed.
• Oversee and participate in day-to-day accounting operations, including general ledger activities, accounts payable and receivable, reconciliations, journal entries, financial close processes, and other accounting activities.
• Ensure timely and accurate preparation of financial statements, management reports, disclosures, schedules, and other financial information.
• Ensure appropriate accounting and classification of assets, liabilities, net assets, revenues, expenses, contributions, fixed assets, grant receivables, and other financial activity.
• Oversee payroll-related financial processes and ensure timely and accurate completion of employment tax filings and other required payroll-related financial reporting.
• Maintain and regularly update NMLA's Cost Allocation Plan and ensure costs are appropriately allocated among funding sources and programs in accordance with applicable requirements.
• Oversee financial administration and accounting associated with Client Trust Accounts and provide appropriate fiscal guidance and training to attorneys and other staff responsible for trust accounts.
• Lead NMLA's annual financial audit and coordinate preparation of schedules, documentation, responses, and other materials with the external audit firm.
• Coordinate preparation of organizational tax and regulatory filings, including Forms 990 and 5500, and review final filing as appropriate.
• Maintain current knowledge of developments and best practices in nonprofit accounting, financial management, compliance, and related areas.

Financial Reporting, Internal Controls, and Compliance

• Establish, maintain, document, evaluate, and continuously improve effective financial policies, accounting procedures, and internal controls.
• Ensure NMLA's financial operations comply with Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP), Legal Services Corporation (LSC) requirements, applicable grant requirements, funder terms and conditions, tax and audit requirements, client trust accounting rules, and other applicable laws, regulations, standards, and organizational policies.
• Maintain appropriate accounting documentation and financial procedures and ensure they are reviewed and updated as organizational or regulatory corrective actions or improvements when needed.
• Ensure financial records and supporting documentation are maintained accurately and in accordance with applicable retention and compliance requirements.
• Coordinate and respond to financial audits, monitoring visits, reviews, and inquiries conducted by funders, auditors, regulatory bodies, or other authorized entities.

Grants and Contract Financial Management

• Provide financial leadership and oversight for NMLA's government, foundation, and other grant- and contract-funded programs.
• Provide accurate and timely grant-related financial documents as needed, including budgets, expenditure reports, budget modifications, interim and final financial reports, and other required financial reporting.
• Monitor grant expenditures, receivables, restrictions, and financial performance to support compliance with award requirements and appropriate use of funds.
• Work collaboratively with organizational leadership, development staff, program managers, and other appropriate employees on grant proposals, budgets, reporting, and financial management.
• Participate in fiscal monitoring visits, reviews, and audits conducted by funders.
• Identify grant-related financial compliance concerns and work with appropriate stakeholders to address them promptly.

Cash, Reserves, and Investment Management

• Monitor organizational cash flow, cash balances, net asset carryovers, reserves, and liquidity needs and provide recommendations to the Executive Director.
• Ensure the Executive Director and Board Audit and Finance Committee receive timely information regarding cash position, reserves, and funds available for investment.
• Monitor and analyze investment portfolio performance and provide appropriate information and recommendations to the Executive Director and Board Audit and Finance Committee.
• Research investment options as requested or directed by the Board or its Audit and Finance Committee.
• Maintain effective relationships with banks, investment providers, and other financial institutions.
• Ensure appropriate controls are maintained over organizational banking, cash-management, and investment activities.

Finance Department Leadership

• Provide leadership, supervision, coaching, and professional development to Finance Department staff.
• Establish clear roles, responsibilities, workflows, performance expectations, and accountability within the Finance Department.
• Recruit, interview, select, onboard, and develop Finance Department personnel in collaboration with Human Resources and organizational leadership.
• Review and evaluate the work and performance of Finance Department staff in accordance with NMLA policies and practices.
• Assess departmental workload, capacity, systems, and processes, and recommend staffing, technology, or operational changes as appropriate.
• Maintain overall responsibility and accountability for effective Finance Department operations.
• Foster a collaborative, responsive, service-oriented Finance function that provides timely and effective financial support to managers, programs, and employees throughout

Financial Systems and Process Improvement

• Evaluate, implement, maintain, and continuously improve financial and accounting systems, software, and technology.
• Identify opportunities to streamline financial processes, strengthen controls, reduce unnecessary administrative burden, and improve the accuracy and accessibility of financial information.
• Ensure financial systems and processes provide the capacity necessary to support NMLA's accounting, budgeting, grant-management, compliance, and reporting needs.
• Collaborate with appropriate organizational staff and external vendors regarding financial systems, integrations, security, and process improvements.

Insurance, Contracts, and Organizational Risk

• Provide financial review and analysis of significant vendor proposals, contracts, leases, and other organizational financial commitments as appropriate.
• Collaborate with Operations, Human Resources, and organizational leadership regarding insurance renewals and financial considerations related to organizational insurance and employee benefit programs.
• Assist in identifying and evaluating financial risks associated with contracts, insurance coverage, organizational operations, and proposed initiatives.

Other Duties

• Maintain working knowledge of NMLA policies, procedures, collective bargaining agreements and obligations, organizational operations, and proposed initiatives.
• Participate in organizational meetings, committees, initiatives, and activities as appropriate to the CFO role.
• Perform other related duties as assigned by the Executive Director.

Minimum Qualifications

• CPA or Certified Government Financial Manager (CGFM) certification required.
• Minimum three to five years of progressively responsible accounting, financial management, or closely related professional experience, including demonstrated financial leadership and strategic financial advisory experience.
• Demonstrated knowledge of accounting principles and practices, financial reporting, budgeting, financial analysis, internal controls, and audit processes.
• Demonstrated knowledge of nonprofit accounting and the financial management of restricted grant-funded resources.
• Experience supervising, developing, and supporting accounting or finance professionals.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills with the ability to identify financial risks, evaluate complex information, and develop practical recommendations.
• Strong organizational and project management skills, with demonstrated ability to manage competing priorities and meet deadlines.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to clearly explain complex financial information to individuals without specialized financial expertise.
• Demonstrated ability to build effective working relationships with executive leadership, Board members, managers, employees, funders, auditors, financial institutions, vendors, and other internal and external stakeholders.
• Proficiency with accounting and financial management systems, databases, spreadsheets, and standard business software.
• Demonstrated sound judgment, integrity, discretion, and commitment to maintaining appropriate confidentiality.
• Demonstrated ability to work effectively and collaboratively with individuals from diverse backgrounds, experiences, roles, and perspectives.
• Ability to travel occasionally.

Preferred Qualifications

• Seven or more years of progressively responsible accounting and financial management experience.
• Significant financial leadership experience in a nonprofit, legal services, government-funded, or other grant-intensive organization.
• Experience managing multiple restricted funding sources and complex grant and contract compliance requirements.
• Experience with Legal Services Corporation (LSC) financial requirements or other federally funded programs.
• Experience with federal grant requirements and cost-allocation principles.
• MBA, master's degree in accounting, finance, business administration, or a related field, or other relevant advanced education or professional certification.
• Experien