Chief Financial Officer

Chief Financial Officer

Since 1919, Easter Seals has been serving the community providing help, hope and answers for our neighbors challenged by physical, mental, or emotional health issues.

Easter Seals was founded after Ohio businessman Edgar Allen lost his son in a streetcar accident. The lack of adequate medical services available to save his son prompted Allen to sell his business and begin a fundraising campaign to build a hospital in his hometown of Elyria, Ohio. Through this new hospital, Allen was surprised to learn that children with disabilities were often hidden from public view. Inspired by this discovery, in 1919 Allen founded what became known as the National Society for Crippled Children, the first organization of its kind. In 1934 the organization began using Easter "seals" as a fundraising campaign and these grew so popular that in 1967 the organization formally adopted the name Easter Seals. Easter Seals is non-sectarian and serves all people in the community. Easter Seals provides services through a network of affiliates that are organized to meet the needs of the local community - each affiliate is an independent 501(c)3 with a local governing board.

Easter Seals Serving DC|MD|VA (ESDCMDVA) (www.eseal.org) is the affiliate serving Washington DC, Maryland, and Northern Virginia. We deliver exceptional services through a network of 10 sites and provide Adult Medical Day Care, Senior+, Early Child Development and Education, Behavioral Health, Respite, and Workforce Development services where participants and their families find support, hope, medical care, and enjoyable activities. In addition to serving the overall community, our programs place a special emphasis on the special needs of wounded warriors, veterans, active-duty military, and their families. We are in independent 501(c)3 with a local board of directors focused on solving critical issues in our community so that all our neighbors thrive.

Our unique and dedicated staff of over 250 professionals include specialists in education, therapy, senior services, social work, assistive technology, nursing, and related professions. In addition, as a part of the Easter Seals, Inc. international network, we are able to draw on the resources of almost 25,000 professionals to ensure we remain at the cutting edge of service delivery.

Our entire staff shares our Core Values which are an integral component of the success of ESDCMDVA:

• Respect: We respect each other. We value the uniqueness and dignity of each individual and appreciate the strength of diversity and inclusion.
• Responsibility: We share a sense of responsibility for doing things right, being good stewards and being accountable for our actions.
• Integrity: We conduct business ethically with a commitment to moral integrity and we expect people to hold a high moral standard. We communicate openly, honestly and directly.
• Innovation: We are willing to embrace innovative ideas, take measured risks and find better ways to help more people.
• Care: We show compassion for others and continue to live our mission each day.

Position Summary

Reporting to the organization's President & CEO, the Chief Financial Officer (CFO) will serve as a key member of, and strong business partner to, the executive leadership team. The CFO will lead the production of accurate and timely financial reports and, based on the analyses generated, collaborate with the leadership team to make sound and informed business decisions. The CFO plays a critical role in strategically guiding ESDCMDVA into the future, while ensuring that current operations remain strong and that all internal and external financial reports are not only accurate, but also produced on a timely basis.

The CFO leads both the strategy and the day-to-day operations of ESDCMDVA's finance and accounting function. This individual also enhances the leadership team's understanding of the financial performance of each program area, as well as that of ESDCMDVA overall. S/he will devise, implement, and administer the organization's overall financial budget and forecasts; lead financial programs and policies; oversee fiscal compliance with all regulatory and/or governing bodies; and manage a team of finance/accounting professionals. In addition, the Chief Financial Officer serves as a business partner to the Audit and Finance Committees of ESDCMDVA's Board of Directors, provides support to the organization's Board members, and works closely with other leaders and executive management.

Specific responsibilities will include, but not be limited to:

• Oversee the flawless management of all financial systems and operations
• Manage all accounts, ledgers, and reporting systems, and ensure compliance with appropriate Generally Accepted Accounting Principles, IRS and regulatory requirements, and governmental audit requirements
• Maintain internal control safeguards and coordinate all audit activities, including financial audits, governmental audits, and IRS form 990
• Monitor and adjust, as appropriate, ESDCMDVA's financial policies to ensure effective controls have been implemented
• Direct the formulation of the annual budget and track organization-wide and regularly monitor organizational and departmental performance against budget
• Manage cash flow and forecasting. Continuously enhance the cash flow projection process and reporting mechanisms
• Manage and track the performance of the organization's endowments and trusts in a manner consistent with the policies and investment guidelines established by the finance committee
• Steward restricted funds accounting, including federal grants and other donor-restricted contributions
• Deliver sound financial reporting that supports appropriate strategic decision making
• Provide financial and operational information and decision support to the leadership team and make actionable recommendations based on financial results
• Build the financial expertise of the other members of the leadership team and effectively communicate the organization's financial opportunities and challenges so they can individually make sound business decisions for their programs and, as a group, make prudent and informed decisions for ESDCMDVA overall
• Engage the organization's Finance Committee and Board of Directors in productive discussions of the issues, trends, and changes in the operating, investment, and accounting environments
• Oversee long-term financial planning, investments in operations and growth, and cost management in alignment with ESDCMDVA's strategic plan and actively participate in the development and execution of all strategic planning activities
• Lead banking and investment management relationships to achieve ESDCMDVA's strategic objectives while maintaining a discipled approach to the associated costs of those services
• Lead the finance team
• Direct the finance staff and oversee all accounting functions
• Provide an environment that incorporates ESDCMDVA's Core Values and supports learning and growth
• Maintain high professional standards and effectively manages work allocation, training, continuous process improvement, problem resolution, performance evaluation, and the building of effective team dynamics
• Champion continuous improvement of systems and processes encompassing both financial systems and preparation, dissemination, and discussion of budgets, forecasts, reporting, and auditing
• Ensure ESDCMDVA has the necessary financial and accounting infrastructure to effectively and efficiently support operating needs
• Manage outside vendors with compliance reporting requirements, including external auditors

Critical Competencies for Success

Financial Acumen and Leadership: Broad financial acumen and leadership capabilities to incorporate a higher degree of financial discipline into the operating mentality of ESDCMDVA. In an environment with growing programs, evolving funding sources, and the need for enhanced financial infrastructure, s/he will build strong relationships throughout the organization to garner the support needed to implement new processes, effectively influence, and hold the organization accountable for more rigorous financial metrics.

Visionary Operational Partner: An executive with the ability to meet the needs of a complex, multi-site organization. Ability to set goals for transition and capability improvement, and then subsequently lead to implement the required changes. Sets high standards for success and is willing to take calculated risks to achieve well-defined goals. S/he will create relevant analyses and leverage sophisticated analytics to improve strategic planning, financial planning, and forecasting and quickly translate complex information and inputs into actionable plans.

Ability to Succeed in a Not-for-Profit Environment: Demonstrated experience working successfully within a highly collaborative and collegial organization. Comfort rolling up one's sleeves, and engaging in day-to-day operations. Passion for, and commitment to, ESDCMDVA's mission.

Qualifications and Skills:

• Bachelor's Degree required. Advanced degree such as MBA and/or professional certification, such as CPA, preferred
• A minimum of seven years' experience in financial management of a multi-divisional organization
• Familiarity with non-profit accounting and related principles of revenue recognition, preferred
• Excellent verbal and written communications skills to effectively convey financial information to a diverse group of stakeholders
• Proven ability to lead a team to achieving ambitious goals
• Demonstrated capability to partner with operational leadership to set and achieve financial goals
• Proficient in analyzing financial data, identifying trends, and making data-driven decisions
• Experience developing, overseeing, and monitoring financial budgets
• Strong track record at enhancing financial systems and processes
• Expertise managing auditors and other outside vendors/professionals
• Ability to work under deadlines and effectively manage multiple time-sensitive projects at one time
• Compelling leadership presence to effectively work with Board and other members of Senior Management

Easterseals policy is to provide equal employment opportunity to all qualified applicants and employees regardless of their race, color, religion, sex, age, national origin, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, marital status, genetic information, veteran status, status as a special disabled veteran, or any other protected criteria as established by federal, state, or local laws. Employment decisions at Easterseals are based solely upon relevant criteria, including an individual's capabilities, qualifications, training, experience and suitability.