Chief Financial Officer

The position is responsible for overseeing enterprise-wide financial operations including budgeting, accounting, financial planning and analysis, procurement oversight, grants management, treasury management, internal controls, audit coordination, and financial reporting. The CFO plays a critical role in ensuring compliance with all applicable U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) financial regulations, audit requirements, reporting mandates, and Public Housing Authority (PHA) performance standards.

This position functions as a key advisor to executive leadership, the Board of Commissioners, external auditors, HUD representatives, and governmental oversight agencies regarding the fiscal health and long-term financial sustainability of the Authority. This position is designated as essential.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

The below statements are intended to describe the general nature and scope of work being performed by this position.  This is not a complete listing of all responsibilities, duties and/or skills required. Other duties may be assigned:

• Directs and oversees all financial operations of the Authority including accounting, budgeting, payroll, accounts payable/receivable, treasury management, grants administration, procurement oversight, and financial reporting activities.
• Develops and implements strategic financial plans, fiscal policies, internal controls, and long-range financial sustainability initiatives aligned with the Authority’s mission, operational goals, and HUD requirements.
• Oversees the preparation, analysis, and submission of all HUD-required financial reports, including Financial Data Schedule (FDS), REAC submissions, eFASS reporting, operating subsidy reports, Capital Fund reporting, SEMAP-related financial data, and audited financial statements.
• Ensures organizational compliance with HUD regulations, 2 CFR Part 200 (Uniform Guidance), GAAP, GASB standards, Single Audit requirements, federal grant management regulations, and all applicable federal, state, and local financial laws and policies.
• Directs and coordinates all financial audits, HUD monitoring reviews, Inspector General inquiries, external compliance examinations, and independent audit activities, including the development and implementation of corrective action plans.
• Provides executive leadership and financial guidance to the Executive Director, Board of Commissioners, and senior leadership regarding financial performance, risk management, operational impacts, funding utilization, and strategic decision-making.
• Oversees the development, administration, monitoring, and control of the Authority’s operating, capital, grant, and program budgets to ensure fiscal accountability and effective utilization of public funds.
• Monitors financial performance indicators, cash flow, revenue projections, expenditures, and funding allocations to identify trends, mitigate fiscal risks, and support data-driven organizational planning.
• Establishes and maintains comprehensive internal control systems and financial accountability measures designed to prevent fraud, waste, abuse, financial mismanagement, and regulatory non-compliance.
• Oversees financial operations associated with affordable housing development initiatives, mixed-finance transactions, capital improvement programs, RAD conversions, bond financing, and other federally funded housing programs as applicable.
• Directs, supervises, and evaluates finance department staff and subordinate managers, including establishing performance expectations, promoting professional development, and ensuring operational effectiveness and accountability.
• Represents the Housing Authority in financial matters with HUD officials, external auditors, financial institutions, government agencies, community stakeholders, and the Board of Commissioners regarding fiscal operations, audit outcomes, regulatory compliance, and financial strategy.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

Qualifications

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Job Competencies

• Comprehensive knowledge of government accounting principles and practices and HUD financial reporting requirements and regulations
• Comprehensive knowledge of public housing and housing choice voucher programs
• Comprehensive knowledge of GAAP and federal auditing requirements and standards
• Comprehensive knowledge of compliance requirements associated with federal, state and local grants accounting and reporting processes
• Knowledge of federal procurement and contract administration principles  REAC reporting, requirements, Uniform Administrative requirements, and Sigle Audit Act requirements
• Demonstrated skill to generate complex financial forecasts, strategic budgets and diverse capital plans
• Demonstrated skill to understand, interpret and apply supervisory, managerial and administrative policies, procedures and protocols
• Demonstrated skill to develop, implement, and monitor internal control framework and enterprise risk management 
• Demonstrated skill in monitoring financial systems, ERP platforms, and other types of automated reporting systems
• Ability to effectively communicate both orally and in writing with subordinates, peers, management, administration, Boards of Commissioners and all external associated parties
• Ability to train, engage, encourage, motivate, inspire, evaluate and sometimes discipline staff in a manner which produces positive outcomes
• Ability to effectively work with procurement, budgeting, operations and other personnel in a manner which provides a seamless flow of information

Education and/or Experience

Bachelor's degree in Accounting, Finance, Business Administration or a closely related field and at least 10 years of progressive experience in financial management experience, including executive-level leadership experience in public sector finance, affordable housing, governmental agencies or federally funded programs.  This experience must include managing HUD financial reporting, federal grant compliance, and public housing audit processes. 

Certified Public Accountant (CPA) or Certified Government Financial Manager (CGFM) certification preferred.

The District of Columbia Housing Authority (DCHA) conducts pre-employment screening on specified positions, which may include but is not limited to a criminal background check, drug and alcohol testing, verification of academic credentials, licenses, and certifications, and/or verification of work history. 

This position has been designated by the department to require a drug and alcohol screening and background check.  Finalist(s) for this position will be subject to drug and alcohol testing and will be required to consent to a pre-employment background check as a condition of employment.

Technical Skills

To perform this job successfully, an individual must have strong computer skills (MS Word, MS Excel, MS PowerPoint, and MS Outlook).  Must be able to learn other computer software programs as required by assigned tasks

Physical Demands

The work requires no unusual physical demands.  The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is frequently required to sit, talk and listen. The employee is occasionally required to stand and walk. The employee may occasionally lift and/or move up to 25 pounds.

Work Environment

The work is performed in an office and meeting and conference rooms.  The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

The starting salary will be based on the selected candidate's qualifications, including education and professional experience, and will be set within the executive pay range.