Chief Financial Officer

$130,000 - $135,000 per year, depending on experience

Full-time, Exempt position

Monday thru Friday, 8am to 5pm

Enhances New Opportunities, Inc. effectiveness by managing all financial and accounting operations, including internal and external financial reporting, cash management, budgeting, and financial and administrative controls. Provides the senior management team with strategic guidance with regard to these areas. Ensures fiscal operations comply with applicable funding and regulatory requirements and support timely, accurate decision-making. Presents financial status, projections, and significant fiscal matters at Board of Directors and Finance Committee, and related meetings.

RESPONSIBILITIES: 

• Manages financial and accounting operations of New Opportunities, Inc., ensuring that financial transactions are planned and accounted for in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles and procedures, and information is produced accurately and timely.
• Ensures the integrity and timely completion of core accounting functions, including general ledger activity, account reconciliations, month-end and year-end close, and financial statements, and reviews or provides direct support to these functions as needed to maintain continuity.
• Ensures financial systems are operating efficiently and appropriate security, access controls, and data integrity protections are in place.
• Manages Agency cash flow, cash forecasting, and banking activity.
• Ensures compliance with external funding and regulatory requirements, including the timely submission of financial reports and required supporting documentation. Provides internal financial reports to senior management on a monthly basis, including budget-to-actual results and cash flow projections.
• Ensures internal controls are in place and monitored to safeguard Agency assets, including appropriate segregation of duties, reconciliations, and approval controls.
• Oversees the Agency’s annual audit and Single Audit processes. This includes the development of Request for Proposal documents to select an auditing firm, managing the relationship with the auditing firm, coordinating requested documentation, and ensuring timely responses and corrective action related to fiscal findings or recommendations.
• Establishes, maintains, and periodically updates fiscal policies and procedures; ensures adherence to Agency approval and authority guidelines.
• Provides direct supervision and managerial oversight to Fiscal Department staff, establishes clear roles, work review, cross-training, and continuity, and provides functional direction to program staff regarding financial reporting and audits.
• Leads the Agency’s annual budget and forecasting process and assists the Director of Research Development & Planning with the development of budgets for new programs.
• Negotiates contracts with vendors and bankers as necessary, to obtain favorable pricing.
• Pursues personal professional development in accounting, management and systems technology.

Education:

 B.S. in Accounting or Finance. Advanced degree / CPA preferred.

Experience:

8 years of progressively responsible financial management experience, including supervisory or fiscal leadership experience. Experience in a nonprofit, grant-funded, or similarly regulated environment strongly preferred.

Job Skills:  

Strong accounting and financial management skills, including general ledger, financial reporting, budgeting, cash management, and internal controls.

Strong planning, multi-tasking, problem solving, crisis management and negotiation skills.

Thorough knowledge of generally accepted accounting principles and regulatory and funding requirements impacting nonprofit organizations.

Decisive decision-making and tolerance for ambiguity.

Supervisory and leadership skills; critical and creative thinking skills.

Good communication skills, including verbal, written and presentation.

Cultural competence and ability to work with diverse populations.

Time management, organizational, recordkeeping and reporting skills.

Strong computer skills, including spreadsheets and financial/accounting systems.

Licenses /certifications:  

CPA preferred

Benefits Include:

• Health Insurance
• Dental Insurance
• Vision Insurance
• Life Insurance
• 401(k) with matching contributions
• Vacation Time
• Personal Time
• Sick Time
• Holiday Pay

New Opportunities' mission is to improve the quality of life for economically disadvantaged individuals by providing the necessary resources to increase their standard of living, foster self-improvement, and maximize self-empowerment.

New Opportunities Inc. is the community action agency that serves Waterbury, Meriden, Torrington and 22 surrounding Connecticut towns. We offer a variety of social service programs designed to eliminate poverty and assist people in need.

Headquartered in Waterbury and the cities fourth largest employer, New Opportunities has additional offices in Meriden, Torrington, Danbury and Thomaston for the convenience of those they serve. Annually, more than 61,000 individuals benefit from programs offered at this agency, guided by the New Opportunities staff who helped them find the way to meet their needs.

In accordance with the mission of New Opportunities, the Agency aims to increase the self-sufficiency of its customers and support their move out of poverty toward a more middle-class lifestyle.

In 1964, the Agency incorporated as a private non-profit corporation in the State of Connecticut and is a tax-exempt 501 (c) (3) organization. With an annual budget for 2014 in excess of $41 million dollars, New Opportunities administers more than 50 social service programs targeted to the low-income, elderly and disabled communities.

While the range of programs is broad, they fall into one or more of the following categories:

• Energy Assistance
• Fatherhood Initiative
• Child Welfare and Family Development Services
• Early Childhood Education Programs
• Elderly Services
• Homeless Shelter and Transitional Housing
• Ex-Offender Programs and Re-entry Services

EOE/AA/Veteran/Disability