CFO - VT ISP Operating Co. (VISPO) - Based in So. Royalton, VT
About the role
VISPO (Vermont ISP Operating Company) is a non-profit dedicated to providing essential government services for East Central Vermont Telecommunications District (d/b/a ECFiber), a Communications Union District serving 31 towns across East Central Vermont. The District owns the ECFiber fiber optic network, delivering high-speed internet to over 10,000 customers. VISPO builds, operates, and maintains this network on behalf of the District. The organization has a start-up feel with a team-centered culture where everyone pitches in to make a difference in the community.
VISPO seeks a collaborative, hands-on Chief Financial Officer to serve as both strategic leader and active contributor. This is a player-coach role requiring comfort presenting financial strategy to the Board while also performing day-to-day accounting tasks — paying bills, making deposits, recording transactions, reviewing budgets, supporting audits, and helping staff understand financial impacts on operations. The CFO works closely with the C-suite, Board, and staff to ensure financial sustainability, support operational decision-making, and strengthen the organization's ability to serve communities dependent on the network.
Location: South Royalton, Vermont (Onsite) | Employment Status: Full-Time, Exempt | Reports To: Board of Directors, accountable to the C-Suite members
Responsibilities
Hands-On Financial and Accounting Management- Maintain active involvement in budgeting, forecasting, accounting oversight (including day-to-day operations), and financial reporting
- Work directly with accounting partners, vendors, and internal staff to ensure accurate and timely financial operations, including performing basic tasks, regulatory filings, and grant reporting
- Monitor cash flow, reserves, capital spending, debt obligations, and funding opportunities
- Review and improve financial processes, controls, and procedures while keeping systems practical and scalable
- Support and perform month-end, year-end, audit, and compliance activities
- Serve as trusted advisor and thought partner to other C-suite members and the Board
- Help shape organizational strategy through financial planning, forecasting, and business analysis
- Develop practical financial models supporting network growth, infrastructure investment, and organizational sustainability
- Develop, prepare, and present financial reports, forecasts, and recommendations to C-suite and Board
- Translate financial data into meaningful insights for informed decision-making
- Partner closely with operations and engineering teams to align financial planning with network build-out and infrastructure priorities
- Support financial oversight and reporting of fiber construction projects, capital investments, and grant-funded initiatives, including preparing grant reporting packages
- Monitor key operational and financial metrics: subscriber growth, revenue trends, service delivery costs
- Help leadership evaluate opportunities and risks related to growth and long-term network sustainability
- Lead by example through a player-coach style emphasizing collaboration, accountability, and continuous improvement
- Mentor and support finance, accounting, and administrative staff while remaining actively engaged in the work
- Partner with Human Resources and other leadership on compensation planning, benefits strategy, workforce forecasting, and organizational growth
- Foster financial transparency and build financial literacy across the organization
- Ensure compliance with applicable financial, tax, regulatory, and grant requirements
- Prepare and coordinate audits, tax filings, and reporting obligations
- Identify and mitigate financial risks while maintaining appropriate internal controls
- Support organizational governance through strong Board communication and reporting
- Evaluate and improve financial systems, controls, reporting tools, and workflows
- Build scalable processes supporting future growth while maintaining flexibility and efficiency
- Champion data-driven decision-making throughout the organization
Requirements
Required- Bachelor's degree in Business, with a concentration/minor in Accounting
- 10+ years of progressive financial leadership experience
- Experience in telecommunications, broadband, utilities, infrastructure, technology, or similarly complex operational environments
- Demonstrated success in startup, scale-up, nonprofit, cooperative, or mission-driven organizations
- Strong accounting, financial planning, forecasting, budgeting, and analytical skills
- Experience building systems, processes, and teams in growing organizations
- Ability to balance strategic thinking with hands-on detail execution
- BS in Accounting
- CPA or equivalent advanced credential
- Experience working with Boards of Directors
- Experience with rural broadband, fiber internet, cooperative, municipal, or community-based service models
- Experience with grants and related reporting, public funding, infrastructure financing, or capital-intensive operations
Benefits
- Medical, Dental, and Vision insurance with shared employer and employee contributions
- Employer contribution to a Health Savings Account (HSA) when electing an eligible medical plan
- Term Life Insurance, Short-Term Disability, and Long-Term Disability
- Employee Assistance Program (EAP) providing on-demand counseling and wellness programming for employees and household members
- 401(k) retirement plan enrollment upon eligibility, with 3% employer contribution
- Paid Time Off (PTO) including vacation, holidays, personal floating holidays, and sick time
- Ancillary and voluntary benefits available for optional employee purchase
Pay
$1