Chief Financial Officer

Duties & Responsibilities

• Liaise with Board of Directors, and Board committees, including Executive Committee Audit Committee, and Finance Committee.
• Attend Board meetings as requested and present financial information and analysis.
• Partner with the Executive Director and Executive Team to develop and execute financial strategies and operating plans that support PAWS Chicago’s mission, strategic plan, and long-term sustainability.
• This will include short- and long-term financial planning and optimization.
• Oversee the development and maintenance of documentation for organizational financial policies, SOP’s, procedures and systems with an eye to best practice and internal controls.
• Provide financial analysis, forecasting, and scenario planning to support informed decision-making at the executive and board levels.
• Serve as a strategic thought partner on organizational growth, capital investments, and resource allocation.
• Support Executive Director on long-term strategic and operational planning and execution.
• Continue to develop finance team’s expertise and professional skills, ensuring their growth and development, with an eye towards succession planning across the department.
• Explore implementation of Balanced Scorecard and other planning and strategy tools.
• Lead and oversee strategic and organizational projects as requested.

Financial Operations, Planning, Management & Oversight

• Oversee all financial operations, including standard management and board reporting, planning and budgeting, for cash flow and other cash management functions, balance sheet/debt instruments, and internal controls.
• Ensure accurate, timely, and transparent financial statements in accordance with GAAP and nonprofit accounting standards.
• Ensure accurate and timely reporting of functional expenses.
• Lead the development and management of the annual operating, capital and all funds budgets, monitoring performance and variances throughout the year.
• Oversee bank accounts, cash management, and interface with investment advisors, ensuring appropriate tracking and reporting of all funds, restrictions and endowments.
• Oversee financial systems and general ledger by being a hands-on operational lead, supporting and guiding the finance team as needed with maintaining books and records.

Compliance, Risk & Governance

• Ensure compliance with all federal, state, and local financial, tax, and regulatory requirements, including nonprofit reporting obligations.
• Oversee annual audits and work closely with external auditors and finance committees to ensure strong governance and financial accountability.
• Identify and manage financial risks, implementing policies and controls that safeguard organizational assets.

Organizational Operations & Systems

• Oversee accounting/financial systems and infrastructure, tools, technology and processes to support efficiency, accuracy, and scalability.
• Partner with operations, development, and program leadership to ensure financial practices align with organizational needs and priorities.
• Manage capital expenditure management and build business cases for investment.
• Support cost analysis and financial modeling for new initiatives, program expansion, and operational improvements.
• Work with departments and the Controller on operational and mission planning, ensuring resources are being efficiently stewarded to optimize mission returns on investment.

Development & Revenue Collaboration

• Collaborate with the Development team to support fundraising strategy, revenue forecasting, and donor stewardship from a financial perspective.
• Ensure strong financial tracking and reporting for grants, restricted funds, and major gifts, including compliance with donor and grant requirements.

Team Leadership

• Lead, mentor, and develop the Finance team, fostering a culture of accountability, collaboration, and continuous improvement.
• Build strong cross-functional relationships to ensure financial literacy and shared ownership of financial health across the organization.