Interim Chief Financial Officer (Interim CFO)
Location: Greater Houston Area (Hybrid Schedule Required)
Industry: Nonprofit / Mission-Driven Organization
Engagement: 6-month engagement with potential extension or conversion
Compensation: Competitive hourly rate based on experience
Position Overview
Our client, a respected nonprofit organization based in the greater Houston area, is seeking an experienced Interim Chief Financial Officer (CFO) to provide steady, strategic, and operational leadership during a period of organizational transition. The incumbent CFO is transitioning out, and the organization requires a seasoned financial executive to rebuild, modernize, and stabilize the accounting and finance function while supporting day-to-day operations.
This Interim CFO will play a critical role in designing a stronger financial infrastructure, rewriting policies and procedures, supporting a system transformation initiative, and serving as a trusted partner to the CEO, board of directors, and leadership team. The ideal candidate brings deep nonprofit financial experience, strong communication skills, and the ability to lead through change with a calm, professional, and collaborative approach.
The role is structured as a hybrid onsite/remote position, with meaningful time required at the Houston headquarters.
Key Responsibilities
Financial Leadership & Transition Management
- Lead all financial operations during the CFO transition period, ensuring continuity, accuracy, and timely financial reporting.
- Immediately assess the current finance and accounting function, identifying gaps, risks, and improvement opportunities.
- Provide hands-on oversight of accounting, month-end close, budgeting, forecasting, grant management, and compliance.
- Maintain financial stability while preparing the organization for its next long-term financial leader.
Department Rebuild & Operational Improvement
- Re-architect the structure, workflows, and capabilities of the accounting and finance department.
- Implement improved processes, reporting standards, internal controls, and operational discipline across the team.
- Serve as mentor and leader to finance staff, providing guidance, accountability, and professional development.
- Recruit, upskill, or transition team members as needed to build a high-performing finance function.
System Transformation & Policy Redesign
- Play a lead role in the implementation or transformation of the organization’s financial system (accounting, ERP, donor management, or reporting tools).
- Rewrite outdated policies, procedures, accounting guidelines, and administrative documentation to align with best practices and system design.
- Ensure new processes support scalability, accuracy, compliance, and audit readiness.
- Coordinate with IT, vendors, and internal stakeholders to ensure a smooth and successful system transition.
Board & Stakeholder Engagement
- Prepare and deliver clear, concise financial presentations to the Board of Directors, Finance Committee, and leadership stakeholders.
- Serve as a trusted advisor to the CEO and board, offering insights into financial health, risks, opportunities, and future-state recommendations.
- Support board-related reporting requirements, documentation, and audit communications.
Compliance, Governance & Nonprofit Stewardship
- Ensure compliance with nonprofit accounting standards (GAAP), grant requirements, and federal/state reporting obligations.
- Oversee audits, 990 preparation, donor reporting, and restricted/unrestricted fund management.
- Strengthen governance, oversight, and documentation to support long-term organizational health.
Qualifications
Required
- Senior-level financial leadership experience as a CFO, VP of Finance, or Controller within a nonprofit organization.
- Strong working knowledge of nonprofit accounting, restricted funds, grants, budgets, audits, and compliance.
- Demonstrated ability to rebuild or transform an accounting/finance department.
- Experience leading system implementations or finance system transformations.
- Excellent communication skills with the ability to be board-facing, donor-facing, and executive-facing.
- Ability to work onsite in the greater Houston area on a hybrid schedule.
Preferred
- Experience as an interim or fractional CFO.
- Background supporting organizations during executive transitions.
- Strong project management experience, particularly with system implementations.
