Chief Financial Officer (CFO)
Status: Full-Time (40 hours/week)
Reports To: Chief Financial Officer
Direct Reports: none FLSA
Status: Exempt
Last Updated: October 2025
Position Summary
The Chief Financial Officer (CFO) serves as a key member of the Early Learning Coalition’s executive leadership team, providing strategic financial direction, oversight, and accountability to ensure the effective use of public and private resources in advancing the organization’s mission. The CFO leads all financial operations, including budgeting, forecasting, financial reporting, and compliance with state and federal regulations.
This position requires a results-driven and detail-oriented leader with exceptional analytical skills, a strong understanding of government funding mechanisms, and experience managing state and federal audits. The CFO is responsible for developing and maintaining robust financial systems, ensuring fiscal integrity, and producing accurate, timely financial analyses to support executive decision-making.
The ideal candidate is a collaborative and solutions-oriented professional who works effectively with internal teams, external partners, and oversight agencies. The CFO promotes transparency, operational efficiency, and data-informed strategies to sustain the organization’s long-term financial health and support high-quality early learning services for children and families.
Essential Duties and Responsibilities
• Provide strategic financial insight and recommendations to the CEO, Board of Directors, and leadership team to support informed decision-making.
• Conduct detailed financial analyses and trend reporting to anticipate fiscal challenges and identify opportunities for improvement or cost efficiency.
• Lead the organization’s annual budgeting and forecasting processes, ensuring accuracy, transparency, and alignment with programmatic priorities.
• Conduct detailed financial analyses and trend reporting to anticipate fiscal challenges and identify opportunities for improvement or cost efficiency.
• Oversee all accounting and financial operations, including general ledger, accounts payable/receivable, payroll, and grants management.
• Ensure the preparation of accurate, timely monthly, quarterly, and annual financial statements and reports for management, Board, and regulatory agencies.
• Maintain compliance with Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP), federal and state regulations, and organizational policies.
• Manage cash flow planning, monitoring, and forecasting to ensure operational liquidity and financial stability.
• Lead all state, federal, and independent audit processes, including audit preparation, coordination with auditors, and timely resolution of findings.
• Ensure compliance with federal OMB Uniform Guidance, Florida statutes, and all grant and contract fiscal requirements.
• Develop, implement, and monitor internal controls to safeguard organizational assets and ensure fiscal accountability.
• Identify and mitigate financial risks through proactive assessment and sound fiscal policies.
• Partner with program and operations leadership to align financial management with programmatic goals and funding requirements.
• Leads preparation and coordination of materials for Board of Directors meetings, including Finance Committee meetings.
• Ensures the organization maintains compliance and guidance regarding personnel by overseeing Human Resource functions of the organization.
• Ensures the organization’s technology platforms maintain compliance and guidance by overseeing the Information Services of the organization.
• Is a expert in state rules, policy, and program guidance.
• Upholds confidentiality and demonstrates cultural sensitivity and professionalism in all interactions.
• Maintains consistent attendance, punctuality, and professional behavior.
• Participates in community collaborations building relationships with partners.
• Supports coalition goals by contributing to a collaborative, solutions-focused team environment.
• Supports the Coalition’s mission and perform other duties assigned.
Qualifica
tions
Educat</s
trong>ion: Bachelor’s degree, professional certifications desired.
Experience: Minimum of ten (10) years in financial management, insurance, risk mitigation, human services, or customer service roles, including experience in supervision. Experience in early learning or non-profit is highly desirable.
Skills:
• Excellent ability to develop long term financial strategies and use advanced financial modeling, forecasting and budgeting tools.
• Strong ability to identify, assess and mitigate financial risks, including liability, market and cybersecurity threats.
• Proficient in financial management software and leveraging technology to drive data-driven decisions.
• A high level of integrity and ability to navigate complex interpersonal dynamics with empathy.
• Demonstrated leadership and team development abilities.
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills, both written and verbal.
• Excellent organization, accuracy, and attention to detail.
• Reliable, punctual, ability to manage multiple priorities and meet deadlines.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, Outlook, Teams) and data systems.
Other Requirements:
Valid Florida driver’s license, reliable transportation, and ability to pass a Level II background screening.
Work Envi
ronment
• Work location varies based on the needs of the agency and may include a combination of office, community, and hybrid settings.
• Occasional travel within Sarasota County for community events, meetings, trainings, or evening/weekend activities.
• Ability to sit or stand for extended periods and lift up to 25 pounds for event materials.
• Must have reliable transportation and a valid Florida Driver’s License.
To apply, email resume and cover letter to: Careers@elcsarasota.org
Disclaimer : This job description is not all-inclusive. The employee may perform other related duties as assigned to meet the ongoing needs of the organization. Management reserves the right to modify or update job duties and responsibilities as necessary.
