The Chief Financial Officer (CFO)/Chief Operating Officer (COO) is a State Education Assistance Authority (SEAA) executive reporting directly to the Executive Director and advises the Executive Director and the Board of Directors on fiscal and operational matters as well as assisting the Executive Director in strategic financial and operational planning and ensures that programs, services, and administrative functions are delivered efficiently, effectively, and in alignment with SEAA’s mission and strategic goals. This position also works closely with SEAA’s non-profit partner, College Foundation, Inc. (CFI) on programs administered on SEAA’s behalf.
CFO Duties
- Formulates, develops, and oversees implementation of policies and procedures for fiscal management, consistent with federal and State laws and regulations.
- Provides strategic leadership and oversight of all financial operations ensuring SEAA’s fiscal integrity, transparency, accountability, and compliance with all applicable laws and regulations.
- Direct the preparation and administration of SEAA’s annual operating budget and monitor revenues and expenditures and recommend budgetary changes as necessary.
- Establish and maintain strong internal controls and oversee fraud prevention and financial risk mitigation efforts.
- Oversee the preparation of SEAA’s annual audited financial statements, including working closely with SEAA’s outside auditor in the preparation of those statements and address any audit findings.
- Provide oversight of State-funded grants and scholarships including both higher education and North Carolina’s private K12 financial aid programs (Opportunity Scholarships and Personal Education Savings Accounts (ESA+)) as well as SEAA’s forgivable education loans for service program.
- Work with SEAA’s General Counsel, outside financial advisor, and outside bond counsel on bond transactions entered into by SEAA to fund loan programs for students attending postsecondary institutions (NC Assist Loans) administered by CFI.
- Provide investment manager oversight for the North Carolina National College Savings Program (NC 529) administered by CFI.
COO Duties
- Work closely with the Executive Director to develop and implement organization strategy.
- Works closely with SEAA senior leadership to encourage and facilitate business process improvement and ensure excellent customer service.
- Direct and coordinate daily operations across SEAA’s divisions.
- Identify and address operational risks and inefficiencies.
- Oversee SEAA’s Information Technology division, including systems developed and maintained by CFI on SEAA’s behalf.
- Ensures the maintenance of data security to protect SEAA’s systems and data to ensure compliance with federal and State IT requirements.
- Oversee Human Resources functions and staff and work closely with the General Counsel on workplace policies and compliance with applicable federal and State laws and regulations.
This position is required to work at least three days per week on site at SEAA's office in Raleigh, NC. NCSEAA employees are generally required to reside in North Carolina, within a 2-hour commuting distance of their assigned duty station.
