Fractional Chief Financial Officer at ChristianWorks for Children
Location: Dallas–Fort Worth, Texas | Hybrid with regular onsite engagement
Reports to: Executive Director; collaborates with Board Finance Committee
Compensation: Negotiable based on experience, scope, and time commitment.
- Phase 1 (Months 1–3): The engagement begins with an intensive 90-day Assessment & Remediation Phase requiring higher upfront involvement to establish baseline systems and priorities.
- Phase 2 (Ongoing): Following the 90-day review, the role transitions into a standard fractional workflow. Hours, ongoing deliverables, and regular fee structures will be formally recalibrated based on Phase 1 outcomes.
Initial focus: Financial recovery, audit readiness, controls, and reliable reporting
Position Overview
ChristianWorks seeks an experienced, mission-aligned Fractional CFO to provide executive-level financial leadership, strengthen internal controls, oversee financial operations, and serve as a trusted strategic partner to the Executive Director. The immediate assignment is to resolve historical accounting and reporting challenges, coordinate outstanding audits and tax questions, and establish dependable financial processes. This is a leadership and oversight role—not an additional bookkeeping position.
The ideal candidate brings strong financial leadership, demonstrated success improving accounting systems and controls, and the ability to guide financial recovery. Prior nonprofit experience is preferred, not required; the candidate must be able to learn and apply nonprofit-specific accounting and reporting requirements.
1 | Financial Recovery & Audit Readiness
- Assess accounting records and oversee validation and cleanup of 2024–2026 financial statements, including historical journal entries, duplicates, transaction coding, donor accounting, and QuickBooks Online issues.
- Ensure documented reconciliation of bank accounts, credit cards, liabilities, restricted funds, and other material balance-sheet accounts.
- Lead a written recovery plan with owners, milestones, costs, risks, and regular progress reports to management and the Finance Committee.
- Evaluate and coordinate qualified external CPA/audit firms; establish a credible plan to complete the outstanding 2024 and 2025 audits and prepare for the 2026 audit.
- Coordinate with independent tax professionals to assess prior Form 990 accuracy and determine whether amendments or outstanding filings are necessary.
Expected outcome: Supportable financial records and a clear, actively managed path to audit and tax compliance.
2 | Financial Operations & Internal Controls
- Oversee, coach, and clarify responsibilities of accounting and administrative staff; assess appropriate separation of duties.
- Finalize and implement written SOPs for approvals, expenditures, deposits, payroll, journal entries, reconciliations, and documentation.
- Establish a consistent monthly close with account reconciliations, review sign-offs, and exception follow-up.
- Ensure accurate accounting for contributions, pledges, restricted gifts, grants, and program revenues.
- Review banking, accounting, payroll, and donor-system permissions and integrations; address control weaknesses and preserve process continuity.
Expected outcome: Repeatable financial processes, clear accountability, and effective safeguards.
3 | Financial Reporting & Board Support
- Deliver timely, accurate monthly financial statements, cash-flow reporting, and budget-to-actual analysis.
- Develop a concise management/Board dashboard covering liquidity, reserves, variances, restricted funds, and key financial risks.
- Explain financial performance in clear terms and support the Executive Director in Finance Committee and Board presentations.
- Create escalation protocols so significant accounting, compliance, or control issues reach leadership promptly.
Expected outcome: Decision-ready financial information and stronger Board confidence.
4 | Budgeting, Forecasting & Strategic Advice
- Lead annual budgeting and rolling forecasts; maintain cash-flow projections and evaluate liquidity needs.
- Analyze program-level sustainability, staffing, facilities, reserves, and expansion decisions, including emerging locations such as Burleson.
- Advise the Executive Director on financial trade-offs, operating efficiencies, and responsible long-term growth.
Expected outcome: A strategic financial partner supporting sound ministry decisions.
5 | Nonprofit Compliance & Stewardship
- Ensure appropriate financial practices for a tax-exempt nonprofit, including contribution restrictions, grant requirements, and applicable U.S. GAAP.
- Maintain a compliance calendar for audits, Form 990 preparation, and other reporting obligations; coordinate with independent professionals.
- Support adherence to bylaws and Board financial policies, risk mitigation, and transparent donor stewardship.
Expected outcome: Sustainable compliance and protection of donor trust.
6 | Leadership & Collaboration
- Serve as the Executive Director’s principal financial advisor and help develop the internal finance team.
- Work constructively with staff, the Board Finance Committee, external CPAs, and independent auditors.
- Promote proactive communication, integrity, accountability, and continuous improvement while allowing the Executive Director to focus on ministry, staff, fundraising, and relationships.
Required Qualifications
- Substantial senior financial leadership experience (CFO, VP Finance, Controller, or comparable role).
- Strong U.S. GAAP, financial reporting, audit coordination, accounting cleanup, and internal-control experience.
- Proven oversight of accounting staff, budgeting, forecasting, cash flow, and financial analysis.
- Proficiency with QuickBooks Online or a comparable accounting platform.
- Ability to explain complex financial matters to nonfinancial leaders and a Board.
- Strong integrity, sound judgment, ownership, and collaborative leadership.
- Alignment with ChristianWorks’ Christian mission and values.
Preferred Qualifications
- Nonprofit financial leadership and familiarity with restricted contributions, grants, donor reporting, and Form 990.
- CPA credential; prior fractional CFO experience.
- Experience leading historical accounting cleanup, audit remediation, or financial turnarounds.
- Experience with organizations of similar size, multiple programs or sites, donor systems, and Boards/Finance Committees
Measures of Success
Progress toward validated historical statements and completed audits; reconciliations completed on schedule; timely monthly closes and reliable reporting; effective documented controls; compliance milestones met; actionable forecasts; capable staff; and increased confidence of the Executive Director and Board.
Work Location: Hybrid remote in Dallas, TX 75230
