Chief Financial Officer- CFO

Description

PRIMARY FUNCTION: Directs and manages the Accounting and Finance Department Staff to fulfill all functions of the Department, including Accounting and Payroll, financial reporting and analysis, development and application of financial controls, policies and procedures, budgeting and forecasting, management of independent audit, compliance with contract regulations, and all other finance functions.

PRIMARY DUTIES:

Funding Mechanisms

Ensure that:

1. All funds received are properly identified (name of donor, address, amount donated) and recorded both in the Donor System and as a consolidated balance in the General Ledger and all the necessary backup information (copy of check, credit card details, and receipt for cash) is collected and filed.

2. All revenue of La Causa is from impeccable and identified sources and that conducted transactions comply with all applicable laws and regulations.

3. Funds received are categorized according to the donor's direction and that all restricted funds are used only for there designated purposes.

4. Negotiate and approve all contracts.

5. Be accountable for contract negotiation, administration and management.

6. Review final contracts and ensure that La Causa can commit and deliver on the stated results and budget.

Accounting

Ensure that:

1. All financial records of La Causa are identified, classified, and recorded as assets, liabilities, equities, revenues and expenditures with appropriate coding and account classification.

2. Accounting results are accurate as well as insuring the overall effectiveness and efficiency of the Accounting Department.

3. La Causa has in place the accounting standards, practices and conventions required to comply with the Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP) that governs the not-for-profit world.

4. Basic financial statements, Balance Sheet, Statement of Activities and cash flow position are produced accurately on a monthly basis.

5. All required federal, state, pension, charitable status, property tax exemption and other required reports and documents are filed in a timely manner.

6. Assets are managed properly.

Financial Controls

1. Ensure that financial controls are in place to properly decide how money will be handled internally so that it is safely received, recorded, deposited and expended in the appropriate manner as established by La Causa.

Policy and Procedures

1. Proper policies and procedures are in place to comply with all applicable laws and regulations pertaining to labor relations and employment (with support from the internal and external resources La Causa has available).

2. Proper policies and procedures are in place to protect La Causa

from either intentional or unintentional misuse of funds.

Financial Reporting and Analysis

Ensure that:

1. Fiscal files, reports and systems are properly processed, organized and maintained.

2. The creation and distribution of all necessary reports that periodically measure and present the results of the economic activities of La Causa to Management and the Board of Directors.

3. Audited Financial Statements for an annual report are prepared and approved by the Auditors.

4. Define and utilize ratios, and "red flags" mechanisms that permit the organization to anticipate changes in trends and results.

5. Final review of reports while being aware of significant variances and implementing corrective actions.

Budgets and Forecasting

Ensure that:

1. A budget, which serves as the financial plan of the organization, is prepared by Management on an annual basis and approved by the Board of Directors. The budget will be consistent with La Causa program goals and objectives and will include current long-range economic forecasts.

2. Approve financial reports and projections.

3. Develop policies and procedures to control expenses.

4. Manage* the budget process, including the following:

* Preparation of a consolidated annual budget and detailed monthly budgets

* Comparison of actual results with the budget forecast at monthly intervals

* Analysis of the variances of actual from budgeted performance

* Selection of any corrective action required to eliminate the cause of the variance,

including, of course, submitting a budget change.

Treasury - Cash, Investment, Cash Flow

Ensure that:

1. La Causa maintains an adequate Reserve Fund, normally six months of budgeted operational expenses, to cover periods where expenses are greater than revenues. Every year, plan, with Management, the long-term financial situation of La Causa to ensure that an adequate Reserve Fund is in place at all times.

2. A plan to invest the Reserve Fund of La Causa is designed and implemented. This plan must comply with all applicable laws and guidelines, include selecting proper investment vehicles inside acceptable risk, and ensure proper return on the investment, by seeking outside guidance and advice.

3. Timely cash flow report is produced and analyzed. Recommend actions, if any, to ensure a steady, reliable cash flow for La Causa.

4. Approve disbursements and recommendations.

5. Secure financing and approve purchases.

Audit

Ensure that:

1. A reputable and known Audit Firm is engaged to conduct the annual audit of La Causa.

2. An Allocation Plan to distribute the cost between Programs, Fund-raising and Administration is prepared and agreed upon with the Auditors.

3. All materials, documents, and supporting documentation required by the Auditors are collected in a notebook during the year, ready for submission to the Auditors prior to the start of the Audit process.

4. La Causa receives an unqualified opinion and that the Management Letter addresses only technical issues and not organizational issues.

Registration and Taxes

1. Work with the auditors to ensure that all federal, state and local returns are prepared and submitted to the proper authorities in an accurate and timely manner.

2. Ensure that all federal, state and local registrations and permits are prepared and

submitted to the proper authorities in an accurate and timely manner.

Payroll and Personnel

Ensure that:

1. All staff members are properly enrolled in the payroll and all the legal and fiscal requirements are met.

2. Payroll is prepared in an accurate and timely manner and that salaries are properly paid.

3. All personnel taxes (federal, state, city, social security, Medicare, etc.) are properly identified, quantified and withheld from employees' salaries.

4. Personnel taxes and withholdings are sent to the corresponding authorities and institutions in an accurate and timely manner.

5. Be overall accountable for Payroll System Process and its effectiveness and efficiency.

6. Conduct financial analysis and make recommendations regarding benefits coverage from a financial perspective in conjunction with Human Resources.

7. Contract for insurance (following research and analysis) in conjunction with Human Resources.

Retirement Trust Fund

Ensure that:

1. Any recommendation affecting La Causa's contribution to the Retirement Trust Plan is prepared and submitted to Management and to the Board of Directors' Finance and Audit Committee. Recommendations must include the level of contribution requested (normally a percentage of each eligible employee's salary), the impact on each eligible employee, the total cost to La Causa and the reasons justifying the request for contribution.

2. With Human Resources, any Board-approved Retirement Trust Plan contribution is sent to the Selected Company following approval of audited financial statements by the Board.

La Causa Staff

1. Ensure that appropriate fiscal technical assistance is provided to members of La Causa staff on an as-needed basis.

Personnel

1. Supervise staff assigned to the Accounting and Finance Department on a day-to-day basis to ensure effective performance and fulfillment of all Department functions.

2. Manage the on-going performance, evaluation and development of staff assigned to the Accounting and Finance Department.

General

1. Serve on various committees, as requested.

2. Perform other duties relating to the essential functions of the position, as assigned.

Requirements

NON-ESSENTIAL DUTIES: None

NORMAL WORKING CONDITIONS: Office environment, some outside local and state-wide travel involved.

REPORTS TO: President and CEO

QUALIFCATIONS:

1. Bachelor's Degree in Accounting or Finance and Master's Degree in Business Administration. CPA strongly preferred.

2. Minimum ten (10) years of formal experience, of which at least 5 years is in the not-for-profit field, in the area of accounting, fiscal management and supervision.

3. Excellent communication skills, both oral and written, interpersonal relationship skills, and ability to work effectively in a culturally diverse environment.

4. Excellent organizational skills and outstanding capacity for managing multiple priorities and producing results in a short amount of time.

5. Demonstrated knowledge of word processing, spreadsheets, accounting software and data bases with experience in using Microsoft Office suite.

6. Transportation, valid Wisconsin Driver's license (after establishing residency), state minimum auto insurance and must meet La Causa, Inc. driving standards

7. Bilingual, English and Spanish, preferred.

****La Causa, Inc. requires all individuals working to be fully vaccinated against Covid-19****