Chief Financial Officer

Employee Benefits

EPU is proud to offer a comprehensive and competitive benefits package, including:

• Affordable medical benefits, including employer-paid dental, vision, and AD&D insurance for full-time employees
• 40 hours of California Paid Sick Leave for all employees
• 120 hours of annual Paid Time Off for full-time employees working 40 hours per week
• 12 paid holidays
• 401(k) plan & Company Profit-Sharing Plan employer contribution
• Benefit eligibility for many part-time positions
• Monthly Ignite Team Spirit Days to celebrate staff and strengthen connection

Position Summary

The Chief Financial Officer (CFO) is a senior executive leader responsible for establishing and stewarding the organization’s financial strategy, policies, and long‑term fiscal sustainability. The CFO serves as a key strategic partner to the President/CEO and an active member of the Leadership Team (Directors), contributing to organizational decision making, growth planning, and operational excellence.

The CFO oversees all financial administration, budgeting, accounting, business planning, and financial reporting, and provides executive oversight of the organization’s pension plan. The CFO works closely with the Board of Directors, particularly the Executive Committee, to ensure transparency, compliance, and alignment with EPU’s mission and strategic plan.

Essential Functions

Strategic & Executive Leadership

• Partner with the President/CEO on financial and strategic matters, providing insight based on financial analysis, forecasting, cost allocation, and revenue/expense trends.
• Serve as a core member of the Leadership/Director Team, contributing to organizational strategy, risk management, and long‑term planning.
• Translate strategic priorities into sustainable financial models and operational plans.
• Serve as Administrator of the organization’s Profit‑Sharing (Pension) plan.

Financial Management & Oversight

• Lead all budgeting processes, including annual budgets, multiyear financial projections, and cash flow forecasting.
• Oversee accounting operations and ensure financial records comply with Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP).
• Prepare and present accurate, timely monthly, quarterly, and annual financial reports for the President/CEO, Board of Directors, and funding agencies.
• Monitor financial performance and develop corrective strategies as needed.
• Ensure that agency liability and insurance policies meet industry standards and provide sufficient coverage for organizational assets.

Board & Governance Support

• Serve as staff liaison, along with the President/CEO, to the Board Executive & Pension Committees, and provide support for Audit Committee.
• Provide clear, meaningful financial reporting and analysis to support Board oversight and fiduciary responsibilities.
• Oversee and support audit processes (including single audit), tax filings, and compliance with federal, state, and funder requirements, including nonprofit and fund accounting standards.

Program & Operational Partnership

• Collaborate with Organizational Directors and Leaders to align financial planning with programmatic goals, contracts/grants, purchasing, and growth strategies.
• Ensure strong financial controls and project‑based tracking across multiple funding streams.
• Oversee and continuously improve financial systems, internal controls, and administrative processes.

People Leadership

• Lead, supervise, mentor, and develop finance staff and other assigned personnel.
• Ensure appropriate staffing levels and a customer service‑oriented finance department.
• Foster a collaborative, ethical, and high‑performing team culture.
• Other duties as assigned to support business needs.

Qualifications

Education

• Bachelor’s degree in Finance, Accounting, Business, or a related field (required).
• CPA or CMA is strongly preferred.
• Master’s degree preferred.

Experience

• 5+ years experience of progressive financial leadership experience (e.g., Controller, Director of Finance, VP of Finance, or Chief Financial Officer).
• 5+ years of experience leading and developing teams.
• Nonprofit and fund accounting experience is strongly preferred.
• Demonstrated experience working with boards and finance committees.

Skills & Competencies

• Strong analytical, forecasting, and financial modeling skills.
• Ability to translate complex financial information into clear, actionable insights.
• High ethical standards, integrity, and commitment to confidentiality (including HIPAA compliance).
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Strong technology literacy: proficiency with Microsoft Office 365, accounting software (QuickBooks or similar), and payroll services (Paylocity or similar) along with other typical accounting‑related technology. Proven experience in integration of Artificial Intelligence (AI) a plus.
• Collaborative, service‑oriented leadership style aligned with mission‑driven work.

Work Environment & Physical Requirements

This position is primarily an in‑person office‑based and performed in a professional administrative environment. The role requires the ability to perform essential job functions with or without reasonable accommodation, in accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and the California Fair Employment and Housing Act (FEHA).

Physical Demands

• Sitting: Constant; prolonged periods of desk work and computer use.
• Standing & Walking: Frequent; moving between work areas and offices.
• Reaching: Occasional; reaching for files, paperwork, or office materials, including occasional overhead reaching to place or retrieve items from shelves.
• Bending / Stooping / Kneeling: Occasional; retrieving dropped items or materials.
• Lifting & Carrying:
  • Up to 10 pounds: Occasional.
  • 11–25 pounds: Occasional.
  • Over 25 pounds: Rare or not required; assistance or equipment used as needed.

Manual Dexterity & Upper Extremity Use

Frequent fine motor skills, including keyboarding and data entry; frequent repetitive hand and wrist movements; frequent grasping and handling of office materials and equipment.

Sensory & Communication Requirements

Ability to perform tasks requiring close visual acuity, distance vision, depth perception, and color differentiation; ability to engage in verbal and written communication with staff, supervisors, and external contacts.

Work Environment

Professional office setting; occasional exposure to standard office conditions such as background noise and temperature variation; position may involve customer-facing interactions.

This position description may not be an exhaustive list of all duties, knowledge, or abilities associated with this classification; however, it is intended to accurately reflect the principal job elements. Related duties, knowledge, or abilities to those expressly stated may also be required for successful performance of the position.