Chief Financial Officer

PRINCIPAL FUNCTIONS: Responsible for the overall management, strategic planning, and oversight of SALA's financial operations; supervision and direction of the accounting department; development and maintenance of internal controls and risk management systems; ensuring compliance with applicable financial, grant, and regulatory requirements; participation as a member of SALA's management team; and performance of other administrative and management duties as assigned by the Executive Director and Board of Directors.

ACCOUNTABILITY : Directly accountable to the Executive Director and Board of Directors of Southern Arizona Legal Aid, Inc.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

1. Financial Management

A. Analyze, design, monitor, and ensure the effective operation of SALA's accounting and financial management systems, including:

• 1. Oversight of accounts payable, payroll, accounts receivable, general ledger, and financial reporting functions.
• 2. Establishment, implementation, and maintenance of accounting practices and procedures in compliance with Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP), the Accounting Guide for LSC Recipients, applicable Legal Services Corporation (LSC) regulations, 2 C.F.R. Part 200 (Uniform Guidance), and requirements imposed by funding sources.
• 3. Oversight of the maintenance, enhancement, security, and reliability of SALA's accounting and financial management software systems.
• 4. Development, implementation, and periodic review of internal controls designed to safeguard organizational assets, ensure financial integrity, prevent fraud, and maintain compliance with applicable laws, regulations, and grant requirements.

B. Advise and assist the Executive Director regarding the financial management of SALA, including the development of fiscal policies, long-range financial planning, organizational sustainability strategies, and systematic solutions to operational and financial challenges.

C. Oversee the development and preparation of SALA's annual operating and capital budgets in conjunction with the Executive Director and management staff for presentation to the Audit/Finance Committee and Board of Directors.

D. Prepare and present financial statements, budget reports, cash flow analyses, forecasts, and financial projections for presentation to the Executive Director, Audit/Finance Committee, and Board of Directors.

E. Monitor SALA's cash flow, investments, and financial assets, including oversight of all financial transactions processed by the Finance Department, including purchasing, accounts payable, accounts receivable, payroll, cash receipts, journal entries, and bank reconciliations.

F. Oversee all grant accounting, restricted fund accounting, cost allocation, reporting, and expenditure monitoring to ensure compliance with Board-approved budgets, grant conditions, LSC requirements, Uniform Guidance requirements, and other funding source restrictions.

G. Develop, maintain, and periodically review cost allocation methodologies to ensure proper and compliant allocation of expenses among funding sources and organizational activities.

H. Ensure compliance with all applicable accounting standards, financial regulations, grant requirements, and reporting obligations.

I. Prepare, review, or oversee preparation of grant financial reports, reimbursement requests, billings, and other reports required by funding sources.

J. Assist the Executive Director and program staff in developing budgets and financial analyses related to funding applications and grant proposals.

K. Provide staff support and strategic financial guidance to the Audit/Finance Committee and Board of Directors as requested.

L. Ensure compliance with procurement, property management, inventory control, asset tracking, depreciation, and disposition requirements imposed by funding sources and applicable regulations.

M. Oversee maintenance of SALA's property inventory system and ensure compliance with all applicable requirements governing organizational assets.

N. Direct and coordinate SALA's annual financial audit and other financial reviews, including:

• 1. Serving as management liaison to independent auditors.
• 2. Assisting the Audit/Finance Committee with auditor selection and engagement.
• 3. Preparing audit schedules and supporting documentation.
• 4. Participating in audit exit conferences.
• 5. Ensuring timely submission of audited financial statements and required reports.
• 6. Developing and implementing corrective action plans in response to audit findings, compliance reviews, monitoring visits, or management recommendations.

O. Identify, assess, and report significant financial, operational, compliance, and grant-related risks to the Executive Director and Audit/Finance Committee and recommend appropriate mitigation strategies.

P. Oversee financial information security, records retention, cybersecurity controls related to financial systems, and disaster recovery planning for financial operations.

2. Accounting Department

A. Supervise accounting staff and develop systems and procedures to ensure that accounting functions are performed accurately, efficiently, timely, and in compliance with established policies and procedures.

B. Identify staff training needs and develop plans to ensure continuing professional development and compliance with changing accounting and grant requirements.

C. Conduct periodic performance evaluations and provide coaching, mentoring, and professional development opportunities.

D. Promote a culture of accountability, ethical conduct, continuous improvement, and customer service within the Finance Department.

3. Management Responsibilities

A. Serve as a member of SALA's management team and participate in organizational planning, strategic initiatives, policy development, and resource allocation decisions.

B. Maintain oversight of organizational insurance programs, including professional liability, directors and officers liability, employment practices liability, property, general liability, fidelity, cyber liability, and other appropriate coverages.

C. Oversee financial and contractual aspects of office leases and major vendor agreements.

D. In coordination with the Human Resources Department, provide fiscal oversight of payroll administration, employee benefits, leave accrual systems, and personnel-related financial reporting.

E. Support organizational compliance with Legal Services Corporation regulations, grant assurances, funding restrictions, and other federal and state requirements applicable to legal aid organizations.

F. Perform other confidential, managerial, and executive duties as assigned by the Executive Director.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

• Bachelor's degree in Accounting, Finance, Business Administration, or a related field.
• Five years of progressively responsible financial management experience, including at least three years in a senior financial leadership position.
• Demonstrated experience managing nonprofit, governmental, or federally funded organization finances.
• Demonstrated experience with federal grants, restricted funding, grant compliance, and financial reporting.
• Knowledge of Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP), nonprofit fund accounting, internal controls, budgeting, and financial analysis.
• Experience supervising accounting and finance personnel.
• Demonstrated leadership, organizational, communication, and interpersonal skills appropriate to an executive management position.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Certified Public Accountant (CPA) credential.
• Experience with Legal Services Corporation regulations, grants, and reporting requirements.
• Knowledge of 2 C.F.R. Part 200 (Uniform Guidance).
• Experience working with nonprofit boards of directors and audit/finance committees.
• Experience with legal aid, public interest law, or other nonprofit organizations receiving federal funding.
• Experience implementing financial management software systems and financial cybersecurity controls.