Chief Financial Officer

Chief Financial Officer

The Office is seeking a Chief Financial Officer (CFO) to serve as the strategic leader overseeing financial operations of the Office of the Attorney General (AGO), ensuring effective stewardship of public resources, and compliance with policies and laws. The CFO serves as a trusted member of the AGO's leadership team and provides strategic financial guidance to support organizational priorities, legislative initiatives, and long-term planning. The CFO supports the division's supervisory staff in evaluating, coaching, mentoring finance and accounting staff to ensure professional development and alignment with performance expectations. The CFO works closely with division managers on financial management of grants, high-profile contracts, and special funds to ensure compliance with program requirements and legislative intent.

A successful candidate in this position will be able to:

• Provide strategic leadership and oversight for all financial operations
• Advise leadership on financial strategy and organizational priorities
• Ensure supervision of the finance team aligns with agency goals, procedures, and effective performance management
• Lead the development, implementation, and monitoring of the AGO's annual operating budget while recommending and implementing corrective actions to address variances
• Ensure fiscal compliance with state and federal laws, rules, and financial policies through internal control procedures and review of financial reports, including those prepared for external stakeholders
• Analyze and interpret financial data to guide executive decisions and evaluate impacts of alternative goals, budgetary conflicts, and legislative changes
• Serve as primary liaison on financial matters with MMB, auditors, and/or other state or regulatory agencies
• Evaluate, coach, and mentor finance staff, ensuring professional development and alignment with performance expectations
• Align fiscal operations with executive decisions, legislative proposals, and office goals to optimize resource allocation
• Coordinate biennial budget preparation with assistance from the AGO's legislative affairs team ensuring consistency with organizational goals and financial projections
• Coordinate the financial impacts of legislative proposals, budget initiatives, and policy changes, including fiscal analyses and budget forecasting

This position is eligible for a hybrid work environment (combination of in-office work and telework).

Minimum Qualifications:

• A minimum of five (5) years of supervisory or managerial experience leading a financial unit of a Minnesota agency, board, or commission
• Bachelor's degree in Finance, Accounting, Business Administration, or closely related field AND six (6) or more years of related financial/accounting work experience
• OR eight (8) or more years of related financial/accounting work experience
• Experience providing expert financial advice, recommendations, and consultation to executive leadership regarding resource allocation, fiscal risk management, and operational strategies
• Advanced knowledge of generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP), Government Accounting Standards Board (GASB) standards, risk management and internal control principles, budgeting, financial reporting, and strategic financial planning
• Experience developing and implementing financial policies, procedures, and internal controls
• Experience working with Statewide Integrated Financial Tools (SWIFT) or other PeopleSoft financial reporting system
• Strong writing and communication skills sufficient to prepare agency financial reports, presentations, and communications for executive leadership and other stakeholders
• Advanced proficiency in Microsoft Excel and financial analysis tools
• Ability to:
• clearly communicate complex financial concepts and information to both technical and non-technical audiences
• build collaborative relationships across divisions and with external partners while demonstrating professionalism, diplomacy, and excellent customer service
• project manage competing, complex priorities and provide accurate, timely, and responsive service to leadership and stakeholders
• exercise sound judgment, discretion, integrity, and a strong commitment to public service
• lead and work effectively with individuals from a wide variety of backgrounds, experiences, and perspectives in a collaborative environment

Preferred Qualifications:

• Advanced degree to include MBA, MSF, or MAcc
• Professional certification such as Certified Public Accountant (CPA), Certified Government Financial Manager (CGFM), Certified Public Finance Officer (CPFO), Certified Management Accountant (CMA), or similar credential
• Experience managing and reconciling grants, including federally funded grants and cooperative agreements
• Experience preparing fiscal notes, budget requests, legislative analyses, or advising leadership on legislative proposals affecting agency finances
• Ability to motivate and lead teams through collaboration, consensus building, and shared accountability while reinforcing a culture of service, innovation, and continued improvement
• Experience working in state government or other public sector organizations with complex funding structures and regulatory requirements
• Experience with budget planning, forecasting, and financial analytics tools such as BPAS, Power BI, or similar systems
• Experience with contract administration, procurement oversight, and vendor management

Physical Requirements:

• Ability to move and transport such articles as files, laptop computer and resource materials weighing up to 20 pounds

Additional Requirements:

• It is our policy that all candidates submit to a background check prior to employment. This background check may consist of the following components:
• Conflict of Interest Review
• Criminal History Check
• Education / License Verification
• Employment Reference / Records Check

In compliance with federal law, all persons hired will be required to verify identity and eligibility to work in the United States and to complete the required employment eligibility verification form upon hire.

AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER

Minnesota State Colleges and Universities is an Equal Opportunity employer/educator committed to the principles of diversity. We prohibit discrimination against qualified individuals based on their race, sex, color, creed, religion, age, national origin, disability, protected veteran status, marital status, status with regard to public assistance, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, or membership in a local commission as defined by law. As an affirmative action employer, we actively seek and encourage applications from women, minorities, persons with disabilities, and individuals with protected veteran status.

Reasonable accommodations will be made to all qualified applicants with disabilities. If you are an individual with a disability who needs assistance or cannot access the online job application system, please contact the job information line at View phone number on click.appcast.io or email View email address on click.appcast.io . Please indicate what assistance is needed.