Chief Financial Officer

Job Description

Job Description

CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER (CFO)

First Book | Washington, DC (Hybrid: Tuesdays & Wednesdays Onsite)

ABOUT FIRST BOOK:

First Book is a leading nonprofit social enterprise dedicated to removing barriers to quality education for children in need. Through innovative public–private partnerships and a national network of more than 600,000 educators, program leaders, and community organizations, First Book has distributed over 250 million books and educational resources to under-resourced communities. Our work spans e-commerce (First Book Marketplace), research and insights (First Book R&I), and tailored program development (First Book Accelerator), all designed to elevate the voices and needs of educators serving children in low-income communities.

ABOUT THE ROLE:

The Chief Financial Officer (CFO) serves as the senior financial executive for First Book, providing strategic and operational leadership across accounting, financial planning and analysis, treasury, audit, tax, and risk management. The CFO is responsible for overseeing the organization’s financial operations, monitoring cash flow, evaluating financial stability, and developing strategies to strengthen First Book’s overall financial health.

Serving as a member of the Executive Leadership Team, the CFO safeguards the financial integrity and long-term sustainability of a complex nonprofit social enterprise with significant earned revenue. This role works closely with the other members of the First Book Executive Team, the First Book Board of Directors, and the senior leadership team to guide financial decision-making and support organizational sustainability.

The CFO partners closely with teams across the organization, including e-commerce, operations, development, and program operations, to align financial strategy with organizational goals, strengthen internal controls, and deliver analysis that informs the Executive Team decision making.

The ideal candidate is a strategic, hands-on financial leader with deep nonprofit and earned revenue experience, sound judgment, strong analytical capability, and a commitment to First Book’s mission.

As a member of the Executive Team, this role reports to the First Book Board of Directors.

WHAT YOU’LL OWN:

• Provide financial leadership that supports mission achievement while ensuring long-term fiscal sustainability.
• Ensure compliance with Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP), nonprofit accounting standards, and all applicable federal, state, and local regulations.
• Maintain strong internal controls to safeguard organizational assets and reduce financial risk.
• Develop and execute the organization's annual operating budget and long-term financial plan.
• Ensure timely and accurate filing of IRS Form 990 and other required tax and regulatory reports.
• Direct the annual audit process and serve as the primary liaison with external auditors.
• Oversee cash flow management to ensure sufficient liquidity for ongoing operations.
• Ensure compliance with donor restrictions, contract requirements, and nonprofit governance best practices.
• Develop financial forecasts and scenario analysis to support strategic decision-making.
• Collaborate with executive leadership on strategic planning, scaling projects, and organizational growth initiatives.
• Establish and monitor key financial performance indicators (KPIs) and organizational dashboards.
• Oversee accounts payable, accounts receivable, payroll, treasury, investments, and general ledger functions.
• Manage banking relationships, credit facilities, insurance coverage, and investment activities.
• Maintain organizational financial policies and procedures.

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Recruit, develop, mentor, and evaluate finance department staff to build a high-performing team.
• Provide executive financial leadership as required to departmental leadership throughout the organization.

QUALIFICATIONS:

• Executive presence with the ability to communicate complex financial information clearly to non-financial audiences, including the Board of Directors.
• Strategic mindset balanced with hands-on operational rigor and attention to detail.
• Sound judgment, discretion, and the highest standards of integrity and ethics.
• Demonstrated ability to lead teams and drive process improvement in a fast-paced, entrepreneurial environment.
• Collaborative working style with the ability to influence and partner across departments and external stakeholders.
• Passion for social impact and commitment to First Book’s mission of expanding educational access.

EDUCATION:

• Bachelor’s degree in accounting, finance, business administration, or a related field required.
• Certified Public Accountant (CPA) designation required.
• Master of Business Administration (MBA) preferred.

SKILLS & EXPERIENCE:

• Minimum of 15 years' experience in accounting and financial management practices.
• 10+ years' experience in a senior management or executive leadership position.
• Demonstrated expertise in financial planning and strategy, corporate finance, and forecasting.
• Proven success in budget development and managing organizational profitability.
• Strategic planning and vision, with the entrepreneurial capacity to identify and pursue growth opportunities.
• Commitment to quality management and the promotion of continuous process improvement.
• Solid GAAP and financial reporting technical skills.
• Proficiency with accounting software, word processing, and spreadsheet applications.

COMPENSATION & BENEFITS:

Salary: $250k annually.

All full-time employees are eligible for the following:

• Medical and dental insurance coverage.
• Life insurance and Accidental Death and Dismemberment (AD&D) coverage.
• Paid vacation and sick leave.
• 12 paid holidays annually.
• 401(k) retirement plan with employer matching contributions.
• Employer-provided parking stipend (Washington, DC).

TO APPLY:

• Submit a resume and a cover letter detailing your interest in this position.
• Only applications submitted through First Book's approved platform will be considered.
• Applications submitted through external or unapproved sites will not be reviewed.
  • First Book does not accept unsolicited recruiter submissions and does not pay fees for resumes submitted outside of a formal written agreement.

EQUAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY:

First Book is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, creed, sex, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, age, disability, marital status, personal appearance, family responsibilities, genetic information, matriculation, political affiliation, veteran status, or any other status protected by applicable federal, District of Columbia, or local law.

ACCOMMODATIONS:

First Book is committed to providing reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities and to individuals with sincerely held religious beliefs, in accordance with applicable law. Applicants requiring accommodations during the application or interview process should submit a written request to First Book’s Human Resources department.

WORK PRESENCE & EMPLOYMENT CONDITIONS:

• This is a hybrid position requiring regular in-office presence at First Book's Washington, DC office on designated days to support internal collaboration and partnership activities.
• Reasonable accommodation will be considered in accordance with applicable federal, state, and local laws.
• Relocation assistance is not provided.

CONNECT WITH FIRST BOOK: