Chief Finance & Administrative Officer

🌍 Remote, USA 🎯 Full-time 🕐 Posted Recently

Job Description

The Role

Location: Remote with at least quarterly travel to Boston, New York City or Philadelphia

Reports to: Chief Executive Officer

Team: Director of Finance (direct report), Manager of Finance & Administration, Staff Accountant, Administrative Associate, and Executive Operations Manager (direct report)

Position Summary

Compass Working Capital (Compass) is seeking a strategic, hands-on, and forward-thinking financial leader to serve as its Chief Finance & Administrative Officer (CFAO). Reporting to the CEO and serving as a key member of the five-person Executive Team, the CFAO will steward Compass’ financial health while building the systems, forecasting capabilities, and operational infrastructure required to support continued national growth and impact.

With a $15M+ operating budget, more than 85+ staff members, long-term government and philanthropic funding including growth capital investors, and more than eighteen months of cash on hand, Compass is in a position of financial strength. The organization is midway through a seven-year strategic plan and is scaling innovative approaches to economic mobility for families with low incomes. The CFAO will play a pivotal role in translating this ambition into multi-year financial strategy, scenario planning, and disciplined execution.

Compass seeks an experienced executive who has operated at the enterprise level and can serve as a thought partner to the CEO and Executive Team—bringing proactive forecasting, cost modeling, and systems thinking to strategic decision-making. The CFAO will oversee finance, accounting, grants management, risk management, vendor management, facilities, and administrative operations, while strengthening cross-departmental partnership and cultivating a high-performing, inclusive team.

The CFAO will serve as Treasurer, partner closely with the Board’s Finance and Audit Committees, and help position Compass for long-term sustainability, clarity, and growth over the next five to ten years.

Key Responsibilities

Serve as a strategic advisor and business partner to the CEO, providing forward-looking financial analysis, multi-year forecasting, and scenario planning aligned with Compass’ strategic plan.
Lead the development of long-range financial models, including 3-, 5-, and 7-year projections, stress-testing assumptions and identifying potential risks and opportunities.
Partner with the Executive Team to strengthen financial literacy across departments, ensuring that P&L owners understand and own their budgets.
Develop and refine cost-per-participant and earned revenue models in close partnership with the Chief Program Officer.
Engage the Board’s Finance and Audit Committees with proactive, multi-year projections and clear supporting schedules that enable strong governance and strategic decision-making.
Contribute meaningfully to organizational culture as a challenger and stabilizer—willing to ask “why,” respectfully disagree when needed, and elevate enterprise-level thinking.

Oversee all day-to-day finance operations, including general ledger, accounts payable/receivable, payroll, grants administration, cash management, and compliance.
Ensure timely and accurate monthly, quarterly, and annual financial reporting for management, the Board, and funders.
Maintain strong internal controls and ensure compliance with GAAP, federal and state regulations, and complex multi-year government grant requirements, including state and federal draw-down processes.
Lead annual audit activities and maintain Compass’ record of clean audits.
Manage cash flow forecasting to support strategic deployment of reserves and long-term sustainability.
Oversee management of invested assets in accordance with Board-approved policies.

Lead the evaluation, selection, and successful implementation of financial management systems, ensuring stability after multiple recent system changes.
Assess current finance and administrative operations, identify gaps, and implement improvements that support scale, efficiency, and transparency.
Strengthen contract and vendor management processes and oversee supplier diversity implementation.
Ensure smooth operational processes that directly support program delivery, including invoicing, reimbursement systems, and credit card management.
Explore opportunities to responsibly leverage technology and AI tools to improve financial analysis and operational efficiency.

Oversee financial management of diversified revenue streams, including philanthropy, earned revenue, and complex national and federal grants.
Ensure expenditures are aligned with grant and contract requirements throughout multi-year funding periods.
Partner with program and development teams to model new initiatives, price services appropriately, and assess the true cost of growth and innovation.
Support long-term planning around the balance of public and private funding as Compass scales nationally.

Assess, support, and develop the existing finance and administrative team, including the Director of Finance, Manager of Accounting, Executive Operations Manager, Staff Accountant, and Administrative Associate.
Build a high-performing, inclusive team culture grounded in accountability, professional growth, and continuous improvement.
Strengthen collaboration between finance and other departments, ensuring clean handoffs and timely information sharing.
Uphold Compass’ commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion in financial decision-making and organizational practices.
Serve as a steady, prepared, and decisive leader who “owns the work” while fostering trust and mutual respect across the organization.

Candidate Profile:

10–15+ years of progressive financial leadership experience, including prior executive-level finance leadership (CFO or CFAO experience strongly preferred).
Significant experience in nonprofit finance; experience managing complex, multi-year government grants and federal draw-down processes preferred.
Demonstrated expertise in multi-year forecasting, financial modeling, scenario planning, and cost analysis in a growth-oriented organization.
Track record of building or strengthening financial systems and operating infrastructure during periods of scale.
Experience partnering directly with CEOs, executive teams, and engaged Boards.
Experience presenting financial information in a clear, proactive, and decision-oriented manner.
Knowledge of diversified revenue models, including philanthropy, public funding, and earned revenue streams.
Advanced knowledge of GAAP and nonprofit accounting standards.
Experience overseeing audits and maintaining strong internal controls.
Proficiency with financial management systems; experience leading system implementations or transitions strongly preferred.
Exposure to affordable housing, asset-building, or economic mobility sectors is a plus.

Deep commitment to Compass’ mission and values.
Strategic, curious, and deeply analytical thinker who asks thoughtful questions and anticipates future needs.
Proactive and decisive leader who is comfortable working in ambiguity.
Enterprise-level thinker who connects financial data to operational systems and program impact.
Courageous communicator; willing to challenge constructively while maintaining strong relationships.
Hands-on, roll-up-your-sleeves orientation.
Strong cultural contributor who values collaboration, transparency, and mutual accountability.
Commitment to building diverse teams and fostering inclusive leadership