Vice President – Fiscal Affairs/Chief Financial Officer

Vice President – Fiscal Affairs/Chief Financial Officer

Requirements

• Master’s degree in Business Administration, Accounting, Finance, or a related field.
• Minimum of ten years of progressive leadership experience in financial management, with significant experience in higher education.
• Minimum of three years at the CFO (no. 1) level at a comparable or larger institution.
• Certified Public Accountant (CPA) active designation strongly preferred.
• Demonstrated expertise in budgeting, financial aid, long-term financial forecasting, and financial operations within a university setting.
• Experience with nonprofit financial management, including 501(c)(3) compliance.
• Knowledge of higher education funding models, accreditation requirements, and regulatory compliance.
• Familiarity with financial systems and enterprise resource planning (ERP) platforms used in higher education.

Responsibilities

• Lead the financial planning, analysis, and reporting functions to ensure institutional sustainability and alignment with long-term strategic objectives.
• Develop and execute financial strategies to support University growth, including mergers and acquisitions of educational institutions.
• Provide strategic recommendations to the President and senior leadership on financial matters, risk management, and capital investments.
• Ensure financial policies and procedures align with the University’s 501(c)(3) nonprofit status and higher education best practices.
• Drive operational efficiencies across financial, accounting, and administrative functions to support long-term growth.
• Analyze higher education economic trends and assess their impact on institutional sustainability, tuition models, enrollment strategies, and resource allocation.
• Partner with the LES CFO to integrate systems, tools, and financial platforms across newly acquired institutions.
• Oversee the preparation of all financial statements, including income statements, balance sheets, and compliance reports for government agencies and accrediting bodies.
• Ensure adherence to Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP) and higher education financial reporting standards.
• Maintain a robust internal control environment to safeguard university assets and mitigate financial risks.
• Direct all aspects of financial audits, working closely with external auditors and internal stakeholders to ensure accurate reporting and compliance.
• Serve as the financial liaison to the Board’s Finance and Audit Committees, providing transparent and insightful financial reports.
• Lead the development and execution of a transparent, data-driven budgeting process that aligns with institutional priorities.
• Collaborate with academic and administrative leaders to develop multi-year financial forecasts, tuition pricing models, and resource allocation strategies.
• Direct financial planning processes, ensuring budget discipline and accountability across all departments.
• Establish metrics and key performance indicators (KPIs) to monitor financial health and operational efficiency.
• Implement technology-driven financial management systems to improve reporting accuracy, forecasting capabilities, and operational efficiency.
• Oversee procurement, contract management, and vendor negotiations to drive cost savings and operational improvements.
• Work closely with IT leadership to enhance financial and student information systems integration.
• Partner with Enrollment Management and Financial Aid departments to align tuition strategies with student affordability and institutional financial health.
• Lead, mentor, and develop a high-performing finance team that embodies the university’s mission and values.
• Foster a culture of collaboration, transparency, and continuous improvement.
• Conduct performance evaluations based on measurable outcomes and leadership effectiveness.
• Promote diversity within the finance team and across institutional financial planning processes.

Preferred Qualifications

No preferred qualifications provided.