Chief Financial Officer

August 2025

Summary

AACTE seeks a visionary, mission-driven Chief Financial Officer (CFO) to join its executive leadership team, with a start date in November 2025. This is a pivotal moment in AACTE’s history—an opportunity for a strategic financial leader to help guide the organization into its next chapter of growth, innovation, and impact in the field of educator preparation. Reporting directly to the President & CEO, the CFO will serve as a key member of the senior leadership team, responsible for the stewardship and strategic oversight of the association’s financial health and operational excellence. This includes leadership of AACTE’s finance and accounting, human resources, grants management, legal and regulatory compliance, investment strategy, and banking relationships. The CFO will play a critical role in ensuring that AACTE is financially strong and operationally agile, while fostering a high-performing and mission-aligned culture that supports the organization’s commitment to excellence in educator preparation. The ideal candidate is a collaborative, forward-thinking leader who combines strong technical and financial expertise with a passion for mission-driven work.

How to Apply

Below is the complete position description including hiring salary range  If you are interested in applying, please forward a cover letter describing your interest in the role, and your resume to [email protected]. We will begin our candidate review and interview process immediately.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

1. Financial Strategy and Organizational Turnaround

• Lead the development, implementation, and oversight of the annual budget, financial forecasts, and multi-year strategic financial plans.
• Design and execute turnaround strategies to stabilize and strengthen AACTE’s fiscal position, including cost containment, revenue diversification, and operational streamlining.
• Oversee cash flow management.
• Monitor and analyze the organization’s financial trends, including strategic initiatives, and provide regular financial updates to the CEO, staff, and Board of Directors.
• evalsuate and enhance internal controls, financial systems, and risk management practices to improve efficiency and accountability.
• Provide clear, data-informed guidance to the CEO and Board of Directors on financial sustainability, opportunities, and risks.
• Oversee audit processes, banking relationships, and investment accounts, ensuring alignment with board-approved policies and long-term goals.

2. Ongoing Financial Reporting

• Prepare quarterly financial statements, including statement of financial position, statement of activities, and statement of functional expenses for Management and Board review.
• Provide narrative commentary regarding the above and keep management and the board apprised of key drivers, trends, and financial highlights.
• Ensure appropriate accounting processes and procedures are in place and directly supervise and review the work of the Senior Accountant.
• Lead the organization’s work with the external auditors to complete the annual financial audit and Form 990.
• Prepare cash projections and present monthly to management and the board.

3. Operations and Compliance

• Lead and modernize finance, IT, HR, and legal operations to ensure efficient, compliant, and scalable processes that support a growing and evolving organization.
• Supervise HR functions including payroll, benefits, timekeeping, and personnel policy administration in collaboration with internal staff and external vendors.
• Supervise IT Vendor, ensuring AACTE makes best use of available technology and staff are trained in and operate according to best practices in IT security.
• Ensure compliance with all relevant laws and internal governance policies, particularly in the areas of nonprofit finance, employment, and contracts.
• Support financial management of grant funding, from application and budgeting through implementation and reporting.
• Collaborate on non-dues revenue generation strategies, including new funding models, philanthropic partnerships, and earned income opportunities that align with AACTE’s mission.

Leadership and Culture

• Supervise and mentor the Senior Accountant and related staff, fostering continuous improvement and cross-departmental collaboration.
• Serve as a thought partner to the CEO and actively participate in executive team decision-making and planning.
• Help foster a mission-driven, high-performance organizational culture with a focus on equity, transparency, and adaptability in a hybrid and remote environment.

Education and Experience

• Minimum of 5 years of progressive experience in financial and operational leadership, ideally in nonprofit, association, higher education, or mission-driven organizations.
• Demonstrated expertise in nonprofit accounting, GAAP, grants management, financial modeling, and audit coordination.
• Demonstrated entrepreneurial mindset – flexible and collaborative thinker able to translate ambitious vision into KPI’s, support the generation of non-dues revenue in a member-driven environment, and track and report metrics to key funders.
• Experience overseeing organizational investments, banking relationships, and compliance-related matters.
• Proven success in supervising staff and working with outsourced service providers or consultants.
• Knowledge of human resources operations, including payroll, benefits administration, compliance, and legal contract management.
• Bachelor’s degree in accounting or finance required; CPA or advanced degree (e.g., MBA, MPA) strongly preferred.
• Excellent communication skills, with the ability to present complex financial data clearly to diverse audiences, including board members and non-financial stakeholders.

Working Conditions 

This position is primarily remote, supported by a collaborative team culture and robust technology tools that promote seamless virtual interaction. AACTE has a national office in Washington, D.C., with dedicated office space available for in-person work when needed or preferred. When on-site, work conditions mirror a typical office environment. When working remotely, employees are expected to follow the guidelines outlined in AACTE’s Remote Work Policy to maintain productivity, connectivity, and data security. The role may also require occasional physical activities such as walking, standing, bending, and lifting or carrying light items.

 Travel Requirements 

Up to 25% travel will be required, typically to the National Office in Washington, DC, Board of Directors meetings, or conference locationss.

Compensation and Benefits

The hiring range for this position is $120,000 to $140,000 DOQ, along with a comprehensive benefits package that includes medical, dental, vision, life, short-term disability, and long-term disability insurance, as well as generous leave time; and 403(b) and Roth IRA retirement plans.

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About this Job Description

At AACTE, we expect job descriptions not to limit employees, but instead encourage them to adapt to change, grow their skills, and continuously develop their ability to contribute to our mission. Thus, while this document provides a general overview of the expectations, duties, and responsibilities of this position, the incumbent can expect to review it with their supervisor during the annual performance review meeting to ensure it is updated appropriately as business needs evolve.

Equal Opportunity Employer

AACTE is an Equal Opportunity Employer and prohibits harassment of any applicant or employee because of race, color, national or ethnic origin, age, religion, disability, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity and expression, veteran status, or any other characteristic protected under applicable federal or state law.   AACTE allows for reasonable accommodations to enable an individual with a disability to participate in the application process, to perform the essential duties and responsibilities of a job, and to enjoy equal benefits and privileges of employment that are available to individuals without disabilities.