Vice President of Finance

JOB DESCRIPTION Job Title: Vice President of Finance Department: Administration Classification: Full time, salary, exempt Salary:$135,000-$155,000 Annually Job Relationship: Reports to President & CEO. Supervises finance team and assigned volunteers.

Position Summary

The Vice President of Finance serves as the organization's senior financial leader and strategic business partner to the President & CEO. Serves as primary staff liaison to the Board Finance & Investment Committee. Serves as a member of the executive leadership team and collaborates with executive leadership to develop and execute organizational strategy.

The position is responsible for the overall financial management of the Cleveland APL, including accounting, budgeting, financial reporting, cash management, investments, audit oversight, regulatory compliance, risk management, and internal controls. Provides strategic financial guidance to executive leadership and the Board Finance & Investment Committee to support the organization's mission, long-term sustainability, and growth.

Revised: September 2026 Key Job Responsibilities Financial Leadership and Strategy

• Serves as the organization's chief financial leader and strategic advisor to the President & CEO.
• Develops long-range financial strategies that support organizational sustainability, growth, and mission achievement.
• Provides financial analysis, forecasting, and recommendations to support executive decision-making.
• Evaluates financial risks, opportunities, and emerging trends and recommends appropriate action.
• Participates in organizational strategic planning and annual goal-setting initiatives.Financial Management and Reporting
• Offers training, as needed, and ensures compliance with internal controls by staff members and volunteers.
• Directs all accounting and financial operations in accordance with Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP) and nonprofit accounting standards.
• Oversees preparation of monthly, quarterly, and annual financial statements and management reports.
• Ensures accurate budgeting, forecasting, financial modeling, and cash flow management.
• Leads development of annual operating and capital budgets in collaboration with executive leadership and department directors.
• Monitors organizational financial performance and presents recommendations for corrective action when necessary.
• Oversees accounts receivable, grants receivable, pledges, estates, accounts payable, payroll administration, and fixed asset management.
• Ensures timely reconciliation of all bank and investment accounts. Audit, Compliance, and Risk Management
• Establishes and maintains a comprehensive system of internal controls to safeguard organizational assets.
• Ensures compliance with federal, state, and local regulations, nonprofit reporting requirements, and organizational policies.
• Leads the annual independent financial audit and serves as primary liaison with external auditors.
• Oversees preparation and review of Form 990 and other required financial filings.
• Directs records retention and document destruction practices in compliance with legal and regulatory requirements.
• Oversees insurance renewals and risk management initiatives to minimize organizational exposure. Leadership and People Management
• Directs, trains, supervises, and evaluates finance department staff to ensure effective operations, accountability, and achievement of department goals.
• Ensures staff skill development, training and coaching necessary to advance the APL’s mission, goals, andmanagement philosophy.
• Develops annual goals for department staff that include timelines, procedures, and accountabilities to be accomplished in meeting plans and goals.
• Approves departmental hiring and vacation/leave requests.
• Utilizes performance-based management when counseling and evaluating staff and sets measurable goals for employee growth. Submits evaluations on time and encourages continuing staff education as it relates to the organization’s needs. Recognizes good performance and provides counseling to correct problems. Board and Executive Support
• Serves as staff liaison to the Finance & Investment Committee.
• Assists committee leadership in establishing annual work plans, objectives, and meeting agendas.
• Presents financial reports, audit results, budgets, investment performance, and strategic recommendations to Board committees and the Board of Directors.
• Supports organizational transparency through accurate and timely financial communications. Performs other duties as assigned. General Expectations
• Actively promotes the APL’s mission, services, programs, and events.
• Always represents the APL in a professional and courteous manner.
• Supports management and discusses differences privately.
• Attends necessary meetings, including meetings of the Board of Directors and Finance Committee.
• Promotes a safe, inclusive, equitable work environment.
• Actively monitors safety compliance of staff and takes immediate action to correct hazards.
• Refers board or media inquiries to CEO.
• Handles confidential information with discretion.
• Flexible with scheduling.
• Fear Free Certified or must become certified within six months of hire Minimum Qualifications
• Bachelor's degree in Accounting, Finance, Business Administration, or a related field.
• Minimum of five (5) years of progressively responsible nonprofit finance and accounting experience in a senior leadership or executive management role.
• Minimum of five (5) years of supervisory experience managing professional accounting, finance, and administrative staff.
• Demonstrated experience leading organizational budgeting, forecasting, financial reporting, cash management, and strategic financial planning.
• Thorough knowledge of nonprofit accounting principles, fund accounting, internal controls, and financial management best practices.
• Experience preparing and presenting financial information to executive leadership, finance committees, and boards of directors.
• Experience overseeing annual audits and serving as the primary liaison with external auditors.
• Knowledge of federal, state, and local nonprofit reporting and compliance requirements, including IRS Form 990.
• Strong analytical, organizational, leadership, and decision-making skills.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to communicate complex financial matters to non-financial audiences.
• Advanced proficiency with accounting software and Microsoft Excel.

Preferred Qualifications

• Certified Public Accountant (CPA) designation (strongly desired).
• MBA, Master's Degree in Accounting, Finance, Public Administration, or related field.
• Seven to ten years of nonprofit financial leadership experience.
• Experience managing nonprofit endowments, investment portfolios, and restricted funds.
• Experience with Blackbaud’s FENXT platform desired.
• Experience supporting strategic planning initiatives and organizational growth.
• Experience working directly with governing boards and finance or investment committees. Leadership Competencies
• Demonstrates the ability to think strategically, anticipate future challenges and opportunities, and align financial resources with organizational priorities and long-term objectives.
• Possesses deep knowledge of nonprofit finance, accounting, budgeting, investments, risk management, and financial analysis while effectively translating complex concepts for non-financial audiences.
• Builds trust, credibility, and accountability through sound judgment, integrity, and ethical decision-making.
• Establishes measurable goals, monitors progress, delivers high-quality outcomes while balancing competing priorities.
• Attracts, develops, coaches, and retains high-performing employees while fostering a culture of learning, accountability, and engagement.
• Develops productive relationships with Board members, committee members, auditors, investment advisors, donors, staff, volunteers, and external partners.
• Leads organizational change initiatives effectively while maintaining employee engagement and operational stability.
• Communicates clearly and persuasively in both written and verbal formats and effectively presents financial information to diverse audiences.
• Works collaboratively across departments to achieve organizational goals and promote a unified leadership team.
• Demonstrates a commitment to fostering an inclusive workplace that values diverse perspectives and experiences. General Working Conditions The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is frequently required to stand; walk; sit for long periods; use hands to manipulate, handle, or feel objects, tools, or controls (i.e., PC, printer, copier, fax machine, telephone); reach with hands and arms; balance; stoop, kneel, crouch or crawl; talk or hear; taste or smell. The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 20 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by the job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and the ability to adjust focus. Work is performed primarily indoors in an air-conditioned/heated office or in the shelter setting where there is exposure to animals, disinfectant solutions, zoonotic diseases, moderate to high noise levels, and possible animal bites and scratches when handling animals. Work is occasionally performed outside during events. This position description in no way states or implies that these are the only duties to be performed by the employee occupying this position. Employees will be required to follow any other job-related duties required by their supervisor. This document does not create an employment contract implied or otherwise, other than an “at-will” relationship. Our Core Values Compassion – We are compassion in action. We believe every animal and person has value and worth and should be treated with respect, empathy, and kindness to support the human-animal bond. Advocacy
• We are the voice for animals, dedicated to lifesaving solutions that advance their quality of life, and promote their place in society. Leadership – We act with integrity, creativity, duty to community, and have the courage to change. These are driving forces that make us a leading animal welfare organization. Innovation – We are devoted to pioneering new approaches to the evolving challenges animals face by developing ethical, humane solutions and working in partnership with the public and animal welfare community. Community – We continually strive to be a diverse and inclusive team and believe we must all work together to best fulfill our vision.