Chief Financial Officer

 

The Chief Financial Officer (CFO) plays a key role in managing the financial operations and revenue growth of the Cal Alumni Association (CAA). This innovative and experienced Finance and Accounting leader will collaborate closely with the Executive Director, Board Finance Committee, and senior management team. CAA is a long-standing, financially stable, self-funded, nonprofit organization with a $14M+ operating budget, three locations, seven revenue generating business units, and multi-million dollar assets and reserves. 

 

Founded by University of California, Berkeley alumni in 1872, CAA is a membership-based, 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization governed by a Board of Directors. Our organization operates independently from the university with a mission of engaging alumni in support of the university. Included in our portfolio of revenue-generating business and alumni engagement programs, CAA manages the Lair of the Bear family camp in Pinecrest, CA, the award-winning California magazine, Cal Discoveries Travel program, a wine club, and three scholarship programs. Annually, CAA awards more than $2 million in scholarships to approximately 850 students. CAA is one of the most respected alumni associations in the nation and represents a global network of more than a half million graduates of UC Berkeley.  

 

The Chief Financial Officer manages the financial resources of the organization including financial planning and analysis, accounting, organization-wide budgets, investments, and treasury in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles and organization policies and procedures. The CFO is ultimately responsible for ensuring the financial stability, accuracy, and integrity of CAA’s financial systems and reporting. The CFO also oversees all aspects of the accounting and finance day-to-day operations (month-end close, journal entries, reconciliation, accounts receivable, and accounts payable), compliance, and risk management functions. This position reports directly to the Executive Director and provides financial analysis to the Board Finance and Investment Committee, Board Audit Committee, and senior management team. The CFO also leads, manages and mentors the accounting team and the scholarship selection and scholar engagement teams.

 

RESPONSIBILITIES

 

Strategic Leadership & Organizational Stewardship

 

• Reinforce a service-oriented finance culture grounded in fiscal discipline, transparency, and equity in resource allocation; model strong leadership and cross-department collaboration.
• Provide monthly reporting, forecasting, and strategic analysis to the Executive Director, senior management team, and Board.
• Participate as a member of the senior management team in developing, implementing, and evaluating organization-wide financial policies and practices.
• Develop tools and systems to deliver timely financial and operational insights; translate analysis into actionable recommendations.
• Engage Finance, Audit, and Investment Board Committees plus periodic ad hoc committees on financial trends, risks, and business model changes.
• Lead, mentor, and develop the accounting and finance team, ensuring clear work allocation, effective collaboration, and continuous improvement.

Financial Planning and Analysis

 

• Develop annual budgets and forecasts in collaboration with senior leadership.
• Lead long-term financial planning aligned with the Strategic Plan, including assessment of new business opportunities and external partnerships.
• Co-own financial performance, pricing, forecasting, and scenario planning with leaders of all revenue-generating business units (The Lair, Travel, Magazine, Wine Club, and three Scholarships).
• Conduct multi-scenario, sensitivity, and predictive modeling to guide strategic and operational decision-making.
• Provide analysis of business initiatives, capital allocation decisions, and margin improvement opportunities.
• Deliver management reporting and presentations to the Board of Directors, offering strategic and tactical recommendations.
• Ensure compliant management of donor-restricted, endowed, and scholarship funds, including adherence to donor intent and close coordination with campus financial aid partners.
• Oversee financial stewardship of investment portfolios, scholarship endowments, and fundraising revenue.
• Provide financial oversight, risk evaluation, and long-range planning for capital projects, facilities operations, and Lair infrastructure/camp operations.

Treasury, Cash Management, & External Relationships

 

• Oversee cash flow planning, cash availability, treasury operations, and investment management.
• Produce cash and investment reporting and manage asset allocation in accordance with policies.
• Maintain and manage effective relationships with auditors, bankers, investment managers, insurance brokers, actuarial consultants, and government agencies.
• Ensure compliance with state and federal nonprofit requirements and audit best practices.
  Leverage technology and automation to improve reporting, controls, and analytical capabilities.

 

Accounting, Compliance, & Financial Operations

 

• Lead all day-to-day accounting operations, including month-end close, journal entries, reconciliations, AR/AP, and payroll.
• Ensure accurate maintenance of accounting systems and GAAP-compliant financial records.
• Drive a multi-year financial systems modernization: legacy GL cleanup, comprehensive reconciliations, strengthened internal controls, and a modernization roadmap for systems and processes.
• Oversee audit, tax filings, external reporting, internal controls, and contract management policies.
• Ensure timely, accurate monthly/quarterly/annual financial reporting and analysis of purchasing activity and vendor trends.
• Implement policies, process improvements, and technology solutions to improve efficiency and control.
• Educate staff on financial policies, procedures, and controls.

 

QUALIFICATIONS

• Bachelor’s degree in accounting, business administration, finance, or related field; CPA required.
• 10 years of experience in financial management, treasury, accounting, and strategic planning, including 5+ years in senior leadership within a non-profit organization.
• Expertise in nonprofit accounting, including fund and grant accounting, compliance, and reporting.
• Demonstrated ability to build meaningful enterprise and business-unit KPIs, strengthen forecasting and accountability, identify new revenue opportunities, and use financial insights to improve profitability and long-term sustainability.
• Experience in hospitality, travel, membership, events, venues, recreation, or other customer-facing businesses with multiple revenue streams; understands pricing, margins, utilization, customer experience, and the balance between mission and commercial performance is a plus
• Strong interpersonal skills and ability to collaborate with diverse stakeholders including Board members, UC/UCB partners, and internal leaders.
• Excellent verbal, written, analytical, and presentation communication skills.
• Ability to meet critical deadlines, including some evenings/weekends, and support CAA events.
• Must have impeccable credentials and pass verifications, credit, motor vehicle report, and FBI/DOJ criminal background checks.
• Experience with QuickBooks and BambooHR payroll systems is a plus.

SALARY AND BENEFITS

This position is classified as an at-will, full-time, exempt position. Pay range is $175,000-$225,000 annualized. This position is eligible to participate in healthcare benefits, and a retirement plan with company match. We offer great work-life balance opportunities with generous vacation and holiday time-off benefits. CAA staff, while not University of California employees, are eligible for many UC Berkeley staff programs, professional development and networking opportunities, and discounts on campus. We have a friendly and professional environment, and we pride ourselves on our team approach.

Submit your resume and a brief cover letter highlighting your most significant achievements to recruiting@alumni.berkeley.edu. 

Cal Alumni Association

1 Alumni House

Berkeley, CA 94720-7520

Toll Free: 1-888-CAL-ALUM

Founded by University of California, Berkeley alumni in 1872, the Cal Alumni Association (CAA) is a membership-based, 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization governed by a Board of Directors. CAA operates independently from the university with a mission of engaging alumni in support of the university.

CAA is a long-standing, financially stable, self-funded nonprofit with a $14M+ operating budget, three locations, seven revenue-generating business units, and multi-million dollar assets and reserves. Our portfolio includes the Lair of the Bear family camp in Pinecrest, CA, the award-winning California magazine, the Cal Discoveries Travel program, a wine club, and three scholarship programs. Annually, CAA awards more than $2 million in scholarships to approximately 850 students. CAA is one of the most respected alumni associations in the nation and represents a global network of more than a half million graduates of UC Berkeley.

As we continue to strengthen alumni engagement and drive sustainable growth, strategic philanthropy and financial leadership are essential to expanding our impact.