CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER
ABOUT TREEPEOPLE
Born in 1973 from the hopes and dreams of a teenager, TreePeople is now one of the largest environmental organizations headquartered in Southern California. They have inspired, engaged, and supported more than 3 million people to take action for our environment by planting and caring for trees in forests, mountains, parks, and our neighborhoods. Their unique, engaging, and proven model empowers communities to plant a more resilient future and take personal responsibility for greening their neighborhoods. Through their on-the-ground research and educational programs, TreePeople shares knowledge with policymakers, students and educators, and communities around the world. As the world faces increasing threats from a changing climate, TreePeople helps create actionable solutions.
POSITION OVERVIEW
The Chief Financial Officer (CFO) leads TreePeople’s finance and accounting functions and partners with the Chief Executive Officer, Chief Grants and Contracts Officer (CGCO), leadership team, and board to advance financial stability, sustainability, and responsible growth. The CFO combines strategic financial leadership with practical oversight of accounting, budgeting, forecasting, cash flow, grants and contracts, and financial systems.
TreePeople’s project-based work and complex government grants and reimbursable contracts require a seasoned nonprofit leader who anticipates funding needs, strengthens infrastructure, and connects financial decisions to program impact. The CFO will improve cash flow visibility, project budget reporting, billing and collections, and long-term financial planning. This leader will manage and develop the finance team, address audits, and establish clear processes and accountability while building trust across departments through a collaborative, approachable leadership style grounded in TreePeople’s environmental mission.
ROLES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
Financial Strategy and Organizational Planning
- Lead short-term and multi-year financial planning aligned with TreePeople’s mission, strategic priorities, and operational needs.
- Partner with the CEO and leadership team to assess financial risks, reserves, funding gaps, and scenarios; recommend practical options that support financial resilience and sustainable growth.
- Evaluate the financial impact and full costs of new programs, partnerships, and expansion opportunities, including administrative costs not fully covered by grants or contracts.
Budgeting, Project Finance and Cash Flow
- Lead annual operating and project budget development with department leaders; establish clear timelines, assumptions, responsibilities, and budget accountability.
- Establish regular monthly budget-to-actual reviews, reconciliations, and updated forecasts with program leaders. Explain variances in operational context and coach staff on financial planning based on completed work and estimates to completion.
- Oversee cash flow forecasting and liquidity management, incorporating project obligations, billing schedules, receivables, reimbursement timing, and operating expenses.
- Obtain timely project information across departments to identify cash needs and funding gaps early; recommend actions and monitor progress.
- Coordinate with development to align fundraising priorities and restricted funding with program needs and the organization’s broader financial outlook.
Grants, Contracts and Funding Compliance
- Oversee financial management of a substantial portfolio of government contracts and federal, foundation, and other grants, including restricted and unrestricted funds.
- Partner with grants and program leaders to strengthen award budgeting, allowable cost allocation, financial reporting, documentation, and compliance with funding requirements.
- Improve timely and accurate billing and reimbursement submissions; coordinate collections and funder communication to support receivables management and cash flow.
- Track funding sources and restrictions, monitor contract and grant financial performance, and communicate financial obligations and risks to leadership.
Accounting, Audit and Financial Controls
- Oversee daily finance operations, accurate general ledger records, timely monthly closes, fixed assets, depreciation, and reliable monthly, quarterly, and annual financial reports.
- Ensure financial operations comply with GAAP and applicable local, state, and federal requirements; stay current on changes affecting the organization.
- Maintain effective internal controls, documented accounting policies, and standard operating procedures; conduct periodic internal reviews.
- Coordinate annual audits and timely audited financial statements; present results to the finance committee and board, and lead corrective actions to address findings and prevent recurrence.
- Oversee preparation and timely filing of IRS Form 990 and other required financial filings.
Financial Systems, Reporting and Data Access
- Assess and improve the use of Sage Intacct and related tools to strengthen reporting, forecasting, and access to dependable financial data.
- Partner across departments to improve data coordination and appropriate integration among Sage Intacct, ADP, and Salesforce, reducing duplicate entry and manual reconciliation.
- Develop accessible project dashboards and timely budget-to-actual reporting so program leaders can obtain useful financial information with less manual support.
- Establish clear data ownership, reporting standards, and review practices; provide training and support for effective system use.
- Establish meaningful key financial and performance metrics to support management decision-making.
Finance Team, Leadership and Cross-Department Collaboration
- Lead, develop, and support the finance team through clear expectations, coaching, professional development, knowledge sharing, and effective onboarding.
- Assess staffing capacity and workloads, including billing support, and recommend resources and practices that promote continuity and staff retention.
- Build trust across finance, programs, development, grants and contracts, and other departments; clarify responsibilities, resolve misunderstandings constructively, and promote respectful communication and shared accountability.
- Introduce processes and accountability with staff input, clear explanations, and a manageable implementation pace that respects TreePeople’s participatory culture.
- Create consistent service and communication standards so the finance team provides approachable, direct support across the organization, including in remote or hybrid working environments.
CEO & Board Partnership
- Serve as a trusted financial advisor to the CEO and represent finance at Board and finance committee meetings.
- Present financial results as a clear narrative linking variances, program performance, cash needs, risks, and recommended actions for audiences with varied financial knowledge.
- Provide candid, timely financial communication to leadership and appropriate visibility for staff; translate board priorities into practical next steps.
- Support clear boundaries between Board governance and daily operations while navigating differing perspectives with sound judgment and professionalism.
- Other duties as assigned.
QUALIFICATIONS
- A minimum of ten years of accounting or finance experience in the nonprofit sector with organizations generating at least $10 million in revenue, including at least five years of senior leadership.
- Demonstrated CFO-level leadership of a complex nonprofit finance function, including strategic planning, executive advising, board reporting, and finance team development.
- Deep experience with government grants and reimbursable contracts, nonprofit fund accounting, restricted and unrestricted funds, and a high volume of concurrent awards and reporting obligations.
- Strong command of GAAP, audit oversight, internal controls, regulatory compliance, tax filing oversight, and corrective action implementation.
- Demonstrated success in annual and multi-year budgeting, project-level analysis, cash flow forecasting, liquidity management, and scenario planning.
- Experience strengthening financial infrastructure during organizational growth, documenting processes, improving systems, and guiding collaborative change.
- Advanced proficiency with financial systems and analytical tools, including Sage Intacct and Excel; ability to improve reporting and coordinate data across systems.
- An approachable and empathetic leadership style, strong organizational skills, attention to detail, and the ability to remain calm and exercise sound judgment under pressure.
- Excellent written, verbal, and presentation skills, including the ability to explain complex financial information clearly to staff, executives, and board members.
- A strong commitment to TreePeople’s environmental mission and a willingness to understand its programs and field-based work.
COMPENSATION & BENEFITS
The CFO salary range is $180,000 - $200,000. TreePeople offers medical coverage with fully paid employee premiums for select plans; optional dental, vision, and supplemental insurance; employer-paid life insurance and employee assistance; flexible spending accounts; and a retirement plan. Paid time off includes two to four weeks of vacation based on tenure, 96 hours of annual sick leave for full-time employees, 12 holidays, a floating holiday, and winter closure from December 26–31.
TreePeople is an Equal Opportunity Employer, committed to fostering diversity and inclusion. TreePeople promotes equal opportunity for all employees and applicants. In doing so, we comply with local, state, and federal laws and regulations to ensure an equal employment opportunity for everyone. We don’t discriminate in employment opportunities or practices on the basis of race, ancestry, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, national origin, age, disability, citizenship, military service obligation, veteran status or any other basis protected by federal, state or local laws. Our policies and personnel practices are intended to ensure that all of us are treated equally with regard to recruiting, hiring, and advancement, and our decisions on employment are made to further the principle of equal employment opportunities for employees.
Envision Consulting was retained by TreePeople to search for its Chief Financial Officer.
Applicants needing accommodation for any part of the application process may contact Envision Consulting at 626.714.7577 to request and arrange for assistance.
