Job Announcement
Chief Financial Officer
12/7/22

Legal Action of Wisconsin, the state’s largest non-profit law firm, has an exciting opportunity for an experienced financial professional to help guide our law firm with energy, care, and vision. Our law firm’s services are invaluable to and life-changing for low-income people and communities throughout southern Wisconsin, and our Chief Financial Officer helps to ensure the organizational stability that we need to continue delivering those services.

Summary: The Chief Financial Officer (CFO) is responsible for the firm’s fiscal management. The CFO assists with all strategic and programmatic matters as they relate to budget management, fiscal/grant compliance and oversight, cost benefit analysis, forecasting needs and operating as the chief financial spokesperson within the organization. This position requires strong technical financial skills, prior supervisory experience, planning, decision-making, and excellent communication skills. The CFO is expected to: evaluate, recommend, and implement high-level system changes, as appropriate and shepherd and manage the firm’s finances and budgeting so that we can carry out our mission. The CFO will advise the Executive team (Executive Director, Director of Human Resources, Director of Legal Services, and Director of Strategic Litigation and Advocacy), managers, and the Board of Directors on the firm‘s financial and budgeting matters. The CFO also oversees various administrative operations of the law firm, including but not limited to office leases, insurance, and negotiating grants and contracts for services. The position is based in Legal Action’s Milwaukee office. Some remote work is possible though the CFO will be required to be physically present in the office at least 3 days during a 5-day work period or 6 days during a 10-day period. This is a full-time, exempt, and salaried position.

Legal Action of Wisconsin: We are a large and vibrant non-profit law firm, funded by the federal Legal Services Corporation, the Wisconsin Trust Account Foundation, the Wisconsin Department of Corrections, Victim of Crime Act funding, the Wisconsin Equal Justice Fund, and many other sources. Each year, we provide free legal aid to about 9,000 – 12,000 low-income persons in Wisconsin’s southern 39 counties with offices in Green Bay, La Crosse, Madison, Milwaukee, Racine, and Oshkosh. In addition, the firm operates a statewide farmworker project and a legal aid to victims of human trafficking project. Most of our work is in the areas of housing, public benefits, removing barriers to employment, consumer, family law, and victim rights.

Legal Action believes that equal justice under law can only be achieved through collaboration of a diverse staff. We strongly encourage applications from women, people of color, people who identify as LGBTQIA+, people with disabilities, and people with life experiences or educational backgrounds that add to the firm’s diversity and our capacity to provide high-quality legal aid.

Principal Duties and Responsibilities:

1. Budget:
a. Working in close collaboration with the Executive Directors and Managers, lead and manage the firm’s annual budget planning process so that the firm can meet its mission and goals and contractual and grant service delivery obligations.
b. Administer and review all ongoing financial plans and budgets.
c. Monitor progress and recommend changes to the budget.
d. Keep Executive Director, Board of Directors, and management team abreast of budget updates.
2. Attend all Board of Director meetings (quarterly though additional meetings may be added as necessary) and meetings of the Board's Finance and Audit Committee. Prepare budget status reports and narratives on Legal Action’s financial position for the Board and the Committee.
3. Monitor the firm’s adherence to accounting rules and regulations, financial regulations of the Legal Services Corporation, and all other applicable regulations and rules of our grants and contracts including but not limited to OMB Uniform Guidance, GAAP, ERISA, and IRS requirements.
4. Manage the overall operation of Legal Action accounting, financial, and grant reporting systems.
5. Closely lead and supervise the firm’s Accounting Department. Currently, the Accounting Department consists of: Controller; Senior Accountant; Staff Accountant; Payroll and A/P Specialist; and Administrative/Accounting Assistant.
6. Working with the Technology and Communications Manager and other members of the I.T team, supervise the Technology and Communications Manager and the overall planning and oversight of Legal Action’s I.T. systems. Currently, the I.T. Department includes a Technology and Communications Manager and a Technology and Communications Specialist
7. Work closely with Controller as he/she develops, manages, and monitor the financial, budgeting, and administrative components of grant proposals and reports to funding sources.
8. Oversee all procurement processes to assure compliance with all policies and procedures.
9. Actively engage in the firm’s race equity alignment work and ensure that direct reports actively engage as well.
10. Serve as a Trustee on the Legal Action of Wisconsin 401(k) Profit Sharing Plan.
11. Work closely with the Human Resources Director on the financial and tax aspects of payroll and compensation, fringe benefits, three collective bargaining agreements with two different Unions, including preparation of financial analysis of any proposed or potential changes to benefits, salaries, collective bargaining agreements, and other personnel costs.
12. Review, draft, and negotiate vendor contracts and funding grant agreements with outside parties.
13. Research, arrange, secure, and monitor insurance coverage for the firm’s operations.
14. Coordinate the search for office space and negotiate office leases.
15. Other duties as assigned by the Executive Director.

Qualifications and Competencies (Required and Desired):
1. Bachelor’s degree in accounting, finance, business administration, public administration, or related field is required. A CPA or a M.B.A. is desired.
2. Broad knowledge and experience in managing the financial and administrative operations of an organization or company in the range of 80 to 200 employees is required.
3. A minimum of four years of experience supervising others. A minimum of four years of experience supervising accounting staff is desired.
4. Ability to effectively lead, develop, and provide guidance and motivation to staff members who are engaged in budgeting, grant and contract administration, payroll and general accounting activities is required.
5. Considerable experience in or knowledge of non-profit accounting including sophisticated fund and grant accounting, budgeting, internal controls, compliance, and reporting is required.
6. Proficiency in the application of relevant federal and state laws and regulations (e.g. OMB Uniform Guidance, GAAP, IRS Form 990 reporting.) is required.
7. Prior experience working with a grant funded non-profit or legal aid organization is desired.
8. Appreciation of and enthusiasm for the work of civil legal aid and a commitment to our mission of equal justice for low-income people is required. Familiarity with the legal problems and related issues that our clients face is desired.
9. Ability to manage a high-volume, fast-paced work load and self-motivation, diligence, and ability to meet strict deadlines while under pressure are required.
10. Demonstrated excellence in skills to form and maintain interpersonal relationships, to communicate effectively, and to coach and inspire is required.
11. Demonstrated ability to successfully work in a collaborative management group and approach is required.
12. Knowledge of and experience with the set-up, oversight, and maintenance of multiple administrative systems, including financial, budgeting, accounting, H.R., and the like is required.
13. Knowledge of and experience with payroll laws and other regulations that relate to payroll and compensation and benefits is required.
14. Knowledge of purchasing principles and practices is required.
15. Ability to travel to our offices and occasionally statewide and nationally is required.

Probationary Period: The probationary period is six months. Legal Action may extend the probationary period for an additional six months.

Supervision: The Executive Director supervises the CFO.

Governance: Legal Action’s personnel policies and procedures govern this position.

Scope of Authority: The CFO is a member of Legal Action’s Executive Group and as such, the CFO provides crucial financial information to the Executive Director and the Board of Directors to operate the firm and direct the work. The CFO has general executive operating supervision over the accounting and information technology departments subject to the policies that our Board of Directors has enacted.

Salary: Salary range is $102,347 to $199,577. Placement in this range is determined by the candidate’s number of years of relevant experience. In addition, Legal Action offers a $2,400/year or a $4,800/year salary premium for employees who are proficient in Spanish or Hmong. Legal Action’s Board of Directors determines salaries and the language differential for unrepresented employees in a salary administration plan and they are not negotiable.

Benefits: Legal Action provides a generous fringe benefits package including employer-paid health and dental insurance for employees and eligible dependents. (Some employees are required to contribute to the health insurance premium for their spouse if the spouse has group health insurance provided by their employer.) Legal Action also provides life and long-term disability insurance, a profit- sharing retirement plan, salary deferral options for retirement planning, low-cost employee-paid vision coverage, four or more weeks of vacation per year (depending on length of time employed by Legal Action), four or five (depending on length of time employed by Legal Action) personal holidays in addition to 9 other firmwide paid holidays, generous sick leave, and four weeks of paid parental leave for eligible employees. We also offer employee-paid benefits: voluntary life insurance for employees and their spouse and eligible children and income protection including short-term disability, critical illness, accident, and hospital indemnity.

Physical Demands: Enter information into a computer accurately. Answer numerous emails, phone calls, and other electronic and electronic communications throughout the day. Occasionally move objects, usually about 10 – 20 pounds. Retrieve documents from printers and copiers and similar office equipment and file or distribute to others as needed.

Work Environment: This role is mostly sedentary, with most of the duties performed on a computer, phone, table, or reception desk. Desk and workspaces will accommodate a wheelchair or other assistive devices. This position may require occasional short-distance or long-distance travel.

Remote and/or Compressed Work: The CFO will be physically present in the Milwaukee office, or another Legal Action office, at least 3 days during the 5-day work period or 6 days during a 10-day work period.

COVID-19 Vaccination Requirement: As a condition of employment, all new employees and interns, law clerks, volunteers, and contractors from employment agencies or consulting firms must be fully vaccinated, including boosters. New employees must provide medical proof of vaccinations and boosters within 28 days of their first day of employment. New employees may request a medical or religious exemption from this requirement, but they must complete an exemption request and Legal Action must approve the exemption before the employee may begin work.

Relocation Expenses: Reimbursement for eligible relocation expenses, up to $1,200, is available.

Application Procedure: To apply, applicants should submit the following within Legal Action’s online portal:

1. A cover letter that guides us through the applicant’s interest in the position and experience and qualifications, knowledge, and skills.
2. Resume.
3. Names and contact information for at least three professional references.
4. Optional, but highly encouraged: A sample of a recent work product or products that demonstrate the applicant’s knowledge and skills that are relevant to this position.

https://secure.entertimeonline.com/ta/7988.careers?ApplyToJob=503454223

Hiring Manager: Deedee Peterson, Executive Director, is the hiring manager.
Deadline to Apply: We will review applicants on a rolling basis. To assure early consideration, please submit application materials as soon as possible. Interviews will begin on Monday, December 19, 2022.

Job Type: Full-time

Pay: $102,347.00 - $199,577.00 per year

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