Chief Financial Officer in Washington, District of Columbia at LEGAL AID SOCIETY OF THE DISTR

Legal Aid DC, a nonprofit organization with an approximately $18 million annual budget and a staff of approximately 125 employees, is seeking a Chief Financial Officer to join our Leadership Team.

Since 1932, Legal Aid has provided civil legal assistance to clients in individual cases and engaged in systemic reform. Currently, we provide individual representation in consumer law, domestic violence/family law, housing, public benefits, and immigration matters. We also help people with the collateral consequences of their involvement with the criminal justice system. From the experiences of our clients, we identify opportunities for law reform, public policy advocacy, and systemic impact and appellate litigation. Legal Aid also administers the DC Resource Bridge, a single access point for legal services in the District.

Legal Aid believes that meaningful pursuit of our anti-poverty mission requires an unwavering commitment to racial justice and equity. We aspire both to reflect the rich racial diversity of the communities we serve and to value, respect, and empower our staff and clients to be effective agents of change. For more information about Legal Aid please visit our website, www.LegalAidDC.org.

Our work is supported through public and private grants and private fundraising from individuals, law firms, and other contributors.

About the Role

The Chief Financial Officer is responsible for the overall financial health and stewardship of the organization. This role oversees financial planning and analysis, budgeting, accounting, audit, grants management, compliance, internal controls, cash management, and financial reporting.

The CFO will be both a strategic partner and a hands-on leader, ensuring that financial systems, policies, and practices support the organization’s mission, growth, sustainability, and accountability. Our ideal CFO will look at technology-forward ways to make existing processes more efficient and bring fresh viewpoints, expertise, and experiences to contribute to organization-wide decision-making by the Leadership Team.

The position reports directly to the Executive Director and will work closely with the Executive Committee of Legal Aid’s Board of Trustees. The position will manage our existing accounting and finance consultant and does not currently directly manage any staff members. The CFO is expected to work in person at Legal Aid’s office in Northwest DC at least 3 days per week.

This is a newly reformulated role, providing the opportunity to reshape our budgeting, compliance, and grant reporting systems. This role has been redesigned due to the upcoming departure of our long-time Director of Operations, who was in a similar role for more than 20 years. The person in this role will overlap with the Director of Operations for several months to ensure a smooth transition.

Responsibilities

Financial Strategy and Leadership

- Serve as a strategic advisor to the Executive Director and Board of Trustees.

- Lead long-term financial planning, scenario modeling, forecasting, and sustainability analysis.

- Translate financial data into clear, actionable information for the Executive Director, Leadership Team, and Board of Trustees.

- Identify financial risks and opportunities and recommend strategies to strengthen organizational performance.

- Support major organizational decisions, including staffing, program growth, funding changes, investments, reserves, and operational planning.

- Promote a culture of accuracy, customer service for employees, and continuous improvement.

- Assess and improve financial systems, workflows, and reporting tools, including identifying cost savings.

- Work with People & Culture, Development, and program teams on cross-functional systems and processes.

Budget and Finance Operations

- Lead and execute process for developing annual calendar-year budget with the Executive Director, Leadership Team, and Board of Trustees.

- Monitor budget-to-actual performance and provide monthly financial reports and analyses to the Executive Director and Board of Trustees.

- Help department heads understand and manage their budgets.

- Maintain strong internal controls, financial policies, and procedures.

- Ensure appropriate segregation of duties and effective financial risk management.

- Ensure timely and accurate payments on invoices and reimbursements.

Grants Management

- Develop grant budgets and quarterly financial reporting and ensure funder compliance.

- Ensure accurate tracking of restricted funds, grant spending, contract receivables, and reimbursement requests.

- Support the organization’s ability to manage a diverse funding portfolio, including government and private grants, individual giving, and earned revenue where applicable.

- Provide analysis on the financial implications of new funding opportunities and program commitments.

Audit, Compliance, and Risk Management

- Lead the annual audit and Form 990 process.

- Serve as the primary liaison with external auditors for all required audits

- Ensure compliance with federal, state, local, grant, contract, and donor requirements.

- Maintain appropriate documentation for tax-exempt status and related renewals.

Additional Responsibilities

- Maintain a list of all service contracts, including dates of expiration and renewal, and manage process to determine which contracts should be renewed, renegotiated, or allowed to expire.

- Complete required renewals for organizational licenses and insurances.

Qualifications

Even if you do not have the exact experience and skills listed, we still encourage you to apply if you have equivalent or related experience:

- Significant senior-level financial management experience, preferably in a nonprofit organization of comparable size or complexity.

- Experience managing finances for an organization with a budget of $5 million or more.

- Extensive knowledge of accounting principles, nonprofit finances, nonprofit budgets, grant compliance, audit, and Form 990 requirements.

- Demonstrated ability to lead budgeting, forecasting, financial analysis, and long-term planning.

- Strong internal controls and risk management experience.

- Ability to communicate financial information clearly to non-financial audiences.

- Strong commitment to Legal Aid’s mission and organizational values

- CPA or MBA preferred but not required.

Salary and Benefits

The CFO will be paid a salary range of $155,000-$190,000, depending on experience.

Legal Aid offers a generous benefits package, including eligibility for fully paid health insurance, annual retirement match, 13 paid holidays, 25 days of annual leave per year and 15 days of sick leave per year.

Click here for full benefits information.

This position is not included in the bargaining unit represented by the National Organization of Legal Services Workers, UAW Local 2320.

To Apply

Legal Aid values an inclusive, diverse workplace and encourages applications from interested persons from diverse backgrounds of any race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, physical or mental disability, veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, marital status, personal appearance, family responsibilities, matriculation, political affiliation, genetic information, or any other legally protected status.

We strongly encourage applications from people with personal experience with the criminal justice system and/or with lived experiences in the communities we serve.

Candidates should submit a letter of interest and resume here. Applications will be reviewed as they are submitted. This position will close at 5pm EST on May 29, 2026. No emails or phone calls, please.