Chief Financial Officer (CFO)

Organization Description: The Rural Community Assistance Partnership Incorporated (RCAP) is a national network of nonprofit partners that works to ensure that rural and Tribal communities across the US have access to safe drinking water, wastewater treatment, solid waste disposal, and economic prosperity through technical assistance, training, and financial assistance in the smallest communities across the country, many of which are low income. RCAP builds capacity at the local level, while raising the voice of rural and Tribal communities through advocacy, storytelling, research, and strategic partnerships. Annually, RCAP serves approximately 2,000 rural and Tribal communities with an average size of less than 1,600.

RCAP’s FY26 budget is slightly over $42 million, with twenty-three currently open federal grants and seven private grant awards ranging from one year in length to five years. RCAP has a staff of 32 employees who reside and work in sixteen states and is in the process of recruiting for new positions. Approximately 80% of RCAP’s budget is passed through to subawardees. Experience in subaward management is a critical component of this position.

RCAP is a Non-Discriminatory Employer: We welcome and encourage applications from all qualified candidates, regardless of identity or background.

Position Summary: The Chief Financial Officer (CFO) serves as a senior executive leader and strategic partner to the Chief Executive Officer (CEO), providing overall stewardship of the organization’s financial health, integrity, and  long term sustainability. The CFO is responsible for all financial and fiscal management aspects of the organization, including financial strategy, budgeting, accounting, forecasting, audits, internal controls, and compliance with federal, state, and private funding requirements. 

Key Duties & Responsibilities: 

Financial Operations - The CFO is responsible for the development and preparation of the annual operating budget for CEO and Board approval, the management of the organization’s day-to-day financial operations and finance department staff. The current Finance Department staff include a Finance Manager, Senior Accounting Specialist, Contracts & Compliance Analyst, and an Administrative Assistant shared with the CEO. Together, these staff carry out functions including oversight of completion of all month‑end close activities, general ledger maintenance, balance sheet reconciliations, and reconciliation of income from funding sources. Key department duties include overseeing cash flow to ensure adequate liquidity, payables, receivables and supporting possible collection efforts, reconciling semi‑monthly payroll and benefits allocations, filing related tax and retirement benefit returns, and ensuring accurate accounting for staff and benefit costs. 

Financial Management - The position oversees grant and funder financial management, including preparing and submitting quarterly and annual financial reports, monthly reimbursable grant drawdowns, and year-to-date grant analyses detailing subgrantee spending. The role coordinates with subgrantees to collect invoices and financial reports, monitor compliance, and provide strategic financial analysis based on projections, cost allocation, and revenue and expense trends. Funders may require desk audits, compliance documentation, or full audits. It is the responsibility of this position to oversee and comply with those requests.

Funding Oversight – The position provides financial guidance and oversight of the administration and management of all federal and non-federal funds. From proposal budgeting, to grant close out, overseeing the proper cost allocation, compliance with federal funding requirements, and alignment with organizational financial strategy and audit requirements.  Enhance, develop, communicate, implement, and enforce finance department policies, procedures and practices.  

• Regulatory and Funding Compliance 

 Extensive experience in the administration of federal grants, including but not limited to 2 CFR PART 200—Uniform Administrative Requirements, Cost Principles, and Audit Requirements for Federal Awards and Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP) to ensure accurate, consistent, and transparent financial reporting. Compliance with federal, state, and local regulations, as well as specific funder and grant requirements, including conflict of interest standards and allowable cost rules.  

Financial Administration – Oversight and administration of cash management, budgeting, benefits administration, financial analytics and beyond. Leading both short- and long-range strategic financial planning, monitor organizational performance, and provide critical financial insight and strategic guidance to the CEO and board to support informed decision-making and effective governance.  

Governance and Policy Oversight - Ensure the development, approval, and enforcement of procurement policies and procedures that promote transparency, fair competition, ethical conduct, and compliance with applicable laws, regulations, and funding requirements. 

Risk Management and Internal Control - Oversee and ensure the implementation of proper risk management practices, including contract risk, vendor dependency, fraud prevention, insurance coverage reviews and internal control systems that safeguard organizational assets. 

Delegation and Accountability - Appropriately delegate financial management authority while maintaining clear accountability frameworks to the Finance Team members and program leaders involved in project management, procurement processes, purchasing and contracting decisions. Guide internal teams on timelines, fiscal controls, and financial documentation, and review supporting materials to ensure accuracy and compliance.  

Financial Stewardship and Cost Management - Ensure financial decisions reflect sound financial stewardship, promote cost-effectiveness, and align with approved budgets, financial plans, funding restrictions and organizational priorities. 

Board Engagement and Reporting - The CFO is responsible for preparing and presenting the Finance Committee and the larger board with regular financial reports, including annual budgets, Year-to-Date reports at board meetings and more often if required to ensure financial transparency and good financial governance. 

Manage and coordinate annual audit – Primarily federally funded, the organization is required to conduct an annual audit in accordance with the Single Audit Act (2 CFR Part 200, Subpart F) to ensure accountability, compliance, and proper stewardship of federal resources. Work closely with the external CPA firm on an annual basis to ensure the timely completion of the audit report for the Annual Financial/Single Audit including receiving a “clean opinion” and the preparation and filing of the 990 taxes.  

• Indirect Rate – RCAP has historically had a negotiated Indirect Rate (NICRA) but is in the process of moving to the De minimis rate.

Travel is periodically required to RCAP for national meetings, staff retreats, Board meetings and some regional Program Managers meetings throughout the year.  

Required Qualifications:   

• Bachelor’s degree in accounting: CPA Desired  
• A minimum of fifteen years of related experience ideally gained through responsible management positions within the non-profit industry; preferably six-plus years of federal grant management  
• Experience supervising others  
• Experience with sub grants and pass-through management  
• Experience in multi-state payroll, including applying for corporate registrations in multiple states
• Experience in managing a Single-Audit with multiple, sizable federal grants with no findings in the audit report
• Experience with federal desk audits, compliance reviews or full federal audits
• Experience working as a liaison with the Board of Directors
• A multi-tasker with the ability to wear many hats in a fast-paced environment  
• Ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously, prioritize tasks, and meet deadlines under pressure 
• Strong writing and editing skills, with experience developing reports, and supporting resources  
• Strong verbal and interpersonal skills, with the ability to effectively represent the mission and values of RCAP  
• High work ethics and standards and the ability to uphold transparency, accuracy, and integrity when conducting the functions of the role 
• Substantial knowledge of the Microsoft Office/365 suite of products 
• Valid driver’s license and proof of insurance 
• Automated accounting system experience. Unanet software is a plus but not required  

 Desired Qualifications:  

• Experience with benefits administration and compliance issues in nonprofits with more than 20 employees
• A successful track record in setting priorities, keen analytics, organization and problem-solving skills which support and enable sound decision making
• A successful track record of achieving clean financial audits and grant reporting
• Excellent communication and relationship building skills with an ability to prioritize, negotiate, and work with a variety of internal and external stakeholders
• Excellent Communicator

Benefits: RCAP offers an outstanding benefits package which includes: 

• 15 days of Vacation Leave (accrued on a prorated per payroll basis) 
• 15 days of Sick Leave (accrued on a prorated per payroll basis) 
• 9 scheduled federal holidays (New Years Day, MLK Day, Memorial Day, Juneteenth, 4th of July, Labor Day, Indigenous People’s Day, Thanksgiving Day, and Christmas Day); 3 floating holidays (which can be used anytime during the fiscal year); and one day of scheduled administrative leave the week between Christmas and New Years (Presidents Day, Veterans Day, and the day after Thanksgiving are not scheduled holidays) 
• Platinum level Health Insurance with 100% of premium paid for the employee and 70% for dependents (currently provided through CareFirst Blue Cross/Blue Shield) 
• Dental and Vision Insurance with 100% of the premium paid for both the employee and dependents (currently provided through Delta Dental and VSP) 
• 403b Retirement Plan with automatic employer contribution of 7% after 6 months of employment 
• Employer paid Life, Long and Short-Term Disability Insurance 
• FSA Medical and Dependent Care Plans 
• Optional Insurance plans available at 100% employee cost for Accident, Critical Illness, and Supplemental Hospital 

How to Apply: To apply please submit a letter of interest and resume/CV to apply@rcap.org on or before May 15, 2026.

The Selection Process: Below is a tentative timeline of key events: 

First Round Interviews (In person in DC) – Week of May 18th

Secon Round Interviews (in person in DC) – Week of May 25th

Job Offer (contingent upon reference & background check) – week of June 1st

Preferred Start Date – July 1, 2026

While RCAP will proactively communicate these dates and any changes to you throughout the application process, please consider placing tentative holds on your calendar for the initial screening and full interviews. Dates are subject to change. 

Benefits: RCAP offers an outstanding benefits package which includes: 

• 15 days of Vacation Leave (accrued on a prorated per payroll basis) 
• 15 days of Sick Leave (accrued on a prorated per payroll basis) 
• 9 scheduled federal holidays (New Years Day, MLK Day, Memorial Day, Juneteenth, 4th of July, Labor Day, Indigenous People’s Day, Thanksgiving Day, and Christmas Day); 3 floating holidays (which can be used anytime during the fiscal year); and one day of scheduled administrative leave the week between Christmas and New Years (Presidents Day, Veterans Day, and the day after Thanksgiving are not scheduled holidays) 
• Platinum level Health Insurance with 100% of premium paid for the employee and 70% for dependents (currently provided through CareFirst Blue Cross/Blue Shield) 
• Dental and Vision Insurance with 100% of the premium paid for both the employee and dependents (currently provided through Delta Dental and VSP) 
• 403b Retirement Plan with automatic employer contribution of 7% after 6 months of employment 
• Employer paid Life, Long and Short-Term Disability Insurance 
• FSA Medical and Dependent Care Plans 
• Optional Insurance plans available at 100% employee cost for Accident, Critical Illness, and Supplemental Hospital