Vice President, Finance and Accounting

The Vice President of Finance and Accounting provides strategic leadership and oversight for a portfolio of client engagements and accounting professionals. The VP serves as a trusted advisor to charter school and nonprofit leaders, ensuring the delivery of high-quality financial management, accounting, budgeting, forecasting, compliance, and advisory services.

This position is responsible for developing and leading high-performing teams, maintaining strong client relationships, monitoring portfolio profitability, and supporting the growth and strategic goals of both clients and 4th Sector Solutions.

The Vice President is accountable for both client outcomes and the financial performance of their assigned client portfolio.

Reports To: Chief Financial Officer

• Serve as the senior finance leader for an assigned portfolio of clients.
• Provide strategic financial guidance to executive leaders, governing boards, and finance committees.
• Lead budgeting, forecasting, cash flow planning, and financial analysis efforts.
• Present financial reports and recommendations to client leadership and governing boards.
• Guide clients through audits, financial compliance, facility financing, growth initiatives, and other strategic projects.
• Ensure compliance with applicable federal, state, local, and grant requirements.
• Oversee the delivery of accounting and finance services across assigned client engagements.
• Monitor client portfolio performance, staffing utilization, and engagement profitability; recommend corrective actions when necessary to achieve margin targets.
• Ensure timely and accurate financial reporting and adherence to Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP).
• Establish and maintain effective internal controls, policies, and procedures.
• Identify opportunities to improve efficiency, systems, and service delivery.
• Lead audit preparation and coordinate responses to auditors and regulatory agencies.

Leadership & Talent Development

• Recruit, develop, mentor, and retain high-performing accounting and finance professionals.
• Establish clear performance expectations and provide ongoing coaching and feedback.
• Conduct performance evaluations and support succession planning efforts.
• Foster a culture of accountability, collaboration, service excellence, and continuous improvement.

Strategic Growth & Client Relationships

• Build and maintain strong relationships with client leaders, board members, auditors, and key stakeholders.
• Ensure high levels of client satisfaction and retention.
• Identify opportunities to expand services and strengthen client partnerships.
• Participate in business development activities, including proposals, presentations, and prospective client meetings.
• Support organizational strategic initiatives and special projects as assigned.

Required Skills & Abilities

• Extensive knowledge of accounting, budgeting, forecasting, financial reporting, and internal controls.
• Strong understanding of Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP).
• Ability to serve as a strategic financial advisor to executive leaders and governing boards.
• Strong leadership, coaching, and team development skills.
• Excellent analytical, problem-solving, and project management abilities.
• Excellent communication and presentation skills.
• Advanced proficiency in accounting software, financial systems, and Microsoft Excel.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment.

Education & Experience

• Bachelor's Degree in Accounting, Finance, or a related field required; CPA strongly preferred. MBA or other advanced degree preferred.
• Ten or more years of progressively responsible accounting and finance experience, including at least five years in a leadership role managing accounting or finance professionals.
• Demonstrated experience overseeing budgeting, forecasting, financial reporting, audits, compliance, internal controls, and strategic financial planning.
• Experience presenting financial information and recommendations to executive leadership teams, governing boards, finance committees, and other key stakeholders.
• Prior experience serving as a Chief Financial Officer, Deputy CFO, Director of Finance, or other senior finance leader within a charter school, charter management organization (CMO), school district, nonprofit organization, governmental entity, or outsourced accounting environment preferred.
• Knowledge of charter school finance, governmental accounting, education funding, grant management, and board governance strongly preferred.

This position requires occasional travel based on client and organizational needs.

Why Join 4th Sector Solutions?

4th Sector Solutions partners with charter schools and mission-driven organizations across the country to strengthen operations, improve financial stewardship, and maximize impact. The Vice President of Accounting & Finance plays a critical leadership role in advancing that mission through exceptional client service, strong team leadership, and strategic financial guidance.