Chief Financial Officer (Project Management)
JOB SUMMARY
This position plays a pivotal role in overseeing and managing the organization's financial health, ensuring compliance with regulations, and supporting its mission-driven goals. This Chief Financial Officer (CFO) is responsible for budgeting, accounting, financial reporting, establishing internal controls over the organization's financial activities, and ensuring compliance with all relevant laws, rules, and regulations. The CFO also works closely with executive leadership and other senior leaders to align financial strategies with the organization's mission and vision. The CFO oversees the Director of Accounting/Controller and provides strategic leadership for PERA's Accounting and financial management functions. High standards of accountability, fiduciary responsibility, and system efficiency are expected in performing all duties.
IDEAL CANDIDATE
The ideal candidate is a proven financial executive with significant leadership experience in a highly regulated and complex environment. The candidate should have experience in government finance, accounting, and reporting and bring a strong record of ensuring fiscal accountability, transparency, and stewardship of resources while supporting mission-driven operations. The ideal candidate:
- Possesses strong technical knowledge of governmental accounting standards (GASB), Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP), and Government Finance Officers Association (GFOA) best practices for accounting and financial reporting.
- Demonstrates a collaborative leadership style that builds trust across diverse internal teams and external stakeholders.
- Embraces innovation in financial operations and process improvement to drive efficiency and strengthen service delivery.
- Experienced working in modern financial systems and comfortable with best-in-class financial software and technology.
- Ability to foster cross-departmental collaboration to align financial management with enterprise strategic goals and business needs.
- Demonstrated skill in navigating political, regulatory, and operational complexity with diplomacy and sound judgment.
- Proven experience leading and mentoring high-performing finance and accounting teams.
- Established strategic thinker and skilled communicator, capable of translating complex financial information into clear advice for internal and external stakeholders. .
ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS
- Plans, organizes, and directs the Accounting Division to ensure that PERA fiscal matters are conducted in accordance with all applicable laws, regulations, governmental accounting standards, plan statutory provisions, and governance
- Directs and oversees accounting management, the accounting systems and processes for trust funds, combined operating fund, combined investment fund, life insurance reserve, health insurance funds, and defined contribution programs
- Provides leadership in overseeing all finance-related talent management functions, including hiring, developing, and creating a high-performing, mission-driven team
- Cultivates a culture of customer service among all aspects of the accounting function, and works to find opportunities to provide additional value-added services to the organization
- Ensures that staff have the resources, tools, and training needed to effectively perform their jobs
- Develops and adheres to the Division's goals, objectives, policies, and annual budget
- Collaborates with the External Auditor, Investment Managers, Custodian, Actuary, and State staff on complex financial and accounting issues
- Oversees accurate and timely financial reporting and production of the Annual Comprehensive Financial report (ACFR) in accordance with GASB and GFOA best practice and ensures compliance with all financial disclosure, audit, and reporting obligations.
- Ensures monthly close cycle, reconciliations, policies/procedures, and legal compliance audits are properly conducted
- Ensures optimum operational efficiency and proper functional internal controls
- Directs and/or performs a wide range of fiscal analysis, financial projections, and special studies
- Interprets and coordinates the implementation of pronouncements issued by the Governmental Accounting Standards Board (GASB) and the Governmental Finance Officers Association (GFOA) best practices
- Analyzes PERA financial and actuarial data to identify significant financial issues
- Provides/presents information to the Board of Trustees, Budget/Compensation and Audit Committees
- Monitors current professional accounting standards and stays abreast of relevant changes
- Participates in organizational strategic planning
- Actively engages in ongoing professional development
- Maintains regular and prompt attendance in the workplace
- Performs other duties as assigned
QUALIFICATIONS
- Bachelor's degree in finance, Accounting, or related field, and must be a licensed CPA with ability to obtain licensure in the State of Colorado
- A minimum of ten years of progressive experience in financial management, accounting, and reporting, within at least 5 years in a leadership role overseeing areas directly related to the described essential functions. Experience in the pension industry or public sector accounting is preferred. Equivalent combination of education and experience can be considered.
- Experienced in reporting complex financial information to a Board of Directors or other oversight body.
- In depth knowledge of GASB, GAAP, and GFOA statements and pronouncements
- Ability to administer and navigate complex accounting systems and analyze and evaluate financial reports
- Strong analytical skills and the ability to define problems, collect and analyze data, establish facts, draw valid conclusions, and translate financial data into strategic recommendations
- Action-oriented and able to take initiative to make decisions
- Demonstrated leadership and management capabilities with the ability to manage people and processes which span across organizational boundaries
- Advanced technical knowledge of financial management software and proficient in Microsoft Office suite; experience with Workday or PeopleSoft Financials and nVision preferred
- High degree of organizational skills with ability to manage resources and multiple priorities while demonstrating attention to detail and accuracy
- Excellent verbal and written communication and interpersonal skills, including collaborating across the organization, conflict resolution, and effectively managing the financial services needs of offices across the organization
WORKING CONDITIONS
- Standard office environment with frequent computer use
- Ability to travel occasionally
- All employees are expected to present themselves in a professional manner in alignment with the financial services industry
HYBRID WORK OPTION
Opportunity to work from home up to two days per week. Eligibility dependent upon factors detailed in PERA's Work from Home Policy.
INTERESTED CANDIDATES
Complete the employment application online at https://www.copera.org/careers. Please have copies of your resume and cover letter available to upload. Please review the following questions. You will be asked for a response to these as part of your application:
- Briefly summarize your relevant background and explain how your experience makes you an ideal candidate for this position.
- What would you consider to be the greatest achievement in your professional career? Talk through the steps you took to reach it.
- Please describe your experience with reporting to an oversight Board, Committee, Legislative body, etc.
- Please describe your level of knowledge of Government Accounting Standards Board (GASB) requirements.
JOB DESCRIPTION DISCLAIMER:
This job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties, or responsibilities that are required of an employee. Duties, responsibilities, and activities may change or new ones may be assigned with or without notice.
Unfortunately, at this time, we cannot consider candidates that require sponsorship (now or in the future), or are located outside of the US.
All Colorado PERA employees are subject to PERA's Ethics Policy and some employees are subject to the Personal Trading Policy. These policies include restrictions on outside business activities and employment and have certain requirements on personal trading. You may request copies of these policies from PERA's talent acquisition team and any questions can be answered by PERA's Investment Administration team.
ABOUT COLORADO PERA
Looking for a career where you can make a difference? Colorado PERA offers benefit services to public employees across Colorado, including teachers, state troopers, snowplow drivers, correctional officers and many others who provide valuable services. As Colorado's largest pension plan, we serve and educate over 700,000 members who are former and current public employees.
At PERA you will earn more than a paycheck. PERA is a culture where you can grow your potential and work in an inclusive environment, where diverse perspectives are valued. We hire exceptional employees and recognize that our people are our best asset. Not only do we make sound investments for our members, PERA invests in our employees' growth through training and leadership opportunities.
To promote wellbeing, we offer hybrid or flexible working options for most roles and a total rewards and benefit program including health, dental and vision coverage - eligibility starts the first day of the month following the date of hire for most plans; generous paid time off and volunteer hours; pension and retirement plans, including PERA's defined benefit plan, 457 defined contribution plan, and 401(k) employer match, as applicable; tuition assistance; free, convenient on-site parking or RTD subsidy; free on-site fitness center to stay active; employee assistance program; training, leadership and mentoring programs and more. PERA is a Public Service Loan Forgiveness qualifying employer.
To learn more about life at PERA, watch this video or visit www.copera.org/careers.
Position Title: Chief Financial Officer
Division: Executive
Reports to: Deputy Executive Director
Job Status: Full Time / Exempt
Salary: $240,000.00 to $290,000.00 Annual, Commensurate with experience
Posting Dates: 06/06/2025 to 06/29/2025
