The Association for association professionals in Chicagoland

Chief Financial Officer

Association for Career & Technical Education

Alexandria, Virginia (hybrid – minimum of 2 days per week in office)

The Moran Company is pleased to partner with the Association for Career and Technical Education to recruit the organization’s Chief Financial Officer.

The Association for Career and Technical Education (ACTE) is the largest national education association dedicated to the advancement of education that prepares youth and adults for careers. Founded in 1926 and celebrating its 100th anniversary this year, ACTE is experiencing dramatic growth, currently standing at 30 staff members with plans to add 5 more in the coming year. The organization reported over $10.9 million in revenue in 2025 and reached a record-setting membership milestone of over 30,000 members. The organization is in a very strong financial position with $14 million in cash reserves.

ACTE maintains a robust, mission-driven culture with a high retention rate, including staff who have been with the Association for over 20 years. The culture is highly collaborative and values strong cross-departmental relationships. ACTE operates out of a headquarters building they own, which currently houses three additional tenants.

The Chief Financial Officer (CFO) is a critical senior leadership role reporting directly to the Executive Director. The CFO will manage the financial, human resources, and operations functions of the Association. This is an active, hands-on financial leadership role requiring the CFO to balance big-picture strategic thinking with tactical, day-to-day work. The CFO is a valued resource for their team as well as a strategic thought partner for the board and senior leadership.

The CFO will ensure the accuracy of financial reporting, oversee system integrations between the iMIS database and Sage Intacct accounting system, and serve as a key financial resource to the Board of Directors. Additionally, the CFO will supervise a relatively new internal team and oversee an outsourced Controller, ensuring seamless financial and operational support for the Association's ongoing growth. The ideal candidate is someone who can enhance an already collaborative team, improve legacy processes, and contribute financial expertise and acumen in a growing organization.

The CFO will provide strategic financial and operational leadership for the Association, overseeing budgeting, accounting, financial reporting, human resources, facilities, contracts, technology, and internal control systems. This role will manage day-to-day financial operations, ensure compliance and audit readiness, optimize system integrations, support the Board of Directors and Audit Committee, and translate complex financial information for staff, members, and other stakeholders. The CFO will also lead a geographically dispersed internal team and an outsourced Controller, fostering collaboration, accountability, and strong support for the Association’s continued growth.

The annual salary range for this position is capped at $180,000 - $200,000, commensurate with experience. Relocation assistance is not provided for this role. ACTE offers a robust benefits package and an annual bonus plan for up to 5%, based on performance and organizational performance.

The search for the ACTE Chief Financial Officer is being conducted by The Moran Company. Questions about the position can be directed to Jamie Berry, The Moran Company; jamie (at) morancompany.com.

To apply for this position, submit cover letter and resume to Jamie Berry, The Moran Company, via the secure online portal. Resume should include all professional education and experience, dates of employment (month and year) and position/title and organization names. Cover letter should articulate relevant experience and fit with the stated preferences of the position. 

To view the full Position Profile and/or APPLY, click HERE

The ideal candidate will have a bachelor’s degree in accounting or equivalent experience, CPA designation, 10+ years of managerial-level accounting experience, and demonstrated knowledge of GAAP, government grants, association/nonprofit finance, and financial systems such as Sage Intacct and iMIS EMS. The candidate should be ethical, detail-oriented, collaborative, and forward-thinking, with strong supervisory, communication, problem-solving, and time management skills.