Contracted Position Request for Proposals:
FRACTIONAL CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER
SONOMA COUNTY LIBRARY FOUNDATION
Contracting agency: Sonoma County Library Foundation
Position Title: Fractional Chief Financial Officer
Reports to: Treasurer, Sonoma County Library Foundation Board of Directors
Status: Contract position
ORGANIZATION OVERVIEW
The Sonoma County Library Foundation is an independent 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization founded to raise money to augment public funds in support of the Sonoma County Library system.
Presently, the Foundation is in the final year of its three-year campaign to raise $3.6 million needed to provide the collection, furniture, fixtures, and equipment for the new Roseland Regional Library. To date the Foundation has raised $2.8 million. The library is currently under construction in the Hearn Community Hub in southwest Santa Rosa and is scheduled to open in late 2027. This is the first major campaign the foundation has undertaken, offering the foundation a chance to expand its structure and productivity to be a reliable funding partner for the Sonoma County Library.
Source of funds are primarily from contributions from the private sector, as well as interest income generated from Foundation investments. Contributions are regularly solicited from individuals, corporations, foundations, other institutions, and net profits from benefit events. In this campaign, the Foundation was able to raise $800,000 annually on average. Planning has now begun for the next campaign which will support priorities identified in the library’s just completed Strategic Plan.
The successful candidate is more than an accountant—they are a strategic financial partner who combines strong nonprofit accounting expertise with the ability to help organizational leaders understand financial performance, assess risk, and make informed decisions. They are comfortable working independently, presenting to Boards of Directors, collaborating with auditors and investment advisors, and helping a mission-driven organization responsibly steward charitable resources for long-term community impact
To learn more about the scope and scale of the Foundations work visit the Foundation’s website at sonomalibraryfoundation.org.
POSITION SUMMARY
The Sonoma County Library Foundation seeks an experienced nonprofit finance professional to serve as its Fractional Chief Financial Officer / Controller. This independent contractor will provide financial direction, oversight, and strategic financial guidance while ensuring the Foundation maintains accurate financial records, strong internal controls, and compliance with nonprofit accounting standards.
The Fractional CFO/Controller serves as advisor to the, Treasurer, Finance Committee, Board of Directors and Sonoma County Library Fund Development staff by providing meaningful financial analysis that supports informed decision-making and long-term sustainability. They will work with the Foundation’s fund development team which directs the Foundation’s fundraising goals and operations.
This position may provide bookkeeping functions directly or coordinate with an outside bookkeeping service.
PRIMARY RESPONSIBILITIES Financial Leadership
- Serve as the Foundation's senior financial advisor.
- Provide strategic financial guidance to the Board and Finance Committee.
- Develop long-range financial projections and scenario planning.
- Monitor organizational financial health and recommend strategies to strengthen reserves and sustainability.
- Evaluate financial risks and recommend appropriate internal controls.
- Assist with investment and reserve reporting in coordination with the Foundation's investment advisor.
- Support financial planning for new initiatives, campaigns, and special projects.
Accounting & Financial Management
- Oversee maintenance of the general ledger and chart of accounts.
- Ensure accurate accounting in accordance with Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP).
- Review and reconcile bank, investment, and brokerage accounts.
- Oversee accounts payable, receivable, payroll, and cash management.
- Maintain accounting for restricted, temporarily restricted, and unrestricted funds.
- Monitor grant and donor-restricted fund activity.
- Review monthly journal entries and account reconciliations.
- Ensure appropriate separation of duties and financial controls.
Budgeting & Financial Analysis
- Lead development of the annual operating budget.
- Prepare rolling cash flow forecasts.
- Develop multi-year financial projections.
- Prepare monthly budget-to-actual reports with variance analysis.
- Identify financial trends and recommend corrective actions when appropriate.
- Provide financial modeling to support strategic planning.
Board & Executive Support
- Prepare monthly financial statements and dashboards.
- Present financial reports at Finance Committee and Board meetings.
- Translate financial information into clear, understandable reports for non-financial audiences.
- Support the Treasurer and Finance Committee in fulfilling fiduciary responsibilities.
- Assist with preparation of financial materials for the Foundation’s annual report, annual meetings and donor outreach.
Audit, Tax & Compliance
- Coordinate the annual independent audit or financial review.
- Prepare audit schedules and supporting documentation.
- Serve as the primary liaison with the Foundation's independent CPA.
- Assist with preparation and review of IRS Form 990.
- Ensure compliance with nonprofit accounting standards and applicable federal and state regulations.
- Support grant reporting and financial compliance requirements.
- Maintain documentation supporting internal financial policies and procedures.
Systems & Process Improvement
- Recommend improvements to financial systems and workflows.
- Evaluate accounting software and financial reporting tools.
- Strengthen internal controls and financial policies.
- Document financial procedures and best practices.
- Assist in implementing technology that improves efficiency and reporting.
QUALIFICATIONSRequired
- Bachelor’s degree in accounting, Finance, Business Administration, or related field.
- Minimum five years of extensive nonprofit accounting or financial management experience.
- Extensive knowledge of nonprofit fund accounting and GAAP.
- Experience preparing financial statements and board-level financial reports.
- Experience developing organizational budgets and cash flow forecasts.
- Experience supporting nonprofit Boards of Directors and Finance Committees.
- Demonstrated ability to communicate complex financial information clearly to non-financial audiences.
- Proficiency with QuickBooks Online or comparable nonprofit accounting software.
- Strong Microsoft Excel or equivalent spreadsheet skills.
Preferred
- Certified Public Accountant (CPA) or equivalent financial career experience.
- Previous experience serving as a Fractional CFO or nonprofit Controller.
- Experience with nonprofit organizations managing budgets between $2 million and $10 million.
- Experience with endowment accounting and investment reporting.
- Knowledge of charitable gift accounting, donor-restricted funds, and grant compliance.
- Experience working with nonprofit foundations and philanthropic organizations.
DESIRED COMPETENCIES
- Strategic financial background
- Excellent analytical and problem-solving abilities
- Strong organizational and project management skills
- High level of integrity and confidentiality
- Collaborative leadership style
- Ability to work independently
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills
- Commitment to exceptional client service and responsiveness
TIME COMMITMENT
Approximately 20–40 hours per month, with increased workload during:
- Annual budgeting
- Fiscal year-end close
- Annual audit
- IRS Form 990 preparation
- Investment review and reporting
- Strategic planning activities
Attendance at monthly Finance Committee meetings, monthly Board meetings, and occasional in-person meetings in Sonoma County is expected.
DELIVERABLES
The Fractional CFO/Controller will provide:
- Monthly financial statements by the 15th of each month
- Monthly balance sheet reconciliations
- Budget-to-actual reports with variance analysis
- Quarterly cash flow forecasts
- Quarterly financial dashboard for leadership and the Board
- Annual operating budget
- Multi-year financial forecast
- Audit-ready financial records and supporting schedules
- Coordination of annual audit and Form 990 preparation
- Recommendations for improving financial operations and internal controls
- Timely financial analysis to support Foundation decision-making
COMPENSATION
Compensation is competitive and commensurate with experience. The Foundation anticipates engaging the selected contractor under either:
- A monthly retainer based on an agreed scope of services; or
- An hourly consulting rate.
TO APPLY
Send resume, cover letter, and three references to Chris Falley, President, Sonoma County Library Foundation: USPS mail: PO Box 1402, Santa Rosa, CA 95402 or via email: [email protected]
DEADLINE FOR APPLICATION: October 1, 2026
Work Location: Hybrid remote in Rohnert Park, CA 94928
