“With a systematic, problem-solving approach, she effectively managed financial operations at CodePath during a critical transition. Her work ensured compliance, improved operational efficiency, and streamlined processes organization-wide.

She established clear financial planning by refining policies and implementing tools like grant analysis, earned revenue analysis, and a comprehensive budget template that combined detailed information while delivering concise insights. This enhanced internal controls, prepared the organization for the audit, and improved overall financial operations. Her efforts fostered cross-departmental collaboration and strengthened internal communication.

Her contributions in systematizing the finance team's processes and driving financial transparency strengthened financial governance and accountability, ensuring stability as CodePath scaled.”

- H. Lee, Controller

CodePath, a national nonprofit with a $30 million budget, is committed to transforming tech education and making it accessible to underserved communities. As the organization is scaling, maintaining financial stability is critical. When the Vice President of Finance and Administration (VPFA) prepared for parental leave, CodePath sought an experienced financial leader to ensure continuity, compliance, and operational efficiency.

CHALLENGE: 

The VPFA oversaw finance, HR, and IT operations, managing compliance, payroll, and financial reporting. In their absence, to ensure continued stability, the organization needed a leader to:

• Manage a three-person finance team handling day-to-day operations.

• Oversee the completion of the financial audit and IRS Form 990 filing.

• Ensure timely payroll processing and maintain financial accuracy.

• Improve financial reporting structures for internal leadership and external stakeholders.

• Provide guidance on revenue recognition for contributions and earned revenue.

VALUE-ADDED ACHIEVEMENTS: 

• A ‘Rhythm of Finance’ calendar, establishing a structured approach to financial planning and ensuring transparency and predictability in budget cycles.

• A Refined travel and business expense policy, leading to clearer guidelines and stronger cost management.

• A grant analysis template, a cross-functional tool that improved financial decision-making and streamlined grant tracking.

• An established bi-weekly HR-Finance meeting and internal communication channel, fostering stronger collaboration between departments and improving internal communication.

• A collaborative budgeting process that engages departmental teams across the organization via structured templates and timelines.

• Documented key accounting policies, including revenue recognition and software capitalization, ensuring consistency and compliance across financial operations

• A managed request for proposal (RFP) process to engage a new firm for the annual financial audit and IRS form 990

OUTCOME:

• Strengthened financial governance with improved compliance and reporting.

• Increased operational efficiency, streamlining budgeting, payroll, and expense management.

• Strengthen cross-functional collaboration between finance and HR.

• Extended engagement past the original five months, reflecting trust in our expertise.

• Nurtured a culture of budget ownership, accountability, transparency, and understanding across the organization.

• The selection of a new audit firm through an inclusive and transparent RFP process including the audit committee, finance team, and senior management, resulting in a well-qualified firm to meet the specific needs of the organization.