Donna Ferguson
Brooklyn,NY
Summary
Financial accounting executive with 32 years of experience in the accounting field and 26 years in the Chief Financial Officer capacity, with main concentration in the not-for-profit sector. Highly qualify to oversee all aspects of financial department and staff supervision.
Overview
37
37
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
CFO
Coalition for the Homeless Inc.
04.2025 - Current
- Directed financial strategy and planning to ensure alignment with organizational goals.
- Implemented risk management frameworks to safeguard company assets and minimize liabilities.
- Oversaw budgeting processes, ensuring resource allocation aligned with strategic priorities.
- Developed and maintained financial reporting systems for accurate performance tracking.
- Fostered relationships with stakeholders, enhancing communication and collaboration across departments.
- Evaluated financial forecasts to inform long-term business decisions and investment opportunities.
- Oversaw budgets, payroll, and accounts payable and receivable.
- Reduced operational costs by identifying areas for improvement and implementing cost-saving measures across various departments.
- Prepared accurate financial statements at end of quarter to summarize financial health and business performance.
- Conducted detailed analysis of company financial information and oversaw preparation of related reports.
- Spearheaded the implementation of a new financial reporting system, resulting in more accurate and timely data for decision-making purposes.
- Managed relationships with external auditors, ensuring a smooth and efficient annual audit process with minimal findings or issues identified.
- Ensured compliance with all regulatory requirements by staying current on industry developments and implementing necessary controls within the organization.
- Oversaw the preparation and submission of all tax filings, mitigating potential risks associated with noncompliance.
- Directed budget development, creation of budgetary controls and recordkeeping systems and investment management.
- Mentored finance team members, fostering a culture of professional growth and skill development within the department.
- Enhanced cash flow management through the development of robust forecasting models, ensuring optimal liquidity for business operations.
- Evaluated investment opportunities diligently, contributing to informed decisions regarding potential projects and their expected returns.
- Oversaw deployment of strategic business plans to accomplish accounting, compliance, and revenue targets.
- Streamlined financial processes by implementing automation and reducing manual tasks, leading to increased efficiency and accuracy.
- Presented financial results to board members and investors during quarterly meetings, maintaining transparency in communication regarding company performance.
- Led budgeting process, collaborating with department heads to allocate resources strategically and ensure alignment with organizational goals.
- Refined internal control procedures, strengthening the overall integrity of financial data captured within the system.
- Championed the adoption of new financial technologies, keeping the organization at the forefront of industry advancements while maximizing efficiency in daily operations.
- Directed budget development, budgetary controls and recordkeeping to make informed financial decisions.
- Developed and oversaw yearly budgets and capital structure of company to determine best mix of debt, equity, and internal financing.
- Maintained P&L and shouldered corporate fiscal responsibility.
Financial Services Professional
New York Life Insurance Company and NYLife Securities
10.2018 - Current
- Provide expert financial planning and consultation to NYC families and the business communities to assist in planning for their financial future and legacy.
- Provide assistance with financial investment planning strategies to young families, professionals and business owners in making investment decisions in the various financial vehicles offered by NYLife Securities such as mutual funds, annuities, IRA, and other financial products.
- Conduct and volunteer at various community event to provide community awareness on financial literacy.
- Serve on the curriculum Development panel to provide expert input for NYC in new agent training.
- Work with various NYC schools to provide awareness and implementation of the NY Life Child ID Safety Program.
- Serve as a liaison with the NYC K-12 public and private school in school implementation of the Grief Sensitive School Initiative.
Director of Financial Operations
Coalition for the Homeless Inc
11.2022 - 03.2025
- Directed financial strategy, improving budget management and resource allocation for organizational initiatives.
- Oversaw compliance with financial regulations, ensuring adherence to local, state, and federal guidelines.
- Implemented cost-saving measures that enhanced operational efficiency across departments.
- Collaborated with cross-functional teams to align financial objectives with organizational goals.
- Streamlined budgeting processes through advanced forecasting techniques and data analysis tools.
- Evaluated financial performance metrics, driving strategic improvements in fiscal operations and planning.
- Spearheaded cost-saving initiatives, conducting thorough spending analysis and identifying opportunities for improvement.
- Collaborated with cross-functional teams to drive process improvements, elevating overall operational efficiency.
- Ensured regulatory compliance in all financial matters, staying updated on industry standards and changes.
- Enhanced financial reporting accuracy, implementing stringent controls and audit measures.
- Reduced operational costs through meticulous budget management and expense reduction strategies.
- Planned and directed budgeting, accounting and performance reporting for organization and verified conformance with regulations and policies.
- Directed the preparation of annual budgets in collaboration with various department heads to align resources with strategic objectives.
- Led and directed work of financial staff and developed performance standards.
- Improved stakeholder communication through timely delivery of accurate financial reports and insightful analyses.
- Established a strong culture of fiscal responsibility across the organization by promoting best practices in budgeting and expense management.
- Advised and guided headquarters and field offices on application of financial accounting, reporting and administrative policies and procedures.
- Complied with established internal controls and policies.
- Established internal audit procedures to validate and improve accuracy of financial reporting.
- Prepared internal and regulatory financial reports, balance sheets and income statements.
- Utilized financial software to prepare consolidated financial statements.
- Improved overall financial reporting by streamlining control processes and reporting structures.
- Implemented and regularly reviewed financial controls to generate accurate and reliable financial data.
- Designed and maintained financial models to identify and measure risks.
Chief Financial Officer
Coalition for the Homeless
08.2004 - 10.2018
- Fully responsible for all aspects of the finance department and human resources department.
- Directs the organization’s general accounting operations, financial budgeting and forecasting.
- Plan, direct, and monitor fiscal policies and internal control procedures.
- Supervise staff of five employees, organize and review workload of staff.
- Prepare all financial statements for parent organization and two Low Income Tax Credit Limit Partnerships.
- Monitoring of ACA Reinsurance and other Health Care compliance
- Prepare quarterly departmental reports on the financial condition for directors and senior staff.
- Prepare all financial statements for use in the annual audits. Oversee all audits and interim reviews conducted by government grantors.
- Direct liaison with Board of Directors and auditors. Review all IRS-990 and form CHAR 500 prepared by independent auditors for accuracy of the financial reports before filing with IRS and the Charities Bureau.
- Plan Administrator for retirement plan and participate in the decision making process for implementing and reviewing employee benefits.
- Work alongside all program department, operations, human resources, and development department to facilitate all financial aspects of all RFP’s, government grants, etc.
- Provide oversight for liability insurance, negotiation and bidding, along with loss mitigation. Accomplished the reduction of insurance premium by $108K in 2008.
- Advised in the administration processes of operation department.
Chief Financial Officer
Northeast Brooklyn Housing Development Corp.
09.2001 - 08.2004
- Fully responsible for all aspects of the accounting and human resources department.
- Directs the organization’s general accounting operations, financial budgeting and planning, cash flow, preservation of capital reserves and investment of fund for parent company and twelve Housing Development Fund Corporation and three Low Income Tax Credit LPs.
- Supervise staff of two employees, organize and review workload of staff.
- Prepare all interim and annual financial statements for program director, property management, auditor, board of directors, investors and other housing agencies.
- Prepare the organization’s current and forecasted financial condition to the board of directors
- Plan and implement operating procedures to improve efficiency, strengthen internal controls and reduce cost.
- Oversee all aspects of human resources department including research employees’ benefits for implementation and keep up-to-date with new laws that affect employees.
Chief Financial Officer
Community Food Resource Center
12.1993 - 09.2001
- Full oversight for all aspects of the accounting and human resources department.
- Prepare all financial statements and report for OMB Circular A133 for further use by independent auditors during organization’s annual audit.
- Act as direct liaison with both independent auditors and the company’s board of directors.
- Oversee all audits and interim reviews conducted by government grantors and external auditors.
- Review all IRS-990 and form CHAR 500 prepared by independent auditors for accuracy to the financial reports before filing with IRS and the Charities Bureau.
- Prepare the organization’s budgets, interim budget comparisons, along with cash flow and forecasting reports for presentation to the board of directors and executive director.
- Meet with project directors to develop the financial aspect of the Request for Proposal (RFP) and to discuss the status of current grants and contracts.
- Oversee all aspects of the preparation of monthly vouchers for grants and government reimbursements, develop and maintain a computerized tracking system for grant/contract reporting.
Staff Accountant
Legal Services for New York City
11.1988 - 12.1993
- Assisted in preparation of financial reports for independent auditors.
- Prepared budget comparison and analysis for grants.
- Prepared adjusting and closing entries; processed and maintained general ledger.
- Prepared bank reconciliation for thirteen subsidiaries
- Reviewed accounts payable and cash receipt processing for proper allocation and accuracy.
- Developed computerized tracking system for tracking grants and contracts and prepare all monthly vouchers for grant reimbursement for all subsidiaries.
Education
M.A. - Counseling
NYACK College: Alliance Graduate School of Counseling
N.Y., N.Y.05.2006
B.B.A. - Accounting
Bernard Baruch College
NY, NY06.1996
A.A.S. - Accounting
The Borough of Manhattan Community College
NY, NY06.1988
Skills
- Proficient in Fund EZ, AvidPay, Paylocity, ADP, Microsoft Office, Software, Excel, Word, QuickBooks, Account System
Certification
Successfully completed and pass all parts of CPA examination, November 1996
Timeline
CFO
Coalition for the Homeless Inc.
04.2025 - Current
Director of Financial Operations
Coalition for the Homeless Inc
11.2022 - 03.2025
Financial Services Professional
New York Life Insurance Company and NYLife Securities
10.2018 - Current
Chief Financial Officer
Coalition for the Homeless
08.2004 - 10.2018
Chief Financial Officer
Northeast Brooklyn Housing Development Corp.
09.2001 - 08.2004
Chief Financial Officer
Community Food Resource Center
12.1993 - 09.2001
Staff Accountant
Legal Services for New York City
11.1988 - 12.1993
M.A. - Counseling
NYACK College: Alliance Graduate School of Counseling
B.B.A. - Accounting
Bernard Baruch College
A.A.S. - Accounting
The Borough of Manhattan Community College
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