Volunteer CPA: External Nonprofit Finance Committee Member

VOLUNTEER POSITION DESCRIPTION Non-Member CPA — ALA Finance Committee

Organization: American Library Association (ALA)

Position type: Volunteer, non-member appointee

Reports to: ALA Treasurer (Committee Chair)

Meeting format: Virtual

Meeting length: Approximately 2.5 hours per meeting

Meeting frequency: 4 to 5 per year

Term length: 3 years starting July 1

The American Library Association (ALA) is the oldest and largest library association in the world, a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit organization with over 40,000 members and an annual budget of around $40 million, providing leadership for the development, promotion, and improvement of library and information services. ALA’s finances are overseen by the Chief Financial Officer and Finance Department, the Treasurer, the Executive Board, and the Finance Committee, with regular reporting to the membership.

ALA is seeking a non-member Certified Public Accountant (CPA) with experience in nonprofit finance and audits to serve as one of the eight appointed members of its Finance Committee. This is a volunteer role for an outside financial expert who can bring independent, professional judgment to the Association’s oversight of its financial reporting, audit process, and budget. The seat is intentionally held by someone outside the ALA membership to add an objective, external perspective to the committee’s work.

• Review and provide input on ALA’s financial statements, audited financial reports, and Form 990 filings
• Review financial projections, budget assumptions, annual proposed operating budget, and the Association’s overall fiscal health
• Share insights on nonprofit accounting standards, compliance matters, and emerging financial risks that may impact the Association
• Collaborate with the Treasurer, Chief Financial Officer, and Executive Board on matters of financial oversight
• Attend and actively participate in committee meetings

• CPA
• Demonstrated experience in nonprofit (not-for-profit) finance and/or audit, public accounting audit experience with nonprofit clients, nonprofit CFO/controller experience, or equivalent
• Familiarity with nonprofit accounting standards (e.g., FASB ASC 958) and Form 990 reporting
• Strong analytical and communication skills; ability to explain financial matters clearly to a mixed audience of finance professionals and non-finance board/committee members
• Comfortable working independently and collaboratively in a virtual meeting environment
• Not currently an ALA member (this seat is reserved for an outside, independent perspective)
• No financial interest in ALA beyond fulfilling this fiduciary/advisory role

• Committee meetings are held virtually and run approximately 2.5 hours each
• Meeting frequency per year: 4 to 5
• Some additional time outside of meetings will be required to review materials in advance (financial statements, audit reports, budget documents)
• Term : 3 years

• The opportunity to apply your financial expertise in the service of libraries of all types across the United States and beyond, and the library profession
• Exposure to the financial governance of a major national nonprofit association
• A meaningful volunteer role that supports ALA’s mission without requiring ALA membership