Leadership role

VP of Finance

A senior finance executive who runs accounting, budgeting and reporting, often one level below the CFO.

Reporting and scope

Reports to the CFO / Head of Finance or, where no CFO exists, to the Executive Director / CEO. Authority covers accounting, budgeting and financial reporting, with strategy often shared with a CFO above.

Core responsibilities

  • Manages accounting, budgeting and financial reporting
  • Oversees the annual audit and preparation of the Form 990
  • Maintains internal controls
  • Tracks restricted funds and grant spending
  • Prepares financial reports for the finance committee
  • Supervises the controller and the finance team

How it differs

The CFO / Head of Finance holds final accountability to the board; where the VP of Finance is the top finance officer, compare to CFO based on scope. The Controller / Comptroller and Director of Finance run accounting operations below this level.

By organization size

In mid-size nonprofits the VP of Finance is often the top finance person. In large systems it is a layer below the CFO covering one area, such as financial planning or a business unit.

Filings from the last five years mapped to this role commonly report titles such as: VP of Finance; VP Finance; Vice President of Finance; VP, Finance; Vice President, Finance; VP Finance & Administration

Related roles

Roles this description compares with VP of Finance, or that compare themselves with it.

CFO / Head of Finance
The organization's senior finance executive, accountable for financial strategy, reporting, controls and the stewardship of restricted funds.
Controller / Comptroller
The chief accounting officer, responsible for the books, financial statements and internal controls.
Director of Finance
Directs an organization's accounting and financial operations, including budgeting, reporting and grant financial management.
Vice President (Other)
A vice-president title filed without a named function; its duties vary by organization.

See what this role pays

Median reported total compensation, nationally: $193,000. Based on 8,131 IRS Form 990 filings, fiscal years 2021–2025.

This median spans organizations of every budget size and sector, so it will not match a benchmark for one organization.

State pay pages for this role: California, Connecticut, Florida, Illinois, Kentucky, New York, Pennsylvania.

Benchmark pay for this role

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