Chief Financial Officer

TechSkills is a nationally recognized innovator in education delivery, specializing in skills and certification training for careers in Information Technology, Healthcare Services and Business. The Austin-based company has helped more than 40,000 active students and alumni to build their skills, increase their earning power, and change their lives. Its mission is to provide innovative, affordable, life-changing education for each student.

TechSkills’ unique Facilitated Learning Method combines the best elements of traditional instructor led education, the latest online learning tools, and extensive hands-on skill building. This unique combination creates a highly effective and efficient learning process. Students are in control of what they learn, when they learn, how they learn, and how rapidly they progress.

TechSkills operates more than 30 campuses in 17 states (Campuses). Campuses are licensed in each state in which it operates. Many of the TechSkills campuses also are nationally accredited by the Accrediting Council for Continuing Education and Training (ACCET); at present, three are Title IV eligible.

TechSkills business units also include the Boston University Corporate Education Center (BUCEC) and Edgia. BUCEC (www.BUtrain.com) is a leading worldwide provider of project management, business process management, business analyst, PRINCE2â„¢, leadership and information technology training and certificate programs for corporations and professionals. BUCEC programs are also available through its global network of affiliate training providers.

Edgia (www.Edgia.com) is a leading provider of custom training solutions, including online training, testing and certification to national organizations.

TechSkills investors include OCA Venture Partners of Chicago, Chrysalis Ventures of Louisville and Cleveland, and Marquette Capital Partners of Chicago and Minneapolis.

THE POSITION
Reporting to the CEO and working with the company’s investors, the new CFO will drive all financial management decisions for TechSkills as it continues to gain accreditation and Title IV funding for its campuses.

Specific responsibilities and expectations include the following:

• Assume responsibility for the overall strategic and tactical financial operations of the Company
  Work with the CEO and Campus Presidents to complete the process of accreditation and Title IV eligibility for all TechSkills campuses
• Work with the CEO in the development and implementation of a comprehensive business plan for optimizing the Company’s current operations and opportunities
• Work with the CEO and investors to secure a new round of capital funding that will facilitate rapid growth
• Create or refine financial reports and statements that accurately measure campus and company performance, and that allow for accurate budgeting and forecasting, financial analysis, internal controls, process improvement, and cash flow management
• Work with the CEO to identify and analyze opportunities for growth through roll out of new programs and campuses, and potentially through acquisitions of other schools or programs

THE CAREER OPPORTUNITY

To an experienced CFO with relevant Title IV experience, this opportunity offers several attractive features:

• The opportunity to join a small executive team and have “a seat at the table” as the company charts its future
• The opportunity to work with the current investors in securing additional capital for growth
• The opportunity to be the principal financial decision maker in a company capable of growing to $100MM or more within 2-3 years
• The opportunity to attain significant equity in the company
• The opportunity to work in an attractive Austin location

THE IDEAL CANDIDATE
The ideal candidate is working as Chief Financial Officer or Vice President of Finance for a for-profit college or training company that enrolls students eligible for federal financial aid funds under Title IV legislation. He or she has worked with Campus Presidents and Regional Vice Presidents in helping to establish accreditation and Title IV compliance, and with a CEO and investors to secure capital for growth.

This individual is a “player/coach”–strategic enough to handle critical financial management issues but also hands-on enough to manage day-to-day cash flow at the campus level.

Specifically, this individual has –

• Specific experience with Title IV and other financial aid programs, regulatory compliance, revenue recognition, reviewing account reconciliations, and proforma analyses, all within a for-profit college that grew from less than $40MM to more than $80MM within three years
• An extensive background in financial management with particular strengths in the areas of financial statement preparation, budgeting/forecasting, financial analysis, internal controls, process improvement, and cash management
• Experience working with external parties, e.g. private equity investors, bankers, consult-ants, and independent accountants; experience reporting on, and monitoring compliance with, bank covenants; M&A and/or IPO experience would be valuable
• A bachelor’s degree in Accounting, Finance or a related field; a Master of Business Administration degree and/or designation as a Certified Public Accountant would be a plus
• A management style that is decisive and entrepreneurial; strong conceptual, creative, and problem-solving skills; a self-starter who is capable of managing his/her time and priorities effectively while successfully accomplishing planned objectives
• A track record of exerting strong fiscal control (appropriately managing/conserving cash) and driving EBIT bottom-line growth
• Experience developing and implementing financial processes and procedures that are scalable as an organization grows
• Experience managing finances for a multi-location organization
• Experience bringing a strategic level of leadership to the finance function, serving as financial strategist while managing a the day-to-day requirements of a finance department
• Superior business and financial analytical skills–success with timely monthly financial re-porting, detailed financial analysis, and the preparation of ad-hoc reports and analyses, cash flow planning, and management

Culturally and temperamentally, the ideal candidate is a team player who believes that individual success flows from the overall success of the organization.

This involves a range of personal attributes– flexibility and adaptability; a great work ethic; leadership with minimal supervision; an ability to analyze and evaluate one’s own (and other’s) performance and to develop plans to improve performance; excellent presentation skills; willingness to take responsibility for both success and failure–a thick skin; self-confidence and a positive attitude about self, company, and marketplace; consistent, effective prospecting skills–knowing how to reach decision maker; effective listening and questioning; sincerity, trust, believability and warmth; and a strong desire for success.

COMPENSATION
Compensation will include salary, bonus, and equity in line with the individual’s experience.

TRAVEL
Travel may be as much as 30 percent in the first year.