CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER

Our client is a a long-established Montana institution headquartered in Helena.

Intrepid Credit Union ($311M; Helena, MT) is seeking their Chief Financial Officer. As a service-minded credit union with 6 branches serving 19 counties across Montana (and prominent in the cities of Helena, Bozeman, and Billings), Intrepid boasts an expansive field of membership.

This combination of strong resources and tremendous untapped market potential puts the credit union in an ideal position for continued growth. At Intrepid, they have established a culture that is genuine and welcoming. Collaboration is part of thier DNA and central to everything they do.

Originally established in 1936 as Helena U.S. Employees Federal Credit Union, Intrepid has remained dedicated to top-of-class service. As the organization’s name changed, the commitment to their growing field of membership never altered. In 2019, the shift to Intrepid Credit Union positioned the credit union to serve an even greater field of membership.

Guided by their mission to “provide for today and protect for tomorrow,” Intrepid Credit Union proudly serves the financial needs of more than 17,000 members by adhering to their core values: Respect, Trust, Integrity, Empathy, and Service.

Located in the heart of Montana, the successful candidate will have the opportunity to live anywhere in our beautiful field of membership, enjoying breathtaking scenery, easy access to the outdoors, and an unparalleled quality of life under the Big Sky.

POSITION SUMMARY

What makes this role notable is the combination of hands-on finance leadership and real strategic influence.

The CFO will oversee accounting, financial reporting, budgeting, forecasting, investment activity, ALM, pricing, regulatory reporting, and board-level financial communication, while helping the organization scale thoughtfully for continued growth.

The team is looking for someone who can bring both strong technical finance depth and the judgment to serve as a trusted partner to the CEO and executive leadership team.

• This is a highly collaborative executive team. They're looking for a strategic partner at the table, not just someone to produce financial reports.

• They're looking for a strategic finance leader who can drive growth, oversee ALM, investments, and financial performance, and help shape the future direction of the organization.

• What really stands out is the collaborative culture, strong market opportunity, and the chance to make a meaningful impact while enjoying an exceptional quality of life in Montana.

• This is a highly visible executive leadership role reporting directly to the CEO and partnering closely with the Board.

• Intrepid is a credit union that still has runway. The leadership team isn't looking for someone to simply protect what they've built; they're looking for a CFO who can help shape where the organization goes next.

• You get the stability of an institution that's been around for nearly 90 years, but with leadership that's willing to evolve and think strategically about the future.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Accounting, Finance, or a related field

• 5–10+ years of progressive finance leadership experience within a financial institution or closely related environment

• Prior management experience with responsibility for hiring, coaching, performance management, and team development

• Strong background in:

  • Financial reporting and GAAP accounting

  • Budgeting, forecasting, and financial planning

  • Asset/Liability Management (ALM)

  • Investment portfolio management

  • Regulatory reporting and compliance

  • Board and executive-level financial presentations

  • Advanced proficiency with accounting systems, financial reporting tools, spreadsheets, and Microsoft Office applications

preferred qualifications

• CPA designation

• Master's degree in Finance, Accounting, Business Administration, or related field

• Credit union experience strongly preferred

• Familiarity with NCUA regulations and examinations

• Background in credit union data processing and data systems preferred

Essential functions

Being the Chief Financial Officer at Intrepid Credit Union is the ideal role for a strategic financial leader who understands how to collaborate with others to develop and execute effective strategies, actions, programs, and processes that will help Intrepid achieve all its business objectives. Responsibilities will include:

• Serve as a member of the leadership team and works collaboratively to achieve strategic goals and initiatives that maximize returns. This involves controllership duties, treasury duties, and economic strategy and forecasting duties. This position will be responsible for the Accounting, Information Technology and Project Management departments.

• Develop strategic financial plans that optimize the risk-based earnings potential of the balance sheet and includes formulating loan and deposit pricing. Interprets financial information and market/economic conditions and makes judgments regarding likely impacts on credit union operations, risk tolerance, and financial results.

• Direct the Credit Union's investment activities as custodian of funds, securities, and assets of the organization; promotes the Credit Union in financial markets to ensure sources of capital.

• Formulate and execute investment policy; prepare financial forecasts. Manage and optimize the investment and borrowing portfolios of the credit union in order to achieve above average earnings and safeguards the assets of the credit union for members.

• Work with auditors/examiners on year-end and comprehensive audits. Oversee all required regulatory reporting to assure compliance. Serve as a liaison and representative of the credit union on financial matters with industry, governmental and regulatory organizations.

• Monitor interest rate, credit and portfolio risk status and sets limitations as required for Asset/Liability Management. Identify ways to reduce interest rate risk and sensitivity. Provide detailed ALCO and Investment reports to Board and Executive Management. Update the ALM policy in accordance with the NCUA rules and regulations.

• Communicate with the Board of Directors, the Supervisory Committee, customers of management and individual customers regarding strategic recommendations, financial results and policies which effect the organization to assure that they are timely, accurately and adequately informed about matters which affect the financial institution.

• Design and implement robust financial systems for supporting credit union operations.

• Lead the annual budget, preparation, and administration process to control operating expenses and achieve the credit union's strategic objectives. Oversee preparation of tax returns and regulatory reporting. Assist department leaders to make efficient use of resources and identify opportunities for improved performance within their areas of responsibility.

• Manage and optimize the investment and borrowing portfolio of the company to achieve above average earnings and safeguards the assets of the financial institution for the members.

• Oversee all required regulatory reporting to assure compliance.

• Serve as a liaison with the State of Montana, Division of Banking, NCUA and independent auditors to ensure they receive the necessary information to perform their duties.

• Participate as a member of the management team to create strategic plans and tactics. Lead the Assets/Liability Committee and is a member of other committees/working groups as assigned.

• Responsible for interviewing, hiring, appraising performance of, and training employees within assigned areas of responsibility.

• Prepare employees for advancement through training, coaching, and feedback, with a focus on developing leadership and strategic skills.

• Performs other duties as assigned by the CEO.

KEY LEADERSHIP COMPETENCIES

• Strategic thinker capable of translating economic and market conditions into actionable business decisions.

• Strong executive presence with the ability to serve as a trusted advisor to the CEO, Board of Directors, and leadership team.

• Demonstrated experience leading ALCO and balance sheet strategy.

• Ability to communicate complex financial concepts to both financial and non-financial audiences.

• Proven success developing high-performing teams and future leaders.

• Strong relationship-building skills with regulators, auditors, external partners, and internal stakeholders.

PERFORMANCE MEASUREMENTS

• Financial and accounting statements, records, and reports are accurate and timely. The Credit Union’s financial position is effectively presented to management and board of directors.

• All internal and external financial reporting is timely and in accordance with GAAP and regulatory standards.

• The Credit Union’s financial performance meets or exceeds established short and long-term organizational goals.

• Effective department policies and procedures are implemented and maintained to ensure credit union assets are safeguarded and preserved.

• Department functions are conducted in accordance with established accounting principles, regulations and legal requirements.

• Positive relations exist with other credit union leaders, business contacts, trade professionals, regulatory examiners and other outside officials.

• Good coordination and effective working relations exist with other departments. Assistance is provided as needed.

• All employees under management are highly qualified, proactively managed and coached for performance, give and receive feedback from each employee at least monthly, completing performance reviews within the prescribed timeframe.

• Complete projects as determined by President/CEO within the prescribed time frame.