Unknown Nations is a $6.5M organization that work with indigenous missionaries to reach barrier-ridden people groups with the Bible. We provide humanitarian relief, plant churches, and distribute audio Bibles in areas with a 0-2% gospel presence where Jesus is completely unknown.
The Chief Financial Officer (CFO) will oversee the financial operations in accordance with Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP), Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) standards, and organizational policies. The CFO will be responsible for defining and implementing the infrastructure and systems needed to support the organization’s growth plans over the next 5 to 10 years. This individual will work with the Executive Leadership Team (ELT) to set organizational goals and lead the budget development process to support those objectives. Responsibilities include overseeing accounting functions, audit preparation, regulatory compliance, budgeting, and fostering cross-departmental collaboration to ensure financial transparency and support strategic decision-making. The CFO will also play a key role in operational oversight, including Human Resources, maintenance, and thrift operations.
ABOUT THE ORGANIZATION
Unknown Nations is a Christian ministry that began in 1994 with a passion to give people in the developing world the opportunity to become disciples of Jesus. When we learned that more than 3 billion people live in areas without access to the Good News, our hearts were broken. From that moment, God led us to focus all our efforts and resources on reaching the unreached, making it our organization's calling.
Upon realizing that more than 80% of the population who have never heard the gospel are oral learners (those who prefer to learn in a non-literate way), we knew we needed to use an appropriate tool. Our solar-powered audio Bible, the Treasure, is available in over 4,000 languages. Our listening group model is dynamic and fosters long-term discipleship.
As we minister to millions of people overseas in the 10/40 window (the region where unreached people live), we invite local Christians to join in this incredible opportunity. Since most American believers are not actively participating in “the ends of the earth” ministry, we find great fulfillment in offering our tangible ministry model. Reaching the unreached and mobilizing the church in America for strategic international missions is our core mission!
Culture
Highly valuing the Word and prayer.
Embracing positive attitudes.
Living in community and loving each other.
High standards and hard work.
Being focused on our vision.
Being growth minded.
The Mission
Unknown Nations works with indigenous missionaries to reach barrier-ridden people groups with the Bible. We provide humanitarian relief, plant churches, and distribute audio Bibles in areas with a 0.00–0.02 gospel presence where Jesus is completely unknown. We’re changing lives and bringing hope.
How they Accomplish their Mission:
Strategy
Everyone deserves the opportunity to hear the life-changing message of Jesus. Yet, there are over 7,000 unknown nations on this planet, made up of more than 3 billion people who have never had access to the gospel. Together, we are committed to changing that reality!
With your help, Unknown Nations fearlessly embarks on a journey to the most spiritually distant and unreachable places, guided by a strategic approach that ignites hope in the darkest corners of our world.
They do this through:
1) Fortifying Strategic Outposts
Unknown Nations pours resources into 35+ strategic outposts throughout thee 10/40 window that serve 2,200 same or similar cultural missionaries.
2) Leveraging Humanitarian Projects
They. use humanitarian projects to soften hearts in spiritually hostile environments so that they will be more open to the gospel. We never do a humanitarian project in the absence of a gospel distribution:
Emergency Relief
Water Projects
Medical Aid
3) Making Jesus Known
These unknown nations are spoken-word reliant, usually without the ability to read or write. They solve this by distributing solar powered audio Bibles spoken in their heart language (Isaiah 55:11). This tool, often called “The Treasure’ is taken into their homes where they become disciples by hearing and studying the gospel in their language for the first time.
4) Empowering Church Birthing
Due to the isolated and often dangerous nature of the unknown nations, church planting does not involve a designated pastor moving to a community or the expansion of an existing church. It starts in a small group, fueled by an audio Bible (The Treasure). Its flames are fanned and efforts fortified by our indigenous missionaries who follow up on outreach to help birth the church in the most impossible place.2
:42)
5) Training Leaders
Discipling and training leaders who will multiply is a critical component or our strategy to reach unknown nations. These leaders are equipped to pursue gospel expansion opportunities in the darkest of places as described in 2 Timothy 2:2.
6) Multiplying Gospel Exposure
The ultimate goal is for each nation is to establish its own indigenous church planting movement. At that point, they strategically reallocate resources to bring the gospel to other nations. They repeat the process to more unknown nations (Romans 15:20) through Strategic Outposts, Humanitarian Projects, Audio Bible distribution, Birthing of the Church, Discipling and Training Leaders until the end of the earth is reached.
OPPORTUNITIES & CHALLENGES
Unknown Nations is excited about the future, which brings hope and salvation to the nations and the fulfillment of the Great Commission. This organization has a clear vision, and a laser focus on its mission to reach unreached nations for Christ. They work through indigenous leaders, delivering the Word of God in audio format (The Treasure) to oral learners living in unreached people groups.
With 70% of the world’s people groups still unreached, the sobering reality is that 66,000 people from these groups die each day without ever hearing the Word of God. This work is challenging, with battles in both the spiritual and physical realms, but it is life-giving, offering eternal salvation and transformation to those who hear the gospel of Jesus Christ. Therefore, the mission is URGENT.
To address this pressing need, the organization has an aggressive growth plan, making this new position crucial as the organization expands.
The CFO will need to be passionate about and motivated by the mission, with a deep desire to serve God. They should be an excellent communicator and a strategic thinker, as they will be responsible for defining and implementing the infrastructure and systems necessary to support the organization’s growth plans over the next 5 to 10 years. This person will collaborate with the Executive Leadership Team (ELT) to set organizational goals and lead the budget development to support those objectives.
Key attributes for this role include financial acumen, strategic planning skills, relational abilities, and team development expertise. It will be important that the CFO is highly relational with staff and willing to assist the team wherever needed. Additionally, global financial experience is essential for this role.
POSITION PROFILE
Title: Chief Financial Officer
Reports To: Chief Executive Officer
Direct Reports: Accounting Assistant, Director of HR, Maintenance Manager
Position Location: Grand Rapids, Michigan
OVERVIEW
As Chief Financial Officer (CFO), you will oversee all aspects of UNKN (a 501(c)3 organization) financial operations in accordance with Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP), Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB), and organizational policies. The CFO is responsible for defining and implementing the infrastructure and systems needed to support our growth plans over the next 5 to 10 years. You will work with the Executive Leadership Team (ELT) to define organizational goals and lead the budget development to support those goals. This includes oversight of accounting functions, audit preparation, regulatory compliance, budgeting, and cross-departmental collaboration to ensure financial transparency and support strategic decision-making. You will also play a key role in operational oversight, including HR, maintenance, and thrift operations.
DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES
Financial Oversight and Accounting:
Maintain accurate accounting records and provide regulatory and financial reporting
according to GAAP and FASB.
Develop and maintain strong internal controls.
Oversee and maintain accounting functions including general ledgers, receivables, payroll, and payables.
Responsible for accounting software systems.
Produce and present the annual audited financial statements and coordinate the related annual external audit.
Maintain and monitor restricted and unrestricted fund balances.
Coordinate annual audit and 990/990-T completion (990/990-T prepared by external auditors).
Plan for and monitor Charity Navigator ratings.
Ensure ongoing compliance with Evangelical Council for Financial Accountability (ECFA) standards and annual accreditation.
Manage all federal and state regulatory filings and tax payments including but not limited to 1099s, sales tax filings, and annual corporate registration.
Maintain banking relationships and manage investments in accordance with Board policy.
Manage international payments in compliance with OFAC regulations.
Lead cash flow planning and forecasting across the organization.
Prepare the annual organizational budget as well as monitor and report budget-to actual performance.
Provide periodic financial reports to the Board of Directors.
Manage, maintain, and coordinate all financial operations across corporate entities including but not limited to our 509(a)(3) organization.
Coordination with the Development Team:
Record restricted and unrestricted donations.
Assist with planning for Charity Navigator scoring.
Process pledges and pledge payments.
Provide financial data for grant applications.
Report on project spending from restricted funds.
Coordination with the Field Team:
Maintain accurate Treasure inventory at the main office and remote locations.
Purchase Treasures based on inventory needs and delivery timelines.
Track and pay royalties for recordings used.
Invoice for both donated and sold Treasure units.
Track shipment volumes by location.
Send funding to partners and follow up on confirmation of receipt.
Prepare cash flow projections to guide project prioritization.
Organizational Operations:
Oversee Human Resources operations and compliance.
Provide oversight of facilities maintenance needs.
Oversee financial and operational aspects of thrift operations.
REQUIRED SKILLS
Master’s degree in accounting, finance, or a related field. A combination of bachelor’s degree,
CPA certification, and work experience may be considered.
10+ years’ experience in accounting, finance, or a related field.
Demonstrated experience with nonprofit accounting, audits, and financial reporting.
Excellent organizational, analytical, and problem-solving abilities.
Experience working in international operations including banking, multi-entity corporate
structure, and personnel.
Alignment with the mission, values, and vision of the organization.
Strong interpersonal and communication skills, including cross-departmental collaboration.
Experience managing operational functions and supervising staff or teams.
High level of accuracy and attention to detail.
COMPENSATION & BENEFITS
Salary: A salary commensurate with experience.
Benefits: Health, Vision Dental—75%/25%
Vacation: Commensurate with experience.
Other Benefits: 401k (with a 50% match on up to 5% of contributions after 1 year), mileage allowance, cell phone, laptop/printer, and paid life insurance and AD&D coverage after 6 months).
Travel: One international exposure trip, otherwise no travel expectations.
