Professional Summary
Professional Overview
Jesse Simons is a seasoned financial management executive with extensive experience in the public sector. As the Deputy CFO and Division Director of Financial Management at the National Science Foundation (NSF), he oversees the agency's financial operations, budgeting, and reporting processes. Simons is a strategic leader with a proven track record of driving organizational efficiency, enhancing financial controls, and aligning financial management practices with evolving government regulations and best practices.
Experience Summary
Current Role
In his current role as Deputy CFO and Division Director of Financial Management at the National Science Foundation (NSF), Simons is responsible for managing the agency's $8 billion annual budget and overseeing a team of 50 financial professionals. He has implemented various process improvements to streamline financial reporting, enhance internal controls, and optimize resource allocation. Under Simons' leadership, the NSF's financial management division has received multiple awards for excellence, including the Association of Government Accountants' Certificate of Excellence in Accountability Reporting.
Career Progression
Prior to his current role, Simons served as the Acting Deputy CFO and Division Director of Financial Management at the NSF, where he successfully led the transition to a new financial management system and implemented data-driven decision-making processes. He has also held various leadership positions at KPMG, including Director and Manager, where he provided strategic advisory services to federal agencies on financial management, risk assessment, and regulatory compliance.
Simons began his career as a Financial Systems Analyst at Computech, Inc. and a Research Analyst at CoStar Group, where he gained valuable experience in financial analysis, data management, and system implementation.
Academic Background
Simons holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Accounting from the University of Virginia, where he graduated cum laude. He is a Certified Public Accountant (CPA) and has completed executive leadership programs at the Harvard Kennedy School of Government and the Kellogg School of Management.
Areas of Expertise
- Financial management and reporting
- Budgeting and resource allocation
- Internal controls and risk management
- Federal financial regulations and compliance
- Strategic planning and organizational transformation
- Data analytics and performance management
Professional Impact
Under Simons' leadership, the NSF's financial management division has consistently exceeded annual performance targets, with a focus on enhancing transparency, improving internal controls, and optimizing resource utilization. He has been instrumental in securing the agency's clean audit opinions and has represented the NSF in various government-wide financial management initiatives.
Simons is a recognized subject matter expert in federal financial management and has been invited to speak at numerous industry conferences and events. He has also authored several publications on best practices in government accounting and financial reporting.
Conclusion
With over 15 years of experience in the financial management field, Jesse Simons has established himself as a respected leader in the public sector. In his current role at the National Science Foundation, he continues to drive innovation, enhance financial controls, and align financial management practices with the agency's strategic objectives. Simons' deep expertise, collaborative approach, and commitment to excellence make him a valuable asset to the NSF and the broader government financial management community.
