John F. Coffin IV is the owner and principal of Arts Finance Resources.
For 18 years Mr. Coffin has devoted his professional career to the financial issues confronting non-profit organizations. His services have included lengthy terms as Director of Finance and Administration for the Santa Rosa Symphony, Director of Finance/MIS for the Monterey Symphony and Assistant Controller/Budget Analyst for the San Francisco Ballet.
With responsibilities ranging from troubleshooting cash flow to long range financial planning and implementation and all issues in between, Mr. Coffin's experience has left him with a thorough working knowledge of all phases of financial operations systems analysis, budget development, implementation and control, audit preparation and the proper handling of all issues surrounding permanently and temporarily restricted net assets. Additionally his expertise extends to data conversion, translation and custom database design.
Prior to developing his business skills as an operations analyst and corporate trainer in local financial systems with Bennett Management, Inc., Mr. Coffin's early training was in theatre, dance and music and his involvement in the arts, professionally or peripherally, has spanned 30 years. He is as comfortable discussing lighting and set design as the impact of those design ideas on your financials. Although his extensive experience in all facets of production has left him with a unique and comprehensive perspective allowing him to specialize in performing arts organizations, he is fluent in all financial operational, reporting and audit issues facing the not-for-profit sector today.
Mr. Coffin has been invited to be a panel speaker at numerous conferences sponsored by the Association of California Symphony Orchestras. He joined their Board of Directors in 2003 and is currently serving as treasurer.
In his spare time, if he isn't looking for his ball in the rough off the 14th fairway, Mr. Coffin is developing a second business venture focusing on the design and creation of carved glass.