It was quite a January week for New Futures Finance Director Susana Schuarzberg.

The financial guru for the Burien-based group accepted the Puget Sound Business Journal's first-ever award as 2007 CFO (chief financial officer) of the Year for small nonprofit organizations with a budget of less than $150 million.

Earlier that week, the immigrant from Argentina passed her citizenship test after just over five years of United States residency.

On Feb. 1, she was sworn in as a United States citizen.

"After living here, I wanted to become a citizen as soon as I became eligible," Schuarzberg declared. ""I felt it was the right thing to do."

Schuarzberg added she is anxious to vote in this country's elections.

It's quite fitting that an immigrant manages the financial books for New Futures.

Over 90 percent of the 2,000 families served annually by the organization are recent immigrants.

But her story differs from the stereotype of the newly arrived.

Schuarzberg left a job in Buenos Aires as the CFO of a $24 million agency where she managed a staff of 16. She had spent more than 25 years in management and financial positions for international companies, consultant groups and mid-sized service organizations.

When she arrived in Seattle, her first job was as office manager for New Futures.

Schuarzberg's reason for the long move was typical. She wanted to be closer to her three grown children.

He oldest daughter lives in Seattle so she settled here.

After living in Buenos Aires with a population of 10 million, she finds Seattle "just the right size. It has the cultural activities but also a good environment."

The cooler climate doesn't really bother her since she earned her masters degree in public administration from Syracuse University in chilly upstate New York. Schuarzberg received her certified public accountant and business degrees in Argentina.

Schuarzberg's eldest daughter not only provided her a home city but also alerted her to the New Futures office manager opening. Her daughter was friend of a New Futures staff member.

Schuarzberg was hired over the phone before she left Argentina.

Four months later, the nonprofit's then-CFO left for graduate school and Schuarzberg moved up to run New Future's finances.

"I got a period of time to adjust to new working styles, a new town and a new language," Schuarzberg recalled.

In her acceptance speech at the award ceremony, Schuarzberg encouraged others to work in the nonprofit sector.

"I am sure you'll agree that there is a lot to be found beyond the bottom line," she observed.

Later Schuarzberg said, "This is the most rewarding job I've had. I've had bigger jobs but this makes me feel so good about participating and helping to fulfill the mission."

Her knowledge of Spanish is also a great advantage in helping to translate documents for the agency and its clients.

"Of course it is rewarding to help my fellow immigrants," she added. "It helps that I understand some of the struggles the families go through, including the economic struggle and having to uproot themselves and develop new relationships."

In honoring Schuarzberg, the business journal cited her outstanding resourcefulness and ability to forge partnerships.

"When the group lost one of its revenue funds recently, Schuarzberg was able to bounce back and tap other sources, " the journal wrote.

Concluded New Futures executive director Ruth Dickey, "Susana is an incredible asset to our organization."

New Futures operates on-site family centers at three low-income Highline apartment complexes. They are Vintage Park Apartments in Burien, Windsor Heights in SeaTac and Arbor Heights in White Center.

The organization has 14 full-time and 31 part-time employees.