CFO

Chief Financial Officer (CFO)

Department: Finance Reports To: CEO / President

Position Summary

The Chief Financial Officer (CFO) leads the organization's financial strategy, planning, and risk management, and holds ultimate accountability for the accuracy and integrity of the company's financial operations. The CFO manages the Controller directly; the Controller manages the Accounting and Bookkeeping staff's daily work. The CFO sets policy, reviews consolidated results, and steps into departmental detail only for exceptions, escalations, or high-risk items — not routine daily supervision.

Key Responsibilities

Strategic Leadership

• Develop and execute the company's financial strategy in alignment with business goals.
• Own forecasting, budgeting, capital planning, and long-range financial modeling.
• Manage banking relationships, credit facilities, and lender/investor communications.
• Advise the CEO and Board on capital structure, financing, and major investment decisions.
• Present financial performance and strategic recommendations to ownership/Board.

Management of Finance Function

• Directly manage and evaluate the Controller; set goals, review performance, and approve the Controller's decisions on staffing and workflow for Accountants and Bookkeepers.
• Approve accounting policies, internal controls, and standard operating procedures that the Controller implements day-to-day.
• Review consolidated monthly, quarterly, and annual financial statements prepared by the Controller's team before external distribution.
• Escalation point for exceptions the Controller cannot resolve — discrepancies, audit findings, control failures, disputed transactions.
• Ensure the finance function has adequate staffing, systems, and training to operate without requiring CFO-level daily involvement.

Reporting & Compliance

• Ensure GAAP-compliant, accurate, and timely financial statements at the consolidated level.
• Oversee external audits, tax strategy, and regulatory compliance in coordination with the Controller and outside advisors.
• Own the relationship with auditors, tax preparers, and regulators.

Risk & Process Improvement

• Identify financial and operational risk; set the controls framework the Controller enforces.
• Drive ERP/accounting system strategy and major process improvements.
• Periodically audit the Controller's processes (not individual staff transactions) to confirm controls are working.

Qualifications

Required:

• Bachelor's degree in Accounting, Finance, or related field.
• 10+ years progressive finance experience, including experience managing a Controller or senior finance leader (not just individual accountants).
• Strong knowledge of GAAP, financial strategy, capital planning, and internal controls.
• Track record of setting financial policy and holding a Controller accountable for execution.
• Proficiency with accounting/ERP systems and financial modeling tools.

Preferred:

• CPA license.
• MBA or Master's in Accounting/Finance.
• Experience scaling a finance department

Core Competencies

• Strategic, big-picture financial judgment.
• Ability to delegate operational detail and hold a Controller accountable, rather than managing staff directly.
• Strong communicator with Board, CEO, and external stakeholders.
• Sound judgment on capital allocation, risk, and controls.