Chief Financial Officer

Ascension Search Partners has been retained to hire a CFO for a stable yet growing privately held middle market industrials business with. This is an exceptional opportunity for a dynamic finance leader with a Big 4 CPA background—either as a current CFO or someone ready to step into the role. As CFO, you will play a key role in shaping the company’s financial strategy, overseeing financial operations, and providing critical insights to guide the business’s continued growth.

Reporting directly to the CEO, you will serve as a trusted financial advisor to the President and executive team, making key decisions to enhance profitability, streamline operations, and drive long-term financial success. You’ll manage all aspects of accounting, financial planning, reporting, IT, HR, and risk management, while also ensuring financial transparency, accuracy, and compliance.

Key Responsibilities:

• Strategic Financial Leadership: Lead the development and execution of the company’s financial strategy, ensuring alignment with long-term business objectives and sustainable growth. Act as a key advisor to the CEO, President, and executive team on financial decisions, operational improvements, and capital allocation.
• Financial Reporting & Compliance: Oversee timely and accurate financial reporting to the CEO and other stakeholders. Manage compliance with accounting standards, tax laws, and financial regulations.
• Budgeting & Forecasting: Lead the budgeting, forecasting, and financial planning processes, providing clear insights into business performance, trends, and variances.
• Cash Flow & Capital Management: Manage the company’s cash flow, working capital, and financial investments to ensure liquidity and optimize capital allocation for growth.
• Mergers & Acquisitions: Support strategic growth initiatives through M&A analysis, due diligence, and integration planning.
• Team Leadership & Development: Lead and develop a small but high-performing finance team, creating a culture of continuous improvement, accuracy, and accountability.
• Risk Management: Identify and manage key financial risks, ensuring the business is positioned for long-term financial stability and growth.

Qualifications:

• Education: CPA certification, ideally from a Big 4 firm. A degree in Finance, Accounting, or a related field; MBA is a plus.
• Experience: 10 years of progressive experience in accounting and finance, with at least 3 years in a leadership role. Experience in a privately held, manufacturing, or industrial company is a plus.
• Leadership: Strong interpersonal and leadership skills with the ability to collaborate with senior executives and influence key decisions.
• Financial Acumen: Deep expertise in financial planning, analysis, cash flow management, and risk mitigation. Strong understanding of accounting principles, financial reporting, and compliance.
• Systems & Technology: Experience with financial systems, ERPs, and reporting tools. Familiarity with manufacturing or industrial financial operations is a plus. Experience with SAP, a plus.
• Entrepreneurial Mindset: Ability to thrive in a growing business with a hands-on, results-driven approach to problem-solving.