Aerospace & Defense CFO Recruitment
Specialized CFO and VP Finance recruitment for aerospace & defense companies. Expert financial leadership search for owner-managed businesses.
Find Your Aerospace & Defense CFOFinancial Leadership for Aerospace & Defense
Aerospace & Defense companies face unique financial challenges that require CFO expertise specific to the industry. Our recruitment practice specializes in placing financial leaders who understand the operational complexities, regulatory requirements, and strategic dynamics of the aerospace & defense sector.
Whether you're an owner-managed business in growth mode, preparing for a capital raise, or professionalizing your financial operations, we connect you with CFOs and VPs of Finance who bring both technical excellence and industry-specific experience to drive your success.
Financial Challenges in Aerospace & Defense
Long-term government contracts with complex cost accounting (FAR/DFARS compliance)
Program accounting for multi-year development and production contracts
Security clearance requirements and classified program financial tracking
Supply chain management with approved vendor lists and ITAR compliance
R&D cost recovery and independent research and development (IR&D) funding
Export control regulations and international sales restrictions
What Aerospace & Defense CFOs Do
Ensure compliance with government cost accounting standards (FAR, DFARS, CAS)
Implement program accounting for development, production, and sustainment contracts
Manage classified program financial systems with appropriate security controls
Oversee supply chain finance with approved vendors and ITAR-compliant suppliers
Track IR&D investments and allowable cost recovery through overhead rates
Navigate export controls, international traffic in arms regulations, and foreign sales approvals
What to Look for in a Aerospace & Defense CFO
The ideal Chief Financial Officer for a aerospace & defense company brings industry-specific expertise combined with strategic financial leadership capabilities:
- ✓Deep experience in aerospace, defense, or government contracting industries
- ✓Extensive knowledge of FAR, DFARS, and CAS cost accounting requirements
- ✓Understanding of classified program security requirements and financial controls
- ✓Track record with program accounting, long-term contracts, and government audits
- ✓Familiarity with defense ERP systems and government contract management software
- ✓Strategic mindset for program capture, bid pricing, and contract negotiations
When Should Aerospace & Defense Companies Hire a CFO?
Aerospace and defense contractors typically need a CFO when pursuing major government programs, implementing cost accounting systems for FAR compliance, managing complex multi-year development contracts, preparing for DCAA audits, or positioning for acquisition by larger prime contractors.
Example Scenario
A defense subcontractor growing from $40M to $150M in government contracts needs a CFO who ensures FAR/DFARS compliance, can pass DCAA audits, implements adequate program accounting and cost tracking, manages security clearance and classified program requirements, optimizes indirect rates and cost proposals, and supports strategic decisions on program capture and bid pricing.
Our Aerospace & Defense CFO Recruitment Process
Our executive search process for aerospace & defense companies focuses on identifying financial leaders who combine industry expertise with strategic capabilities:
Industry-Specific Candidate Sourcing
We leverage our extensive network within the aerospace & defense sector to identify both active and passive candidates with relevant experience. Our search focuses on financial leaders who have proven track records in similar companies.
Technical & Strategic Assessment
Every candidate undergoes rigorous evaluation of their industry knowledge, technical capabilities, and strategic thinking. We assess their understanding of aerospace & defense-specific challenges and their approach to solving them.
Cultural Fit Evaluation
We evaluate candidates for their fit with owner-managed business environments, ensuring they bring the hands-on mentality, adaptability, and collaborative approach that characterizes successful financial leaders in entrepreneurial companies.
Reference Verification
We conduct comprehensive reference checks with former colleagues, supervisors, and board members to verify past performance, industry expertise, and leadership effectiveness.
Find Your Aerospace & Defense CFO
Connect with our specialized recruiters to discuss your financial leadership needs in the aerospace & defense sector