CFO Recruitment for Owner-Managed Businesses
We specialize in placing financial executives who understand and thrive in entrepreneurial, owner-managed environments
Find Your Financial LeaderWhy We Focus on Owner-Managed Businesses
Owner-managed businesses represent the backbone of the North American economy. These entrepreneurial organizations—whether family-owned, founder-led, or privately-held—have unique characteristics that require financial leaders with specific qualities and mindsets.
Not every talented CFO or VP Finance thrives in an owner-managed environment. We've built our practice around understanding these differences and identifying financial executives who genuinely excel in entrepreneurial settings.
What Makes Owner-Managed Businesses Different?
Direct Access to Ownership
Financial leaders work directly with business owners on strategic decisions. This direct relationship requires strong communication skills, business acumen, and the ability to be a trusted advisor.
Entrepreneurial Pace
Fast-moving, dynamic environment where priorities shift quickly. CFOs must be adaptable, comfortable with ambiguity, and able to balance multiple initiatives simultaneously.
Growth Orientation
Focus on expansion, market opportunities, and building enterprise value. Financial leaders need to enable growth while maintaining fiscal responsibility and managing risk.
Hands-On Involvement
CFOs in owner-managed businesses often need to be hands-on, especially during periods of transition or growth. Willingness to roll up sleeves and execute is essential.
Resourceful Problem-Solving
Doing more with less, finding creative solutions, and maximizing resources. Financial leaders must be innovative and pragmatic in addressing challenges.
Long-Term Perspective
Building sustainable businesses rather than optimizing for short-term results. Alignment with ownership's long-term vision and values is critical.
The Ideal CFO for Owner-Managed Businesses
Entrepreneurial Mindset
Genuine appreciation for entrepreneurship and owner-managed business dynamics. Comfort with the pace, ambiguity, and challenges that come with growth-oriented private companies.
- Excited by growth opportunities and building businesses
- Comfortable with calculated risk-taking
- Adaptable to changing priorities and needs
- Pragmatic and solutions-oriented approach
Strategic Business Partner
Ability to partner effectively with ownership as a trusted advisor, bringing both financial expertise and broad business perspective to strategic discussions.
- Strong business acumen beyond just finance
- Excellent communication and relationship skills
- Strategic thinking aligned with ownership vision
- Confidence to challenge and provide honest counsel
Builder Mentality
Track record of building financial capabilities from the ground up—implementing systems, developing teams, establishing processes, and creating scalable infrastructure.
- Experience scaling finance functions
- Hands-on when necessary, strategic when appropriate
- Team development and mentoring capabilities
- Technology-forward approach to systems
Cultural Alignment
Values and work style that align with ownership and company culture. Genuine fit with the organization's mission, values, and way of operating.
- Shared values with ownership
- Compatible work style and communication approach
- Commitment to long-term partnership
- Humble, collaborative, and team-oriented
Our Deep Understanding of Owner-Managed Businesses
We've built our entire practice around owner-managed businesses because we believe these organizations deserve specialized recruitment expertise. This focus enables us to:
Truly understand your business challenges, opportunities, and financial leadership needs
Identify candidates who have demonstrated success in similar entrepreneurial environments
Assess cultural fit and alignment with owner-managed business dynamics
Maintain networks of financial executives who prefer and excel in private company settings
Provide market intelligence specific to owner-managed business compensation and talent
Find the Right Financial Leader for Your Business
Let's discuss how we can help you find a CFO or VP Finance who understands and thrives in your entrepreneurial environment