Interim CFO Leadership
Some situations require full-time, hands-on leadership — just not forever. Interim and short- to medium-term CFO engagements fill that need. These are times of change: post-acquisition integration, rapid expansion, leadership transitions, or restructuring.
We step in as experienced operators who can stabilize finance, improve execution, and prepare the business for its next phase.
We lead from day one to:
- Manage the finance function and oversee day-to-day operations
- Strengthen reporting, forecasting, and cash control
- Improve cross-departmental performance and accountability
- Support investor, board, and lender relationships
- Drive operational and financial alignment for growth or exit
- Recruit, mentor, or transition the incoming CFO
Our role is to bring immediate stability and lasting structure. We leave companies with cleaner reporting, tighter execution, and a finance and operations function ready for sustainable growth.
If your business or portfolio company needs financial and operational leadership that moves quickly, executes effectively, and builds value from day one, we can help.
Case Study: Rebuilding Trust and Control After Financial Misconduct
Industry / Context
Founder-led publishing and media company
Challenge
A privately held media business discovered a major financial misappropriation that destroyed internal trust and lender confidence. The company had no budgeting discipline, no forecasting process, and limited financial oversight — all while preparing for a potential sale.
What We Did
We stepped in as CFO to rebuild the financial foundation. Within the first 60 days, we implemented controls to prevent future misuse, built the company’s first operating budget and 13-week cash forecast, and reestablished financial reporting credibility. We also identified and documented add-backs related to the misappropriation and non-recurring expenses to strengthen valuation support.
Result
The business regained stability and lender trust within weeks. Profitability improved, financial clarity returned, and the company completed a successful sale at a premium valuation multiple.
Case Study:
Industry / Context: Private equity–backed security and staffing provider with 100+ active locations
Challenge
Immediately after a private equity acquisition, a national services company needed strong financial leadership. The investors wanted a permanent CFO, but the search process had only just begun and was expected to take months — possibly more than a year.
The business couldn’t wait. Reporting was inconsistent, billing delays were straining cash flow, payroll controls needed tightening, and leadership didn’t have a clear view of contract-level profitability across more than 100 daily locations.
The company needed interim leadership capable of stabilizing finance, aligning operations, and creating a soft landing spot for the eventual permanent CFO.
What We Did
We stepped in as interim CFO for a 14-month period, covering the full post-acquisition transition. Our focus was on clarity, control, and building the structure required for a long-term leader to succeed.
We:
- Established a stable, post-close finance environment to support investor needs
- Standardized financial reporting across regions and client locations
- Introduced weekly and monthly KPIs tied to labor trends, contract performance, and margin quality
- Strengthened payroll and labor controls across 100+ active sites
- Accelerated billing and improved collections to stabilize cash flow during the transition
- Built a reporting cadence for private equity owners and lenders
- Evaluated the finance team, clarified roles, and improved accountability
- Prepared detailed documentation and processes to support the upcoming CFO handoff
- Ensured continuity throughout the permanent CFO search and onboarding
Result
The company moved from post-acquisition uncertainty to operational and financial stability. Cash flow strengthened, profitability became transparent, and investors gained the reporting quality they expected.
Most importantly, by the time the permanent CFO was hired, the finance function was organized, disciplined, and fully prepared — a true soft landing spot that allowed the new leader to step in seamlessly and continue the company’s growth trajectory.