Gent & Associates

Financial Analyst Search for a CFO Building Out an Accounting Team

A private equity-backed SaaS company with $100 million in annual revenue engaged us to help its newly hired CFO build a finance and accounting team. The first priority was recruiting a Financial Analyst to support strategic initiatives such as budgeting, forecasting, and financial modeling while improving internal reporting processes for private equity stakeholders.

Client Overview

The client, a PE-backed SaaS company, sought a Financial Analyst to assist a new CFO in building a finance team capable of meeting the demands of a fast-paced, growth-focused environment.

Challenges

Team Expansion: Needed a Financial Analyst to adapt to an entrepreneurial, high-growth setting.
Technical Skills: Required expertise in financial modeling, variance analysis, and reporting tools like Tableau or Power BI.
Private Equity Experience: Needed an understanding of PE reporting standards and preparation of materials for board and LP meetings.
Cultural Fit: The candidate had to align with the CFO�s vision of a high-performing and collaborative team.

Strategy

Collaborative Role Definition: Worked with the CFO to identify immediate and long-term priorities, emphasizing adaptability and technical skills such as financial modeling and reporting.
Candidate Sourcing: Targeted early-career finance professionals with experience in PE-backed or fast-growth companies, focusing on those with advanced Excel skills, financial modeling expertise, and forecasting experience.
Screening and Assessment: Evaluated candidates� technical and analytical capabilities, their ability to present complex financial data to non-financial stakeholders, and their cultural fit with the CFO�s vision.
Timely Placement: Delivered a shortlist of highly qualified candidates within three weeks to enable the team to begin driving results quickly.

Outcome

Placement: Hired a Financial Analyst with three years of experience in a PE-backed e-commerce firm, demonstrating strong expertise in financial modeling, reporting, and cross-functional collaboration.
Immediate Impact:
- Developed a detailed forecasting model to enhance visibility into cash flow and revenue trends.
- Created Tableau dashboards to improve reporting efficiency and provide real-time insights.
- Supported the CFO in preparing board presentations, enhancing financial data clarity and quality for investors.
Long-Term Contributions:
- Implemented a structured process for budget-to-actual variance analysis, improving data accuracy.
- Identified $1.2 million in cost-saving opportunities through detailed reviews and efficiency analyses.
- Helped establish a rolling forecast process to align financial planning with strategic goals.

Key Takeaways

This case demonstrates how a strategic and efficient search process can support a CFO in building a strong finance team. The right Financial Analyst can significantly enhance transparency, reporting accuracy, and decision-making in a private equity-backed environment.