CFO, New York, NY

Wells Group is seeking a CFO with 8 - 12 years experience to work with fast growing startups and mid-size companies in times of transition.  Wells Group is a boutique management consulting firm offering CFO (strategic finance) and Controller (Accounting) for startups and mid-sized companies. The firm consists of ~20 people and advises companies operating in ecommerce, technology and art globally. Our engagements range in scope and span across multiple industries, including consumer goods & services, healthcare, and tech, among others. We run extremely flat and are looking for someone that can not only execute, but become a core member of our team and contribute to the mission, vision, and culture both at Wells Group and for our clients. This is a salaried full-time position.

CFO Role:

• Understand the client's financial and operational strategies, oversee Wells team as it relates to financial modeling and the development of key metrics that support the client's strategic plan

• Operational and finance leadership as it relates to  operations, cash management and fundraising efforts. Attend board meetings (may lead portions)

• Develop and monitor client business unit KPIs on, for example: revenue growth, customer retention, profitability and development path to profitability, margins analytics, cost savings opportunities and overall metrics like sales productivity, marketing efficiency, revenue growth and retention, unit economics, and margins

• Provide strategic finance expertise for venture capital and private equity fundraises, M&A, due diligence, banking needs, and related matters

• Review client monthly financials and quarterly management reporting – analyzing operating results, reforecasting financial projections, clear delineation of key trends to various stakeholders, assessment of business risk, and communicating key messages to senior client management

• Advise on and support the implementation of the systems and processes that will help scale the client organization – (revenue, AR and billing tools, inventory management systems, etc.)

• Develop and manage relationships with outside partners /vendors – including client legal counsel, CPA, auditors, banks, software vendors, consultants, etc.

• Deliver strategic analysis that is usable and relevant for (internal or external) clients

Client Relationship (and Consulting Skills):

• Manages client expectation on the bill optimizing the firm’s infrastructure of highly specialized staff

• "Hands on" with each client – knows the senior leaders at the client, knows the business challenges, knows what work Wells Group is doing and why, can be counted on to make key decisions as needed

• Know about any issue before it turns into a problem

• Identify opportunities to increase and deepen client relationship/s

• "Leads" client. Is considered true partner to the client business including on things not normally considered financial. 

• Explain complex subjects in a straightforward way

• Understand client's larger business goals and tailor work and information flow to that

• Has a point of view, articulates and defends it convincingly

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Wells Group Internal:

• Work with Wells Group management to make key decisions for the firm - hiring, business development, employee training and development, etc. 

• Build strong Finance teams as defined by: issuing clear directions, holding others and self accountable, creating a safe environment for mistakes and questions, embracing internal goal setting and meaningful feedback process

• Play a role in the learning and development of team outside direct reports – shares knowledge in a purposeful manner
   

Qualifications:

• Experience and understanding of the specific needs of venture backed start-ups

• Expert in one or all of the following industries: CPG (Consumer Packaged Goods) industry and SaaS

• Deep financial analysis expertise

• Prior experience in investment banking or consulting a plus

• Deep operational experience as C-suite leader required

• Strong accounting proficiency particularly in material areas that might be relevant to a standard client

• Fundraising and/or debt expertise a plus 

• Deep experience working with and presenting to a Board of Directors for a client

• Experience in multi-client, consulting environment