CFO

Chicago, IL
Remote

Instant Apply

3 days ago

Job Description

We are seeking a highly capable, hands-on Chief Financial Officer / Senior Financial Leader to join our client, a growing, privately owned apparel company.

This is a unique opportunity for an experienced accounting and finance professional who thrives in an entrepreneurial environment and enjoys taking ownership of a broad range of business functions. The ideal candidate is a strong financial operator who is equally comfortable managing day-to-day accounting, overseeing external partners, improving internal processes, and supporting HR and administrative operations.

This role is centered on accounting excellence, operational execution, and financial oversight. We are looking for someone who is willing to roll up their sleeves, get into the details, and serve as a trusted partner to the CEO.

Key Responsibilities

Accounting & Financial Management

Assume full ownership of the company's day-to-day accounting and financial operations, ensuring accuracy, efficiency, and accountability.
Oversee the general ledger, journal entries, account reconciliations, month-end and year-end close processes, and financial reporting.
Manage and coordinate external bookkeeping resources, ensuring timely and accurate execution of accounting activities.
Maintain accurate financial records and reporting through QuickBooks.
Oversee inventory accounting, including inventory valuation, cost of goods sold, reconciliations, and related financial controls.
Partner with product development, purchasing, and operational teams to ensure accurate inventory tracking and financial visibility.
Establish and enhance accounting policies, procedures, and internal controls to support the company's continued growth.
Manage cash flow oversight, working capital, and day-to-day financial needs.
Oversee cost efficiency: eliminate inefficiencies, reduce wasteful spending, and improve profitability
Coordinate with external tax professionals, accountants, and other financial advisors as needed.
Provide leadership with timely, accurate financial information to support business decisions.
Collaborate with the CEO on financial planning and budgeting initiatives as needed, while maintaining primary responsibility for financial operations and reporting.

Human Resources & People Operations

Oversee the company's HR administration, including payroll, benefits, employee relations, and compliance-related matters.
Manage the company's relationship with its Professional Employer Organization (PEO), ensuring effective payroll and benefits administration.
Provide guidance and oversight on employee-related matters, working with external HR and legal resources when appropriate.
Develop, implement, and refine HR policies, procedures, and internal processes.
Supervise and mentor an internal team member responsible for supporting HR, legal coordination, and administrative functions.
Identify opportunities to streamline people operations and improve organizational effectiveness.
Partner with leadership on HR initiatives that support the company's evolving needs and continued growth.

Legal & Administrative Oversight

Serve as the primary internal point of contact for external legal counsel and other professional service providers.
Coordinate and oversee legal matters, including employment-related issues, regulatory compliance, privacy concerns, and business-related claims.
Ensure appropriate documentation, communication, and follow-through on legal and compliance matters.
Oversee general administrative functions and operational responsibilities that support the day-to-day needs of the business.
Evaluate existing processes and implement practical improvements that enhance efficiency, reduce risk, and strengthen accountability.
Proactively identify and resolve operational issues, bringing in external expertise when necessary.

Leadership & Business Partnership

Serve as a trusted partner to the CEO, providing reliable oversight of financial and administrative operations.
Take ownership of priorities and independently drive initiatives through completion with minimal day-to-day supervision.
Lead and develop a junior team member, while effectively managing external accounting, legal, and administrative partners.
Establish scalable processes, systems, and controls appropriate for a growing, privately held business.
Collaborate cross-functionally with leadership, product, and operational teams to support business needs.
Bring a practical, solutions-oriented approach to problem-solving, balancing strategic thinking with hands-on execution.

Qualifications & Experience

Bachelor's degree in Accounting, Finance, Business Administration, or a related field.
10+ years of progressive accounting and finance experience, ideally including leadership responsibility within a privately held or entrepreneurial business.
Strong technical accounting background with demonstrated experience managing financial reporting, general ledger functions, and month-end close processes.
Experience with inventory accounting, inventory valuation, and cost of goods sold strongly preferred.
Experience within apparel, consumer packaged goods, retail, or another inventory-intensive, product-based business highly desirable.
Hands-on experience with QuickBooks or comparable accounting software; QuickBooks proficiency preferred.
Experience overseeing external bookkeepers, accounting providers, and professional service partners.
Familiarity with payroll, benefits administration, HR operations, and employment-related compliance.
Experience working with a PEO, particularly Justworks, is a plus.
Ability to establish and improve financial controls, operating procedures, and administrative processes.
CPA designation preferred but not required.
Strong organizational, analytical, communication, and problem-solving skills.

Compensation

Total compensation in the $200K range, commensurate with experience.

This is a remote role with occasional travel needed.

Numbers & Facts

Location

Chicago, IL (

Remote

)

Skills

Accountingunmatched
Accounting Closeunmatched
Accounting Policiesunmatched
Accounting Softwareunmatched
Administrative Skillsunmatched
Analysis Skillsunmatched
Apparel Industryunmatched
Bookkeepingunmatched
Budget Managementunmatched
Business Administrationunmatched
Business Supportunmatched
Cash Flowunmatched
Cash Managementunmatched
Certified Public Accountant (CPA)unmatched
Compensation and Benefitsunmatched
Consumer Packaged Goodsunmatched
Cost of Goods Sold (COGS)unmatched
Cross-Functionalunmatched
Documentationunmatched
Employee Benefitsunmatched
Employee Relationsunmatched
Entrepreneurshipunmatched
Financeunmatched
Financial Administrationunmatched
Financial Controlunmatched
Financial Managementunmatched
Financial Operationsunmatched
Financial Planningunmatched
Financial Reportingunmatched
Follow Throughunmatched
General Ledger Accountingunmatched
Head of Financeunmatched
Human Resourcesunmatched
Intuit Quickbooksunmatched
Inventory Costsunmatched
Journal Entriesunmatched
Leadershipunmatched
Legalunmatched
Legal Support Skillsunmatched
Mentoringunmatched
Operational Improvementunmatched
Operational Supportunmatched
Operations Processesunmatched
Organizational Development/Managementunmatched
Organizational Skillsunmatched
Payroll Administrationunmatched
People Managementunmatched
Problem Solving Skillsunmatched
Process Developmentunmatched
Process Improvementunmatched
Product Developmentunmatched
Professional Servicesunmatched
Profit & Lossunmatched
Purchasing/Procurementunmatched
Reconciliationunmatched
Record Keepingunmatched
Retailunmatched
Risk Managementunmatched
Systems Scalabilityunmatched
Tax Accountingunmatched
Technical Accountingunmatched
Time Managementunmatched

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