Interim & Fractional Transactions & Private Equity Consulting-Nationwide

Smith + Howard Advisory is seeking experienced, highly strategic CFOs and VPs of Finance to join our Private Equity consulting practice, supporting lower middle-market PE-backed portfolio companies nationwide (typically $10M–$300M in revenue). Our consultants operate as true value-creation partners to management teams and sponsors, providing hands-on financial leadership through periods of transformation, growth, and transaction activity.

This role offers a collaborative team environment, exposure to a variety of private equity clients, and flexible engagement structures including interim, fractional, and project-based consulting assignments.

Company Overview

Smith + Howard Advisory is a national business advisory firm delivering tailored solutions to emerging growth and middle-market companies. Our expertise spans Finance, Accounting, Human Resources, and Executive Search, with a strong focus on supporting private equity sponsors and their portfolio companies. We are known for practical, execution-oriented leadership that drives measurable results across the investment lifecycle.

Role & Responsibilities

Our CFOs and VPs of Finance serve as senior finance leaders within PE-backed organizations and are expected to operate with a value-creation mindset. Responsibilities commonly include:

Financial Leadership & Reporting

• Own the monthly close process, financial statements, and reporting cadence in a sponsor-driven environment
• Deliver accurate, timely, and decision-useful reporting packages including KPIs, dashboards, variance analysis, and covenant reporting
• Build and maintain rolling forecasts, annual budgets, and multi-year financial plans aligned with sponsor objectives
• Ensure GAAP compliance, technical accounting accuracy, and audit readiness

Private Equity & Investor Interface

• Act as the primary financial partner to private equity sponsors, lenders, and board members
• Support board materials, investor reporting, and ad-hoc analyses required by ownership
• Develop and standardize reporting, metrics, and data structures to meet PE sponsor expectations

Cash, Liquidity & Working Capital Management

• Lead cash forecasting, liquidity planning, and working capital optimization
• Manage lender relationships, debt compliance, and borrowing base or covenant reporting
• Identify opportunities to improve cash flow, margin, and capital efficiency

M&A, Transactions & Value Creation

• Lead financial modeling, due diligence, and integration planning for acquisitions and add-on transactions
• Partner with deal teams, external advisors, and internal stakeholders through buy-side and sell-side processes
• Execute post-acquisition integrations, including systems, reporting, controls, and performance tracking
• Support exit readiness initiatives including quality of earnings, data room preparation, and operational finance cleanup

Operational Finance & Process Improvement

• Build, scale, and mentor accounting and finance teams in fast-paced environments
• Identify control gaps, process inefficiencies, and data limitations; design and implement scalable solutions
• Oversee tax compliance, external advisors, and audit relationships
• Lead ERP and financial systems optimization or implementation as needed

Qualifications & Experience

Successful candidates typically bring:

• 10+ years of progressive finance and accounting leadership experience
• Prior experience as a CFO, VP of Finance, or Controller in a private equity–backed portfolio company or similar transaction-oriented environment
• Strong hands-on background across accounting, FP&A, cash management, and financial modeling
• Direct experience supporting PE sponsors, boards, and lenders
• Proven track record in M&A execution, integrations, and transaction readiness
• Background in public accounting, private equity, investment banking, or transaction advisory strongly preferred
• Deep knowledge of GAAP, internal controls, and middle-market best practices
• Experience with common middle-market ERP/accounting systems (e.g., QuickBooks, NetSuite, Sage Intacct)
• Advanced proficiency in Excel and PowerPoint, with the ability to translate data into executive-level insights
• Willingness to travel and operate effectively in interim or consulting capacities

The Ideal PE Finance Leader

• Operates with an owner’s mindset and bias toward execution
• Comfortable balancing hands-on work with strategic leadership
• Thrives in ambiguous, fast-moving, and transformation-oriented environments
• Trusted advisor to CEOs, sponsors, and operating partners
• Collaborative, adaptable, and results-driven

Compensation

Senior Director - $80-$125 per hour

Managing Director - $125-$199 per hour

This role may be filled at the Senior Director or Managing Director level. The range reflects the varying levels of experience, responsibility, and complexity associated with each level; compensation will align accordingly. Compensation is also adjusted based on geographic location and regional market rates.

Full-time W-2 employees are eligible for a benefits package that includes medical, dental, vision, HSA/FSA, employer paid basic life and short-term disability plus additional ancillary plans such as voluntary life insurance, long-term disability, critical illness, cancer, and accident insurance. Part-time employees are eligible for critical illness, cancer and accident insurance. Full-time salaried W-2 employees are eligible for holiday pay, paid time off, and annual bonuses. Full-time hourly and part-time hourly W-2 employees are eligible for paid time off and annual bonuses.

Why Smith + Howard Advisory

Whether you are an independent consultant or a seasoned PE finance executive exploring a more flexible, varied platform, Smith + Howard Advisory offers the opportunity to work with high-quality private equity sponsors, solve complex problems, and make a tangible impact across multiple businesses.

Benefits are available to full time employees subject to plan terms and eligibility rules.