CAAS Office Leader/CFO - Professional Services

CLA (CliftonLarsonAllen)•Chicago, IL

2d•Hybrid

About The Position

At CLA, we create inspired careers by offering opportunities tailored to individual growth paths. With over 9,300 employees and 120 offices nationwide, CLA is seeking an Office Leader/CFO with Professional Services experience for its expanding Client Accounting & Advisory Services (CAAS) in the Chicagoland area. Our CAAS service assists clients in transforming their businesses through a collaborative approach, helping them mitigate risk, overcome challenges, meet deadlines, and secure personnel for their workforce needs. This is a full-time, permanent position focused on driving business development, building relationships, and supporting the practice's growth by developing a strong talent infrastructure. As the Office Leader for the CAAS-Construction industry team, you will collaborate with local Client Relationship Leaders to disseminate CAAS messaging and initiatives, partner on go-to-market strategies, and serve as the primary contact for the Managing Principal Office regarding service levels. You will also engage with the local CAAS team to foster CLA’s Better Together culture and partner with Industry Team Leaders to ensure exceptional client service. In the CFO capacity, you will perform CFO functions as part of the client’s accounting services team, identifying and implementing best practices to add client value. You will work with clients to establish financial policy, actively participate in and drive overall strategy, lead capital planning, risk management, ratio and KPI analysis, and board of director interactions. Additionally, you will oversee financial administration, planning, and budgeting, including longer-term budget planning and cost management, while monitoring budget progress and presenting operational metrics.

Requirements

8+ years of experience in an accounting or finance role.
Deep professional services industry specialization.
General knowledge of accounting software.
Experience in using personal and professional network for business development and proven record of building and managing teams through growth.
Bachelor’s degree is required (in accounting, finance, business administration or a related field is highly preferred).
Combination of relevant experience, education, and training may be accepted in lieu of degree.
Must have ability to travel to local client sites as needed.

Nice To Haves

Working knowledge of QuickBooks, Intacct, and Bill.com preferred.
CPA not required but highly preferred.

Responsibilities

Work with local Client Relationship Leaders to cascade CAAS messaging and initiatives.
Partner with local leaders on CAAS go-to-market strategies and partner with others to respond to market opportunities.
Serve as the main point of contact to the Managing Principal Office related to service level questions.
Engage with the local CAAS team supporting CLA’s Better Together culture.
Partner with Industry Team Leaders to drive impeccable client service.
Perform CFO functions as part of the client’s accounting services team.
Be accountable for identifying and implementing best practices related to the services provided to add value to the client.
Work with client to set financial policy and be an active participant in, and driver of, the overall strategy.
Drive capital planning, risk management, ratio and KPI analysis, and board of director interactions.
Lead financial administration, planning, and budgeting.
Oversee longer-term budget planning and cost management.
Monitor progress of budgets and presents operational metrics.