Client-Facing Chief Financial Officer - Manufacturing Focus (Remote)

A La C.A.R.T.E. Solutions•Houston, TX

10d•$175,000 - $185,000•Remote

About The Position

ALC is seeking a seasoned, client-facing Chief Financial Officer with deep manufacturing and production experience to serve as a trusted strategic partner to manufacturing clients and, as needed, other businesses. The CFO owns client relationships, analyzes financial performance, provides actionable recommendations, and helps owners and leadership teams make complex financial decisions. The role leads client teams of Controllers and accountants and supports ALC’s commitment to professional excellence and personal care. The position combines strategic finance leadership with hands-on manufacturing expertise. The CFO develops and oversees cost accounting, inventory accounting, plant-related financial analysis, pricing and quoting models, capital investment analysis, and working capital strategies. The role also helps clients improve their ERP/MRP use, leads client reviews, manages scope and margins, contributes manufacturing expertise to business development, and mentors client-facing team members. ALC is a fully remote CFO advisory, outsourced accounting, and HR services firm serving privately held, entrepreneurial businesses across the United States. The position is W-2, full-time, 40 hours per week, intended for long-term employment. Applicants must complete two short assessments and pass a live accounting test conducted via Teams screen share. Employment offers are contingent on a satisfactory background check and proof of eligibility to work in the United States. The salary range is $175,000–$185,000.

Requirements

At least 10 years of progressive experience in financial advisory, strategic accounting, or CFO services, including at least 5 years in a senior finance leadership role within a manufacturing or production-based company.
Hands-on expertise in manufacturing cost accounting, including implementing and maintaining costing methods, inventory valuation, variance analysis, and product or customer profitability.
Experience with manufacturing ERP/MRP systems and partnering with operations leaders on capacity, pricing, and capital equipment decisions.
Proven leadership guiding mid-market businesses through financial planning, capital strategy, lender relationships, and operational efficiency.
Strong knowledge of accounting principles and GAAP, including inventory accounting, and forecasting tools.
Demonstrated ability to advise through complex business scenarios, including M&A, restructuring, and risk mitigation.
Excellent interpersonal and communication skills, including the ability to simplify complex topics and build trust with executives, operators, and team members.
Strong executive presence and ability to engage credibly with C-suite and board-level stakeholders.
Integrity, ethical conduct, and a passion for mentoring others and fostering a strong, values-aligned culture.
Ability to work independently with the freedom and flexibility of ALC’s Work Wherever philosophy.
Must pass a live accounting test via Teams screen share; passing is mandatory.
Must provide satisfactory background-check results and proof of eligibility to work in the United States.

Responsibilities

Own client relationships and provide strategic guidance in financial planning, budgeting, forecasting, risk management, mergers and acquisitions, and capital investment decisions.
Build and maintain cost accounting structures, including standard, job, or process costing, bills of material, and labor and overhead absorption; lead variance analysis of margins by product, line, and customer.
Oversee accounting for raw materials, work-in-process, and finished goods, including physical counts, costing methods, and obsolescence reserves; improve inventory turns and accuracy.
Translate plant data such as capacity utilization, throughput, scrap and yield, and cost per unit into financial decisions and KPI dashboards connecting operations to the P&L.
Lead capital expenditure and equipment ROI analysis, make-or-buy decisions, and working capital strategy; manage lender relationships, borrowing base reporting, and covenant compliance.
Build pricing and quoting models that incorporate raw material and commodity costs, tariffs, supplier terms, and demand shifts.
Help clients use ERP/MRP systems effectively so costing, inventory, and production data flow accurately into financial reporting.
Lead structured, impactful client quarterly business reviews and deliver service that earns strong client satisfaction.
Proactively manage client scope and margin and contribute to firm growth by bringing manufacturing expertise to proposals and prospect conversations.
Lead, mentor, and develop client teams, sharing manufacturing expertise with Controllers and accountants.
Provide clear strategic financial guidance and make financial information accessible to plant managers and operations, purchasing, and sales leaders.
Use quarterly reviews, feedback, and KPIs to drive continual improvement and collaborate across departments to support client business goals.
Identify financial and operational risks and develop strategic solutions.
Mentor team members and develop future leaders while supporting ALC’s client-service values.