Chief Financial Officer

Arete Associates•Los Angeles, CA

10d•$285,000 - $350,000•Hybrid

About The Position

At Areté, we are on the forefront of developing innovative solutions, with great minds from all backgrounds, to help solve the nation’s most complex security challenges. We strive for an inclusive, collaborative team environment that approaches differences as opportunities for innovation and excellence. As an employee-owned company, we foster an atmosphere that propels diverse career opportunities and professional growth. Discover your future with us. We are seeking a strategic and operationally minded Chief Financial Officer (CFO) to lead all financial functions for our growing $250 million organization operating under a hybrid ownership structure—partially privately held and partially employee‑owned through an ESOP. The ideal candidate brings deep experience in government contracting, FAR/DFARS compliance, project accounting, and long‑range financial planning in a growth‑oriented environment. This executive will serve as a key member of the leadership team, responsible for driving financial discipline, involved with strategic decision‑making, and ensuring continued value creation for both private shareholders and employee‑owners.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree required; MBA, CPA, or CMA strongly preferred.
15+ years progressive finance leadership experience with at least 7 years in a senior executive or divisional CFO role.
Experience within a government contracting organization of similar or greater scale ($150M–$500M).
Demonstrated expertise in FAR/DFARS, and DCAA audits.
Experience in an ESOP or hybrid‑ownership environment strongly preferred.
Proven track record in financial planning, operational finance, cash management, and risk mitigation.
Strong leadership skills with the ability to influence, collaborate, and communicate across all organizational levels.
Hands‑on, detail‑oriented approach combined with strategic and forward‑thinking perspective.
High integrity, sound judgment, and commitment to transparency.
U.S. citizenship is required to meet position eligibility.
Successful passage of a criminal background screen is required to meet position eligibility.
Selected applicants will be subject to a government security investigation and must meet eligibility requirements for access to classified information.
Successful passage of a Department of Transportation (DOT) drug test is required to meet position eligibility.

Nice To Haves

MBA, CPA, or CMA strongly preferred.
Experience in an ESOP or hybrid‑ownership environment strongly preferred.

Responsibilities

Provide strategic financial leadership, partnering with the CEO and executive team to support long‑term growth, profitability, and operational efficiency.
Direct all financial operations, including accounting, budgeting, forecasting, audit, tax, contracts and risk management.
Ensure full compliance with government contracting regulations, including FAR, DFARS, DCAA audit requirements, and other applicable oversight bodies.
Oversee program finance, job costing, indirect rate development, and margin analysis for a portfolio of government contracts (cost‑plus, fixed-price and T&M).
Lead the development and management of annual operating plans, multi‑year financial models, and enterprise financial dashboards.
Manage all ESOP-related financial responsibilities, including valuation oversight, trustee coordination, regulatory compliance, benefit administration, and employee communication—while balancing requirements of private shareholders.
Manage corporate real estate strategy, including evaluating, negotiating, and overseeing the purchase and/or lease of corporate facilities.
Oversee administration of tenant leases within company‑owned buildings, ensuring proper billing, compliance, renewals, and financial reporting.
Interface with banking partners, auditors, legal counsel, and external stakeholders to ensure accurate reporting and a strong control environment.
Drive continuous improvement initiatives across accounting and financial processes, systems, and reporting tools.
Provide clear, actionable insights to support pricing strategies, capital investments, and corporate strategic initiatives.
Lead, mentor, and develop a high‑performing finance, accounting and contracts team.