Manager, Strategy & Operations, Finance Transformation

Elliott Davis • Chicago, IL

1d • Hybrid

About The Position

Elliott Davis provides strategic finance and CFO services to private equity portfolio and high-growth companies, as well as founder- and family-owned businesses preparing for a capital event. The Manager, Strategy & Operations, Finance Transformation delivers accounting and financial support to buy-side clients, helping enhance acquired entities’ finance functions, and provides sell-side accounting and finance advisory services throughout transactions.

For buy-side engagements, the role leads post-close work, which may include interim finance leadership through a 100-day integration plan; converting to accrual accounting; establishing the opening balance sheet; expediting month-end close; preparing reporting packages; developing FP&A; preparing for the first-year audit; building the internal finance team; and identifying opportunities to use technology more effectively. For sell-side engagements, the role helps companies make their finance functions more data driven, communicate business performance, develop a strategic roadmap, and prepare for and navigate a sale or capital raise.

The manager leads client engagements and workstreams across accounting, FP&A, and technology; manages client relationships, engagement economics, resources, and quality; identifies business and performance improvement opportunities; supports business development; and coaches and develops team members. The position involves collaboration with client leadership, investors, acquired-entity personnel, and internal teams.

Requirements

• At least 5 years of public accounting, operational finance leadership (such as Senior Accountant, Manager, Controller, or Director), and/or M&A experience.
• Experience transforming a finance function into a strategic business partner, building connections between accounting, FP&A, and strategy.
• Strong comprehension of accounting principles and the ability to communicate them effectively.
• Forward-thinking interest in the intersection of finance and technology; experience implementing BI tools and identifying opportunities to use AI.
• Experience hiring, developing, and leading a finance team.
• Excellent written, verbal, and presentation skills.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving ability.
• Effective time-management skills.

Nice To Haves

• Experience working for or with private equity portfolio companies and other high-growth companies.
• CPA certification.

Responsibilities

• Provide timely, high-quality client service that meets or exceeds client expectations.
• Lead multiple finance transformation engagements and oversee accounting, FP&A, and/or technology workstreams, including interim finance leadership, buy-side post-close work, and sell-side preparation and diligence support.
• Address financial information gaps by implementing accounting processes, policies, and procedures that produce accurate financial data.
• Assist with preparing opening balance sheets and post-close purchase price adjustments.
• Develop an understanding of clients’ businesses, identify key performance drivers and trends, recognize improvement opportunities, and recommend solutions to complex issues.
• Own client relationships, oversee engagement economics and resource management, and seek opportunities to broaden business relationships.
• Identify new client pursuits and develop proposals and thought leadership content; maintain visibility in the market.
• Lead conversations with teams, clients, and stakeholders to build trust.
• Collaborate with acquired-entity personnel and client teams to facilitate engagement execution.
• Ensure deliverables are completed on time and meet firm quality standards.
• Oversee engagement operations, including staff scheduling and budget management.
• Create a collaborative team environment and motivate the team through communication and actions.
• Coach and develop team members.
• Perform other duties within the scope of the practice.

Benefits

• Medical, dental, and vision insurance.
• 401(k) plan with company contributions.
• Generous time away and paid firm holidays, including the week between Christmas and New Year’s.
• Flexible work schedules.
• 16 weeks of paid maternity and adoption leave, 8 weeks of paid parental leave, and 4 weeks of paid caregiver leave once eligible.
• Health and wellness benefits, including wellness coaching and mental health counseling.
• One-on-one professional coaching.
• Leadership and career development programs.
• Access to Beyond, a program with experiences intended to support personal and professional growth.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Manager
• Education Level: No Education Listed