Vice President of Finance

The Workplace Advisors•Chicago, IL

About The Position

The Company is a high-growth, entrepreneurial organization in the branded merchandise, kitting/fulfillment, and eCommerce space. With a strong reputation for creativity, executional excellence, and long-standing client partnerships, the company is driven by a sales-first culture, operational rigor, and a commitment to continuous improvement. We are now seeking a strategic and hands-on Vice President of Finance to lead financial operations and partner closely with executive leadership to support continued growth and scalability. This individual will serve as a trusted advisor to the executive team, translating financial data into clear insights, the "why" behind the numbers, that drive confident decision-making, operational discipline, and long-term strategy. The ideal candidate is a seasoned finance leader who brings both strategic vision and operational depth. They must be comfortable operating at a high level while also understanding the "nitty-gritty" of accounting, cash management, and commission/comp structures. Genuine executive presence with a commission-based sales team (respecting sales as the engine of the business, not a cost to control) is essential. Experience with nonstandard sales comp/commission plans and a conservative, cash-disciplined approach to treasury are strongly preferred.

Requirements

10+ years of progressive finance or accounting experience, with at least 5 years in a senior leadership role (CFO, VP Finance, or Controller)
Demonstrated success supporting budgeting, forecasting, long-term financial planning, and executive-level reporting
Strong treasury management expertise, including cash flow planning and a conservative, cash-disciplined approach to liquidity
Experience managing commission and bonus calculations and reporting for a commission-based sales team; nonstandard or complex comp plan experience a strong plus
Proven experience overseeing payroll operations and multi-state tax/nexus compliance
Deep experience implementing and optimizing financial systems (QuickBooks, ERP platforms, Excel/Power Query) within a growing technology stack
Strong understanding of billing structures, invoicing processes, AR/AP oversight, and revenue alignment
Bachelor's degree in Finance, Accounting, Business Administration, or related field

Nice To Haves

Industry experience in promotional products, branded merchandise, or an adjacent sector with similar dynamics (e.g., beverage, hospitality; rebates, credit memos) a plus
M&A experience, including due diligence and post-acquisition integration, a plus but not required
CPA or MBA preferred

Responsibilities

Oversee all finance operations, including accounting, AR/AP, treasury, and liquidity management
Maintain executive oversight of invoicing, customer billing structures, and vendor payments to ensure strong cash discipline
Support month-end and quarterly close processes with appropriate controls and visibility
Partner cross-functionally to ensure financial alignment with sales strategy, commission/bonus structures, and operational execution
Manage relationships with the external CPA firm, board of directors, valuation company, attorneys, and insurance providers
Partner with executive leadership to lead annual budgeting, rolling forecasts, and long-range financial planning
Develop and refine financial models, reporting dashboards, and forecasting systems to support growth
Provide regular performance updates and strategic insights to executive leadership, translating data into the clear "why" behind the numbers
Support M&A evaluation and integration efforts as opportunities arise
Identify and drive financial and operational improvement opportunities
Oversee payroll operations, ensuring accurate and timely processing
Ensure compliance with multi-state sales tax filings, nexus tracking, and 1099/audit requirements
Oversee 401(k) compliance and reporting
Maintain transparency and governance across all financial operations
Lead the accounting, warehouse, and operations teams to ensure accountability, alignment, and performance
Build, coach, and develop a high-performing finance team, with a focus on professional growth
Standardize roles, responsibilities, and processes to improve efficiency and accountability
Foster a culture of transparency, collaboration, and operational excellence
Contribute meaningfully to company culture and help advance it forward
Evaluate, select, and implement scalable finance and accounting systems
Optimize QuickBooks, tax automation (e.g., Avalara), payroll, budgeting, and forecasting tools
Leverage financial API/AI integrations to enhance reporting quality and operational efficiency
Drive continuous innovation in financial processes and infrastructure, including warehouse/inventory financial controls