VP of Finance/CFO

Cherry Bekaert•Houston, TX

3d•Onsite

About The Position

Start-up, entrepreneurial $1B family office seeking an experienced Chief Financial Officer to lead all financial, tax, estate-planning, and reporting functions across a complex portfolio of family entities, trusts, partnerships, and investment vehicles. This role serves as the primary financial steward and strategic advisor to family principals, overseeing the coordination of accounting, tax compliance, systems infrastructure, wealth transfer planning, trust administration and advisor relationships. The CFO will act as the central point of contact among legal counsel, tax advisors, trustees, investment managers and auditors while ensuring the family's financial affairs are managed with precision, discretion, and long-term perspective.

Requirements

Entrepreneurial leadership skills and attitude
Ability to work to build something with Principals/Owners
See and do a great deal for the firm
Undergraduate degree from a top-tier university
10+ years of tax and accounting experience, ideally with a foundation at a Big 4 or large regional firm
Direct experience with a family office, private wealth platform, trust company, or ultra-high-net-worth family strongly preferred
Experience overseeing multiple entities, trusts, and family governance structures
Familiarity with investment reporting, portfolio structures, and alternative investments
Demonstrated expertise advising ultra high net worth individuals and families on individual income tax planning; gift and estate tax; generation-skipping transfer tax; trust and fiduciary taxation; and multi-generational wealth transfer strategies
Strong command of trust instruments, partnership and operating agreements, and complex entity structures
Proven ability to manage relationships with sophisticated external advisors and service providers

Nice To Haves

advanced degree or specialized education in estate and trust planning (MST, LLM, or similar) a plus
CPA and/or JD strongly preferred

Responsibilities

Lead the financial operations of the multi-family office and its affiliated entities.
Oversee accounting, financial reporting, cash management, budgeting and liquidity planning across multiple legal structures.
Monitor financial performance and maintain accurate reporting for family principals and stakeholders.
Establish and maintain best-in-class financial controls, governance practices, and reporting standards.
Direct all income tax, gift tax, estate tax, and generation-skipping transfer tax planning activities.
Coordinate with external tax professionals to ensure compliance and optimize tax outcomes.
Review tax strategies and identify opportunities to improve efficiency and wealth preservation.
Oversee preparation and review of tax filings across trusts, partnerships, LLCs, foundations, and individual family members.
Manage and coordinate sophisticated estate planning structures and strategies.
Work closely with legal advisors on trust administration, succession planning, and multi-generational wealth transfer initiatives.
Evaluate and maintain structures including: Irrevocable trusts, Grantor Retained Annuity Trusts (GRATs), Intentionally Defective Grantor Trusts (IDGTs), Spousal Lifetime Access Trusts (SLATs), Charitable Lead Annuity Trusts (CLATs), Family Limited Partnerships (FLPs), LLC and other family ownership structures.
Assist in implementing valuation and transfer planning strategies designed to preserve and grow family wealth.
Serve as the primary liaison with: Outside counsel and Tax Advisors, CPAs, Trustees, Investment managers, Auditors, Other professional service providers.
Coordinate cross-functional activities among advisors and drive initiatives to timely resolution.
Challenge recommendations and advocate for the family's best interests when necessary.
Provide thoughtful and objective advice to family principals and next-generation family members.
Support strategic decision-making related to investments, tax matters, governance, and family wealth planning.
Identify risks, planning opportunities, and operational improvements across the family enterprise.
Foster trusted long-term relationships built on discretion, integrity, and exceptional service.