Chief Financial Officer

Search Services; Houston (TX); On-site; USD 260,000 - 420,000; Full time

Job summary

Search Services LLC seeks a Chief Financial Officer to lead accounting, financial reporting, and controls for a private family-office portfolio with real estate investments. The role blends hands-on management with strategic oversight, reporting to ownership and senior leadership.

The ideal candidate has Big Four audit experience, CPA credentials, 10+ years in progressively senior roles, and a proven track record in multi-entity consolidation, cash management, and internal controls within real

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Accounting required.
• Active CPA license required.
• Big Four public accounting audit experience strongly preferred.
• Minimum of 10 years of progressively responsible accounting and financial leadership experience.
• Experience overseeing accounting operations, financial reporting, internal controls, and multi-entity accounting structures.

Responsibilities

• Lead and oversee all accounting and financial reporting across multiple entities.
• Direct preparation and review of monthly, quarterly, and annual financial statements.
• Oversee complex accounting matters involving investments, real estate, intercompany transactions, and multi-entity structures.
• Maintain accounting policies, procedures, and internal controls.
• Coordinate audits, tax preparation, and other reporting with external advisors.
• Ensure compliance with accounting standards and regulatory requirements.

Skills

CPA

Big Four

Leadership

Financial reporting

Internal controls

Multi-entity accounting

Private family office experience

Communication

Education

Bachelor's degree in Accounting

Job description

Our client is a well-established, ultra-high-net-worth family office seeking an accomplished Chief Financial Officer to oversee its accounting and financial operations. This opportunity is available due to an internal promotion and offers the chance to join a highly regarded private organization with a long-term investment perspective.

The CFO will have responsibility for financial reporting, accounting operations, cash management, internal controls, and financial oversight of a diversified group of entities and investments, including significant real estate interests. This is an excellent opportunity for a technically strong, hands-on financial executive who values a stable, professional environment and enjoys working closely with ownership and senior leadership.

Position Summary

The Chief Financial Officer will serve as the senior accounting and financial executive, responsible for ensuring the accuracy, integrity, and effectiveness of the organization's financial operations. While the position includes financial planning, investment analysis, and strategic advisory responsibilities, the primary emphasis is on accounting leadership, financial reporting, controls, and operational financial management.

The successful candidate will bring a strong foundation in public accounting, ideally including Big Four audit experience, followed by progressive leadership responsibilities within a family office, privately held investment organization, or real estate business. This individual must be comfortable operating at both the executive and detailed accounting levels, providing thoughtful financial guidance while remaining actively engaged in the organization's day-to-day accounting and reporting activities.

Key Responsibilities

Accounting and Financial Reporting

• Provide leadership and oversight of all accounting and financial reporting functions across multiple entities.
• Direct the preparation and review of monthly, quarterly, and annual financial statements, ensuring accuracy, completeness, and timely delivery.
• Oversee complex accounting matters involving investments, real estate holdings, intercompany transactions, and multi-entity structures.
• Maintain appropriate accounting policies, procedures, and internal controls.
• Coordinate financial statement audits, tax preparation, and other reporting requirements with external accounting and tax advisors.
• Ensure financial records and reporting practices comply with applicable accounting standards and regulatory requirements.
• Evaluate existing accounting processes and systems, identifying opportunities to improve efficiency, consistency, and reporting capabilities.

Financial Management and Executive Support

• Serve as a trusted financial advisor to ownership and senior leadership.
• Provide meaningful financial analysis and reporting to support business and investment decisions.
• Oversee budgeting, forecasting, and cash flow planning across the organization.
• Monitor financial performance, identify significant variances, and provide recommendations as appropriate.
• Support the evaluation of investments, financing alternatives, acquisitions, and other significant transactions.
• Provide financial oversight and guidance for ongoing business operations and long-term investment activities.

Cash Management, Banking, and Financing

• Oversee cash management, liquidity planning, and the movement of funds across multiple entities.
• Maintain relationships with financial institutions, lenders, and other outside advisors.
• Monitor borrowing arrangements, debt obligations, financial covenants, and related reporting requirements.
• Coordinate financing activities, including refinancing arrangements and capital requirements.
• Ensure adequate liquidity is maintained to support operating needs, investment activities, and financial obligations.
• Establish appropriate controls and procedures surrounding cash management, banking, and financial transactions.

Real Estate and Investment Oversight

• Oversee financial reporting and accounting related to real estate investments, development activities, and property operations.
• Review project budgets, operating results, cash flow projections, and financial performance across real estate holdings.
• Support the financial evaluation of acquisitions, dispositions, development projects, and other investment opportunities.
• Monitor financing arrangements, capital expenditures, and funding requirements associated with investment activities.
• Work collaboratively with internal and external professionals to ensure accurate reporting and effective financial oversight.
• Provide analysis and recommendations regarding investment performance, financial exposure, and capital allocation.

Leadership, Controls, and Operational Oversight

• Lead, mentor, and develop the accounting team, including oversight of the Controller and other accounting professionals.
• Establish clear expectations for financial reporting, accounting accuracy, deadlines, and accountability.
• Maintain a strong internal control environment and ensure appropriate safeguards over financial assets and information.
• Work closely with outside legal, tax, banking, and other professional advisors.
• Evaluate staffing, systems, and processes to ensure the accounting function operates efficiently and effectively.
• Foster a professional, collaborative, and service-oriented approach to supporting the organization and its ownership.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Accounting.
• Active CPA license required.
• Big Four public accounting audit experience strongly preferred.
• Minimum of 10 years of progressively responsible accounting and financial leadership experience.
• Significant experience overseeing accounting operations, financial reporting, internal controls, and multi-entity accounting structures.
• Experience within a family office, real estate investment/development organization, or other privately held investment-oriented business.
• Strong technical accounting foundation and demonstrated ability to address complex accounting and reporting matters.
• Experience managing and developing accounting professionals.
• Solid understanding of cash management, banking relationships, debt obligations, and financial reporting requirements.
• Strong communication skills and the ability to interact effectively with ownership, senior leadership, and outside professional advisors.
• High degree of professionalism, discretion, integrity, and confidentiality.

Preferred Qualifications

• Combination of Big Four audit experience and subsequent leadership experience within a family office or real estate organization.
• Experience working directly with high-net-worth or ultra-high-net-worth individuals and privately held investment structures.
• Background in commercial real estate investment, development, or property management.
• Experience overseeing accounting and reporting for multiple legal entities, partnerships, and investment holdings.
• Previous experience as a CFO, Corporate Controller, VP of Accounting, or senior accounting/finance executive.
• Advanced knowledge of financial reporting, internal controls, and accounting process improvement.
• Experience collaborating with outside tax advisors, attorneys, investment professionals, and financial institutions.

Ideal Candidate Profile

The successful candidate will be a technically accomplished accounting professional with the presence, judgment, and interpersonal skills necessary to operate effectively in a private family office environment.

This individual will be comfortable working directly with ownership, managing confidential financial matters, and maintaining high standards of accuracy and accountability. Equally important is a hands-on leadership style. The ideal candidate will have the ability to see the broader financial picture while remaining engaged in the accounting details that drive reliable reporting and sound financial management.

Why Consider This Opportunity?

This position offers a rare opportunity to assume a CFO role within an established ultra-high-net-worth family office. The organization provides an attractive, professional working environment, excellent benefits, and the opportunity to work closely with experienced leadership on a broad range of accounting, financial, and investment matters. For an accomplished accounting executive seeking a long-term opportunity in a sophisticated private organization, this position offers an appealing combination of responsibility, stability, and executive-level involvement.