Manager, Strategy & Operations, Finance Transformation

Elliott Davis; Illinois; On-site; USD 120,000 - 180,000; Full time

Job summary

Elliott Davis is a leading provider of strategic finance and CFO services to private equity portfolio and high-growth companies. This role delivers expert accounting and financial support to buy-side clients and advises on sell-side engagements through the transaction process.

You will lead post-close activities, accelerate month-end close, and build FP&A capabilities while guiding internal teams and client relationships in a dynamic consulting environment.

Qualifications

• 5+ years of public accounting, operational finance leadership (Senior Accountant, Manager, Controller, Director), and/or M&A experience – ideally has worked for / with PE portfolio and other high-growth companies.
• Experience transforming a finance function to be a strategic partner throughout the business (building the bridge from accounting to FP&A to strategy).

Responsibilities

• Provide timely, high quality client service that meets or exceeds client expectations.
• Lead multiple finance transformation engagements and oversee workstreams including accounting, FP&A, and/or technology, often as part of interim finance leadership – both buy-side post close and sell-side preparation and diligence support.
• Address and rectify financial information gaps by implementing robust accounting processes, policies, and procedures to ensure the generation of accurate financial data.
• Assist with preparation of opening balance sheets and post-close purchase price adjustments.
• Develop an understanding of the client's business and recognize key performance drivers, trends and developments and identify performance improvement opportunities and recommend creative solutions to complex issues and broaden our business relationships where possible.
• Be growth motivated, own client relationships and oversee engagement economics and management of resources.
• Identify new client pursuits, develop proposal and thought leadership content, and be visible in the market.
• Lead conversations with teams, clients and stakeholders to build trust.
• Collaborate closely with personnel from the acquired entity as well as client teams to facilitate smooth engagement execution.
• Ensure all deliverables are completed on time and meet the firm’s quality standards.
• Oversee engagement operations, including staff scheduling and budget management.
• Create a collaborative team environment and motivate team through communication and actions.
• Coach and develop team members.
• Other duties within the scope of the practice.

Skills

Finance transformation

M&A experience

Public accounting

PE portfolio exposure

Job description

Who We Are

Elliott Davis pairs forward-thinking tax, assurance and consulting services with industry-leading workplace culture. Our nine offices — located in the fastest growing cities in the US — are built on a foundation of inclusivity, collaboration, and collective growth. We work daily to provide exceptional service to our people, customers, and our communities. Audit and assurance services are provided by Elliott Davis, LLC (doing business in NC and D.C. as Elliott Davis, PLLC), a licensed CPA firm.

Job Summary

Elliott Davis is a leading provider of strategic finance and CFO services to private equity portfolio and high-growth companies throughout the lower middle market and middle market. Our team of experts partners with portfolio company leadership and investors to transform legacy finance functions into the storyteller and strategic driver for their businesses. We also partner with founder and family-owned businesses as they prepare for a capital event.

In this role, you will deliver expert accounting and financial support to buy‑side clients, assisting in the enhancement of the finance function for acquired entities. You will also offer sell‑side accounting and finance advisory services to companies throughout the transaction process. On the buy‑side, you will play a key role in post‑close activities such as providing interim leadership support through the 100‑day integration plan including items such as converting to accrual accounting, establishing the opening balance sheet, expediting month‑end close, preparing reporting packages, building out FP&A, preparing for the first year audit, building out the internal team, and analyzing opportunities to better utilize technology throughout the finance function. On the sell‑side, you will help companies elevate their finance function to be more data driven and tell the narrative of business performance as well as develop a strategic roadmap, then serve as an advisor throughout the sell‑side or capital raise process.

Responsibilities

• Provide timely, high quality client service that meets or exceeds client expectations
• Lead multiple finance transformation engagements and oversee workstreams including accounting, FP&A, and/or technology, often as part of interim finance leadership – both buy-side post close and sell-side preparation and diligence support.
• Address and rectify financial information gaps by implementing robust accounting processes, policies, and procedures to ensure the generation of accurate financial data
• Assist with preparation of opening balance sheets and post-close purchase price adjustments
• Develop an understanding of the client's business and recognize key performance drivers, trends and developments and identify performance improvement opportunities and recommend creative solutions to complex issues and broaden our business relationships where possible
• Be growth motivated, own client relationships and oversee engagement economics and management of resources
• Identify new client pursuits, develop proposal and thought leadership content, and be visible in the market
• Lead conversations with teams, clients and stakeholders to build trust
• Collaborate closely with personnel from the acquired entity as well as client teams to facilitate smooth engagement execution
• Ensure all deliverables are completed on time and meet the firm’s quality standards
• Oversee engagement operations, including staff scheduling and budget management
• Create a collaborative team environment and motivate team through communication and actions
• Coach and develop team members
• Other duties within the scope of the practice

Requirements

• 5+ years of public accounting, operational finance leadership (Senior Accountant, Manager, Controller, Director), and/or M&A experience – ideally has worked for / with PE portfolio and other high-growth companies
• Experience transforming a finance function to be a strategic partner throughout the business (building the bridge from accounting to FP&A to strategy)