Our client, Farmers and Merchants Trust Company, a high-touch corporate trust and investment management company, has retained us to identify their first non-family member Chief Financial Officer, to join their organization. This strategic leader will report directly to the President and will serve as the senior executive responsible for financial strategy, capital structure, risk oversight, and enterprise financial performance of Farmers and Merchants Trust Company and its parent holding company, Queen City Investments Inc., and all subsidiaries.
About Farmers and Merchants Trust Company
Farmers and Merchants Trust Company (FMTC) is a high-touch corporate trust and investment management company that has operated in California since 1920. FMTC has offices from Santa Barbara to Newport Beach and prides its operations on maintaining its premium service levels to its clients. The Company is run by the founding Walker family, which continue to prove their dedication to the conservative business practices that have stood the test of time.
Their website is https://www.fmtrust.com/
About the role
In this newly elevated CFO role, the organization is complementing its long-standing family leadership with an experienced strategic finance executive to support the next generation of stewardship and value creation.
The Chief Financial Officer (“CFO”) is the senior executive responsible for financial strategy, capital structure, risk oversight, and enterprise financial performance of the Farmers and Merchants Trust Company and its parent holding company, Queen City Investments Inc., and all subsidiaries.
The CFO serves as a principal advisor to the President, Chief Operating Officer, and the Board of Directors on all financial, capital, investment, and economic matters. The CFO has the ultimate accountability for the enterprise financial leadership, including capital planning, liquidity management, portfolio performance, investment governance, regulatory financial condition, and long-rang financial strategy across all business verticals.
The following information will provide more insight. After reviewing the details below our hope is that you may know someone who would be interested in this highly visible role. Feel free to distribute this document to others.
If you have any questions or require further information, please contact Adam Kaufman at 818.216.7684 or adamkaufman@kaufmansearch.com.
Key Responsibilities:
Enterprise Financial Strategy & Capital Leadership
- Develop and execute the company-wide financial strategy aligned with the Board’s long-term objectives.
- Design and oversee the capital structure of the holding company and subsidiaries, including debt, equity, intercompany funding, and distributions.
- Lead enterprise liquidity planning, treasury strategy, and cash deployment across operating companies and investments.
- Oversee financing activities including credit facilities, real estate debt, acquisition leverage, ranch operating lines, and investment capitalization.
Financial Reports and Tax Management
- Point of contact between all companies and third-party financial auditors.
- Report to Executive Management and Board of Directors on financial audits and present report.
- Complete the quarterly Call Reports for Farmers and Merchants Trust Company to regulatory agencies.
- Supervisor all movement of funds between companies, including capital calls, distributions, dividend payment to shareholders, etc.
- Calculate the estimated quarterly payments to the IRS.
- Verify and manage the payment of estimated quarterly tax payments to the IRS.
- Verify wires sent from the companies.
- Prepare financial reports for HNW clients, as needed.
Portfolio & Investment Oversight
- Provide senior financial leadership on:
- Real estate acquisitions, dispositions, and portfolio optimization.
- Private equity investments, valuations, and exits.
- Trust company profitability, margin management, and growth economics.
- Ranch and operating business expansion, land strategy, and capital investments.
- Establish and enforce investment underwriting standards, hurdle rates, and financial approval frameworks.
- Support Executive Committee financial review, including modeling, risk assessment, and capital allocation recommendations.
- Manage shares buyback initiatives for Queen City Investments Inc.
Strategic Planning & Performance Management
- Lead the annual budget, multi-year strategic plan, and long-range financial forecasting for the consolidated enterprise.
- Establish financial performance frameworks and KPIs by vertical (e.g. NOI, IRR, ROIC, trust margins, EBITDA, cash yield).
- Oversee enterprise-level scenario modeling, stress testing, and portfolio optimization.
- Partner with operating leadership to translate business strategy into financial targets, incentives, and accountability systems.
Risk, Governance & Regulatory Financial Oversight
- Provide executive oversight of financial risk management, including capital adequacy, insurance, bonding, liquidity, and structural risk.
- Serve as senior financial executive in matters relating to:
- Trust company financial condition and regulator-facing financial matters
- External auditors, tax advisors, lenders, and regulators
- Enterprise financial controls and governance standards
- Oversee tax strategy, entity structuring, and intercompany financial architecture.
- Responsible for quarterly call reports on behalf of FMTC.
Board, Investor & Executive Responsibilities
- Prepare and present board-level financial reporting, strategic financial memos, and capital recommendations.
- Lead banking, financing, and investor relationships.
- Support Board and Compensation Committee on executive compensation economics, incentive design, and long-term financial planning.
- Provide financial leadership in major negotiations, acquisitions, and strategic transactions.
Leadership & Organization Development
- Build and lead a high-performing finance organization, including Controller, FMTC Financial Operations Department, and portfolio finance functions.
- Establish a scalable financial infrastructure supporting growth across multiple asset classes and regulated entities.
- Promote a culture of financial discipline, transparency, and risk awareness.
- Build, lead, and develop a high performing finance team, including establishing SMART goals and role-based objectives, and leading mid-year and year end performance reviews.
- Serve as the immediate backup for select functions as needed, including coverage for the Head of Operations and Finance Accountant.
Qualifications:
Required Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities
- Successful track record in implementing a real estate investments strategy, including managing a team that performed analysis, strategic planning, and execution of an institutional investment policy.
- Proficient knowledge of land development.
- Proficient knowledge on private equity investments.
- Proficient knowledge, or willingness to learn about the compliance and regulatory requirements of running a Trust Company.
- Proficient knowledge, or willingness to learn about banking regulations O and W;
- Experience with regulated financial institutions, real estate, private equity, or complex operating businesses strongly preferred.
Education and Experience
- Bachelor in Finance, Accounting or Business. Holds an MBA/MSRE/EMBA
- Holds a CPA license. Having a CFA is a plus.
- 15+ years work experience as a manager of a team.
- Senior financial executive experience in multi-entity, asset-based, or investment-oriented organizations.
- Demonstrated leadership in capital markets, portfolio finance, and strategic fiscal management.
- Experience with interacting with internal and regulatory agencies.
About Kaufman Search: For more than 30 years we have been specializing in the placement of Accounting, Finance, Tax and Human Resources professionals in Southern California. Our expertise, contacts, and reputation combine to help companies identify, attract, and acquire the most talented professionals. Thank you. For more details please visit https://kaufmansearch.com/
