Air Planning is seeking a hands-on, operationally minded Chief Financial Officer (CPA required) to join our leadership team in a high-impact role supporting the continued growth and long-term transition of our company.
Founded in 1999, Air Planning is a specialized Part 121 large-group air charter brokerage serving collegiate athletics, professional sports, commercial clients, and other large-group charter markets. The company has built an established national reputation through decades of operational execution, long-term client relationships, and disciplined growth within a highly specialized segment of the aviation industry.
This role is ideal for a technically strong financial leader who also understands operational risk, process management, contractual exposure, cash flow dynamics, and the realities of running a fast-moving service business.
This is not a “big-company bureaucracy” CFO role. We are seeking a pragmatic, detail-oriented executive capable of operating strategically while remaining close to the operational and financial mechanics of the business.
Key Responsibilities:
- Lead all accounting and financial management functions
- Oversee cash flow forecasting, treasury management, and banking relationships
- Support long-term succession planning initiatives
- Drive financial reporting, controls, and process improvements
- Participate in strategic planning and executive leadership discussions
- Oversee budgeting, forecasting, and financial analysis
- Review operational, contractual, and risk-related financial exposures
- Assist with insurance, vendor, and compliance oversight
- Lead finance-related systems architecture and integration initiatives, including planned integration between CRM and QuickBooks Online
- Manage customer and vendor payments, providing oversight of admin as required
- Help scale financial processes while maintaining operational efficiency and flexibility
Qualifications:
- Active CPA license required
- Bachelor’s degree required
- 5–10 years of progressive accounting and finance experience preferred
- Prior leadership experience in accounting, finance, controller, or senior finance roles required
- Experience within privately held companies strongly preferred
- Prior CFO experience is helpful but not required
- Candidates ready to step into their first CFO role are encouraged to apply
- Strong operational and business judgment
- Ability to communicate effectively with both operational and executive leadership
- Experience managing banking and lender relationships
- Comfortable operating in entrepreneurial, fast-paced environments
- Systems/process orientation and comfort with technology-driven environments are essential
Additional Information:
- Initial in-person presence expected
- Competitive compensation package including benefits and 401(k)
- Long-term incentive and performance-based bonus opportunities, including EBITDA preservation initiatives, may be considered based on company performance
- This is a rare opportunity to join a long-established, highly specialized company with a strong industry reputation, experienced leadership team, and a stable, profitable operating history
