Chief Financial Officer (CFO)
Location: Detroit, MI
Work Arrangement: On-site
Employment Type: Full-Time
Reports To: Chief Executive Officer
Compensation: $180,000–$210,000 + Annual Performance Bonus
Position Overview
Kelly is conducting an executive search for an experienced Chief Financial Officer (CFO) to join an established, publicly traded Michigan-based organization with approximately 85 employees and a multi-million-dollar annual revenue base. The organization operates across commercial printing and newspaper publishing, with a diverse portfolio of business operations.
This is a high-impact leadership opportunity for a financially sophisticated executive who can balance strategic business partnership, hands-on financial management, public company reporting, and shareholder accountability.
Reporting directly to the CEO and working closely with the Board of Directors, the CFO will oversee the organization's financial strategy and operations, including accounting, financial reporting, treasury, tax, investor relations, and risk management.
The ideal candidate brings strong technical accounting and financial leadership experience, sound business judgment, and the ability to navigate the complexities of a publicly traded company with concentrated ownership. This individual must be comfortable providing independent advice to executive leadership while maintaining the highest standards of financial transparency, governance, and accountability.
Key Responsibilities
Strategic Financial Leadership
- Partner with the CEO and Board of Directors on long-term business strategy, capital allocation, growth initiatives, and potential mergers and acquisitions.
- Lead annual budgeting, financial forecasting, long-range planning, and financial modeling.
- Develop and implement capital allocation strategies that balance business reinvestment, dividends, share repurchases, and debt management.
- Provide financial insights and recommendations to support operational performance and long-term shareholder value.
Financial Reporting & Internal Controls
- Oversee the preparation and delivery of accurate, timely financial statements, public company filings, and earnings materials.
- Maintain a strong internal control environment and ensure compliance with applicable financial reporting requirements.
- Manage relationships with external auditors and serve as a key resource to the Audit Committee.
- Maintain direct involvement in the monthly financial close process, including reviewing journal entries and account reconciliations and overseeing preparation of financial statements.
- Identify opportunities to improve accounting processes, reporting accuracy, and financial discipline.
Corporate Governance & Compliance
- Work closely with the Audit Committee and independent Board members to support sound corporate governance practices.
- Identify, evaluate, and oversee appropriate disclosure of related-party transactions and potential conflicts of interest.
- Support public company disclosure requirements, shareholder transparency, and governance policies.
- Exercise sound independent judgment in matters involving ownership interests, affiliated entities, and corporate oversight.
Investor Relations & Capital Markets
- Serve as a primary financial spokesperson to investors, analysts, and significant shareholders.
- Develop and maintain credibility with investors through clear, consistent, and transparent financial communications.
- Oversee investor relations activities, shareholder engagement, and capital markets considerations.
- Manage banking relationships, debt and equity financing activities, credit facilities, and overall liquidity.
- Evaluate financing alternatives and support capital markets transactions as business needs arise.
Finance Team & Operational Leadership
- Lead and develop the finance organization, including accounting, treasury, tax, and coordination of internal audit activities.
- Establish scalable financial processes, systems, and reporting capabilities.
- Oversee enterprise risk management, insurance programs, and financial risk reporting to the Board.
- Collaborate with operational and commercial leadership to improve financial visibility, information flow, and business performance.
- Build a high-performing finance team focused on accountability, accuracy, efficiency, and continuous improvement.
Qualifications
Required
- Bachelor's degree in Accounting, Finance, or a related discipline.
- CPA designation strongly preferred.
- At least 12 years of progressive finance and accounting experience, including a minimum of five years in a senior financial leadership position.
- Demonstrated experience overseeing financial reporting, accounting operations, and financial controls.
- Experience presenting financial results and strategic recommendations to executive leadership, Boards of Directors, and Audit Committees.
- Strong understanding of public company reporting, corporate governance, and financial compliance.
- Exceptional integrity, discretion, and judgment, particularly when navigating complex business relationships or potential conflicts of interest.
Preferred
- Previous CFO or senior finance leadership experience within a publicly traded, privately controlled, family-influenced, or founder-led organization.
- Experience with investor relations, institutional shareholders, and capital markets.
- Exposure to mergers and acquisitions, corporate refinancing, debt and equity transactions, or other strategic financing initiatives.
- Background in commercial printing, publishing, media, or other operationally complex industries.
- Experience working within organizations with concentrated ownership structures.
Compensation & Benefits
- Base salary of $180,000–$210,000 annually, depending on experience and qualifications.
- Annual performance-based bonus opportunity tied to organizational and individual performance.
- Comprehensive health insurance, retirement, and other executive benefits.
Interviews are happening now!
