Chief Financial Officer (CFO) & Chief Compliance Officer (CCO)
Location: Bethesda, MD (Onsite 4 days a week)
Employment Type: Full-Time, Executive Leadership
Industry: Private Equity / Alternative Investments
Position Overview
We are seeking an experienced Chief Financial Officer (CFO) & Chief Compliance Officer (CCO) to join a growing private equity investment firm in Bethesda, MD. This is a hands-on executive leadership opportunity responsible for overseeing the firm's financial operations, investment accounting, regulatory compliance, and internal business operations.
The organization operates under a deal-by-deal co-investment model, partnering with a network of investors across individual investment opportunities. The CFO/CCO will play a critical role in overseeing financial reporting, investment valuations, SEC compliance, and operational strategy while partnering closely with executive leadership and investment teams.
The ideal candidate brings extensive private equity or alternative investment experience, a strong understanding of SEC-registered investment adviser requirements, and the ability to operate both strategically and hands-on within a lean organization.
Key Responsibilities
Financial Management & Investment Accounting
- Oversee accounting and financial reporting for the management company, investment vehicles, and affiliated entities.
- Manage deal-level partnership accounting, including capital calls, distributions, allocations, carried interest, and distribution waterfalls.
- Oversee quarterly investor reporting, capital account statements, K-1s, and investment performance calculations, including IRR and MOIC.
- Lead quarterly portfolio valuation processes and present findings to the Investment Committee.
- Manage annual audits, tax filings, fund administration relationships, and external valuation providers.
- Oversee budgeting, forecasting, month-end close, cash management, and banking and lender relationships.
- Partner with investment teams on deal structuring, financial analysis, and tax considerations.
- Oversee financial operations and reporting for affiliated international entities.
Regulatory Compliance & Risk Management
- Serve as the firm's designated Chief Compliance Officer for its SEC-registered investment adviser.
- Develop, maintain, and oversee the firm's compliance program in accordance with the Investment Advisers Act.
- Manage compliance policies, the code of ethics, annual reviews, employee training, and regulatory documentation.
- Oversee Form ADV filings, SEC reporting requirements, regulatory examinations, and books-and-records compliance.
- Manage investor onboarding compliance, including accredited investor verification, KYC, and AML requirements.
- Review offering documents, subscription agreements, marketing materials, and public communications for compliance.
- Oversee policies related to personal trading, conflicts of interest, gifts, entertainment, and political contributions.
- Coordinate with external compliance providers and international regulatory partners.
- Support cybersecurity, data privacy, and technology governance initiatives.
Executive Leadership & Business Operations
- Partner with executive leadership on financial strategy, firm economics, budgeting, and long-term business planning.
- Lead and develop the finance function while managing external accounting, tax, legal, and compliance providers.
- Oversee the firm's financial systems, reporting infrastructure, and process improvements.
- Manage enterprise risk and insurance programs, including D&O, E&O, and cyber coverage.
- Coordinate with external legal counsel on corporate, regulatory, and entity formation matters.
- Oversee HR operations, including payroll, benefits, employee onboarding/offboarding, and HR policies.
- Support compensation planning, bonus accruals, annual performance reviews, and employment compliance.
Required Qualifications
- 10+ years of progressive finance and accounting experience, including at least 5 years in private equity, private credit, or alternative asset management.
- Senior finance leadership experience, such as Controller, VP of Finance, or CFO, within a private equity firm or investment adviser.
- Direct experience managing or substantially overseeing the compliance program of an SEC-registered investment adviser, ideally as a CCO or Deputy CCO.
- Strong knowledge of the Investment Advisers Act, Form ADV, private placement regulations, and KYC/AML requirements.
- Extensive experience with partnership accounting, investment vehicles, carried interest, distribution waterfalls, and GAAP.
- Experience managing private investment valuations, investor reporting, and investment performance calculations.
- Proven experience overseeing audits, tax filings, and external fund administrators.
- CPA or equivalent professional certification required.
- Bachelor's degree in Accounting, Finance, or a related field.
- Ability to work independently and remain hands-on within a lean, entrepreneurial environment.
- Strong leadership, communication, analytical, and decision-making skills.
Preferred Qualifications
- Previous CFO experience within private equity, private credit, or an SEC-registered investment adviser.
- Experience with deal-by-deal investments, co-investment structures, or independent sponsor models.
- Hands-on experience overseeing HR, payroll, benefits, compensation, and employee policies.
- Experience supporting international entities or working with non-U.S. regulatory bodies.
- Prior public accounting experience with a focus on private equity or alternative investments.
- Familiarity with fund administration, capitalization table management, and CRM platforms such as Carta and Affinity.
Why Join?
- Opportunity to serve in a key executive leadership role with significant ownership of finance, compliance, and business operations.
- Work directly with senior leadership and investment professionals in a collaborative, entrepreneurial environment.
- Play an integral role in shaping financial strategy, strengthening regulatory compliance, and supporting the firm's continued growth.
- Gain exposure to a differentiated private equity investment model and a broad range of investment activities.
