Chief Financial Officer

Katalyst Group is engaged in a confidential, retained search on behalf of a privately held manufacturing company in Chicago’s western suburbs for a key Chief Financial Officer role.

The Chief Financial Officer (CFO) will serve as the senior finance leader for the business, with responsibility for financial reporting, accounting oversight, internal controls, cash and working capital management, audit support, and cross-functional operational leadership. This is a hands-on role requiring both strong technical accounting capability and the ability to work closely with people across the business to ensure processes are functioning effectively.

This individual will help lead the transition of financial and operational responsibilities from current leadership, absorb critical institutional knowledge, and provide visible day-to-day support to the accounting and operations teams. The ideal candidate will be an experienced, low-ego, highly practical finance leader who understands how accounting supports the full operation of a manufacturing business

Core Responsibilities

• Financial Reporting and Accounting Leadership Own the accuracy, integrity, and timeliness of the company’s financial reporting.
• Oversee core accounting functions, including billing, accounts receivable, accounts payable, cash receipts, collections, and related workflows.
• Maintain a strong working knowledge of foundational accounting tasks and transaction
• flow.
  
  Cash Management, Controls, and Working Capital.
• Oversee cash discipline, collections performance, credit management, and payment controls.
• Monitor receivables, collections activity, and customer credit hold decisions.
• Support strong internal controls and appropriate financial checks and balances.
• Help improve accountability and follow-through across finance-related processes.
• Participate in the gradual transition of financial authority and decision-making as trust and business understanding are established.
• Audit, Compliance, and Governance Lead the company’s annual audit process and coordinate with external auditors.
• ERP, Systems, and Process Improvement specifically with strong working knowledge of Microsoft Dynamics 365 Business Central (BC365).
• Lead, coach, and support the existing finance and accounting team.

Qualifications

• Senior finance leadership experience, ideally at the Controller/ CFO or equivalent level.
• Strong accounting foundation with the ability to work at both strategic and detailed levels.
• Experience overseeing accounting operations in a complex, hands-on business environment.
• Demonstrated ability to manage people, enforce accountability, and improve execution.
• Experience with audits, financial reporting, and internal controls.
• Strong business judgment and operational awareness.
• Prior experience with Microsoft Dynamics 365 Business Central.
• Manufacturing or distribution industry experience preferred.

Onsite Requirements:
This role is on-site 5 day