ACCOUNTING AND FINANCE STAFFING SOLUTIONS

Finding the right Controller, CFO, or FP&A leader has never been easy. In today’s market, it often takes even longer. Experienced finance professionals are in high demand, particularly those who have worked in private equity-backed businesses or fast-growing organizations. At the same time, finance leadership positions can’t simply be left unfilled while companies wait for the perfect candidate. Unique accounting and finance staffing solutions are required to move business forward while continuing the overall search.

Month-end close still needs to happen and financial reporting still needs to be delivered. Budgets need to be updated, audits continue, and leadership teams still rely on accurate financial information to make decisions.

When an important finance position goes unfilled, many organizations feel pressure to hire as quickly as possible. But moving quickly doesn’t always lead to the best long-term decision.

Instead of asking whether to hire a permanent employee or an interim professional, it may be more useful to ask a different question.

How can we keep the business moving while taking the time to hire the right person?

The Pressure to Hire Quickly
For private equity firms and their portfolio companies, time matters.

An empty finance leadership position quickly creates additional pressure on the rest of the team. Existing employees often take on responsibilities outside their normal roles, while strategic projects continue without the leadership needed to drive them forward.

The longer a position remains open, the greater the pressure becomes to hire someone quickly.

But hiring for speed and hiring for long-term success are not always the same thing.

A Controller or CFO is responsible for much more than technical accounting. These leaders influence reporting, forecasting, cash flow, operational planning, investor communication, and the overall financial direction of the business.

Making the wrong hire leads to another search only months later, creating even more disruption than the original vacancy.

Think About It as Two Hiring Processes Instead of One
When a finance leadership position becomes available, the first priority is often finding a permanent replacement as quickly as possible. However, hiring the right person doesn’t always happen overnight.

Instead, companies can focus on two hiring processes at the same time. An experienced interim professional can step into the role and keep the finance function running while the search for a permanent leader continues. Depending on the company’s needs, that support can range from Controllers, CFOs, and FP&A leaders to other accounting and finance professionals.

This gives the business the support it needs without putting pressure on the hiring team to rush an important decision. Rather than hiring the first qualified candidate, companies have more time to find someone with the right experience, leadership style, and long-term fit.

For many private equity-backed companies, this approach helps maintain business continuity while also improving the chances of making a stronger permanent hire.

Experience Is Just as Valuable as Speed
One of the biggest advantages of interim staffing is access to experienced leadership exactly when it is needed most.

A company hiring a permanent Controller may have a budget that aligns with someone who has a few years of Controller experience and is ready to grow within the organization.

An interim engagement sometimes provides access to someone with significantly more experience who has already led finance teams through acquisitions, audits, ERP implementations, and other complex transitions. That doesn’t mean the interim professional is a replacement for the permanent hire. It means the business benefits from experienced leadership while continuing to search for the person who is the best long-term fit.

While this article focuses on interim finance leadership, the same approach can apply across many accounting and finance positions. Bringing in experienced contract professionals allows businesses to continue moving while taking the time to make the right permanent hire.

Better Hiring Decisions Start With More Time
Finding the right permanent finance leader isn’t simply about reviewing resumes. Companies also need time to evaluate leadership style, communication skills, technical expertise, industry experience, and cultural fit.

When the business is struggling to keep up with daily responsibilities, that hiring process often becomes rushed and interim staffing could help remove some of that urgency.

With an interim professional in place, companies don’t have to rush the hiring process. They focus on finding the right long-term fit while the finance team continues to move forward.

A Smoother Transition for the Permanent Hire
Another benefit of bringing in an interim professional is that the finance team keeps moving while the company looks for a permanent hire.

Instead of falling behind, reporting stays on track and the team continues to get the support it needs. When the permanent hire starts, they focus on learning the business instead of trying to catch up on unfinished work.

In some cases, companies realize the interim professional is the right fit for the role and decide to hire them permanently. That isn’t always the plan, but it does work out well for both sides. Additionally, there are several contract staffing alternatives for all accounting and finance positions, just ask how we can help.

Final Thoughts
Finding the right finance leader takes time, especially in today’s hiring market. That doesn’t mean the business has to slow down in the meantime.

Interim finance professionals help companies keep important work moving while giving them more time to find the right permanent hire. Instead of rushing the process, businesses make a decision based on long-term fit rather than urgency.

Accounting and Finance Staffing Solutions
At Torrey & Gray, we help private equity firms and portfolio companies find experienced contract and interim accounting and finance professionals, from Controllers, CFOs, and FP&A leaders to many other finance roles. Whether the need is short-term support or part of a longer hiring strategy, our goal is to help businesses move forward with confidence. With decades of experience, we provide Accounting and Finance Staffing Solutions across a wide array of industries.