CFO Placement

Executive Search — CFO Only

The CFO Search Firm for Companies at Inflection Points

We place Chief Financial Officers who have already navigated what you're about to face.

Strategic CFO placement for companies raising capital, scaling operations, or entering new markets.

Discuss Your CFO Search

100%

Search Fill Rate

8–12

Weeks Average

CFO

Exclusive Focus

Executive boardroom

We don't send résumés. We send leaders.

— CFOPlacement

Why we're different

Your CFO isn't just a hire, they're your partner in the boardroom

Most search firms send you résumés. We send you leaders who have already lived your next chapter.

CFO search is categorically different from other executive searches. The stakes are higher, the context is more nuanced, and the wrong hire can cost you a fundraise, a board relationship, or an entire growth cycle. We focus exclusively on CFO placements, nothing else.

"Exclusivity isn't a limitation. It's a promise of depth."
Experience Matching

We Match Experience to Inflection Points

  1. 01

    Not just

    Big 4 pedigree and an MBA

    But

    Has this person structured blended finance deals?

    Credentials open doors. Experience closes deals. We look for CFOs who have structured complex capital stacks, navigated regulatory complexity, and delivered results under pressure.

  2. 02

    Not just

    Industry experience

    But

    Have they operated at your stage?

    A CFO who thrives in a Fortune 500 may not be the right fit for a Series B. We match candidates to your specific stage, growth velocity, and operating environment.

  3. 03

    Not just

    Technical competence

    But

    Can they speak the language of your investors?

    Investor fluency is non‑negotiable. Your next CFO must build confidence in the boardroom, lead LP presentations, and co‑author the narrative that gets your next round closed.

Experience Matching

We Match Experience to Inflection Points

High-Growth Companies

Companies scaling from $10M to $100M+ in revenue who need a CFO capable of building the financial infrastructure to match their ambition.

Companies Raising Capital

Pre‑IPO, Series A through D, or debt financing — companies that need a CFO who can lead investor conversations and close the round.

PE/VC Portfolio Companies

Portfolio companies that need an operator‑CFO who understands fund dynamics, reporting standards, and the path to exit.

Cross‑Border & Emerging Market Companies

Companies operating across multiple jurisdictions who need a CFO fluent in international finance, FX risk, and multi‑entity structures.

Clean Energy & Climate Tech

Energy transition companies navigating blended finance, government incentives, and impact investor expectations at every stage of growth.

"Wherever you are, we know the CFO who's been there."

Start the Conversation
Evaluation Framework

We evaluate candidates across five dimensions

Our evaluation framework goes beyond the rĂ©sumĂ©. We conduct structured interviews, reference validation, and scenario‑based assessments before any candidate is presented.

  • Strategic Fit

    Does this CFO align with where the company is headed? We evaluate how candidates think about capital allocation, growth strategy, and long‑horizon decision‑making.

  • Investor Fluency

    Can they command the room? We assess how candidates communicate financial narratives to board members, LPs, and institutional investors.

  • Operational Capability

    Can they build the financial engine? We look for CFOs who have designed and scaled finance operations, controls, and reporting infrastructure.

  • Cultural Alignment

    Will they stay? We assess personality, values, and leadership style against the culture of your organization and your founding team dynamics.

  • Cross‑Border Experience

    Where have they operated? We evaluate international exposure, multi‑jurisdictional finance experience, and regulatory fluency.

The Process

How It Works

Our process is lean, structured, and built for speed without sacrificing precision. Every search follows a consistent framework, customized to your context.

01 Week 1

Strategic Discovery

We begin with a deep‑dive into your business model, growth stage, capital structure, board dynamics, and the specific profile of CFO your company needs at this moment — not generically.

02 Week 2–4

Market Mapping & Outreach

We activate our proprietary network and conduct structured outreach to CFOs who have operated in analogous companies at similar stages. No job boards. No spray and pray.

03 Week 4–6

Evaluation & Presentation

Shortlisted candidates undergo structured interviews, reference checks, and scenario‑based assessments. You receive a curated slate — typically 3–5 candidates — with full evaluation notes.

04 Week 6–10

Close & Integration

We manage the offer process, negotiation, and onboarding structure to ensure a smooth transition. We remain engaged through the first 90 days.

8–12

Week average timeline

100%

Search fill rate

3–5

Candidates per slate

12 mon

Replacement guarantee

Investment & Terms

Transparent, Performance‑Aligned Pricing

Fee Structure

25% of First‑Year Compensation

Success‑based fee calculated on the CFO’s total first‑year cash compensation package.

At Search Launch

25% Upfront

A launch retainer to initiate strategic discovery, market mapping, and outreach.

At Acceptance

75% at Placement

The balance is due upon accepted offer, reflecting our commitment to completing every search.

Guarantee

12‑Month Replacement

If the placed CFO departs within 12 months of start date for any reason, we conduct a full replacement search at no additional retainer.

What’s Included

Every search engagement includes the full suite of services from discovery to onboarding.

  • Strategic discovery and role definition
  • Proprietary market mapping and outreach
  • Structured interviews and scenario assessments
  • Reference validation and background review
  • Curated shortlist with full evaluation notes
  • Offer management and negotiation support
  • 90‑day onboarding engagement
  • 12‑month replacement guarantee
“We only take searches we’re confident we can fill. That’s not a marketing line — it’s a business model.”
Why CFOPlacement

Five Reasons Clients Choose Us

We built CFOPlacement because we couldn’t find a search firm that thought the way we did. So we became one. Every engagement is run with operator‑level rigor, board‑level context, and an uncompromising focus on fit.

01

We’ve Made the Mistakes

Our team has operated inside companies at inflection points. We know what a bad CFO hire costs — not in theory, but from experience. That shapes everything about how we evaluate candidates.

02

We Know Both Sides of the Table

We’ve sat as founders, operators, and finance leaders. We understand what boards expect, what investors require, and what a CFO actually does on a Monday morning.

03

We Think Like Operators

We don’t evaluate candidates against job descriptions. We evaluate them against the specific operational context of your company — the mess, the complexity, and the ambition.

04

We Understand Cross‑Border Complexity

Our network spans North America, Europe, the Middle East, and emerging markets. If your business crosses borders, your CFO search should too.

05

We Move Fast

We run 10–15 searches per year by design. That keeps us focused, responsive, and deeply engaged with every client. You will never feel like a number.

Ready to start?

Let’s talk about your CFO search before you need to.

Discuss Your CFO Search
Executive boardroom

10–15

Searches per year

CFO Only

Placement focus

Worldwide

Global reach

12 Months

Guarantee period

About CFOPlacement

Operator‑Led. Exclusively CFO. Globally Networked.

CFOPlacement is an operator‑led executive search firm built around a single belief: the quality of your CFO determines the quality of your company's next chapter. We exist to close that gap.

We run a deliberately small practice — 10 to 15 searches per year — so that every engagement receives our full attention. We do not take on work we are not confident we can complete. We do not present candidates we would not hire ourselves.

"Our firm is a subsidiary of Meridian Executive Search — a global search practice with deep networks across North America, Europe, the Middle East, and Asia."
A Meridian Executive Search Company CFO search, exclusively. Globally networked. Operator‑led.
Recent Work

Recent Placements

Client names are kept confidential. Outcomes shared with permission.

View All Placements
Clean Energy Series B

Series B CFO – Clean Energy Infrastructure

Placed an operational CFO with deep experience in project finance and government incentive structures to lead the financial strategy for a utility‑scale clean energy developer preparing for a Series B raise.

Outcome

Series B closed within 6 months of placement.

Fintech Scale‑Up

Operational CFO – Fintech Scale‑Up

Identified and placed a CFO with both regulatory and international expansion experience for a rapidly scaling fintech company navigating multi‑market licensing and preparing for institutional investment.

Outcome

Led $40M Series C process.

Cross‑Border Growth Equity

Cross‑Border CFO Placement

Placed a bilingual CFO with dual‑jurisdiction finance expertise for a cross‑border holding company managing assets across three emerging market countries and preparing for a strategic recapitalization.

Outcome

Recapitalization complete on schedule.

FAQ

Common
Questions

If you don't find your answer here, we welcome a direct conversation.

Ask a Question
How is CFOPlacement different from a generalist executive search firm?
We do one thing: CFO search. We don't place CEOs, CMOs, or COOs. This singular focus means our network is deeper, our evaluation criteria is more refined, and our pattern recognition is sharper. We have placed CFOs in more specific situations — cross‑border, blended finance, pre‑IPO, PE‑backed — than any generalist firm could replicate.
How long does CFO search typically take?
Our average timeline is 8–12 weeks from kickoff to accepted offer. That depends on role complexity, market conditions, and your process. We move quickly without sacrificing evaluation depth.
Is your fee structure contingency or retainer?
Retainer. We charge 25% of first‑year compensation — 25% at launch and 75% at placement. Success‑based and aligned with your outcome.
Do you place CFOs for cross‑border or emerging market companies?
Yes. Our network spans North America, Europe, the Middle East, and Asia. We place CFOs who have operated in multiple jurisdictions and understand regulatory and FX complexity.
Which industries do you serve?
We serve companies across sectors — fintech, clean energy, high‑growth SaaS, PE/VC‑backed, and cross‑border. Our focus is stage and context (inflection points) rather than industry silos.
Start the Conversation

Let's Discuss Your CFO Search

If you're raising capital, scaling operations, or entering new markets, we should talk. Most searches begin with a 30‑minute conversation.

Email

search@cfoplacement.com

Phone

+1 678 218 2492

Global Offices

Atlanta. London. Lagos

“We don't fill roles. We close gaps between where you are and where you need to be.”

We respond within one business day. All inquiries are strictly confidential.