CFO Advisory Consultant

This role sits within Ascend's Client Accounting and Advisory Services practice, which delivers outsourced finance support ranging from general ledger accounting through to CFO-level advisory. The consultant acts as a trusted outsourced CFO for a dedicated client portfolio, translating financial data into forward-looking strategic guidance across four industry verticals: Professional Services, Real Estate and Construction, Technology and Manufacturing, and High Net Worth Individuals.

Working in a hybrid model from Kirkland, Washington, the consultant collaborates with both client leadership teams and internal global account teams, balancing virtual and on-site engagement. The position reports directly to the Principal, Director of Client Accounting and Advisory Services, and supports pre-acquisition diligence and systems evaluation alongside ongoing advisory mandates.

• Act as outsourced CFO for a dedicated client portfolio, providing strategic guidance to ownership and leadership teams
• Lead forecasting, budgeting, and cash-flow strategy to support real-time client decision-making
• Build KPI dashboards and reporting using tools such as Reach Reporting to convert financial data into actionable insight
• Analyse income statements, balance sheets, and cash-flow statements to identify trends, risks, and opportunities
• Advise clients on accounting best practices, process improvements, and systems evaluation and implementation
• Support pre-sale and pre-acquisition diligence and lead change management through client growth or operational transitions

• Bachelor's degree in accounting or finance
• Minimum eight years of progressive experience, including at least three years in public accounting audit and three years in a private-industry Controller or senior finance role
• Demonstrated experience operating at or near CFO level, covering strategic planning, scenario analysis, and executive communication
• Strong working knowledge of GAAP and financial reporting standards
• Proven ability to manage multiple client relationships simultaneously with strong organisational and prioritisation skills
• CPA designation preferred; CMA designation is a plus

Ascend is a private-equity-backed platform, supported by Alpine Investors, that partners with regional accounting firms to help them grow while remaining independent. It provides access to growth capital, talent acquisition, technology, AI tools, and shared back-office services, enabling member firms to reach their full potential. Sweeney Conrad is one such member firm operating under the Ascend platform.