Interim CFO / Director of Finance

CFS is placing an experienced interim finance leader with a mid-sized Portland organisation to conduct a structured review of its accounting department. The engagement is hands-on and observational: the consultant will sit alongside the existing team, map current workflows across AP/AR, month-end close, approvals, and financial reporting, and surface inefficiencies or unnecessary complexity. The schedule runs Monday to Friday, approximately 7:30 AM to 4:00 PM, with an initial onsite requirement and the potential for a hybrid arrangement as the engagement matures.

Beyond process assessment, the consultant will provide direct coaching and support to the incumbent Controller, partner with the COO on progress reviews and target-setting, and deliver a clear-eyed view on the organisation's longer-term finance structure and staffing needs. The engagement is interim and project-based in nature.

• Assess the accounting department's structure, workload allocation, and overall effectiveness across all key functions.
• Review AP/AR, month-end close, approval workflows, and financial reporting processes to identify inefficiencies and unnecessary complexity.
• Provide hands-on coaching and leadership support to the existing Controller.
• Partner with the COO on target-setting, progress tracking, and recommendations for next steps.
• Identify redundant or over-engineered processes and recommend practical, actionable improvements.
• Evaluate longer-term staffing and organisational needs within the finance function and present findings to leadership.

• Prior experience serving as an interim CFO, Controller, or senior finance leader within a mid-sized or larger organisation.
• Strong working knowledge of accounting processes including close, AP/AR, approvals, and financial review.
• Demonstrated ability to assess an existing operation quickly and deliver practical recommendations.
• Strong coaching and communication skills, with the ability to support and empower an existing team member.
• Advanced Microsoft Excel proficiency; NetSuite experience is a plus.
• CPA designation and experience spanning both accounting operations and financial analysis are advantageous.

CFS is a specialist staffing and placement firm focused on accounting and finance professionals. The firm partners with organisations across a range of industries to source interim, contract, and permanent finance talent, including senior and executive-level engagements at mid-sized and larger businesses.