Who Our Client Is

Our client is a real estate development company focused on residential land development. The company was formed in 2019 by two industry leaders with 75 years combined experience. Our client has quickly grown to be the industry leader in Central Florida. 

What They Want

Our client is seeking a Chief Financial Officer (CFO), a critical leadership position within their company, who will work closely with the company president and will be responsible for ensuring the financial health of the company. Key responsibilities include all finance and accounting activities, while managing financial business planning, budgeting, forecasting, and banking relations. The position also manages the company’s Human Resources function.    

The CFO is a senior leader who embodies the guiding principles of the company, while supporting both the president and senior management team with financial and business insights to elevate performance. The position also provides regular financial reporting to the Board of Directors and senior leadership team. 

What You’ll Do

Key Accountabilities:

• Manage the Company’s accounting and financial forecasting and reporting functions to ensure accurate and timely processing and reporting of financial information. Assure that the Company’s accounting policies and practices do not expose the Company to legitimate criticism, litigation, or loss.

• Monitor the Company’s projected cash flow to ensure working capital needs are met timely and cost-effectively.

• Manage the financing of the working capital requirements of company models including the management of all Bank Lines of Credit, overseeing the accounting and legal for the acquisition of lots and sale of model home properties.

• Oversee the accounting systems, and services provided to local operations. Identify opportunities for system enhancements to improve processes and/or information reporting. Ensure that training and billable accounting services provided to operations are provided timely and with adequate quality control oversight.

• Monitor the financial health of all operations and ensure compliance with market operating policies.

• Oversee and manage the work of the company Controller and continue to train and expand the role as you see fit.

• Oversee Human Resources functions for the Company, including making recommendations to the CEO for selection and administration of employee benefit plans.

• Make recommendations to the CEO for selection of commercial insurance programs for the Company. Monitor all activities relative to claims and premiums.

• Manage and train personnel to continually seek to enhance productivity and improve customer service. Promote teamwork and professional development of staff through effective communication and use of “Topgrading” system.

• Prepare and manage the Accounting Department budget.

Activities:

Manage the Company’s accounting and financial reporting functions to ensure accurate and timely processing and reporting of financial information. Ensure that:

• Company Consolidated Statcast is completed by 8th business day following month-end (except at year-end). Company balance sheets (and equity roll forward analysis) are completed by the 8th business day following month-end (except at year-end).
• Internal controls are adequate to prevent (or timely detect) unauthorized use or loss of Company assets.
• Information systems are updated: (1) enhance productivity (2) improve customer service (3) provide information to coincide with new management objectives or (4) respond to new accounting or tax rules, contractual commitments (including loan guarantees) and changes in operating agreements are identified and accounted for properly. External audit and tax returns are completed timely and cost-effectively.
• As may be applicable, complete in a timely manner all external reporting requirements to Company shareholders.
• Review and ensure tax reporting compliance in applicable states.

Monitor the Company’s projected cash flow to ensure working capital needs are met timely and cost-effectively. Ensure that:

• Cash projections are prepared regularly (by the 12th business day of each month) and can be relied upon for making capital allocation decisions.

Oversee the accounting systems, and services provided to field operators. Identify opportunities for system enhancements to improve processes and/or information reporting.

Develop an accounting training program for the ERP system and train a person in the accounting department to be responsible for all training of accounting personnel. Ensure that training and billable accounting services provided to market operators are provided timely and with adequate quality control oversight. Monitor the financial health of all operations and ensure compliance with company operating policies. Ensure that:

• Staff performing training and/or accounting services are competent.
• The accounting manual is updated and maintained on a current basis.
• Market operations are working in compliance with Required Operating Polices (use of accounting system, company payments etc.).
• Work with respective business leaders to ensure that all operators maintain up to date financial statements.

Oversee Human Resources functions for the Company, including making recommendations to the CEO for the selection and administration of employee benefit plans. Manage and motivate a Human Relations Manager. Ensure that:

• New employee orientation meetings are conducted for all new hires within 2 days of start date and employee personnel files are maintained confidentially.
• Payroll is processed timely and accurately.
• Confidential employee files are maintained.
• Employee handbook is updated for changes in Company policy and/or regulations
• Flexible Spending Account plans are administered efficiently and cost- effectively, including timely filing of Form 5500.
• 401(k) Plan is administered in compliance with applicable rules and regulations, including timely completion of audit and filing of Form 5500.

Monitor and select commercial insurance programs for the Company. Ensure that:

• Make recommendations to the CEO for general liability and property insurance for the Company. Monitor workers compensation costs and identify opportunities for minimizing costs (based on review of classification codes and safety policies/procedures).
• Coordinate builders’ risk insurance program available to market operators. Provide timely and accurate reporting to insurance company.

Manage and train personnel to continually seek to enhance productivity and improve customer service. Promote teamwork and professional development of staff through effective communication and use of “Topgrading” system. Ensure that:

• Identify specific opportunities for productivity enhancements and/or customer service improvements and incorporate them into quarterly commitments.
• Encourage personal and professional development of staff through regular meetings, ABC reviews, and identification of education & training resources.
• Promote teamwork through regular meetings and cross-training of staff.
• Continuously evaluate staffing needs and overall organizational structure to maximize productivity and effectiveness of staff.

Prepare and manage department budget.

• Continuously strive to improve our accounting systems and software.

What You’ll Need

• Bachelor’s degree in finance or accounting (strongly preferred); MBA or master’s degree (preferred).
• 10-plus years of experience collaborating on developing and executing business strategies with executive teams and boards while leading the financial, operational, and administrative aspects of companies ranging from Mid-Cap to start-ups.
• 7-plus years of experience in the homebuilding, real estate development and/or property management industries.
• Senior level financial leadership experience at a headquarters/corporate level, managing enterprise-wide accounting, budgeting and financial requirements and initiatives.
• Executive level leadership experience with the ease and ability to lead, partner and operate at the C-suite and board levels.
• Experience and familiarity with real estate sales, development and CDD processes.
• Strong work ethic, with the desire and ability to get “into the weeds” and make things happen.
• Financial forecasting experience (3-5-10 year lookout)
• Financial modeling experience
• Excellent communication skills (oral and written) with peers, board advisors, board of directors, direct reports, etc.
• Good leadership and management skills to recruit, hire and develop a strong finance team for present and future needs/opportunities.