Your Finance Executive Search Firm Partner

Is your next CFO hire keeping you up at night? Finding the right Chief Financial Officer, VP Finance, Controller, or FP&A leader can make or break your company’s next growth phase. One wrong hire costs an average of $2.4 million and 18 months of lost momentum—but the right finance executive becomes your strategic partner for sustainable growth.

At Herd Freed Hartz, we’ve mastered the art and science of finance executive search across the Pacific Northwest. Whether you need a CFO who can navigate IPO readiness, a VP Finance skilled in venture capital relationships, or a Controller who understands complex compliance requirements, our proven methodology connects you with leaders who deliver results from day one.

Ready to stop worrying and start growing? Here’s how we find finance executives who don’t just fill seats—they transform businesses.

Finding the Right CFO Talent for the Northwest

At Herd Freed Hartz, we specialize in helping Northwest companies recruit top-tier Chief Financial Officers and VP Finance leaders who go beyond the numbers. In today’s business environment, CFOs are no longer just financial stewards—they’re strategic partners driving growth, digital transformation, and investor confidence. According to Deloitte’s 2024 CFO Signals survey, over 60% of CFOs report that strategy and transformation are now core parts of their role. With this expanded mandate, the right hire isn’t just about financial acumen—it’s about vision, leadership, and adaptability.

What Makes CFO Searches Unique

Hiring a CFO is one of the most critical decisions a company will make—especially in the Northwest, where fast-growing companies must balance innovation with sound financial management. Unlike other executive roles, the CFO must have credibility across a wide range of stakeholders, from the boardroom to the bank. They must be able to lead fundraising efforts, manage risk, implement scalable systems, and often, prepare for IPO or M&A. Each CFO search we lead is tailored to your company’s specific growth stage, industry demands, and leadership dynamics—because no two CFOs (or companies) are alike. Landing the right CFO for Evident Alliance required typical CFO savvy but also the right culture fit for this dental support organization.

Trends Shaping CFO Hiring Today

The expectations for modern CFOs are shifting fast. A recent study highlights that 73% of companies are seeking CFOs with operational experience, and nearly 50% prioritize candidates with strong technology and data analytics skills. Many of today’s most successful CFOs didn’t come up through traditional accounting paths—they may have backgrounds in investment banking, consulting, or even engineering. This evolution means that assessing leadership agility and cross-functional expertise is now just as important as understanding GAAP.  Recruiting the right CFO for Les Schwab required finding the right balance of CFO skills, culture fit and understanding of consumer & retail trends.

Deep Industry Expertise Drives Better CFO Matches

Every industry presents unique financial challenges, and generic CFO experience doesn’t always translate. In manufacturing and industrial companies, CFOs must master supply chain finance and working capital optimization while implementing ERP systems that support lean operations. The financial complexities are vastly different from technology and SaaS companies, where CFOs need to excel at recurring revenue models, unit economics, and venture capital relationships—often while scaling subscription businesses at breakneck speed.

Healthcare and life sciences CFOs face an entirely different landscape, navigating regulatory compliance, clinical trial funding, and complex reimbursement models while maintaining deep understanding of FDA processes and healthcare economics. Consumer and retail leaders, meanwhile, must grasp omnichannel complexity, inventory management, and seasonal cash flow patterns—often while managing private label operations and rapid expansion strategies.

Real estate and construction CFOs operate in project-based environments requiring specialized knowledge of development finance and construction lending, plus the ability to manage multiple stakeholder relationships across complex capital structures. Non-profit and mission-driven organizations need CFOs experienced with fund development, grant management, and outcome measurement—leaders who excel at board relations and transparent financial reporting that demonstrates impact alongside financial performance.

This industry depth matters because the best CFO for a venture-backed SaaS company may be completely wrong for a established manufacturing firm. Our sector expertise means we don’t just find qualified CFOs—we find CFOs who understand your specific business model, regulatory environment, and growth challenges from day one.

Best Practices for Recruiting Finance Leaders

Hiring a CFO isn’t just a search—it’s a strategic process. We blend financial acumen with people insight to identify candidates who are both qualified and culturally aligned. The average tenure of a CFO is just 4.7 years, underscoring the importance of long-term fit. That’s why we emphasize deep discovery upfront, rigorous candidate vetting, and transparent communication with our clients throughout the search. Our methodology is designed to de-risk the hiring process and ensure you land a leader who can thrive and deliver impact.  On a nationwide executive search for a SVP Finance for Columbia Distributing there was a need for financial savvy, private equity level Board interaction mixed with a unique family culture.

Why Companies Partner with Herd Freed Hartz

We’ve helped a wide range of Northwest companies—from venture-backed startups to established mid-market firms—secure the CFO leadership they need to scale confidently. Clients trust us because we’re not only experts in executive search, but also invested in the long-term health of the regional business community. Our approach is equal parts analytical and human—rooted in data, shaped by experience, and driven by genuine partnership. We make the process engaging, insightful, and yes—even enjoyable. Because great recruiting isn’t just about resumes—it’s about relationships.