Fractional CFO

At Lucida, we're more than just a full-service accounting firm; we're a community of over 100 professionals across four locations, dedicated to providing exceptional service. As a proud member of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants, Wisconsin Institute of Certified Public Accountants, and the National Association of Certified Valuation Analysts, we specialize in supporting closely held companies in diverse sectors including healthcare, real estate, construction, manufacturing, the arts, and more.

Our mission is to simplify complexities for our clients, offering a collaborative environment that fosters innovative strategies and operational excellence.

As a Fractional CFO you will be embedded within our CAS practice, serving as a strategic financial advisor to a portfolio of the firm’s clients. This is a client-facing role—you will act as an extension of our firm, delivering CFO-level insight and guidance to business owners and leadership teams who do not have (or do not need) a full-time CFO. You will work closely with our internal CAS, tax, and payroll teams to ensure clients receive seamless, integrated financial leadership experience.

Duties/Responsibilities:

Financial Strategy & Planning

• Serve as the outsourced CFO for an assigned portfolio of CAS clients, acting as their primary strategic financial advisor
• Develop and maintain client budgets, cash flow forecasts, and long-range financial projections
• Build and refine financial models to support client decision-making around growth, hiring, capital expenditures, and pricing
• Establish and monitor KPIs and financial dashboards tailored to each client’s industry and goals
• Advise clients on cash management, working capital optimization, and debt structuring

Client Reporting & Communication

• Prepare and present monthly or quarterly financial reporting packages to client owners, leadership teams and board of directors
• Translate complex financial data into clear, actionable insights for non-financial stakeholders
• Lead recurring financial review meetings with clients, identifying trends, risks and opportunities
• Provide ad hoc financial analysis and scenario planning as client needs arise

Coordination with Firm Service Teams

• Collaborate with the firm’s CAS staff to ensure accuracy and timeliness of client financials
• Partner with tax professionals to align advisory recommendations with tax planning strategies
• Coordinate with payroll team and third-party payroll providers on compensation analysis, payroll tax compliance, and benefits planning
• Serve as the escalation point for complex accounting or financial questions from the CAS team

Transaction & Growth Advisory

• Support clients through major financial events including M&A due diligence, business valuations and exit planning
• Assist with loan applications, banking relationships and lender reporting requirements
• Guide clients through succession planning and ownership transitions
• Evaluate and advise on new business opportunities, market expansion and strategic partnerships

Practice Development & Client Retention

• Identify opportunities to expand advisory services within existing client relationships
• Contribute to the development of the firm’s fractional CFO service offering, including engagement templates, pricing structures and deliverable standards
• Participate in client proposals, prospect meetings and thought leadership efforts to support firm growth
• Provide feedback to CAS leadership on client needs and service gaps

Required Skills/Abilities:

• Expertise in financial management in a variety of industries, strategic planning, and corporate finance.
• Proficient in tax law, GAAP, and IRS regulations.
• Proven experience delivering services to multiple clients simultaneously
• Strong command of financial modeling, forecasting, budgeting, and data-driven decision-making
• Ability to manage a portfolio of client relationships and adapt communication style to diverse audiences
• Excellent executive presence with the ability to advise business owners, C-suite executives, and boards
• Familiarity with CAS workflows, monthly close processes, and cloud-based accounting platforms
• Proficiency in using financial software, ERP systems, and Microsoft Office, as well as familiarity with accounting-specific software.
• Strong analytical, negotiation, and communication skills.
• Ability to lead, inspire, and manage teams effectively.

Education and Experience:

• Certified Public Accountant (CPA) or similar qualifications is highly preferred.
• 10+ years of progressive financial leadership experience, with at least 3 years in a CFO, VP of Finance, or Controller capacity