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 & PlanningServe as the outsourced CFO for an assigned portfolio of CAS clients, acting as their primary strategic financial advisorDevelop and maintain client budgets, cash flow forecasts, and long-range financial projectionsBuild and refine financial models to support client decision-making around growth, hiring, capital expenditures, and pricingEstablish and monitor KPIs and financial dashboards tailored to each client’s industry and goalsAdvise clients on cash management, working capital optimization, and debt structuringClient Reporting & CommunicationPrepare and present monthly or quarterly financial reporting packages to client owners, leadership teams and board of directorsTranslate complex financial data into clear, actionable insights for non-financial stakeholdersLead recurring financial review meetings with clients, identifying trends, risks and opportunitiesProvide ad hoc financial analysis and scenario planning as client needs ariseCoordination with Firm Service TeamsCollaborate with the firm’s CAS staff to ensure accuracy and timeliness of client financialsPartner with tax professionals to align advisory recommendations with tax planning strategiesCoordinate with payroll team and third-party payroll providers on compensation analysis, payroll tax compliance, and benefits planningServe as the escalation point for complex accounting or financial questions from the CAS teamTransaction & Growth AdvisorySupport clients through major financial events including M&A due diligence, business valuations and exit planningAssist with loan applications, banking relationships and lender reporting requirementsGuide clients through succession planning and ownership transitionsEvaluate and advise on new business opportunities, market expansion and strategic partnershipsPractice Development & Client RetentionIdentify opportunities to expand advisory services within existing client relationshipsContribute to the development of the firm’s fractional CFO service offering, including engagement templates, pricing structures and deliverable standardsParticipate in client proposals, prospect meetings and thought leadership efforts to support firm growthProvide feedback to CAS leadership on client needs and service gapsRequired 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 simultaneouslyStrong command of financial modeling, forecasting, budgeting, and data-driven decision-makingAbility to manage a portfolio of client relationships and adapt communication style to diverse audiencesExcellent executive presence with the ability to advise business owners, C-suite executives, and boardsFamiliarity with CAS workflows, monthly close processes, and cloud-based accounting platformsProficiency 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