Chief Financial Officer in NYC-based Family Office & Private Investment Firm

CFO based in New York

The Client
Our client is an established family office and private investment firm based in New York, NY. The firm, founded in 1925, is one of the investment community’s most experienced merchant banking firms, operating in principal investing and advisory services. The family, which has a long and rich history, created and operates an innovative and enduring enterprise that has achieved substantial business and financial success while remaining true to family values instilled through the generations. The family’s primary areas of operations are advisory services, credit investments, real estate and private equity. The primary mission of the office is to serve the financial, accounting, tax, risk management and administrative interests of this multigenerational family and their affiliated operating entities. The family office serves a broad spectrum of family clients, spanning four generations.

The Opportunity
The CFO position offers a distinctive opportunity to assume responsibility for leading the financial function for the family’s private investment firm, family office and affiliated entities. The ideal candidate will possess technical expertise in tax, accounting, financial management and reporting, private investments and risk management, combined with a broad understanding of family office services, operations and best practices.

The CFO will partner with the Executive Committee to determine the strategic financial goals and priorities for the office today and in the future. The CFO will serve as the senior financial expert and will be responsible for transforming and overseeing the financial function infrastructure and operations to become an institutional quality platform. The ideal candidate will have strong leadership, relationship management and advisory skills and will instill the confidence and credibility needed to become a trusted advisor to the family and affiliate investment entities.

Location
New York, NY

Reports to
Executive Committee

The Position

Key Responsibilities:

• Serve as a member of the leadership team and collaborate to develop the strategic vision and goals for the family office and financial function; provide timely data and insight to drive strategic decision-making.
• Ensure best practices in accounting, tax, compliance, operations, and financial systems; oversee accurate reporting and data quality for all assets and entities.
• Lead financial planning, reporting, budgeting, tax, treasury, payroll and risk management functions for the firm and affiliate entities.
• Leverage technology to build scalable processes, ensure security and compliance, and manage all financial platforms and databases.
• Provide leadership to financial function staff; hire, mentor, and develop a high-performing, client-focused team.
• Work with external advisors on tax, estate, and wealth transfer planning; provide strategic advice and oversight.
• Support investment decision-making and due diligence; manage capital calls, distributions, and reporting across investment entities.
• Coordinate investment structuring, compliance, banking relationships, and tax-efficient planning.
• Present quarterly and annual financial reviews; develop and oversee long-term financial plans and capital strategies.
• Oversee risk management planning and implementation across family and entity operations.
• Support business interactions between family and affiliate entities, including cash flow and relationship structuring.
• Build trusted relationships across generations; serve as advisor and thinking partner to the family.
• Stay current on family office best practices and market developments; identify strategic opportunities.
• Manage external advisors and service providers; evaluate performance and negotiate agreements.
• Communicate complex financial concepts clearly; provide actionable insights and strategic recommendations.
• Represent the family with professionalism, confidentiality and integrity in all settings.

The Ideal Candidate

Qualifications:

• Undergraduate degree in accounting or related field required; CPA strongly preferred; advanced degree (MBA, LLM, JD) desirable.
• Minimum 20 years of relevant experience in family office or financial services, including public accounting foundation.
• Deep knowledge of tax, investment partnership accounting, and financial reporting for HNW individuals and complex structures.
• Experience working with multigenerational families and sophisticated private investments.
• Proven CFO leadership record; capable of building and scaling an institutional-grade financial platform.
• Disciplined, process-oriented approach; strong problem-solving and project management skills.
• Broad understanding of all areas of wealth management and asset classes, including alternatives and direct investments.
• Strong business, investment and advisory capabilities; effective in explaining implications and trade-offs of financial decisions.
• Tech-savvy with demonstrated experience using systems to improve performance and efficiency.
• High analytical capability with clarity in synthesizing complex data into actionable insights.
• Experienced in attracting and retaining high-performing talent; able to lead through influence and collaboration.
• Strategic thinker with practical execution capabilities; able to anticipate and respond with value-added solutions.
• Excellent communication, interpersonal and presentation skills; clear, consultative, and credible with multiple stakeholders.
• Proactive, accountable, and resilient team player; exhibits confidence with humility and calm under pressure.
• Client-service orientation with strong personal integrity, trustworthiness, and loyalty.
• Mature judgment, sound decision-making, and dedication to family-first service principles.
• Strong professional presence and gravitas; capable of representing the family at the highest levels.

Compensation:
An industry competitive package will be offered, including a comprehensive benefits plan.