Chief Financial Officer

Job Title: Chief Financial Officer

Job Description

The Chief Financial Officer will lead and rebuild the accounting and finance function for a growing wholesale distribution organization, transforming financial operations from reactive to proactive and scalable. This role oversees all core financial activities, including accounts receivable and accounts payable, financial reporting, budgeting, forecasting, and cash flow management, while providing strategic financial leadership aligned with the company’s growth objectives. The CFO will design and implement robust processes, controls, and reporting structures, partner closely with senior leadership to guide business decisions through data-driven financial insights, and gradually build and mentor a high-performing finance team.

Responsibilities

• Lead and rebuild the accounting and finance function, establishing a modern, scalable financial infrastructure.
• Oversee day-to-day AR and AP operations, ensuring accuracy, timeliness, and strong internal controls.
• Develop and implement scalable accounting processes, policies, and controls to support growth and operational excellence.
• Design and maintain effective financial reporting structures that provide clear, timely visibility into business performance.
• Transition the organization from reactive to proactive financial management, introducing forward-looking tools and practices.
• Provide strategic financial leadership that aligns with company growth goals and long-term business objectives.
• Manage financial reporting, including preparation, review, and communication of monthly, quarterly, and annual results.
• Lead budgeting and forecasting processes, including building models, setting targets, and monitoring performance against plan.
• Oversee cash flow management, ensuring adequate liquidity, optimizing working capital, and supporting investment decisions.
• Identify opportunities to streamline workflows and improve operational efficiency across finance and accounting functions.
• Partner with organizational leadership to support key business decisions with robust financial analysis and insights.
• Perform hands-on accounting and finance work when necessary, including general ledger oversight, journal entries, and month-end close activities.
• Establish and refine month-end close procedures to ensure timely, accurate financial statements and management reports.
• Build and implement financial planning and analysis capabilities to support scenario planning and performance management.
• Develop and maintain systems and processes that strengthen financial operations, reporting, and compliance.
• Recruit, manage, and mentor future accounting and finance team members as the organization grows.
• Foster a culture of continuous improvement within the finance function, emphasizing efficiency, accuracy, and transparency.
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams to align financial plans with operational realities in a wholesale distribution environment.

Essential Skills

• 10+ years of progressive experience in accounting and finance leadership roles.
• Prior experience serving as a Chief Financial Officer or equivalent senior finance leader in a growing organization.
• Strong background in wholesale distribution, with seafood or food distribution experience highly preferred.
• Proven track record of building or restructuring accounting functions and financial departments.
• Deep understanding of financial operations, including accounts receivable, accounts payable, and cash flow management.
• Expertise in developing and implementing process improvements and financial systems to support scalable growth.
• Ability to operate effectively both strategically and tactically in a lean environment, including hands-on work when needed.
• Strong proficiency in finance and accounting, including general ledger management, month-end close, and journal entries.
• Experience with budgeting, forecasting, and financial planning and analysis (FP&A).
• Advanced skills in financial reporting and management reporting, with the ability to translate complex data into clear insights.
• Demonstrated ability to partner with leadership and support business decisions with data-driven financial analysis.
• CPA certification preferred.

Additional Skills & Qualifications

• Experience leading finance functions in wholesale distribution, particularly seafood or food distribution, is highly advantageous.
• History of successfully transforming financial processes from reactive to proactive, including implementing new controls and reporting structures.
• Comfort working in a lean, hands-on environment while building out longer-term infrastructure and team capacity.
• Strong change management skills, with the ability to guide an organization through financial process and system upgrades.
• Excellent communication skills, with the ability to present financial information clearly to both financial and non-financial stakeholders.
• Demonstrated leadership and mentoring abilities, with experience hiring, developing, and retaining finance and accounting professionals.
• Strategic mindset combined with operational discipline, capable of balancing long-term planning with day-to-day execution.

Work Environment

The role offers flexibility, with the option to work remotely or relocate, depending on candidate preference and business needs. The typical on-site schedule is five days per week, Monday through Friday, from approximately 6:45 a.m. to 2:00 p.m., with work continuing through lunch, resulting in shorter working days. The environment is relaxed and collaborative, reflecting a long-established business with roughly two decades of history in supplying fresh seafood across the Eastern Shore and Chesapeake Bay area. The finance leader will work closely with operations in a wholesale distribution setting, supporting a culture that values reliability, efficiency, and continuous improvement while maintaining a practical, down-to-earth atmosphere.

This is a Contract to Hire position based out of Grasonville, MD.

The pay range for this position is $48.08 - $72.11/hr.

Eligibility requirements apply to some benefits and may depend on your job classification and length of employment. Benefits are subject to change and may be subject to specific elections, plan, or program terms. If eligible, the benefits available for this temporary role may include the following:
• Medical, dental & vision
• Critical Illness, Accident, and Hospital
• 401(k) Retirement Plan – Pre-tax and Roth post-tax contributions available
• Life Insurance (Voluntary Life & AD&D for the employee and dependents)
• Short and long-term disability
• Health Spending Account (HSA)
• Transportation benefits
• Employee Assistance Program
• Time Off/Leave (PTO, Vacation or Sick Leave)

This is a fully remote position.

This position is anticipated to close on Jul 1, 2026.

About Aston Carter

Aston Carter provides world-class corporate talent solutions to thousands of clients across the globe. Specialized in accounting, finance, human resources, talent acquisition, procurement, supply chain and select administrative professions, we extend the capabilities of industry-leading companies. We draw on our deep recruiting expertise and expansive network to meet the evolving needs of our clients and talent community with agility and excellence. With offices across the U.S., Canada, Asia Pacific and Europe, Aston Carter serves many of the Fortune 500. We are proud to be a ClearlyRated Best of Staffing® Platinum Award winner for both client and talent service.

The company is an equal opportunity employer and will consider all applications without regard to race, sex, age, color, religion, national origin, veteran status, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic information or any characteristic protected by law.

If you would like to request a reasonable accommodation, such as the modification or adjustment of the job application process or interviewing process due to a disability, please email astoncarteraccommodation@astoncarter.com for other accommodation options.

San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance: Pursuant to the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance, for all positions located in the city and county of San Francisco, we will consider for employment qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records.

Massachusetts Lie Detector: It is unlawful in Massachusetts to require or administer a lie detector test as a condition of employment or continued employment. An employer who violates this law shall be subject to criminal penalties and civil liability.

Use of Artificial Intelligence (AI): We may use Artificial Intelligence (AI) to support parts of our hiring process, including sourcing, screening, and evaluating candidates. AI helps assess applications and qualifications, but final decisions are made by our hiring team. By applying, you acknowledge and agree that your application may be reviewed using AI tools.