Job Type: Full-time

Acclime is looking for a dynamic leader to join as CFO within our Virtual CFO Services line.The role holds primary day-to-day leadership of Acclime’s Virtual CFO client portfolio in Australia and is accountable for the quality, commerciality and profitability of CFO engagements across a portfolio of SME groups, family offices and high net worth family businesses, and for leading the onshore and offshore delivery teams that support them.The role is the senior client-facing owner of delivery. It carries the relationship, technical and team leadership responsibilities of a Partner-level engagement lead, without carrying service line strategy, group representation or service line P&L; ownership, which remain with the Service Line Lead. It is a deliberate succession and capacity role: freeing service line leadership to focus on growth, integration and new market development, while ensuring existing clients experience no reduction in seniority or continuity.Key Responsibilities:Act as the primary relationship owner for a portfolio of Virtual CFO clients, including the group’s largest and most complex engagementsHold the CFO seat for clients — attend board and management meetings, present financial performance, and provide commercial recommendations to owners, boards and management teamsOwn the annual engagement cycle for each client: scoping, budgeting, reporting calendar, board pack cadence and review pointsAnticipate client needs and issues ahead of them arising, maintaining the proactive engagement standard the portfolio is built onManage escalations and sensitive client matters, engaging the Service Line Lead only where the matter warrants it2. Technical & Advisory DeliveryOversee delivery of core CFO outputs: management reporting and board packs, three-way financial models, budgets, rolling forecasts, cash flow and working capital management, and KPI/performance reportingLead client financing and banking workstreams, including facility reviews, term sheet analysis, covenant monitoring and lender relationshipsProvide commercial input on structuring, remuneration and incentive design, shareholder and governance arrangements, and succession planning, coordinating specialist input from Tax, Corporate Advisory and legal referral partnersSupport transaction activity across the portfolio — due diligence, financial modelling, earn-out and completion mechanics — in conjunction with the Corporate Advisory service lineMaintain technical currency across Australian accounting, tax and corporate compliance matters relevant to privately held groupsLead delivery of the full function finance team model across the portfolio — CFO, financial controller and treasury, data and analysis, payroll and bookkeepingDirect the Pune-based delivery pods supporting the portfolio: allocation, capacity planning, quality control, escalation and career development,



in partnership with the India operations leadershipOwn the onshore/offshore work split for each engagement to protect both client outcomes and engagement marginDrive adoption of the standard technology stack and workflow automation across the portfolio, and identify processes suited to automation or AI-enabled deliveryMaintain and improve standard templates, working papers and delivery procedures so that engagements are repeatable and transferable between team membersAccountable for revenue, margin and recoverability across the client portfolioSet and negotiate fees, prepare engagement letters and scope variations, and manage scope creep and out-of-scope workMonitor and manage WIP, lock-up, billing and debtor outcomes for the portfolioManage team utilisation and resourcing to meet portfolio commitmentsContribute to service line budgeting and forecasting, and provide the portfolio-level input the Service Line Lead requires for planningPeople Leadership & Capability BuildingLead, mentor and develop Senior Managers, Managers, Controllers and Analysts across onshore and offshore teamsOwn workflow allocation, review standards and turnaround expectations across the delivery teamBuild depth beneath the role so that client relationships are held by more than one person, and support progression aligned with Acclime job levelling and career pathwaysSupport performance reviews, remuneration discussions and talent decisions in collaboration with the Service Line Lead and People & CultureFoster a high performance, inclusive and values driven culture across a distributed teamEnsure engagements comply with professional standards, independence requirements, regulatory obligations and internal policiesProvide final technical review on client deliverables issued from the portfolio, including advice provided verbally in board and management settingsApply appropriate scope, reliance and disclaimer positions on valuation, forecast and advisory outputsMonitor legislative and compliance change affecting portfolio clients and ensure the team responds proactivelyAct as first escalation point for high risk or sensitive client matters, referring to the Service Line Lead where the matter carries firm-level risk7. Business Development & Group ContributionOriginate new Virtual CFO engagements, building and owning a client book alongside the portfolio held on behalf of the service lineDevelop and maintain referral relationshipsConvert opportunity within the existing portfolio through additional services and scope, including introductions to Acclime Tax, Corporate Services, Corporate Advisory,



Funds and R&DCapture; and convert inbound referrals from other Acclime business unitsLead scoping, pricing, proposals and pitches for self-originated opportunities, and support those led by the Service Line LeadRepresent the practice at client forums, industry events and professional networksContribute to service line initiatives across Australia and New Zealand, including integration, offshoring and automation projectsWhat are we looking for?3 -5 years in-house CFO or Financial Controller experience alongside a professional services background12+ years’ experience across business advisory, virtual/outsourced CFO, or senior commercial finance rolesDemonstrated experience at senior leadership level or a Senior Manager ready to step up with evidence of holding client relationships independentlyProven ability to hold the CFO relationship with business owners, boards and family groups, and to present and defend a commercial position in the roomStrong financial modelling capability, including three-way models, scenario analysis and forecastingCommercial acumen with demonstrated responsibility for engagement or portfolio revenue, margin and recoverabilityProven ability to lead, develop and retain high performing teamsEstablished referral relationships within the professional and financial services marketDemonstrated ability to originate new work — converting personal networks and referral relationships into fee-paying engagementsExperience leading or working with offshore delivery teamsExperience with SME groups, family offices and high net worth family businesses, including intergenerational and succession dynamicsExposure to complex structuring, transactions, debt and equity raising, and business sale readinessStrong systems capability across cloud accounting, financial modelling and reporting platforms, and an appetite for automation and AI-enabled workflowQualifications & Professional MembershipsTertiary qualification in Accounting, Commerce, Business or a related disciplineCA ANZ or CPA Australia membership — preferredCommitment to ongoing professional developmentWhat do we offer:Be part of a global and expanding company with ample growth opportunities, career development and the chance to build a meaningful networkFlexible work arrangements that empower you to perform at your bestWork on a portfolio of clients spanning across various industries and growth stagesPlay a key role in shaping and expanding the Virtual CFO offering, mentoring team members and contributing to business growthWork alongside an established onshore and Pune-based delivery team, allowing you to focus on the CFO relationship and high-value advisory workA competitive base salary, with additional reward for originating new clientsAccess to a modern cloud technology stack and ongoing investment in automation and AI-enabled deliveryExposure to transactions, capital raising, structuring and succession matters, supported by Acclime’s Tax, Corporate Advisory, R&D; and Funds specialists

📌 CFO – Virtual CFO Services (Melbourne)
🏢 Acclime
📍 Melbourne