Category: Hiring
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How to Screen an AI-Native CFO Resume: Real Signals vs Noise
TL;DR: Most 2026 CFO resumes now have an “AI” section. Almost none of it is real. The signals that matter are shipped workflows another team member still uses, verification discipline against source docs, and specific opinions on what NOT to automate. Below is a signal-vs-noise table, five red flags, five…
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Retained vs Contingency vs DIY: The Finance Executive Recruiter Playbook (And How Fees Actually Work)
TL;DR: Retained search costs 33% of first-year OTE and is worth it above $300K OTE or when the search is confidential. Contingency costs 20% to 25% of first-year base and works fine for controllers and FP&A managers under $250K. Fees are negotiable more often than recruiters admit. Below is how…
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Interviewing an AI-Native FP&A Analyst: 15 Questions That Actually Predict Fit
TL;DR: Most FP&A interview questions still test for pedigree and Excel trivia. Neither predicts fit in 2026. Below are 15 questions I use to screen AI-native FP&A analysts, each with the reason it works, a strong-answer signal, and a weak-answer signal. Plus a live exercise, questions to skip, and the…
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The AI-Native Finance Team: 2026 Job Descriptions for CFO, FP&A Manager, and Controller
TL;DR: Your 2019 finance job descriptions are actively hurting your 2026 hiring. “Advanced Excel” as the skill ceiling, “attention to detail” as a headline trait, and PowerPoint-first deliverables all filter out the exact candidates you want. Below are three ready-to-use JDs (CFO, FP&A Manager, Controller) written for how a finance…
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When to Hire a CFO: Fractional, Full-Time, or Interim (A Decision Framework)
TL;DR: Hire a fractional CFO when revenue is between $2M and $15M and finance runs on QuickBooks plus a shared drive. Bring in an interim CFO when a full-timer just left mid-close or you are 60 days from a diligence request. Hire a full-time CFO when you are above $20M…
The Pragmatic CFO 