Executive Search for Finance Roles
Executive Search for Finance Leaders
A CFO is only as strong as the people responsible for the close, the forecast and cash flow.
Book a consultationFinance Executive Search with NAKAMA
NAKAMA EUROPE recruits finance leaders and specialists, from finance directors and heads of finance to experts in controlling, FP&A, accounting, tax and treasury. We conduct searches across Europe in English and German for companies, including private equity-backed businesses.
Founder Claudia Wulf has more than twelve years of hands-on experience in finance and accounting. This background helps us assess candidates’ technical expertise and ability to deliver results beyond what their CVs reveal.
The finance roles we fill
- Finance Director and Head of Finance. Depending on the company’s structure, overall responsibility for the finance function or responsibility for key finance functions reporting to the CFO.
- Controlling and FP&A. Heads of controlling, FP&A and business controlling responsible for planning, forecasts and financial analysis to support management decisions.
- Accounting and consolidation. Heads of accounting, group accounting and consolidation under local GAAP and IFRS.
- Tax and treasury. Leadership and specialist roles in tax, treasury, cash management and financing.
- Audit, risk and compliance. Internal audit, risk management and compliance, both finance-related and company-wide.
- Finance transformation. Leaders responsible for ERP implementations, finance process improvement and the digitalisation of the finance function.
- Specialist roles. Senior controllers, FP&A managers, group accountants, tax managers, treasury managers and specialists in group financial reporting.
How we assess technical quality
A CV alone rarely shows whether a head of controlling primarily reports the numbers or uses them to develop clear recommendations for the business. In interviews, we ask how their analysis informed decisions, what action followed and what results were achieved.
A job title alone does not demonstrate technical expertise. Depending on the role, we explore financial close processes, the entities covered by group consolidation, approaches to planning and forecasting, tax matters and finance systems. We focus on what candidates were personally responsible for and the problems they solved.
Building and restructuring finance teams
Sometimes the brief involves building or restructuring an entire finance team, for example following an acquisition or carve-out, or when establishing a new entity.
We define how the key roles will work together, with clear responsibilities and complementary expertise across accounting, consolidation and controlling. This helps us build a team with the capabilities the CFO and the business need.
If several roles need to be filled at the same time, Recruiting as a Service may be a better fit. We discuss this during our initial conversation.
Search process and fees
The search follows the four steps of our Executive Search. The CFO role itself has its own page: CFO Executive Search.
We work exclusively on a retained basis on behalf of the client and invoice in three stages linked to agreed milestones: a kick-off fee when the assignment is commissioned, a shortlist fee when candidates are presented, and a placement fee when the employment contract is signed.
The shortlist contains at least five candidate profiles, usually more. As a matter of principle, we do not approach employees of our clients.
Frequently asked questions
Which finance roles does a specialist Executive Search firm fill?
NAKAMA fills finance director and head of finance roles, leadership roles in controlling and FP&A, accounting and consolidation, tax and treasury, audit, risk and compliance, and finance transformation. We also recruit CFOs. See our CFO Executive Search page.
When is Executive Search worthwhile below CFO level?
Executive Search is particularly valuable for business-critical roles with specific technical requirements. For a head of controlling or a specialist group accounting role, the pool of suitable people can be small. A targeted direct approach also reaches professionals and leaders who are not actively looking for a new role.
How do you assess technical expertise in controlling or accounting?
We draw on first-hand experience in finance and accounting. We ask about closing cycles, consolidation scope, approaches to planning and forecasting, systems and key metrics. Founder Claudia Wulf worked in finance and accounting for more than twelve years.
Can NAKAMA build a complete finance team?
Yes. We recruit for the key roles within a finance team, ensuring that responsibilities and expertise complement one another, for example after an acquisition, a carve-out or when a new entity is set up. Where many roles are needed at once, we check whether Recruiting as a Service is the better fit.
Does NAKAMA fill finance roles across Europe?
Yes. We fill finance roles across Europe, including Germany, Switzerland and the UK. We approach candidates across borders and conduct interviews in person or by video.
What happens if a finance appointment ends within the first three months?
We then fill the role again at no additional fee. This applies if the person appointed resigns within the first three months or the company ends the contract during that time. It does not apply if the role is eliminated or changes substantially, for example through a different location or a different remit.
How are fees structured for a finance search?
NAKAMA conducts finance searches exclusively on a retained basis. Fees are invoiced in three stages linked to agreed milestones: a kick-off fee when the assignment is commissioned, a shortlist fee when candidates are presented, and a placement fee when the employment contract is signed. The fee covers the full search process, rather than individual candidate introductions.
It starts with a good conversation.
Let’s talk about the position you need to fill, the responsibilities it carries and what the right person should achieve within your organisation. Together, we will clarify how NAKAMA can best support your search.