When to Hire a VP of Finance—and What to Look for in a Top Candidate

C-Suite

Article

By Angela Lurie, Executive Director, Robert Half Management Resources

As a company grows, so does the complexity of its financial operations—and the challenge of managing them effectively without the right leadership in place. A vice president (VP) of finance brings the structure, foresight and discipline that organizations need to scale with confidence.

The VP of finance bridges the gap between day-to-day accounting and long-term strategic planning. They help ensure financial systems evolve with the business, deliver timely insights to support executive decision making, and strengthen relationships with investors, lenders and the board.

Knowing when to make this hire—and how to identify the right candidate—is critical to sustaining growth and avoiding costly missteps. Waiting too long to staff the role can create ripple effects, from missed strategic capital investment decisions to delayed audits that derail financing rounds to cash flow problems that surface too late to be correct. Here’s a look at several reasons your business may need to recruit a VP of finance sooner than later.

How to Hire the Right VP of Finance for Your Business

5 signs it may be time to hire a VP of finance
What does a VP of finance do?
Skills and qualities top candidates for VP of finance should possess
CFO vs. VP of finance: Clarifying the role
3 key benefits of hiring an interim VP of finance
What is a typical VP of finance salary?
More than a strategic hire—an investment in resilience

5 signs it may be time to hire a VP of finance

Certain inflection points in a company’s growth can signal an emerging—if not urgent—need to bring a VP of finance onto your executive leadership bench. Here are five clear signs it may be time to make that move.

1. Your company is scaling quickly

Entering new markets, adding product lines, evaluating acquisition targets, making strategic investments in ERP and business analytics tools, or rapidly expanding your workforce can significantly increase demands on your finance function. A VP of finance can help the business navigate the risks associated with rapid growth by managing liquidity with discipline, leading the implementation of technology like financial planning and analysis (FP&A) tools, ERPs, and strengthening internal controls to support informed, data-driven decision-making.

2. The CEO is spending too much time in the weeds When senior leaders are constantly pulled into financial decisions they should be able to delegate, it’s a sign the organization needs a dedicated strategic finance leader. A VP of finance can take ownership of the financial road map—freeing up the CEO to stay focused on customers, strategy and growth. Their support can also enable the CFO to concentrate on higher-level planning, investor relations and enterprise-wide initiatives.

3. Reporting and compliance are becoming more complex Growth brings greater scrutiny. Whether your company is approaching an audit, entering a regulated market or preparing for funding, financial reporting standards become more rigorous—and mistakes carry higher stakes. A VP of finance can establish strong reporting processes, reinforce internal controls, and help the business stay compliant and audit-ready as expectations evolve.

4. Your business is seeking capital or financing Whether you’re seeking a Series B investment, refinancing debt or evaluating private equity opportunities, presenting a strong financial narrative is essential. A VP of finance can develop robust financial models, shape your capital strategy, and confidently engage with investors or lenders—helping your business prepare effectively for due diligence and funding discussions.

5. You need strategic financial leadership—not just operational support While controllers and finance directors tend to focus on historical performance, financial analysis, compliance and internal processes, a VP of finance brings a forward-looking lens. These professionals connect financial strategy to business goals, offer insight into future risks and opportunities, and enable leadership to make more informed decisions that drive value and support growth.

What does a VP of finance do?

As the previous section highlights, VP of finance duties can extend well beyond assisting with financial reporting, analysis and ensuring compliance. A strong hire will take ownership of financial planning, systems, and strategy—serving as both a leader and a change agent. Their influence reaches across the organization, particularly during periods of rapid growth, business transformation, or capital planning.

Depending on the organization, VP of finance duties might include:

Developing and managing long-term financial strategies

Leading budgeting, forecasting and financial modeling efforts

Optimizing financial systems and reporting infrastructure

Supporting capital raises, investor relations and due diligence

Guiding cross-functional decision-making with financial insights

Analyzing profitability and cost drivers to support margin improvement

Building and mentoring high-performing finance teams

Evaluating acquisition targets aligned with long term growth targets

Skills and qualities top candidates for VP of finance should possess

Technical skill sets for VPs of finance include deep expertise in budgeting, forecasting and business analytics, internal controls management, financial reporting, and compliance. Candidates should also be proficient in interpreting financial data, identifying trends, and advising on profitability, capital allocation and cost containment. In fast-changing environments, this level of financial command enables business leaders to make confident, data-driven decisions—and avoid costly missteps.

Professionals in the VP of finance occupation should be both strategists and operators—able to manage day-to-day financial details while staying focused on the bigger picture. Key qualities and attributes to look for in a top candidate include:

Track record of success in leading through change—Prior experience managing finance in a high-growth, transitional or turnaround environment is essential for the VP of finance role. Look for candidates who have helped businesses build or restructure finance functions, implement enterprise resource planning (ERP) systems and other relevant technology, or prepare for major events such as mergers and acquisitions (M&A) or initial public offerings.

Industry insight—Different industries come with distinct financial models and challenges. Whether it’s managing reimbursements in healthcare, navigating inventory risk in retail, or tracking and analyzing Software as a Service (SaaS) metrics in tech, a VP of finance should bring relevant experience to the company that enables faster, more informed decision making.

Strong communication skills—The VP of finance role often requires translating complex financial data into actionable insight for leaders outside the finance function. Candidates must be able to present clearly to boards, collaborate effectively across departments and build trust with stakeholders who may not speak the language of finance.

Coaching and mentorship capabilities—The VP of finance is often responsible for taking the lead on hiring, developing and retaining top finance talent. Strong candidates should demonstrate experience building high-performing teams, fostering accountability and helping individuals grow into new roles with greater responsibility.

What should you include in your VP of finance job description? See this example for ideas.

CFO vs. VP of finance: Clarifying the role

You might wonder whether a controller or CFO could cover the responsibilities of a VP of finance. In some cases, they can—but as financial operations grow more complex, these roles tend to diverge.

The controller focuses on historical reporting, compliance and accounting accuracy. The CFO serves as the company’s public-facing financial strategist, managing investor relationships and helping shape corporate direction. The VP of finance fills the space between—owning day-to-day financial leadership, optimizing systems and processes, and driving mid- to long-range planning. They help keep the business financially agile while supporting both the controller’s precision and the CFO’s broader vision.

What does that “in-between” role look like in practice? Consider these examples:

A Series B SaaS company is facing higher churn and tighter margins. Without a VP of finance, forecasting becomes inconsistent and decision-making slows.

A multisite healthcare provider is preparing to expand into new states—state-by-state reimbursement models and labor cost variation require more financial sophistication than a controller alone can support.

In both cases, a VP of finance can bring the structure, insight and operational leadership needed to ensure the next phase of growth for these organizations is sustainable and aligned with their long-term business objectives.

3 key benefits of hiring an interim VP of finance

Companies that aren’t ready to make a permanent hire often choose to bring in an interim management consultant to serve as VP of finance. This strategic move provides businesses with:

Immediate impact, with minimal ramp-up time—Interim VPs of finance are typically seasoned leaders—often former CFOs or senior financial consultants—who know how to step into complex environments and deliver value quickly. They can manage reporting cycles, oversee audits and much more while the search for a permanent hire is underway.

Specialized support during transitions—If your organization is restructuring, preparing for a funding round or navigating an M&A deal, interim leaders can bring the experience to guide your business through change. They help assess existing processes, close operational gaps and position the company for success as it evolves and transitions to new leadership.

Fresh perspective and lasting improvements—With experience across industries and company stages, interim VPs of finance often spot inefficiencies or reporting gaps your internal team may have overlooked. Even after they have completed their engagement, the process improvements and insights they provided to your business can continue to deliver value.

What is a typical VP of finance salary?

Access the Salary Guide

Before starting your search for a VP of finance, it’s important to research compensation trends for this critical role. Benchmarking against industry peers helps ensure your company’s offer is competitive and attractive to highly skilled professionals.

Several factors influence the VP of finance compensation package your organization might present to potential hires—including company size, industry, geographic location and planned finance transformation and growth expectations. (Keep in mind that total compensation packages often go beyond base pay to include bonuses, equity and long-term incentives.)

For the latest data on average starting salaries and compensation trends, consult the Robert Half Salary Guide. It’s a valuable resource for understanding what top candidates expect—and what it takes to secure a strong hire for your team.

More than a strategic hire—an investment in resilience

A VP of finance does more than manage the numbers—they can help shape your company’s overall financial health and future. From implementing rolling forecasts and optimizing working capital to improving cash visibility and supporting M&A integration, this influential executive can strengthen your finance function and bring a forward-looking lens to decision-making.

In many companies, the VP of finance becomes an indispensable member of the leadership bench. Whether serving as a trusted partner to the CFO or stepping into that role over time, they bring continuity, institutional knowledge and valuable succession depth. That long-term perspective is critical in fast-paced environments, where leadership transitions are often sudden—and high-stakes.

When the signs point to the need for a VP of finance, don’t wait. Bring in the leadership your finance function needs—whether that’s an interim management consultant to stabilize operations or a permanent hire who can strengthen your team and support long-term growth. In either case, Robert Half can help. Contact us today to find skilled, experienced professionals for your VP of finance role.

Financial Planning and Analysis: Build a Team That Drives Real Business Impact

Strategic Talent Resourcing: The Key to Helping PE and VC-Backed Firms Manage Fast Growth and Drive Value Creation

Building High-Impact Teams for Profitability Analysis