NORTH FOREST OFFICE SPACE

CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER

Review the full position profile: https://app.box.com/s/q3qd75ldn6b2qom36njbomejnjxgfirj 

THE OPPORTUNITY

North Forest Office Space, a thriving family-owned, full-service commercial office developer and operator based in Williamsville, NY, is seeking its next Chief Financial Officer.

Specializing in leasing neighborhood service/retail office spaces, North Forest operates a unique business model that delivers innovative, affordable office space solutions tailored to small business customers looking for office space in suburban areas. The CFO will join a team and organization committed to growth, continuous improvement, and a values-driven culture that shapes daily interactions among owners, leaders, team members, subcontractors and customers.

The ideal candidate will be a seasoned financial leader with expertise in a high performing manufacturing environment and/or real estate, ready to support the organization’s team, operations, and strategic growth. Partnering closely with the CEO and owners, the CFO will drive financial strategy, enhance operational efficiency, and align the company’s financial strength with its long-term goals. Guided by the foundational principles of its founder, Roy Jordan Jr., the successful candidate will embody humility, a values-based leadership style and serve as a collaborative team player who ensures the company’s core values remain central in all business decisions.

Organization & Position Overview

Founded in 1982 by Roy and Patty Jordan, North Forest Office Space was built on the fundamental principles of its founders. “We make decisions based on how they affect our customers, suppliers, and team members.” We create value through a systematic approach to office space leasing which results in a simple, trusting, hassle free and affordable experience.

VISION

Make office leasing simple.

MISSION

Provide a simple and trusting leasing experience so our customers can pursue their entrepreneurial dreams.

QUICK FACTS

• 30 Office Parks, 100 buildings, 1.2M SQ FT
• Consistently high occupancy
• Operations in Buffalo, Rochester, Austin, Denver, Dallas and Fort-Worth
• 50+ employees
• 42 consecutive years of annual growth.

The CFO will report directly to the CEO and collaborate closely with the senior leadership team to provide strategic guidance and financial expertise, shaping the organization’s overall direction. They will lead the financial team, driving improvements in financial reporting and ensuring the organization maintains efficient and robust financial operations.

Direct reports include:

• Controller
• Senior Accountant
• Junior Accountant

This role is primarily responsible for partnering with the CEO and Owners to set the financial, tax, legal and risk management strategies. To accomplish the responsibilities outlined above, the successful candidate will be a:

• Strategic Thought Partner
• Senior Financial Leader with strong Technical & Accounting Expertise
• Values-Based Leader
• Humble Team Player

RESPONSIBILITIES

This CFO role at North Forest will combine strategic, operational, and hands-on participation in accounting, financial management, tax strategy, treasury, legal, and risk management. They will partner with the CEO to enhance their leadership style and attributes to be an impactful leader in order to create and reinforce a high-performance culture.

STRATEGIC THOUGHT PARTNER

• Partner with the CEO and owners to set financial, legal, and risk management strategies.
• Participate and lead in long-term strategic planning and execution of corporate goals.
• Develop forward looking success metrics tied to operational and financial performance.
• Responsible for the macro strategic business planning and analysis, including the evaluation of any property sale, tax impact, prepayment analysis, timing, future value and cash flow.
• Oversee financial performance, including cash flow, budgets, and forecasts.
• Develop and maintain robust financial analysis capabilities to support operational and investment decisions.
• Facilitate capital deployment planning and oversee reporting on long-term investments.
• Drive continuous improvement initiatives within the accounting and finance teams and participate enterprise wide.
• Streamline processes to support organizational growth and operational efficiency.

SENIOR FINANCIAL LEADER WITH STRONG TECHNICAL & ACCOUNTING EXPERTISE

FINANCIAL LEADERSHIP

• Provide the organization with strong and effective management and financial operational leadership.
• Implement effective and efficient processes, internal controls, procedures and technologies to improve and effectively keep up with the growth of North Forest.
• Lead the monthly executive summary of NFOS financials, including high-level analysis and variance reporting.
• Maintain and further develop the business analysis capabilities within the accounting/finance team:
  • Global cash flow analysis and provide proactive educational resources to ensure robust financial decisions.
  • Analyze all revenue and expenses lines.
  • Project and analyze long-term capital investments within our markets, assessing their effects on overall cash flow.
  • Oversee Capital Investment reporting, focusing on material and labor cost comparisons and identifying variances.
  • Conduct overall business analysis to ensure investment decisions are balanced against day-to-day operational requirements.

ACCOUNTING & REPORTING

• Lead the accounting discipline and ensure the analysts and accounting team has the depth and strength required to support future growth and succession planning.
• Manage all accounting policies, compliance with GAAP, and financial reporting.
• Oversee third-party financial reviews and external audits.
• Lead monthly financial summaries, variance analysis, and reporting for stakeholders.
• Implement and maintain efficient financial systems and internal controls.

TAX FORECASTING & PROPERTY TAXES

• Ensure business and family tax considerations are proactive and compliant as tax laws evolve.
• Conduct research on tax laws and proactively forecast tax obligations as necessary.
• Stay up to date with tax best practices and state, federal, and local regulations affecting company operations.
• Collaborate with external tax consultants as required.
• Oversee property tax management at a macro level to ensure compliance and strategic optimization.

RISK & LEGAL OVERSIGHT

• Provide legal support regarding leases, subcontractor agreements, financing and mortgage documents and contracts, etc.
• Oversee the application and maintenance of copyrights and trademarks.
• Organize and maintain all Operating Agreements, LLC, meeting minutes, etc.
• Assist as needed with family business related projects and initiatives.
• Lead risk management programs, including insurance renewals and compliance with vendor certifications.

TREASURY & ASSET MANAGEMENT

• Optimize treasury management and interest related expenses with interest income strategies.
• Oversee banking and mortgage broker relationships to support strategic goals.
• Manage cash, investments, and asset portfolios to enhance overall values.
• Provide support with the mortgage and financing of newly constructed buildings and refinancing of existing buildings.

VALUES-BASED LEADER AND HUMBLE TEAM PLAYER

• Foster a high-performance culture through leadership, development of others and empowerment.
• Recruit, interview, hire, assimilate and train team members; plan, collaborate, assign, and oversee goal development and metrics that are aligned with the strategic plan.
• Serve as a key member of the executive leadership team.
• Develop and push boundaries in the areas of organizational communication, annual business plan development, performance management, and people development.
• Carry out leadership responsibilities in accordance with the organization's policies and applicable laws.

QUALIFICATIONS

EDUCATION

• Bachelor Degree in Accounting or Finance.
• CPA required.
• MBA or relevant Masters Degree highly preferred.

EXPERIENCE

• At least 10 years in progressively responsible accounting and financial leadership roles, preferably in a fast-paced, high-growth smaller company environment.
• Experience in manufacturing and/or real estate, and multi-entity business models preferred.
• Experience in a family-owned business is preferred.
• High proficiency in financial modeling, forecasting, and accounting software, Google Sheets, and MS Excel.
• Expertise and enthusiasm in tax strategy and compliance, including managing tax planning, ensuring adherence to federal, state, and local tax regulations, and identifying opportunities to optimize tax efficiency.
• Experience in navigating complex tax scenarios, particularly in real estate and/or manufacturing industries, is highly desirable.
• Strong analytical, problem-solving, and forward-looking strategic thinking skills, with the ability to synthesize complex financial data and provide actionable insights.
• Excellent interpersonal, oral, and written communication skills.
• Demonstrated ability to lead diverse teams and manage complex projects.

Base Salary Range- $215k-$240k

In addition to base salary, NFOS offers a robust incentive and benefits package.

For more information visit our website: https://northforest.com/

Catapult has been retained to conduct the search for NFOS.

 

 

Posted On: Tuesday, January 21, 2025
Compensation: $215-$240k