What are the responsibilities and job description for the Fractional Chief Financial Officer (CFO) position at Gearhart Law, LLC?
Gearhart Law – Strategic Leadership Role (Hybrid / Remote)
About the Firm
Gearhart Law is a high-growth intellectual property law firm operating at the intersection of innovation, law, and entrepreneurship. We represent venture-backed startups, life sciences companies, and emerging technology businesses as they build and protect transformative ideas.
Over the past three years, the firm has experienced substantial and sustained growth. We are now entering our next phase: scaling toward a $10M operation with increased operational sophistication, financial discipline, and strategic expansion.
We are seeking a financial leader who is not just a steward of numbers—but a driver of growth, profitability, and long-term enterprise value.
The Opportunity
This is not a maintenance CFO role.
We are looking for a high-impact Fractional CFO who can help architect the financial foundation of a scaling professional services firm. You will work directly with the Managing Partner and Fractional CEO to translate growth objectives into financial strategy, operational discipline, and measurable outcomes.
The right candidate will bring experience scaling service-based organizations and will be comfortable operating as both a strategic advisor and hands-on executor.
What You Will Own
Strategic Financial Leadership
- Partner with leadership to drive the firm’s trajectory toward $10M revenue
- Translate growth goals into financial models, KPIs, and execution frameworks
- Identify opportunities to improve margins, pricing strategy, and revenue mix
Cash Flow & Profitability Optimization
- Design and actively manage cash flow strategy
- Improve working capital efficiency and predictability
- Implement metrics that drive profitability at the matter, client, and practice level
Financial Infrastructure & Reporting
- Build a best-in-class financial reporting framework
- Deliver clear, decision-oriented reporting (not just historical statements)
- Establish dashboards and KPIs that align the team around performance
Team Leadership & Process Elevation
- Oversee and elevate two full-time accounting staff
- Implement scalable systems, controls, and workflows
- Upgrade financial discipline across the organization
Budgeting, Forecasting & Modeling
- Develop dynamic financial models tied to hiring, marketing, and revenue growth
- Own budgeting process and rolling forecasts
- Provide scenario planning for strategic decisions
Cost Control & Operational Efficiency
- Act as a controller-level safeguard on expenses
- Identify and implement cost efficiencies without compromising growth
External Financial Interface
- Serve as point of contact with banks, tax advisors, and financial partners
Who You Are
- Former CFO, Fractional CFO, or senior finance leader with demonstrated scaling experience
- Proven track record of helping companies grow meaningfully (ideally toward or beyond $10M revenue)
- Strong background in professional services or law firm economics (preferred, not required)
- Advanced degree in Finance, Accounting, or related field (MBA, CPA, or equivalent strongly preferred)
- Deep expertise in financial modeling, forecasting, and operational finance
- Highly responsive, proactive, and comfortable in an entrepreneurial environment
What Sets You Apart
- You think like an owner, not just an advisor
- You bring structure without bureaucracy
- You’ve built systems that scale—not just maintained them
- You are as comfortable challenging assumptions as you are executing plans
Engagement Structure
- Fractional (ongoing relationship)
- Flexible structure, likely 1–3 days per week depending on engagement phase
- Opportunity to expand scope as the firm grows
Why This Role is Compelling
- Direct influence on scaling a high-growth, innovation-focused law firm
- Close partnership with firm leadership
- Opportunity to build the financial engine—not inherit a static system
- Meaningful impact on strategy, growth, and profitability