Steward Well Executive Search

Insights

Insights for owners, boards and sponsors.

The questions people ask us before a search starts, answered in plain words with sources.

The short answer

Steward Well Insights answers the questions owners, boards and private equity sponsors ask before they hire a CFO or another senior leader at a company from $50M to $500M in revenue. Each article leads with a short answer, then shows the detail and the sources behind it.

Where should you start?

If you're early, start with how long a CFO search takes and whether to promote your controller. If a sponsor owns the company, read what a portfolio CFO actually owns.

Our blog has more articles on hiring finance leaders, from when to hire a CFO to CFO pay by company revenue.

Hiring finance leaders

FinanceHow long does a CFO search take?Shortlist in weeks, a hire in a quarter, and what slows it down.→FinanceShould you promote your controller to CFO?When promotion works, when it doesn't, and how to tell.→FinanceWhat a PE portfolio CFO actually ownsThe real job description, from close to exit.→

How search works

ProcessRetained vs contingent search, explainedHow the two models work and when each one fits.→ProcessWhy executive searches failThe six failure points, and how to spot each one early.→

Technology and minerals

PracticesCTO or VP Engineering: which do you need?Direction or delivery. How to tell which one you're missing.→PracticesWhy critical minerals leadership is the hardest hireA fast-growing sector with a very small bench.→
Keep going
RelatedFinance and accountingCFO and office-of-the-CFO searches, $50M to $500M.→RelatedPrivate equitySearch for sponsors and their portfolio companies.→RelatedCompensation briefWhat the market pays finance leaders, by revenue band.→

See where your search stands before it starts.

The readiness diagnostic takes two minutes. It shows the gaps that slow a search down. When you're ready, a partner takes the first call.

Take the diagnostic → Talk to a partner →