10 CFO Search Firms and Executive Recruitment Agencies in the US (2026)

Hiring a CFO isn’t something you do on autopilot. You’re choosing the person who’ll shape your financial strategy, face investors, and steady the ship in good times and bad.

And finding the right one? It’s rarely simple.

Top CFOs are in high demand, leading complex teams, and getting calls from recruiters weekly. To reach them, you need someone who knows how to open the right doors.

That’s why many companies turn to CFO search firms and executive recruitment agencies. These recruiters know who’s ready for a move, what each candidate brings to the table, and how to match that to your business model, board expectations, and growth plans.

Next, we’ll walk through when to bring in a search partner, what makes CFO recruiting so different, how to vet your options, and which firms are leading the pack in 2026.

Let’s get to it.

TL;DR

If you just want the shortlist, these are the top firms to keep on your radar:

• Spencer Stuart: Trusted by large corporations and PE firms for complex finance leadership searches.
• Korn Ferry: Combines global scale with deep talent analytics.
• Russell Reynolds Associates: Offers sharp focus on board-level CFO roles and succession.
• Estate Skyline: The go-to for real estate CFO hires with global reach.
• Stanton Chase: Global reach with personalized, partner-led search processes.

What Makes CFO Executive Search Different from Other Leadership Roles

Let’s be clear: hiring a chief financial officer (CFO) isn’t like hiring a CRO or COO.

You’re looking for someone who can partner with your CEO, manage investor expectations, and keep your financial foundation solid while helping the business evolve.

And that mix is rare to find.

CFOs sit at the crossroads of strategy, operations, compliance, and capital. They’re expected to lead during scale, handle mergers, prep for IPOs, and run risk management, sometimes all at once. 

That’s why generalist recruiters usually fall short. You need a partner who knows exactly what high-stakes CFO hiring really involves.

Here’s what makes this role a category of its own:

• Alignment with CEOs is non-negotiable. If there’s no trust or shared vision, it won’t work.
• The CFO owns the numbers, but also the story behind them. That includes debt strategy, investor comms, and financial forecasting.
• Finance leadership now includes tech and data. AI, automation, and digital reporting are part of the job.
• The CFO is often at the center of transformation, especially in PE-backed or growth-stage firms.

And the market reflects that shift:

• According to Deloitte, the number of skills requested in CFO job listings rose 19% in recent years.
• Per the same source, 57% of CFOs now say they’re one of the top leaders shaping strategy across their organizations.

In short, this is a move that shapes your entire leadership structure. And you need a recruiter who gets that.

When to Partner with a CFO Executive Search Firm

Sometimes you just know it’s time to call in backup. CFO hiring is one of those moments where the stakes are too high to rely on luck or LinkedIn posts.

Here’s when companies typically bring in CFO search firms, and why it pays off:

• Sudden exit or planned succession. Your CFO just gave notice. Or you’re planning a transition six months from now. Either way, you need someone with a playbook, not guesswork.
• Private equity or VC involvement. New capital usually means new expectations. You’ll want a CFO who’s used to board meetings, aggressive targets, and tighter reporting cycles.
• Pre-IPO or restructuring. You might be cleaning house, getting ready for the market, or both. This isn’t the time for a learning curve; you need someone who’s done it before.
• Financial underperformance. When numbers are off track, what matters is rebuilding trust. That takes leadership, not just accounting chops.
• Global expansion or M&A. These are high-complexity moves. Your CFO must manage cross-border regulations, due diligence, integration… and still sleep at night.

And the truth is, these scenarios are more common than you think.

A report by Russell Reynolds noted that, in 2025, CFO turnover hit the highest level in seven years. That included 256 new CFO appointments and 215 departures in the first nine months alone. 

Retirement was the top reason, but plenty of other exits came from strategy shifts, private equity changes, or underperformance. 

Bottom line: You don’t always get months to prepare. When the clock’s ticking, specialized firms help you move fast without sacrificing fit.

What to Look for in a CFO Search Firm

Not all executive recruiters are built for CFO hiring. Some just don’t know the financial side well enough. Others don’t have the network to pull real candidates.

Here’s what separates the pros from the rest:

• C-level finance experience. You want a firm that’s placed CFOs before, not just VPs of Finance or controllers.
• Industry knowledge. Bonus points if they understand your sector and how finance works within it.
• Access to passive candidates. The best CFOs aren’t applying. Your recruiter should already know who they are.
• Retention and time-to-fill data. Ask for it. A good firm knows its numbers.
• Cultural fit assessment. Skills matter, but alignment with the CEO and board is just as critical.
• Clear, consultative process. You’re buying expertise, not a resume dump.

And the numbers back it up:

• In a 2026 forecast by Deloitte, 87% of CFOs said AI will be key to finance operations. That changes what the role demands.
• Russell Reynolds also reported that 40% of global CFO appointments in 2025 were experienced CFOs, and most were hired externally. Boards still want track records.
• 58% of CFO promotions came from inside because external talent is scarce, according to an early 2026 industry report. Firms with deep networks are the only ones surfacing the right people.
• That report also notes that over 90% of CFO hires stayed within the same industry, proving niche knowledge matters.

So don’t just ask what firms charge. Ask how they find what others can’t.

Meet the Best CFO Search Firms and Executive Recruitment Agencies

When hiring a CFO, what matters is finding the one person who can hold the financial line and push the business forward.

These firms know how to do that. Let’s meet them:

1. Cowen Partners

Best for: U.S.-based companies that need a fast, high-volume CFO search process across industries.

Website: cowenpartners.com

Address: 400 E Mill Plain Blvd, Vancouver, Washington, 98660

When you need to move fast and still hire right, Cowen Partners is built for that. 

This firm runs one of the busiest CFO search practices in the U.S., placing finance leaders for public companies, VC-backed startups, nonprofits, and everything in between. 

Their team handles searches across industries (tech, healthcare, retail, financial services), and they know how to tailor the process to fit each business model. They also handle succession planning, strategic assessments, and executive hiring beyond just the CFO role.

Key services:

• National retained CFO executive search
• CFO succession planning
• Finance leadership assessment
• Cross-sector CFO placement
• Full C-suite recruiting when needed

Industries served: Technology, healthcare, private equity, retail, financial services, and nonprofit across all 50 U.S. states.

Why choose them:

Cowen Partners sees more CFO searches in a month than most firms handle in a year. That volume gives them reach and insight. If you’re facing pressure to scale fast or fill a finance gap quickly, they already have the network to make it happen.

2. Korn Ferry

Best for: Large enterprises and multinational organizations seeking data-driven, structured CFO recruitment.

Website: kornferry.com

Address: 1900 Avenue of the Stars, Suite 2600, Los Angeles, California 90067

When you need structure behind a big hire, Korn Ferry has it down to a system. 

This firm has offices in over 50 countries and a CFO search practice that’s built to go deep.  They look at how candidates lead, how they show up under pressure, and how they’ll fit into your world. 

On top of permanent placements, they also handle interim CFO roles, succession planning, and compensation strategy. It’s a full-stack approach for companies that want to get this hire right the first time.

Key services:

• Global retained CFO and C-suite search
• Financial Officers Center of Expertise
• Succession planning for finance leadership
• Candidate assessment and benchmarking
• Interim and contract CFO placements

Industries served: Public companies, multinationals, large private firms, and organizations in transformation across sectors.

Why choose them:

Korn Ferry works best when your CFO hire is part of something bigger: growth, restructuring, or leadership change. This firm brings structure to the process and helps you hire with long-term impact in mind.

3. Spencer Stuart

Best for: Board-involved CFO searches and long-term succession planning in complex organizations.

Website: spencerstuart.com

Address: 353 N Clark St, Suite 2500, Chicago, IL 60654

When CFO hiring gets serious (board involvement, succession planning, long-term strategy), Spencer Stuart is often already in the room. 

Backed by decades of experience, their Financial Officer Practice is led by consultants with real finance backgrounds. That shows in how they evaluate candidates, looking for leadership style, decision-making, and fit with the board. 

Also, this firm supports everything from CFO succession planning to full executive team builds across public, private, and PE-backed companies.

Key services:

• Retained CFO and senior finance executive search
• C-suite and board-level recruitment
• Leadership evaluation and succession planning
• Market mapping and insights for CFO roles
• CEO and board advisory on finance leadership

Industries served: Corporations, family-owned businesses, nonprofits, and PE-backed firms across sectors and regions.

Why choose them:

This team knows what a high-stakes CFO search really involves, because they lived it. Spencer Stuart is a solid pick when board alignment, strategic leadership, and long-term stability are at the top of your list.

4. Estate Skyline

Best for: Real estate firms hiring CFOs with sector-specific expertise and global reach.

Website: estateskyline.co

Address: 235 Peachtree St NE #400, Atlanta, GA 30303

If you’re in real estate, you shouldn’t have to explain how your business works. 

Estate Skyline gets it. This firm has shaped its CFO search process around how this industry runs: asset-heavy models, long sales cycles, investor reporting, and capital stack complexity. 

They work only with real estate companies (developers, brokerages, REITs, investment firms, PropTech startups), and that focus shows. 

You might be looking for a full-time CFO, an interim leader, or someone who can handle international growth. In any case, they’re already talking to the kind of candidates you’re after.

Key services:

• CFO executive search for real estate companies
• Interim and fractional CFO hiring
• Executive search for finance and C-suite roles
• Recruitment Process Outsourcing (RPO)
• International and cross-border search

Industries served: Real estate, PropTech, development, brokerage, and investment across North America, Europe, the Middle East, and Asia-Pacific.

Why choose them:

This firm is already in the industry. Estate Skyline brings you finance leaders who know how to handle properties, investors, and everything in between. All without needing a crash course in real estate first.

5. Russell Reynolds Associates

Best for: Public companies and PE-backed firms hiring board-level CFOs during high-stakes transitions.

Website: russellreynolds.com

Address: 277 Park Ave, Suite 3800, New York, NY 10172

When the pressure’s on to find a CFO who can lead, Russell Reynolds is one of the heavyweights. They’ve been doing top-level executive search since 1969, with offices across the U.S., Europe, Asia-Pacific, and the Middle East. 

Their Global CFO Practice is built for complex situations: think board-level roles, investor-driven pressure, global scale, or leadership in the middle of transformation. 

Also, this firm works side-by-side with boards, CEOs, and investors to shape long-term leadership strategy. That mix of search and advisory is what sets them apart.

Key services:

• Retained CFO and executive finance search
• Board and CEO advisory on finance leadership
• CFO succession planning
• Leadership assessment and evaluation
• Talent mapping and market intelligence

Industries served: Public companies, large private businesses, and private-equity-backed firms across global markets.

Why choose them:

If your CFO hire needs to hold their own with the board and help shape what’s next, this firm can help. Russell Reynolds brings the depth, structure, and access to make it happen.

6. Heidrick & Struggles

Best for: Companies navigating restructuring, transformation, or leadership change.

Website: heidrick.com

Address: 233 S. Wacker Drive, Suite 4900, Chicago, IL 60606

Not every CFO hire happens under calm conditions. Heidrick & Struggles is known for stepping in when things are in motion: growth, restructuring, new ownership, or leadership transitions. 

Since 1953, they’ve worked with companies facing everything from rapid expansion to full-blown restructuring. The CFOs they place are ready to lead through change and still drive results. 

Beyond the search itself, they also support clients with leadership advisory and succession planning, so the hire fits now and holds up when things shift again.

Key services:

• Retained CFO executive search
• Global C-suite executive search
• Leadership assessment for finance roles
• CFO succession planning
• Market mapping and finance talent insights
• Advisory for transitions and transformation

Industries served: Public companies, private enterprises, and PE-backed firms operating in fast-changing or high-stakes environments.

Why choose them:

They know how to spot CFOs who won’t flinch when the ground shifts. If your business is heading into a phase of change (or already in the middle of one), Heidrick & Struggles brings the structure and experience to help you hire someone who can handle it.

7. Stanton Chase

Best for: Global businesses wanting partner-led, personalized CFO executive search.

Website: stantonchase.com

Address: 250 Park Avenue 7th Floor New York, NY

This is a firm that knows how to scale without losing focus. Stanton Chase runs CFO and finance leadership searches in more than 40 countries, but they still keep things grounded through real consultant involvement. 

Their team works on roles that go beyond numbers; finance leaders who shape strategy, lead transformation, and handle digital change with confidence.

And there’s one thing they do differently: the same senior consultant stays with you from kickoff to close. That hands-on model, plus their push for diversity in shortlists, makes their approach feel more intentional than most big firms.

Key services:

• Retained CFO and financial executive search
• C-suite executive recruitment
• Leadership assessment and evaluation
• Succession planning and executive onboarding
• Board services

Industries served: Global companies and regional businesses across sectors, with searches tailored to local context and financial complexity.

Why choose them:

With this firm, you won’t be passed off to junior recruiters halfway through. Stanton Chase keeps one experienced partner on the case from day one, which makes the process tighter, smarter, and a lot more personal.

8. Odgers

Best for: Organizations linking CFO hiring to governance, succession, and broader leadership strategy.

Website: odgers.com

Address: 1100 Connecticut Avenue, NW, Suite 800, Washington, DC 20036

Not every CFO search is just about replacing a title. Odgers steps in when the role connects to something bigger: be it succession, governance, or broader leadership change. 

This firm works across 30+ countries and handles searches for companies of all shapes and sizes, from established global firms to high-growth teams. Their finance practice focuses on CFOs who shape direction alongside CEOs and boards. 

But that’s not all. They also support clients with long-term planning through leadership advisory and human capital strategy.

Key services:

• Retained CFO and senior finance executive search
• Global C-suite recruitment
• Succession and leadership advisory
• Market mapping and talent insights
• Interim executive search
• Human capital consulting

Industries served: Companies across sectors where finance is tightly linked to strategy, structure, and growth.

Why choose them:

Odgers is a smart pick when your CFO search is tied to bigger leadership decisions. They specialize in supporting hires that connect to succession, board alignment, or longer-term org design, because that’s the space they work in every day.

9. Egon Zehnder

Best for: Highly regulated and global companies where CFOs work closely with boards and audit committees.

Website: egonzehnder.com

Address: Suite 1900, 3344 Peachtree Road NE, Atlanta, GA 30326

When the CFO seat comes with board pressure, audit oversight, or serious long-term bets, Egon Zehnder is built for that kind of search. 

They focus on leaders who know how to step up when things get complex: reporting to the board, working with audit committees, handling sensitive calls when the stakes are high. 

Most of their work is with global and highly regulated companies, where the CFO needs more than just financial chops. Egon Zehnder also helps teams think ahead, with succession planning and leadership development built into the process.

Key services:

• CFO executive search
• Global board and C-suite recruitment
• Advisory for audit committees and boards
• CFO succession planning
• Leadership assessment and development
• Future-focused talent planning

Industries served: Large, complex, and regulated organizations where the CFO role blends finance, strategy, and governance.

Why choose them:

Egon Zehnder doesn’t just talk to CFO candidates; they also speak to the boards hiring them. That inside access, plus their focus on judgment and long-term leadership, makes them the right call when the role comes with weight, visibility, and zero room for error.

10. N2Growth

Best for: Growth-stage and PE-backed companies needing transformational finance leadership.

Website: n2growth.com

Address: 840 First Avenue, King of Prussia, PA 19406

Some CFO roles come with a clear blueprint, while others need someone who can help build the map. Well, N2Growth specializes in the second kind. 

This firm works with companies in motion: scaling, restructuring, entering new markets, or backed by private equity. Most of their CFO searches happen in organizations where the role is still evolving, which means they look for leaders who can grow with the business. 

N2Growth’s process ties search and leadership assessment together, helping clients predict how candidates will perform when things move fast or get messy.

Key services:

• CFO executive search
• Retained C-suite recruitment
• Leadership assessment and executive profiling
• CFO succession planning
• Executive coaching and onboarding support
• Advisory for growth and organizational change

Industries served: Growth-stage companies, founder-led businesses, and PE-backed firms across North America, LATAM, Europe, Asia, and the Middle East.

Why choose them: 

N2Growth is built for companies that are still figuring things out. They’ll help you hire a CFO who can bring structure, lead through change, and grow with the business.

Bottom Line: Hiring a CFO Is a Strategic Call, Treat It Like One

Replacing a Chief Financial Officer isn’t just another line on your to-do list. You’re choosing someone who’ll shape the numbers and the direction. It affects how you raise capital, manage risk, and build trust with your board or investors.

That’s why the right search partner makes a difference. The firms on this list know what high-stakes hiring looks like. Some are better for large corporations. Others are a better fit for fast-moving, high-growth teams. 

The point is: this isn’t a hire you want to get wrong or rush.

And if you’re in real estate, we can help.

At Estate Skyline, we place CFOs who already know how real estate works: how to manage investor expectations, asset-heavy models, and capital planning that spans years. We work globally, but stay close to what matters most: the business you’re trying to grow.

Ready to talk about what you need in your next CFO? Let’s connect.

FAQs

What does an executive search firm actually do when hiring a CFO?

They don’t just post the role and wait. A good search firm knows who’s out there, who’s ready for a move, and who really fits your business. They’ll help you define the profile, handle the outreach, vet the candidates, and walk with you through the whole process, from start to finish.

Why not just run the CFO search in-house?

Because the CFO you want probably isn’t looking. The top candidates are already leading somewhere else. A specialized firm knows how to reach them quietly, how to earn their attention, and how to make sure they’re actually the right fit.

What does the process usually look like?

First, you get aligned on what kind of CFO you need. Then the firm handles outreach, screening, and shortlisting. Once you’re reviewing finalists, they’ll help you prep for interviews, dig into references, and handle the offer process. It’s structured, but it moves.

How do they know if a CFO is actually good?

It’s not just about the résumé. The best firms talk to people who’ve worked with the candidate under pressure. They look at how they lead, not just what they’ve done. Some also run assessments or score alignment with your culture, depending on how deep you want to go.

What makes a top CFO search firm better than a general recruiter?

They’ve done this before, and recently. They understand what a great CFO looks like in your kind of business, and they’re already talking to people who fit that profile. It’s the difference between casting a wide net and knowing exactly where to fish.