Experienced CFO Jon Danielson discusses shifting from investing to CFO roles, prioritizing operational tasks, emphasizing clean data, and building strong finance teams. Topics include balancing operational and strategic responsibilities in PE-backed companies, restating financials for accuracy, evaluating Quality of Earnings reports, and preparing businesses for sale with organized data and documentation.
Moving from an investor to an operating role presents surprising challenges for PE-backed CFOs.
Shrinking the Quality of Earnings (QofE) is a crucial aspect to consider in preparing a business for sale.
Building efficient, supportive, and high-performing finance teams is essential for CFOs in PE-backed companies.
Deep dives
Introduction and Reintroduction of Cassie Ball as a Principal at Parker Gale
Cassie Ball, a principal at Parker Gale, reintroduces herself on the podcast after a break since her first episode as an associate in 2015, emphasizing her role working closely with finance and accounting teams post-investment.
Discussion with Former CFO of Portfolio Company, FizzCom
Cassie introduces John, the former CFO of the portfolio company FizzCom, acquired in December 2021. They discuss their journey working together, handling the CFO position, preparing for sale, and navigating private equity-backed company roles.
Challenges and Surprises of Transitioning into an Operating Role as CFO
John explains the unexpected challenges of transitioning from investing to operating roles, highlighting the complexities and hard work required in financial roles within operational businesses.
Building and Managing Finance Teams as a CFO
John reflects on his experience of building finance teams in different companies, emphasizing the enjoyment and importance of creating efficient, supportive, and high-performing teams under his leadership.
Prioritizing Basics, Balancing Detailed Analysis, and Setting Non-Negotiables for a CFO Role in Private Equity
The discussion delves into the criticality of focusing on essential financial tasks, balancing detailed financial analysis with accuracy, and setting non-negotiable priorities essential for CFOs in private equity-backed companies.
ParkerGale Principal Cass Ziebel sits down with CFO Jon Danielson to discuss the priorities of a PE-backed CFO and what he's learned from a recent sale process. In this episode, Jon talks about what surprised him most when he moved from an investor role to an operating role, what it means to "shrink the QofE," and advice to other CFOs as they enter a PE-backed business in the first few months and prepare a business for sale.
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