Article

Interim CFO (Succession Planning)

“Hiring an interim CFO turned out to be the best succession decision we could‘ve made. They stabilized the whole function, coached our VP of Finance with real intention, and left us with a stronger team, tighter processes, and a ready successor. Twelve months later, we promoted with confidence—and never missed a beat.”

November 27, 2025 - 1:00 PM Stephen Bell

Client: [Organization – Confidential]
Term: 12 months
Focus: Succession planning, team coaching, process & systems uplift, portfolio reorganization

Context

LHH’s client faced a classic succession challenge: a high‑potential VP Finance who was not yet ready for the CFO seat, coupled with a time‑sensitive leadership gap. Rather than risk a premature promotion or wait for a lengthy search, they engaged an experienced Interim CFO to lead the function and to coach and sponsor their VP of Finance.

What Worked — and Why

From day one, the interim brought gravitas and immediate credibility. Because they were not a candidate for the permanent role, they lowered internal tension and created space for honest coaching. They set clear priorities, re‑established role clarity, and built a structured development plan for the VP of Finance—rotations, Board exposure, and stretch assignments—accelerating readiness without compromising control.

Tangible Improvements

Beyond leadership, the interim tightened their finance operating system. Month‑end close shortened, forecasting became driver‑based and reliable, and practical control upgrades were implemented. The interim led a targeted reorganization of the portfolio, clarified accountabilities, addressed critical talent gaps, and introduced a concise, Board‑ready reporting pack that improved decision‑making.

Exit & Handover

The handover was exemplary: a CFO playbook, a 90‑day transition plan, and continued light‑touch mentorship. We promoted our VP Finance to CFO with broad support, and the function has continued to perform at a higher level.

Bottom Line

This engagement de‑risked our succession and delivered operational lift. They solved today’s leadership gap and built future capability. They said they would repeat this approach without hesitation.

Outcomes at a Glance

Outcome	Result
Succession delivered	VP Finance promoted to CFO at month 12 with Board approval.
Controls & audit	Zero significant findings; prior‑year management letter points remediated.
Team & structure	Portfolio realigned; key roles filled; high‑potential talent retained.
Dashboards	Standardized Board pack (P&L, cash, working capital, KPIs).
Handover	Signed‑off CFO transition playbook and 90‑day success plan.

— Chief Executive Officer, National Organization (name withheld for confidentiality)

Contact us to learn more about LHH Recruitment Solutions or connect with our lead recruiter in Canada on LinkedIn, Stephen Bell.