Role search
Get a 13-week cash flow consultant who can own build 13-week liquidity models.
No postings. No stacks of resumes. No chasing. You choose from a short list of people who have done this before.
No upfront fee. You pay only if you engage someone we present.
Interim Headhunters starts with the work behind this request: A 13-week cash flow consultant is a specialized operator who builds dynamic liquidity models from raw data sources. Unlike a generalist controller, this consultant ignores historical accruals to focus exclusively on cash movement.
This is what we do all day: place interim executives, interim managers and contract professionals.
Need someone now? Call 305-306-4829.
- No upfront fee
- 2 to 3 vetted consultants per assignment
- Matched to your industry
- You choose
- Interim plus permanent search
- 13-week cash flow consultant
The judgment call
What this hire really comes down to
A 13-week cash flow consultant is a specialized operator who builds dynamic liquidity models from raw data sources. Unlike a generalist controller, this consultant ignores historical accruals to focus exclusively on cash movement. They reconcile actuals against the forecast every week to identify variances before they cause a crisis. The goal is to move beyond static reporting to create a tool that informs every major cash decision the business makes.
Judgment manifests in how the consultant balances immediate vendor pressure against long-term operational health. They identify which vendors must be paid to keep production moving and which can wait. This person dictates the payment schedule, often against resistance from department heads. They maintain the confidence of lenders by providing consistent, transparent reporting that identifies potential covenant issues well before they occur.
What we check
What we check before you see anyone
- We verify that the candidate built their own 13-week model from scratch using raw ERP exports rather than relying on a pre-existing template. A consultant who only populates a template fails to identify the underlying data integrity issues common in distressed firms, such as miscoded transactions or outdated master data that causes poor projections.
- We confirm they have personally managed an accounts payable prioritization list during a liquidity crunch. They must describe their specific method for ranking vendors and the exact communication tactics used to defer payments without halting core supply chain operations, including how they handle the legal and credit risk of missed payments to critical raw material suppliers.
- We require evidence of direct interaction with commercial lenders during reporting cycles. The consultant must explain how they translated a technical covenant breach into a simple narrative for the bank while providing the necessary supporting schedules, demonstrating the ability to own the relationship when numbers fall short of initial projections.
- We audit their history of working without a support staff or large finance team. We look for proof that they can extract data directly from an accounting system, format it, and push it to leadership without administrative assistance, ensuring they remain the sole point of accountability for the integrity of the data presented to the board.
Sourcing
Where we find them
We locate these specialists within organizations that handle significant working capital constraints, specifically manufacturing or industrial sectors. These individuals operate at the intersection of accounting and operations, where they see how inventory lead times directly dictate bank balances. We look for those who have spent years reconciling sub-ledgers and managing treasury functions in volatile environments, as they understand the friction between purchase orders and actual cash outflow. We avoid generalist finance professionals who rely on monthly financial statements, as those lack the granular visibility needed for weekly liquidity management.
These consultants move between assignments because they prefer specific, high-intensity technical challenges over corporate career tracks. They are motivated by the immediate results of stabilizing a business. They are found through professional circles focused on restructuring and turnaround work, rather than general finance networks, because they thrive where cash preservation is the only metric that matters.
Where searches go wrong
Mistakes we see
- Hiring a traditional controller who expects a team to provide data. This role requires an operator who pulls their own raw data directly from the system.
- Prioritizing software certifications over deep Excel modeling capability. A model built in proprietary software often lacks the flexibility needed for daily adjustments in a crisis.
- Expecting the consultant to act as a permanent leader. This is a technical, task-oriented role focused on the 13-week horizon, not long-term department management.
The search
How the 13-week cash flow consultant search runs
- First, we screen for direct experience building cash flow models in the exact industry sector as the client. We look for a history of managing cash through a specific, identified liquidity event, ensuring the candidate knows how to adjust for seasonal swings in inventory and credit terms.
- Second, we conduct a technical review of their approach to data gaps. We ensure the candidate has a formal process for validating bank statement data against ERP sub-ledgers to prevent reporting errors, confirming they can bridge the divide between flawed system data and the reality of the company's bank balance.
- Third, we vet their communication style to ensure they remain neutral when presenting bad news to lenders. We prioritize individuals who document their assumptions clearly so the board understands exactly why specific cash decisions were made, ensuring that the consultant does not hide behind ambiguous metrics but instead provides a clear path for liquidity restoration.
Questions
What is the difference between this role and a controller?
A controller manages accounting standards, period-end closes, and long-term financial reporting. A 13-week cash flow consultant focuses only on immediate liquidity and weekly cash movement.
Can this role be filled by an internal team member?
Internal staff often lack the detachment required to stop payments to long-term vendors. An outside consultant provides the necessary distance to make hard choices.
What is the primary document this hire produces?
They produce a rolling 13-week cash flow model. This document updates weekly with actuals and projects future cash needs to ensure compliance with lender reporting.
How do you measure success for this consultant?
Success is measured by the accuracy of the forecast and the reduction of cash surprises. The consultant succeeds when the board and bank have full visibility into the cash position.
What replacement terms apply?
We offer a candidate replacement guarantee on standard search agreements. The applicable period and exact terms are set out in the signed client recruiting agreement.
How are recruiting fees agreed?
No upfront fee. You pay only if you engage someone we present. We scope the assignment before quoting; the fee page explains our model.
How soon can we see options?
Availability depends on the assignment and the people who fit it. We qualify interest and commitments rather than promising a shortlist date before the search is scoped.
What if the scope grows?
Discuss new responsibilities before adding them to the engagement. Agree the priorities and record any change to the brief and terms.
Can we extend an engagement?
Discuss what remains unfinished and whether the same responsibility is still needed. Extensions depend on the person's commitments and the agreed engagement terms.
Can the appointment become permanent?
A permanent move can be discussed if both sides want it. Review the future role and the applicable agreement instead of assuming that temporary coverage automatically converts.
How is a confidential search handled?
Tell us what can be disclosed and whom we must not contact. We agree those boundaries before approaching people; do not send sensitive records with an initial brief.
What are the replacement terms?
We offer a candidate replacement guarantee on standard search agreements. The applicable period and exact terms are set out in the signed client recruiting agreement.
What do you not do?
We do not sell job-board reposting as a search or bill hourly for recruiting work. We do not take a retainer unless expressly agreed, and an introduction does not authorize an engagement.
Tell us the seat
No upfront fee. You pay only if you hire. Share the title, the situation and the timing. A person reads it.
13-week cash flow consultant by industry and related roles
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The Six-Step Search
What do you get at each step of the search?
We agree what the person must own before contacting anyone. You see how the search is scoped and which backgrounds we pursue. We speak with candidates about the work before presenting them. The Six-Step Search gives you useful written notes and support through interviews, rather than a pile of applications.
- 01
Scope call
We talk through the seat, the business and what has to change.
You get: A one-page role brief you approve before we search.
- 02
Market map
We work out where people who have done this job actually sit.
You get: A short note on the pool and how we plan to reach it.
- 03
Direct outreach
We approach people who are not looking at job boards.
You get: Progress updates so you are never chasing us.
- 04
Screening
We interview every candidate on the work, not the resume.
You get: Written notes on fit, availability and terms for each person.
- 05
Shortlist and interviews
You meet a short list. We handle the scheduling.
You get: Several vetted options and a debrief after each interview.
- 06
Offer and start
You choose. We help settle terms and the start date.
You get: Confirmed terms, a start date and check-ins after day one.
Tell us who you need.
No upfront fee. You pay only if you engage someone we present.
Send us the seat. We will take it from there.
No upfront fee. You pay only if you engage someone we present.