Frequently Asked Questions

Q. Does my organization need a Controller, or should I just hire a CFO with accounting credentials?

A. An ‘ideal’ organizational chart for the Finance & Accounting department will, of course, differ case by case. Controllers (as accounting specialists, often former auditors/CPAs) are the senior-most leader of the Finance & Accounting departments at many successful private businesses. However, a company whose growing basket of financial responsibilities warrant the hiring of a CFO will, in most cases, also need to have the predominantly accounting responsibilities (e.g., financial statement and historical reporting) still managed by a full-time Controller. With the growth in accounting process automation tools, more CFOs are coming from a financial or banking background – and thus can be better equipped to deliver the strategic, forward-looking inputs (e.g., pricing, FP&A, M&A) and advice that yield profitability, growth, and value across the organization.

Q. When MVP (as principal) is acquiring or investing directly in my company, from where is the capital sourced?

A. The sources of equity capital driving MVP’s activities in the principal investment arena include its partners’ own capital, along with more traditional providers: high net worth individuals, family offices, and even certain private equity partnerships (with committed funds) that support MVP’s pledge fund and merchant banking (capital + advice) models.  Since the supply of capital itself has been generally commoditized, MVP’s strong, diverse investor roster focuses more on potential board members and advisory resources – in other words, networks of smart, helpful people.  To present the most competitive overall transaction terms to selling shareholders, as well as ensure that strategic value is added by the new investors post-deal, MVP will rapidly ‘curate’ equity and debt backers based on their unique fit and contributions towards the target company’s long-term prosperity and success. 

Q.  Do I need to hire an investment banker if my CFO has M&A experience?

A. If you ultimately wish to sell your company, then yes – you should hire an experienced M&A banker to manage the sale process (e.g., attracting multiple suitors and representing you as the seller in the negotiations).  Though an M&A banker and CFO work very closely to close a deal on your behalf, the two roles are essential – and cannot be effectively combined. Through MVP’s extensive broker-dealer relationships and track record, we can assist with introductions to potential investment banker candidates (and other transaction support specialists) for you to independently consider.

Q. Does MVP work with companies outside of the Chicagoland area?

A. We provide our services outside of the Midwest region through a combination of onsite work (via budget-conscious T&E) and virtual tools. Depending on the scope and timing of the prospective engagement, MVP may be competitive with your locally sourced options.

Q. Should the CFO I hire have experience in my industry?

A. In some instances, hiring a financial executive with proven experience in your sector may indeed accelerate a learning curve. In many cases, however, a more successful CFO match will be based on functional and situation-specific expertise and is "industry agnostic". Additionally, there are many sectors in the private middle-market whose niche status translates into a relatively limited supply of available financial executives with direct industry experience and a successful track record they can replicate. Making a meaningful impact in a CFO’s first 100 days and beyond involves much more than a familiarity with the external drivers of a given vertical market. If you believe your company’s particular sector and circumstance would benefit from the perspective that comes from a corporate finance specialist (and industry generalist), then we encourage you to discuss with MVP the range of solutions that broad skill sets in analogous domains can provide.