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Chief Accounting Officer: CAO

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Financial precision that drives results.

We find Chief Accounting Officers who bring clarity, control, and strategic insight to finance leadership.

Chief Accounting Officers (CAOs) play a critical role in private equity portfolio companies, serving as strategic financial leaders who ensure accuracy, compliance, and clarity to support value creation. In the fast-paced environment of PE-backed businesses, CAOs must balance rigorous financial oversight with the ability to drive operational improvements and support growth initiatives.

These executives oversee accounting functions including financial reporting, tax compliance, and internal controls. Partnering closely with the CFO and C-suite, they deliver timely insights that inform strategic decisions and manage relationships with investors, operating partners, and boards.

CAOs in this context often come from Big Four or other top accounting firms and have highly relevant industry knowledge. They bring a blend of technical expertise and strategic thinking – navigating complex financial landscapes, implementing best practices, and driving process improvements that support the company’s value creation plan and ultimate exit.

ECA Partners has a proven track record of placing senior accounting and finance leaders in investor-backed companies. Our evidence-based approach combines data-driven search, structured assessments, and a curated network of proven operators. We identify leaders who bring precision and strategic judgment to every stage of the investment lifecycle – enabling transparency, scalability, and sustainable growth.

Our Areas of Expertise.

We deliver top executive talent and flexible consulting solutions across high-growth industries.

SECTORS

Private Equity Firms & Portcos

Private Equity Firms & Portcos

We match PE investors with leaders who unlock value.

Healthcare

Healthcare

ECA places leaders who drive growth, compliance, and better care.

Business Services

Business Services

ECA places leaders who unlock efficiency & growth in service models.

Industrials & Natural Resources

Industrials & Natural Resources

We find the savviest operators to optimize manufacturing businesses.

Consumer & Retail

Consumer & Retail

We identify executives who grow consumer brands and market presence.

Technology

Technology

From SaaS to AI, we recruit leaders driving innovation and scale.

Financial Services

Financial Services

ECA secures agile financial leaders to navigate shifting markets.

Meet your Practice Leads

Steven Haug, PhD

Steven Haug, PhD

Managing Director

As Managing Director at ECA Partners, Steven leads searches for Chief Accounting Officers, Controllers, and senior finance leaders who build disciplined, scalable finance organizations. His work spans PE-backed manufacturing, industrials, and services companies, with additional experience across consumer and distribution sectors. Steven’s network includes finance executives skilled in integration, systems optimization, and process control for growth environments. He earned a PhD in Philosophy from the University of California, Santa Cruz.

Tony Topoleski, PhD

Tony Topoleski, PhD

Senior Director

Tony is a Senior Director in ECA Partners’ Finance Practice focused on Chief Accounting Officer and senior accounting leadership placements for private equity–backed companies. He partners with CFOs and sponsors to recruit leaders who strengthen financial controls, streamline systems, and support value creation through operational discipline. His background spans finance, transformation, and analytics, bringing a structured, data-informed approach to every engagement. Tony earned a PhD from Northwestern University and was a Fulbright Scholar to Russia, where his research examined motivation and belonging during periods of economic transition.

Have a role you'd like to discuss?

Reach out. We’d be delighted to learn about your hiring goals.

Have a chief accounting officer role you’d like to discuss?

Reach out. We'd be delighted to learn about your hiring goals.

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