What Makes a Top-Tier Private Equity CFO?

Become a More Strategic CFO: https://bit.ly/3H1PlUh

Stepping into a PE-backed CFO role? You're not just signing up for financial reporting; you're stepping onto a burning platform.

Scott Engler, CEO & Co-founder of Sync Executive Partners, sits down to discuss what separates “A-player” CFOs from the rest in the high-stakes world of private equity.

Scott shares the mindset shifts, leadership capabilities, and stakeholder dynamics CFOs must master to drive transformation, align their teams, and quickly build investor confidence.

Whether you're already in a PE-backed seat or looking to make this career shift or leading finance elsewhere, this episode provides a framework to lead with confidence and clarity.

Discussed in This Episode:
• What makes a PE-backed CFO different from a public or VC-backed one
• The #1 mindset shift you need: ownership of all outcomes
• Why transformation, not just reporting, is now a CFO's responsibility
• How top CFOs drive performance, alignment and strategic clarity
• How to build credibility with stakeholders

Chapters:
00:00 Introduction: Stepping into a Private Equity CFO Role
01:36 Meeting Scott Engler and Defining the "A-Player" CFO
03:24 Scott Engler’s Background and Sync Executive Partners
06:47 How Private Equity CFOs Differ from VC, Growth and Public Company CFOs
10:56 The Biggest Mindset Shift for Private Equity CFOs
15:10 Leveraging Support from Private Equity Sponsors
18:29 Differentiating "A-Player" CFOs from B, C, and D Players
21:39 Audience Question: Mindset Shift for All CFOs
23:17 Future Capabilities and Risk as Opportunity
26:12 Making Hard Choices and Defunding Old Priorities
28:55 The CFO as a Culture and Talent Leader
33:05 Five Capabilities of an "A-Player" CFO
40:06 Deep Dive – Performance Leadership in Action
47:38 Common Mistakes in Transitioning to Private Equity CFO
51:36 Building Credibility with Investors and Boards
53:18 Two Key Pieces of Advice for CFO Success
55:44 Rapid Fire: Hallmark of Mature Finance Teams
56:26 Book Recommendations for CFOs
57:46 Closing Thoughts and Outro

Guest Links:
  / scottengler  
https://www.syncexecutivepartners.com/

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