Los Angeles Accounting & Finance Recruiting — Specialized Executive Headhunters

Pacific Executive Search is a specialized accounting and finance executive search firm headquartered in Manhattan Beach, serving employers across Greater Los Angeles. Unlike staffing agencies that circulate resumes, we proactively headhunt Controllers, CFOs, VP Finance, and FP&A leaders who are performing at their current companies — the professionals you can't reach through job boards.

How Our Los Angeles Executive Search Works

Most recruiting firms post jobs and wait. Retained firms charge large upfront fees with no guarantee of results. Our approach is different: we proactively headhunt finance leaders who aren't actively looking — the high performers your competitors can't reach through traditional recruiting channels.

With decades of deep relationships across Southern California's finance community, we identify and engage professionals who are the right fit for your specific role, culture, and growth trajectory. Our proprietary methodology and technology investment means we move faster and more precisely than generalist firms.

Why Los Angeles Companies Choose Retained Executive Search

Los Angeles is the most competitive finance talent market on the West Coast. The best CFOs, Controllers, and VP of Finance candidates aren't on job boards — they're heads-down at their current roles.

Staffing Agencies

• Post jobs and wait
• Resume matching
• Volume-based
• Junior researchers

Retained Firms

• Large upfront fee
• Some outbound recruiting
• Handoff to junior staff
• No guaranteed timeline

Pacific Executive Search

• Proactive headhunting
• Direct candidate engagement
• Senior-led, start to finish
• Specialized in A&F only

Finance & Accounting Roles We Place in Los Angeles

✓Chief Financial Officer (CFO)

✓VP of Finance / Finance Director

✓Controller / Assistant Controller

✓FP&A Director / FP&A Manager

✓Chief Accounting Officer (CAO)

✓SEC Reporting & Technical Accounting

✓Tax Director / Tax Manager

✓Treasury & Cash Management

✓Accounting Manager / Senior Accountant

✓ERP Implementation Leaders

Industries We Serve in Los Angeles

From entertainment studios in Century City to PE portfolio companies in the South Bay and tech startups in Playa Vista, we recruit finance leaders across LA's most dynamic sectors:

→Entertainment & Media

→Aerospace & Defense

→Consumer Products

→E-commerce & DTC

→Real Estate

→Private Equity Portfolio Co.

→Manufacturing

→Financial Services

→Healthcare

Los Angeles Executive Search

Start Your Confidential Los Angeles Executive Search

Ready to hire a CFO, Controller, or finance leader who will drive real results? Get a free consultation today.

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View Our Process

Part of our California executive search practice. Learn about our services including CFO executive search, Controller recruiting, and finance executive search. See our PE portfolio company search practice.

What industries do you specialize in for Los Angeles-based finance roles?
In Los Angeles, we recruit across entertainment, real estate, technology, consumer products, manufacturing, and financial services. We understand how industry dynamics and ownership models shape the finance talent required. Our specialized approach means we already know top talent in each sector and what skillsets are transferrable to which specific industry.
How do you find passive Accounting & Finance candidates in Southern California?
Our headhunting model focuses on long-term relationships — not job boards. We track professionals by career arc, system expertise, and business outcomes across our regional markets. This gives us access to candidates not actively on the market but open to the right opportunity. Learn more about maximizing your collaboration with recruiters.
Do you support PE-backed companies in Los Angeles?
Yes. We have deep experience working with portfolio companies across Southern California — especially when they need to upgrade finance leadership post-acquisition or scale into systems and controls. Our placements frequently include CFOs, Controllers, FP&A leaders, and post-M&A integration talent. View examples of our successful executive placements in similar environments.
Do you recruit for public and private companies, or just investor-backed ones?
We recruit for public companies, family-owned businesses, and capital-backed firms alike. Our specialization in Accounting and Finance allows us to tailor the search to your business model, maturity, and industry — not just your ownership structure. If you're interested in working with us, learn about our hiring process.
What if we need NetSuite, SAP, or Oracle experience in a hire?
We routinely place professionals with deep ERP and financial systems expertise, including NetSuite, SAP, Oracle, Workday, BlackLine, and Sage MAS500. This includes hiring for systems implementation, post-acquisition integration, and reporting automation in Southern California businesses.
Do you handle remote or hybrid roles in the LA area?
Yes. We recruit for onsite, hybrid, and remote positions. Many candidates in the LA region consider commute patterns from areas like Pasadena, South Bay, or Orange County — so we align your location strategy with your ideal talent pool.
How much does an executive search firm in Los Angeles cost?
Executive search pricing in Los Angeles varies by firm model. Traditional retained firms charge 25-35% of first-year compensation with a large upfront fee. At Pacific Executive Search, our fee structure is performance-aligned — we don't charge large retainers upfront. Schedule a free consultation to discuss pricing for your specific search.
Do you offer confidential executive searches in Los Angeles?
Yes. Confidential searches are one of our core capabilities. Whether you're replacing a sitting executive, exploring a new role before announcing a departure, or conducting a sensitive board-level search, our process is designed for discretion at every step. We regularly handle confidential CFO, Controller, and board of directors recruitment in the Los Angeles market.

Looking for more comprehensive hiring information? Explore our complete recruiting FAQ for detailed business education and strategy insights.

Los Angeles Accounting & Finance Executive Recruiters

Los Angeles Accounting & Finance Recruiting — Specialized Executive Headhunters

How Our Los Angeles Executive Search Works

Why Los Angeles Companies Choose Retained Executive Search

Staffing Agencies

Retained Firms

Pacific Executive Search

Finance & Accounting Roles We Place in Los Angeles

Industries We Serve in Los Angeles

Start Your Confidential Los Angeles Executive Search

We connect exceptional talent with the companies that value them most.

Specialized Accounting and Finance Headhunters

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