Executive Search · Finance & Accounting

The right leader changes everything.

Gratus conducts senior-level finance and accounting searches for organizations where the stakes are high. We work primarily on a retained basis — moving with urgency, discretion, and precision.

City skyline
100%
Retained Search Fill Rate
83%
Contingent Fill Rate
300+
Placements Made
28+
Years Combined Exp.

Practice Areas

Built for complex industries

Senior finance and accounting talent is scarce in every sector — but industries with complex capital structures and investor scrutiny demand a higher standard of search.

🏗
01
Real Estate
REITs, private developers, institutional owners and operators — from development finance to asset management.
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🏦
02
Private Equity
Portfolio company CFO placements, fund-level finance leadership, and operating partner roles at every stage.
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📈
03
Financial Services
Asset managers, RIAs, insurance, banking, and fintech — we understand the regulatory pressures that shape these hires.
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⚕️
04
Healthcare
Health systems, physician groups, and services companies navigating reimbursement complexity and rapid growth.
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Also active in: Technology Non-Profit Gov't Contracting Manufacturing Professional Services

Our Methodology

Search done deliberately.

We don't post and pray. Every search begins with a deep-dive brief, moves through a proprietary mapping process, and closes with a shortlist built on judgment — not volume.

Full Methodology →
01

Discovery & Position Brief

Deep time spent understanding your org, culture, capital structure, and the nuances that make this role uniquely difficult.

02

Market Mapping & Sourcing

Direct outreach to passive candidates within our network — not job board postings.

03

Assessment & Vetting

Structured interviews and reference intelligence before anyone reaches your desk.

04

Presentation & Close

A curated shortlist — typically three to five candidates — with full context. We stay present through offer and onboarding.


How We Work

Two ways to engage

Contingent Search
Non-Exclusive · Results-Based

For select engagements where a retained model isn't the right fit. Available for specific role types and established client relationships.

  • No upfront investment required
  • Fee paid upon successful placement only
  • Best suited for defined, near-market roles
  • Same candidate network and quality
  • Subject to availability and role qualification
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"

Justin Marcus and the Gratus team have been incredibly helpful in supporting both short and long-term staffing needs. Extremely responsive and consistently identifies excellent candidates.

Director of Finance & Administration · $20M Non-Profit Organization
Get Started

Ready to find your next leader?

Whether you have an active mandate or want to understand how a search would work, we're happy to have a confidential conversation.

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