James Clous is a Senior Director with nearly two decades of experience delivering transformative strategic finance solutions across software/SaaS, financial services, healthcare, and manufacturing/distribution industries. He is recognized for driving results in complex, high-velocity client environments, with deep expertise in financial planning and analysis (FP&A), business intelligence, management reporting, and process improvement.
At Accordion, James has led high-impact strategic FP&A engagements in a range of client situations and industries, including SaaS, fintech, healthcare, manufacturing & distribution, data services, insurance, and consumer goods. He has provided software and technology businesses with leadership and execution support through ARR reporting standup and enhancement, budgeting and forecasting development, data strategy, KPI rationalization, and digital lead-to-cash process improvements. In manufacturing and industrial settings, James has driven finance, business planning, and analytical support for evaluating profitability across business dimensions such as product, customer, and location.
James’ experience spans the investment lifecycle for portfolio companies, with extensive experience in assessing and onboarding FP&A best practices and technology, mid-hold value creation initiative execution and tracking, and exit preparedness, with a specific focus on IPO readiness.
James’ cross-functional experience is grounded in actionable analytics, process improvement, change management, and the design of scalable financial models. He is adept at managing multidisciplinary project teams, aligning diverse stakeholder groups, and providing strategic guidance as well as hands-on execution.
Before consulting independently and at Accordion, James was a Vice President at Lazard where he analyzed and reported on the health and operations of their Financial Advisory business, its market positioning, and financial performance. He also oversaw a variety of process and system improvements, increasing automation and accuracy across the finance functions.
James started his career at Blackstone where he was responsible for financial planning, analysis, and strategy relating to their global incentive structure, general partner investment economics, and management reporting.
James graduated from James Madison University with a B.A. in Finance and Economics.