From Accounting to being “Accountable”: Experienced Pros Make the Leap to E78

Do you feel confined to a desk where the highlight of your day is balancing a ledger or locating a missing penny in your reconciliations? Welcome to the mundane world of traditional accounting. Now, imagine a place where every number tells a story of potential, where you're at the cutting edge of technology, and have a front-row seat to transformational change across thriving sectors like healthcare, transportation, manufacturing, and hospitality – just to name a few.

For this reason, experienced accounting and finance professionals are increasingly drawn to the dynamic private equity (PE) sector and E78. Why? Because E78 collaborates closely with financial sponsors, CEOs, and the offices of CFOs and CIOs at companies ranging from the middle market to the Fortune 500. We provide our seasoned experts the chance to apply their real-world skills and knowledge in impactful ways. E78 values and prioritizes frontline experience, working side-by-side with clients to deliver products and solutions that drive tangible results while offering rapid career growth.

If your current accounting or finance role feels as outdated as an abacus and you're ready for a change, eager to solve industry-related problems alongside professionals with incredible backgrounds—read on.

Value in the Trenches: Prioritizing Real-World Experience

At E78, the focus isn’t just on prestigious resumes or big-name firm backgrounds. Instead, the company prioritizes real-world, frontline experience in the industries it serves. E78’s team consists of operators who have been in the trenches, handling complex financial situations and navigating challenging business environments. This approach is fundamentally different from firms that solely value a history with the Big Four. E78 believes in the power of practical experience, where the emphasis is on what you’ve done, not just where you’ve worked.

Meet Michael Honeycutt, CFA : With 18 years of experience in Private Equity-backed Corporate Finance, Michael has held positions ranging from Analyst to Chief Financial Officer. His extensive background has provided him with a deep understanding of the diverse range of challenges faced by E78's clients. Currently, Michael manages E78’s healthcare-focused client relationships and engagements, leveraging his expertise in the multi-site healthcare sector to deliver solutions as they develop their operational platforms.   

Rapid Career Growth in a Compressed Timeline

One of the standout benefits of joining E78 is the opportunity for rapid career growth. The fast-paced nature of the PE industry demands a high level of performance and quick adaptation, which in turn accelerates career development. At E78, professionals accumulate extensive experience in a short period, thanks to the intense, high-stakes environment – and as a result, the firm has remained one of the fastest growing companies in the U.S. six years running, with no plans of slowing down.

This rapid accumulation of experience is a significant draw for mid-career professionals who might feel stifled in traditional accounting roles with unclear career progression. At E78, the opportunity to grow quickly and take on substantial responsibilities is not just possible but encouraged.

Meet Jake Lunney : Jake has 12 years of experience in FP&A and finance technology. He previously worked at Capital One, then joined Cadilus which was acquired by E78 in 2022. He currently leads the Adaptive Services team, which is an official partner of Workday focused on deploying and optimizing Workday Adaptive Planning - a cloud-based FP&A modeling and business intelligence platform. Before taking his current role as Practice Director of Adaptive Services, Jake worked in FP&A consulting and supported over 75 engagements across a multitude of industries. Through these engagements, he gained extensive real-world experience, allowing him to tackle various challenges in diverse environments.

Since joining Cadilus/E78 six years ago, Jake has received three promotions and has worked across four different teams.

One of the most interesting projects Jake worked on was with Scentbird, a New York-based cosmetics and perfume subscription company. In this engagement, Jake supported everything from pricing and product analysis to helping design Scentbird's online checkout flow.

Have experience in a niche area of relevance to a particular sector or functional area? You can own and grow that business.

We Value Shoulder-to-Shoulder Work

E78 thrives in this space by embedding its professionals directly into client operations, working shoulder-to-shoulder with them to address challenges and drive success. This hands-on approach ensures that E78's team members are not just advisors but active participants in the business transformation process.

This method of working closely with clients provides a unique advantage. Professionals at E78 gain deep insights into various industries and sectors, enhancing their expertise and making them invaluable assets to their clients. This practical, real-world experience is something that cannot be replicated through theoretical knowledge alone.

E78 offers a unique environment where veteran accounting talent can not only thrive but be true partners in client value creation. By prioritizing real-world experience, providing opportunities for rapid career growth, and embedding professionals in the fast-paced PE industry, E78 creates a workplace that is both challenging and rewarding. For those seeking to elevate their careers and join one of the fastest growing companies in the U.S. while making a real impact, E78 stands out as the perfect choice!

“‘The Power of E’ embodies our dedication to fostering a culture of understanding and collaboration, while consistently delivering excellence and innovation,” said Sarah Purlee, SPHR, SHRM-SCP , Chief Human Resource Officer at E78. “We take pride in offering our team hands-on experience with financial sponsors, CEOs, and key stakeholders in private equity. By prioritizing practical experience and fast career growth, we enable our professionals to make a meaningful impact and advance their development.”