Chris Relth is a seasoned professional with 19 years of experience in the talent industry, recognized as a thought leader and an agent of change. He is the Founder and CEO of Artemis, a specialized staffing and executive search organization, where he brings a tenacious approach to concierge-style permanent search and staffing services. Additionally, Chris is a Managing Partner for Artemis United, a DVBE-certified joint venture that works with the state, fed, and clients to help meet their vendor diversity needs. Artemis United only hires military veterans internally to help with their transition to the civilian workforce.

Chris' leadership philosophy is rooted in the belief that fostering a supportive and collaborative work environment is critical to the success of his team, and ultimately leads to successful outcomes for his clients. His company is dedicated to the satisfaction of its team members and is committed to contributing to positive, long-lasting impact through the promotion of happier, healthier workforces.

A Bay Area native, Chris holds a degree from Chico State University and has been a resident of Orange County for over a decade, where he currently resides in Ladera Ranch, CA. In his free time, Chris channels his energy into philanthropic pursuits as a partner of Miracles for Kids and sits on various boards. He is also a youth football and baseball coach and is heavily involved in fitness.

Chris Relth

I had a bad interview with an internal hire. 
But he'd told me he'd lost 100 pounds. 
He became one of our best hires.


On paper, he wasn't impressive. His answers were average. He stumbled through a few questions. 

If I'd scored him purely on interview performance, he wouldn't have made the cut.

But then, he showed me a photo of himself from a couple of years earlier, and I barely recognized him. He'd lost 100 pounds and completely transformed his body.

That told me everything I needed to know.

Losing that much weight is hard. You need to show up every single day, and twice when you don't feel like it. It takes discipline to work when no one's watching. To refuse to quit when progress feels invisible.

Those are the exact traits that separate good salespeople from great ones.

He's ended up being one of our most successful hires. 

He outworks people who interviewed circles around him and built a strong book of business. 

Proof that grit beats polish every time.

Because of him, I now ask every candidate I interview a simple question: what's the hardest thing you’ve done recently?

If they can give me proof they don't quit when things get difficult, they're in.

That's the stuff you can't teach.

Want to know if you're working with a headhunter? 
Ask the candidate one simple question:
"Why are you looking?"



I've noticed over my years how the words "headhunter," "recruiter," "staffing," "executive search," and "direct hire" all get thrown around like they mean the same thing.

But they don't.

And if you're a hiring manager trying to fill a senior role, 
Understanding the difference is important.

It could save you months of wasted time and dozens of interviews with the wrong people.

If they say:
"I’ve been applying to roles online..." 
Actively looking, browsing job boards, or applying because they're unhappy...
You’re working with a recruiter.

If they say:
"I wasn’t looking, but your opportunity sounded worth a conversation..." 
You’ve hired a headhunter.

That’s the difference.

→ Recruiters work in the active market.
People who are already looking, updating their CVs, and responding to job ads.

→ Headhunters work the hidden market.
People who are not looking, but are good enough to be worth interrupting.

Both have their place.

But if you’re hiring for leadership or niche talent, one approach gets you mediocrity while the other gets you momentum.

When every candidate on your shortlist is unemployed or “exploring,”
You’re competing for availability.
Not necessarily the best candidates.

And the best headhunters don’t wait for candidates to apply.

They call the people every other firm can’t reach and make them interested.

That’s the real difference.

Recruiters fill roles.
Headhunters change companies.=by securing the best talent IN not ON the market

And it all comes down to the quality of talent you eventually bring in.

If a CV says "led initiatives" and "managed projects."
Here's the translation:
"I've done nothing measurable."


OK, every salesperson's resume has BS on it. I get that.

But there's a huge difference between embellishing a story and talking generalized gibberish.

When I'm scanning resumes, I hunt for one thing: Evidence.

Here are some red flags to look out for:

> "Led cross-functional initiatives" - What revenue did this generate?
> "Managed key accounts" - By how much did those accounts grow?
> "Collaborated with stakeholders" - Cool story, but can you close deals?

What I want to see is completely different:

> "Grew territory from zero to $1.5M in 18 months"
> "Increased account penetration by 40% year-over-year"
> "Consistently hit 120% of quota for three consecutive years"

See the difference? 

One talks in generalisations. 
The other talks about results. In numbers. With data, you can check.

The best salespeople don't hide behind vague corporate BS. 

They lead with their wins because they understand that in sales, results are the only currency.

The numbers tell the real story. Everything else is fluff.

I've interviewed 150+ people in our industry in the last 18 months. 
I've noticed a painful pattern. 
The bigger the company, the less safe you are.



It sounds counterintuitive, doesn't it? 

You'd think a larger organization with deeper pockets and global reach would offer more stability. 

But that's not what I'm hearing in most conversations.

The people coming from big public companies tell me the same stories over and over. 

Reverse commission tiers designed to push out top earners. Territories scrambled overnight with no explanation. Return-to-office mandates that have nothing to do with productivity and everything to do with forcing resignations.

One candidate said to me the decisions about her future were made three layers above her by people who've never met her.

And the thing that keeps coming up is that the highest performers who were promoted multiple times are often the first to go, because they're expensive.

These business leaders are beholden to shareholders and quarterly reports, so trimming their most successful salespeople is just maths.

Gone are the days when your great-grandfather retired after 30 years with a gold watch. That loyalty doesn't exist anymore, at least not from the top down.

After all these interviews, I've noticed the happiest, most successful, long-term producers I know, the ones who are actually still in love with what they do, almost all work at boutique firms.

Smaller teams. Closer relationships. Decisions made by people who actually know your name.

Do with that information what you will.

Alvarez Consulting 

• Stepped into mid-project NetSuite implementation to replace failed workflows and improve system reliability
• Visualized approval logic in Excel to clarify system flaws for business leaders
• Advocated for client interests during vendor discussions, correcting implementation issues
• Developed user-specific dashboards, KPIs, and shortcut centers
• Audited post-go-live data, fixed import issues, and cleaned up reporting
• Created visual SOPs for non-technical finance teams
• Managed external vendors, internal teams, and 3rd-party tools
• Designed and executed recovery plans for clients with failed NetSuite launches

Sr. NetSuite Functional Consultant – Financial Systems Lead 

Sikich

•	Delivered post-implementation NetSuite support to 30+ clients
•	Customized Saved Searches, KPIs, Suitelets, workflows, and dashboards
•	Managed user access, testing environments, and upgrade coordination
•	Resolved issues involving approval workflows and dashboard configuration
•	Led full-scale data conversion and field mapping projects
•	Supported modules including GL, Fixed Assets, Deferred Revenue, and Banking
•	Acted as client relationship manager for ticket escalation and issue resolution

NetSuite Support Consultant

Premiere Digital Services

•	Supervised 2-person team; handled monthly close, reconciliations, and journal entries
•	Supported financial reporting, variance analysis, and audit preparation
•	Automated monthly close procedures using NetSuite and Excel
•	Trained accounting staff and integrated finance systems during NetSuite transition
•	Conducted cost analysis and assisted with budget forecasting

Accounting Manager 

Pixi Inc.

•	Oversaw daily accounting operations, including AP, AR, GL, and reporting
•	Managed month-end close and GAAP compliance reporting
•	Co-led cash forecasting and spend control initiatives with the executive team
•	Supported inventory reconciliation and procurement optimization
•	Resigned due to ethical misalignment and compliance concerns

Associate Director of Finance and Accounting

Robert Half

I worked with the following top tier companies in the following sectors.

Public Sector
•	Live Nation Entertainment, Inc - Promotion of Live Events
•	LiveStyle, Inc - Global Producer of Live Events
•	Concord Music Group, Inc - Recordings and Music Publishing
•	WSL Holdings Inc - World Surf League
•	Compass Real Estate, Inc
•	TrueCar, Inc – Automotive Sales

Private Sector
•	Oak View Group LLC - Entertainment and Sports Facilities
•	Milken Institute – Thinktank
•	SBE Entertainment Group, LLC - Umami Burger
•	Christopher Guy - Luxury Furnishings
•	Avalon Transportation, LLC
•	Hatchbeauty Brands, LLC – Cosmetics
•	MaterialPlus – Digital Marketing Advertising

Responsibilities

•	Managed a staff of 5+ A/P, A/R, payroll & commissions
•	Supervised, trained, onboarded, and reviewed workflow of A/P, A/R, Staff Accountants
•	Prepared month-end and year-end financial statements 
•	Prepared journal entries, reconciliations, and flux analyses  
•	Prepared full year-end balance sheet reconciliations and revenue testing materials for audit
•	Reconciled intercompany accounts, managed fixed asset and prepaid schedules
•	Maintained all necessary business licenses and memberships
•	Researched unapplied payments/invoices 3+ years back, recovered $6 million in unapplied payments

Senior Accountant / Accounting Manager 

Guthy|Renker

•	Trained incoming staff in the department. Managed media vendor relationships, Maintained database
•	Oversaw processing of media spend authorized by buyers, reviewed daily transactions, and weekly invoices 
•	Analyzed transactions, prepared journal entries, and researched variances as needed.
•	Managed reconciliations, prepaid assets, accrued expenses/liabilities, amortization entries, and reconciliation of media purchases and payments between software systems 
•	Executed weekly AP functions including invoice coding and payment processing

Staff Accountant

Natural Retreats (Formerly Beau Monde Villas) 

•	Managed 20+ employees and 2 departments, including human resources, vendors, party planners
•	Manage team while encouraging and improving cross-department internal communication
•	Human Resources operations (including, but not limited to, payroll, on-boarding, timecard keeping)
•	Perform other office tasks as assigned (replenish office supplies, distribute mail, custodial duties, etc.)
•	Reduced purchasing costs by 10%, maximized domain hosting efficiency, reduced costs by over 25% 
•	Facilitated system improvement aimed at cross-branding opportunities, special privileges, and discounts. 
•	Boosted lead delivery and reservations scheduling speed by 35% by increasing the data volume

Operations Manager

Agua Caliente Resort Casino Spa Rancho Mirage 

•	Performed various audits, gaming, and non-gaming, reviewing documentation to ensure that their revenue is properly accounted for and reported.
•	Audited records for proper compliance with the casino's internal controls as it relates to the applicable departments, ensured revenue is reconciled in accordance to company policies reports the audit findings and any deficiencies identified to the management on duty

Senior Revenue Accountant

Workway

•	Reviewed general ledger accounts and corrected journal entries. 
•	Performed account analysis and reconciliation, including bank statements and general ledger accounts, daily bank reconciliations, and corresponding sub-schedules. 
•	Responsible for all aspects of accounting; accounts payable and journal entries, Processed, posted, and reconciled all Accounts Payable invoices, creating journal entries and performing reconciliations of balance sheet accounts, performed full cycle accounts payable (3-way matching, batching, and coding invoices)

Angel View Crippled Children's

•	Reconciled 20+ bank statements monthly, managed to reconcile all accounts payable/receivable accounts for the client trust funds of over 100 clients 
•	Processed, posted, and reconciled payments in the medical billing software in excess of 200 health care claims per month. 
•	Designed and administered a computerized tracking system for their day program and transportation dept. billing and invoicing. 
•	Reconciled multiple account bases consisting of 100+ lines. As well as designing software for the payroll department to help automate accrual features in my spare time.

Accounts Receivable - Trust Management 

Finance-first ERP expertise. Systems-backed accounting leadership.

I don’t just optimize NetSuite, I design the financial architecture it supports.
I bridge the gap between accounting operations and enterprise systems.

As a Senior NetSuite Functional Consultant and former Accounting Manager, I bring over 15 years of experience leading full-cycle accounting alongside deep technical fluency in ERP recovery, SuiteFlow automation, and Celigo integration.

What sets me apart? I don’t just close the books I build the systems that make them audit-ready, scalable, and efficient. From redesigning general ledger frameworks to leading post-go-live ERP recovery efforts, I turn complexity into clarity and train teams to own their workflows with confidence.

⚙️ Core Strengths
• GAAP financial reporting, month/year-end close, audit prep, budgeting, team leadership
• NetSuite: GL, A/P, A/R, SuiteFlow, Saved Searches, Dashboards, SuiteAnalytics, role governance
• Celigo: Shopify, Stripe, banking APIs, custom flow configuration
• ERP rescue: Failed implementations, workflow redesign, data cleanup
• Cross-functional leadership: Bridging finance, ops, and tech teams for unified execution

📩 Open to full-time remote or hybrid roles
As an Accounting Manager or ERP Consultant, I bring structure, strategy, and results.

🧠 Certifications
NetSuite Administrator • SuiteFoundation • Financial User
Celigo Integration App – Builder Core

🧰 Tech Stack
NetSuite • Celigo • Sage Intacct • QuickBooks • JD Edwards • Microsoft Dynamics GP • MAS90 • AppFolio • AS/400  • Stripe • Shopify • Authorize.net • Excel (Advanced) • Smartsheet

📍 Based in California | Remote-First Availability

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Chris Relth

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The Battle

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April Alvarez

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