Chief Financial Officer

Position Overview

The Chief Financial Officer (CFO) at a stealth fintech startup in Los Angeles is the primary financial leader, responsible for shaping fiscal strategy, managing capital planning, and ensuring sustainable long-term growth. Collaborating closely with the Founder and CEO, the CFO transforms strategic company goals into comprehensive financial plans, oversees major monetary initiatives, and aligns investment choices with the approved business objectives.

Key Duties and Responsibilities

• Design and implement the company's financial strategy in coordination with the Founder and CEO, ensuring it supports the overarching vision and business goals.
• Offer expert financial counsel to top leadership, including the Founder and CEO.
• Lead organization-wide financial planning, budgeting, forecasting, capital distribution, and performance evaluation.
• Create financial models that enable scalable and profitable business growth over the long term.
• Build and maintain detailed models for revenue forecasting, cash flow, scenario planning, and capital requirements aiding in strategic decisions.
• Supervise budgeting processes, financial reporting, cash flow monitoring, and overall fiscal performance to maintain discipline and efficiency.
• Develop and manage capital-raising efforts throughout various funding stages from Pre-Seed to Series C and beyond.
• Prepare investor materials such as financial models, valuation reports, presentations, and business plans jointly with the CEO.
• Maintain relationships with venture capitalists, private equity firms, investment banks, institutional investors, and strategic partners.
• Lead investor due diligence processes, manage investor documentation including Virtual Data Rooms (VDRs), cap tables, and financial reports.
• Handle board presentations, investor reporting, and regular executive financial updates.
• Support mergers, acquisitions, strategic investments, and initiatives toward IPO preparedness.
• Ensure adherence to U.S. GAAP standards, corporate governance, and regulatory requirements.
• Install robust internal controls, financial policies, and risk management frameworks.
• Oversee audits, tax planning, and regulatory filings.
• Build and guide a skilled finance team fostering accountability, financial discipline, and continuous improvement.
• Champion data-driven decision-making and collaborate with leadership on strategic investments and growth projects.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Finance, Accounting, Business Administration, Economics, or a related discipline is required.
• Advanced credentials such as CFA, CPA, MBA or equivalent are highly favored.
• Minimum of 10 years progressive financial leadership experience, including executive roles in startups or high-growth environments.
• Proven track record in financial strategy, corporate finance, capital planning, and venture-backed fundraising at multiple stages.
• Expertise in developing complex financial models, valuation, capital allocation, and fundraising documentation.
• Experience managing investor relations and preparing investor-ready materials, including due diligence and VDR management.
• Strong understanding of startup finance mechanics including cap tables, dilution, term sheets, and venture capital structures.
• Effective leadership, analytical, negotiation, communication, and decision-making abilities.
• Authorized to work in the United States.

Preferred Experience

• Executive financial leadership experience in fintech, financial services, banking, SaaS, or technology sectors.
• Successful venture capital fundraising across multiple stages, including preparation for IPOs or exits.
• Background in working with VC firms, private equity, investment banks, and strategic investors.
• Experience guiding mergers, acquisitions, partnerships, or business exits.
• Familiarity with public company reporting and IPO requirements.

Core Competencies

• Financial strategy formulation
• Advanced financial modeling and valuation
• Corporate and capital finance management
• Capital planning and fundraising expertise
• Financial planning and analysis
• Investor relations and venture capital dealings
• Financial reporting and enterprise risk management
• Strategic decision-making and executive leadership
• Corporate governance and business partnership