Chief Financial Officer

CFO

Location: Downtown San Diego (full-time, in-office)

Pay: $275,000.00 - $325,000.00 per year, plus equity

Why This Role Is Compelling

This role offers the opportunity to lead the finance and HR function of an upper middle-market, PE-backed company, with direct exposure to and responsibility to sophisticated investors, and meaningful influence and participation in the company's value creation, fundraising, and exit outcomes. This role offers a seasoned Controller/CFO an exciting opportunity to drive growth through strategic leadership and technical expertise in a collaborative environment committed to excellence.

Company Overview

We are a rapidly growing, upper-middle-market, private equity-backed company executing a clearly defined, high-growth value creation plan. The business operates with high expectations around financial discipline, reporting accuracy, and performance transparency. As the company continues to scale, building a best-in-class finance function that meets institutional PE standards is a critical priority. The company has achieved profitability.

Role Summary

We are seeking a hands-on, execution-oriented CFO who will personally own the finance and accounting function today while building the systems, processes, and reporting required to support continued growth, sponsor reporting, and an eventual exit. The right candidate will fully lean into generative AI to manage efficiency and use it as a force multiplier.

The CFO will have full accountability for finance, accounting, and financial reporting, combining direct execution of day-to-day accounting with leadership of strategic financial planning and PE sponsor engagement. Initially, this role will operate with limited internal finance resources and will require the CFO to personally execute core accounting and close activities, leveraging fractional support. The role will include capital structure optimization and deep involvement in M&A, fundraising, and exit preparation.

This role will also handle HR functions, including payroll, benefits, 401(k), and compensation structure, and will support hiring and onboarding.

Key Responsibilities

Hands-On Financial Operations & Controls

• Personally execute and oversee all core finance and accounting activities, including general ledger ownership and monthly close; AR, invoicing, collections, and cash application; AP, expense management, and vendor payments; and cash management, liquidity forecasting, and bank reconciliations
• Produce timely, accurate, GAAP-compliant financial statements
• Establish and enforce internal controls consistent with institutional PE expectations
• Maintain audit-ready financials and documentation at all times
• Manage revenue cycle management processes, including revenue recognition under ASC 606 standards
• Work with the Sales team on pricing and deal support
• Create and understand market TAM and product profitability analysis
• Produce ad hoc analysis as requested

PE Reporting, Planning & Value Creation Support

• Lead annual budgeting, rolling forecasts, and long-range financial planning
• Develop and maintain detailed financial models, KPI dashboards, and variance analyses
• Prepare and present institutional-quality monthly and quarterly reporting packages for PE sponsors
• Partner with leadership and sponsors on value creation initiatives, margin improvement, and capital efficiency
• Provide data-driven insights to support operational decision-making

Corporate Finance, M&A & External Stakeholders

• Serve as primary financial liaison to PE sponsors, lenders, and external advisors
• Manage 409A valuations and compliance requirements
• Lead audits, quality of earnings, and transaction-related diligence processes
• Support debt facilities, covenant compliance, amendments, and refinancings
• Lead M&A activities, including due diligence, valuation analysis, integration planning, and negotiation support for add-on acquisitions

Systems, Process & Team Build

• Implement and optimize scalable accounting, reporting, and FP&A systems
• Build a repeatable, disciplined close and reporting cadence
• Maintain a hands-on, doer approach until it is appropriate to hire additional finance staff
• Define the future finance organization structure and lead hiring as the company scales

Additional Functions

• Conduct risk analysis and develop strategies for risk mitigation across financial operations
• Implement cost control measures and oversee expense management to optimize profitability
• Develop business analysis models for market analysis and business development initiatives
• Collaborate with senior leadership on strategic planning initiatives to foster sustainable growth

Qualifications & Experience

• Prior experience as a CFO, Controller, or senior finance leader in an upper middle market PE-backed, growth-stage, or similarly rigorous environment
• Deep technical accounting expertise and strong command of GAAP; experience with ASC 606 and COSO frameworks preferred
• Proven ownership of the full accounting lifecycle, including close, reporting, and audits
• Experience delivering sponsor-ready reporting and supporting value creation plans
• Strong exposure to M&A, add-on integrations, or transaction diligence
• Comfortable operating with high accountability and minimal initial infrastructure
• Strong background in corporate finance, including treasury management, risk analysis, regulatory reporting, and financial modeling
• Demonstrated expertise in fundraising, mergers & acquisitions, business development strategies, and market analysis
• Deep understanding of revenue cycle management, cost control techniques, expense management, and fiscal oversight
• Strong analytical skills with the ability to interpret complex financial data into actionable insights
• Effective negotiation skills coupled with strategic thinking for business growth opportunities
• Proficiency in financial software systems; advanced Excel skills; familiarity with financial planning tools is essential
• Excellent leadership skills with prior supervising experience; ability to build and manage teams effectively in a fast-paced environment
• Bachelor's degree in Accounting, Finance or related field; CPA or CFA preferred; MBA advantageous

Ideal Candidate Profile

• Highly execution-oriented with strong attention to detail
• Comfortable balancing hands-on work with senior-level stakeholder interaction
• Credible and confident communicator with PE partners and lenders
• Structured, disciplined, and deadline-driven
• Motivated by building institutional-quality finance functions
• Currently using and expanding expertise in generative AI to manage redundant tasks, operate at high efficiency, and produce high-quality analysis and output quickly

Pay: $275,000.00 - $325,000.00 per year

Benefits:

• 401(k)
• Dental insurance
• Family leave
• Flexible spending account
• Health insurance
• Health savings account
• Life insurance
• Paid time off
• Stock options
• Vision insurance

Application Question(s):

• This position is full-time in our Downtown San Diego office. Does that work for you?
• Do you have any experience with company exits and managing due diligence with investors? Please explain.
• Have you ever helped a company raise Series B/C or beyond? Please explain.
• Explain your hands-on approach to financial reporting, accounting and bookkeeping, investor reporting, preparing presentations for CEO meetings, and preparing for internal and external shareholder meetings. The more details the better. Include your use of generative AI to optimize efficiency, analysis, and output.

Ability to Commute:

• San Diego, CA 92101 (Required)

Ability to Relocate:

• San Diego, CA 92101: Relocate before starting work (Required)

Work Location: In person