About Zeni
Zeni’s all-in-one financial platform is born from the passion of our founders who have weathered the storm of financial chaos. Our mission is simple: to streamline financial operations so founders can get back to what they do best – growing their business. We consolidate everything from bookkeeping, banking, payroll, to bill payments and more onto one intuitive platform. Powered by a state-of-art AI that grows smarter with every user and a team of human intelligence, we're redefining financial accuracy.
About the Role
We are looking for a battle-tested finance leader to join our team as a Fractional CFO. Unlike traditional consulting roles, this is an internal position where you will serve as the dedicated financial strategist for a curated portfolio of our clients (typically high-growth startups and established LLCs).
You will not just be an "advisor"; you will embed yourself in our clients' businesses, acting as their de facto CFO. You will drive their financial strategy, navigate complex fundraising (debt and equity), and optimize their profitability. This role is ideal for a former operating CFO who loves the thrill of building companies but wants the stability and variety of a portfolio model.
What You Will Do
1. Portfolio Financial Leadership
- Serve as the primary financial executive for a portfolio of clients (startups and SMBs), acting as a trusted partner to their CEOs and Founders.
- Manage the full financial lifecycle for clients, from day-to-day cash flow management to high-level board presentations.
- Maintain deep relationships with client leadership, ensuring retention and satisfaction by delivering actionable insights, not just reports.
2. Strategy, FP&A & Modeling
- Build and maintain robust financial models to support growth plans, pricing strategies, and scenario analysis.
- Lead budgeting and forecasting processes, identifying risks and opportunities before they become critical.
- Define and track key performance indicators (KPIs) tailored to specific industries (e.g., burn rate, LTV:CAC, EBITDA margins).
3. Fundraising & Capital Markets
- Lead clients through capital raising efforts, including seed to Series A-C equity rounds and debt financing.
- Manage the due diligence process and assist with term sheet negotiations.
- Analyze capital structure and advise on the best mix of debt vs. equity for growth.
4. Operational Excellence & Compliance
- Optimize financial processes and internal controls for complex entities
- Oversee the quality of monthly/quarterly financial reporting, ensuring compliance with GAAP and tax regulations.
- Diagnose operational inefficiencies and implement systems to improve bottom-line profitability.
- Be AI-forward in your approach: Leverage Zeni’s AI-powered platform and emerging AI tools to automate and streamline finance processes, uncover insights, and deliver more strategic value to clients.
What We Are Looking For
- Operating Experience is Key: You must have sat in the CFO or VP of Finance seat at an operating company.
- Experience: 10+ years of progressive financial experience.
- Education: Bachelor’s degree in Finance, Accounting, or Economics is required. (MBA, CPA, or CFA is a plus, but not required).
- Fundraising Chops: Demonstrated success in securing debt or equity financing. You should be comfortable speaking the language of investors and banks.
- Startup DNA: While not mandatory, experience in the startup ecosystem (Pre-seed to Series C) is highly preferred.
- Tech Stack: Familiarity with modern financial stacks (QuickBooks Online, NetSuite, Xero, etc.) as well as AI tooling such as Claude, ChatGPT, is expected.
Why Join Us?
- Impact: You won't just advise; you will execute. You will be the reason our clients succeed, raise funds, and exit.
- Variety without Instability: Enjoy the intellectual challenge of working across multiple industries without the "feast or famine" stress of freelance consulting.
- Culture: Join a "small but mighty" team of finance professionals who prioritize excellence and strategic thinking.
Bonus Points
- Experience at a startup or in a fractional CFO role
- Familiarity with financial systems like QuickBooks, NetSuite, Mosaic, or Cube
- MBA, CPA, or CFA is a plus but not required
Benefits & Perks
- Medical, dental and vision with a generous company contribution strategy
- 401(k)
- Work from home flexibility
- Home office set up stipend
- Employee stock options
- Flexible PTO
- Generous sick and parental leave programs
Position Location: This position is a remote role based in the USA.
Zeni is committed to equal treatment and opportunity in all aspects of recruitment, selection, and employment without regard to gender, race, religion, national origin, ethnicity, disability, gender identity/expression, sexual orientation, veteran or military status, or any other category protected under the law. Zeni is an equal opportunity employer; committed to a community of inclusion, and an environment free from discrimination, harassment, and retaliation. If you require reasonable accommodation in completing an application, interviewing, completing any pre-employment testing, or otherwise participating in the employee selection process, please email hr@zeni.ai
