Chief Financial Officer

Scratch Financial; California (MO); Hybrid; USD 300,000 - 400,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Unlimited PTO

Healthcare coverage

401(k) match

Cell plan reimbursement

Equity participation

Job summary

Scratch Financial is seeking an experienced CFO based in California to lead complex lending facilities and act as the primary financial partner to the executive team. You will guide financial strategy and manage a team while ensuring the company is exit-ready with robust financial reporting.

The ideal candidate has direct experience with debt capital providers and managing large exits. A background in consumer lending or fintech is a plus, along with strong communication skills to interact with both internal and external stakeholders.

Qualifications

• Direct experience managing lending facilities and debt capital relationships.
• Experience leading or co-leading a $100M+ exit process.
• Track record of improving financial infrastructure at a growth stage company.

Responsibilities

• Own all relationships with debt capital providers.
• Lead negotiations for new or expanded credit facilities.
• Manage team's FP&A, accounting, and finance operations.

Skills

Managing lending facilities

Building relationships with debt capital providers

Experience with M&A processes

Strong communication skills

Education

CPA, CFA, or investment banking background

Job description

Who We Are

Scratch Financial (“Scratch”) is a late stage venture‑backed financial technology business based in Pasadena, California. At Scratch, everything starts and ends with our mission: being the payment partner of choice for veterinary practices and helping pet parents access the care their animals need without financial barriers. Driven by our award‑winning technology, Scratch has become the fastest growing financing provider in veterinary care, with a partner network of 15,000+ practices across the U.S. and Canada.

Scratch Has 2 Main Products

• Scratch Pay: Point‑of‑sale client‑facing lending, including a BNPL offering and longer‑term payment plans
• Scratch Checkout: Payment processing that is integrated with the veterinary practice management software

We are a company built on the foundation of transforming the way pet healthcare payments are done, and we are looking for innovators who share our commitment to shaping the future of veterinary care financing.

Position Overview

We’re looking for a CFO who has been here before — someone who has managed complex lending facilities, built relationships with debt capital providers, and guided a company through a significant exit. This isn’t a role for someone looking to learn what a credit facility is or experience their first M&A process.

You’ll report directly to the CEO and lead a team of five across FP&A, accounting, and finance operations. You’ll be a key voice in company strategy and the primary financial partner to the executive team, board, and external capital providers.

What You’ll Own

Capital Strategy & Debt Facility Management

• Own all relationships with debt capital providers — warehouse lenders, forward‑flow partners, and other structured finance counterparties
• Manage covenant compliance, borrowing base reporting, and facility utilization across existing lending facilities
• Lead negotiations for new or expanded credit facilities as the portfolio grows
• Develop and maintain the capital plan, ensuring the business has adequate liquidity to fund origination volume at target economics

Exit Readiness & Strategic Finance

• Serve as the company’s primary financial lead on any M&A, recapitalization, or exit process
• Maintain financial reporting, data‑room materials, and management presentations in a state of ongoing readiness
• Build and maintain the financial model used for board reporting, investor updates, and transaction diligence
• Partner with the CEO and board to evaluate strategic alternatives and assess transaction structure

FP&A

• Own the annual budget and quarterly forecast process, with clear accountability from business‑unit owners
• Partner closely with the commercial team on revenue forecasting, pipeline modeling, and GTM investment decisions
• Work alongside the SVP of Product to build rigorous ROI frameworks for new product‑line development and technology investments — ensuring capital is allocated to the highest‑value opportunities
• Partner with the CEO to maintain the company’s OKR framework, ensuring KPIs have clear definitions, measurable targets, and accountability from business‑unit owners

Financial Reporting & Compliance

• Own the integrity of monthly, quarterly, and annual financial statements across GAAP reporting, lender compliance, and management reporting
• Build and improve financial controls, accounting policies, and operational finance processes
• Manage relationships with external auditors and tax advisors
• Oversee tax, audit, and regulatory financial reporting

Investor & Board Relations

• Serve as primary financial point of contact for existing equity investors and board members
• Own board‑meeting materials, investor updates, and financial narrative
• Build relationships with prospective strategic and financial acquirers as part of ongoing exit readiness
• Manage the annual audit process and relationships with external auditors

Team Leadership

• Directly manage a team of five spanning FP&A, accounting, and finance operations
• Set clear expectations, develop team members’ skills, and build a high‑trust, high‑output culture
• Identify gaps and make strategic hires as the company scales
• Be a resource to the team on complex accounting, modeling, and process questions

What We Are Looking For

Must‑Haves

• Direct, hands‑on experience managing lending facilities and debt capital relationships — you've negotiated term sheets, managed covenants, and worked through facility amendments; you can speak to the details
• Experience leading or co‑leading a $100M+ exit process (M&A, acquisition, or recapitalization), with $200M+ strongly preferred — you know what diligence feels like from the inside and have the scars to prove it
• Track record of building or materially improving financial infrastructure at a growth‑stage company
• Strong communicator who can translate complex financial concepts for board members, debt investors, and internal non‑finance stakeholders alike
• Experience managing a finance team, with a demonstrated ability to develop people and hold a high bar for output

Nice‑to‑Haves

• Background in consumer lending, fintech, or marketplace lending
• Experience with structured finance, securitization, or forward‑flow agreement negotiation
• CPA, CFA, or investment banking background
• Familiarity with the regulatory reporting requirements of a licensed lender
• Experience working with PE‑ or VC‑backed boards

What Success Looks Like In Year One

• Existing debt facilities are well‑managed, covenant compliance is clean, and you’ve established strong working relationships with all capital providers
• The board and investors have confidence in the accuracy and clarity of financial reporting
• The company is exit‑ready: financial model is current, data‑room is organized, and management narrative is crisp
• FP&A and close processes run on time with minimal fire drills
• Your team of five is stronger, more capable, and better coordinated than when you arrived

This Role Isn’t for Everyone

We want to be upfront: this is a player‑coach role, and that won’t change as we grow. We’re a lean team, and the CFO we’re looking for is someone who is as comfortable building a debt‑facility model or reconciling a borrowing‑base certificate on a Wednesday afternoon as they are presenting to the board on Thursday morning.

Specifically, This Probably Isn’t The Right Role If You

• Prefer to review work rather than do it, and see hands‑on finance tasks as below your level
• Need a fully built‑out team and established processes before you can be productive
• Are more comfortable in large‑company finance environments where specialization is the norm
• Measure your impact primarily by the size of your org chart

Why You’ll Love Working Here

• The anticipated base salary range for this position is $300,000 to $400,000. The final salary offered to a successful candidate will be dependent on several factors that may include, but are not limited to; the type and length of experience within the job, type and length of experience within the industry, the type and length of knowledge and skills for the position, education, training, etc. Scratch is a multi‑state employer and final compensation within this range could be impacted by work location. Please note that the compensation details listed in US role postings reflect the base salary only, and do not include bonus, equity, or benefits.
• Meaningful equity participation with upside tied to the company’s long‑term growth

Scratch is a remote‑first company, giving ultimate flexibility to today’s nomadic work style. For those who prefer a hybrid model, we do have an office space in Pasadena available for use (which is stocked with snacks & various beverages). We offer unlimited PTO, covered healthcare, 401(k) match, cell plan reimbursement, and monthly recognition opportunities. We also provide learning platforms and resources for all to keep growing. Not only that, but we have an equity retention policy to ensure you grow as the company grows financially, as well. And if your family is growing, we offer generous parental leave, too!

Our Commitment

We’re innovators who care deeply about the lives of pets, their owners, and veterinary professionals. We believe diversity strengthens our team and drives better solutions. Scratch is committed to diversity in its workforce and is proud to be an equal‑opportunity employer. Scratch considers qualified applicants without regard to race, color, religion, creed, gender, national origin, age, disability, veteran status, marital status, pregnancy, sex, gender expression or identity, sexual orientation, citizenship, or any other legally protected class.