Chief Financial Officer

Scratch; Pasadena (CA); On-site; USD 350,000 - 520,000; Full time

Job summary

Scratch is seeking a seasoned CFO in California to lead capital strategy, debt facilities, and exit readiness. You will partner with the CEO and board, manage a 5-person team across FP&A, accounting, and finance operations, and guide strategic financial decisions for the next growth chapter.

You will own budgeting, forecasting, financial reporting, and relationships with debt providers and external advisors, ensuring liquidity and scalable infrastructure for continued expansion.

Qualifications

• Direct, hands-on debt facility management and negotiations with lenders.
• Experience leading or co-leading a $100M+ exit process (M&A/recapitalization).
• Proven ability to build/upgrade financial infrastructure in a growth-stage company.
• Strong communication to board, investors, and non-financial stakeholders.

Responsibilities

• Own capital strategy, debt facility management, and covenant compliance.
• Lead exit readiness, financial modeling, and investor materials.
• Manage FP&A, budgeting, forecasting, and ROI analyses across units.
• Oversee financial reporting, controls, and interactions with auditors/tax advisors.

Skills

Debt facilities

M&A leadership

FP&A leadership

Financial modeling

Investor relations

Team leadership

Education

MBA, CPA, or CFA

Bachelor's in Finance/Accounting

Tools

Excel

NetSuite

Job description

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. We need a seasoned operator who can hit the ground running, earn the trust of our board and investors quickly, and build the financial infrastructure to support the next chapter of Scratch's growth. You'll report directly to the CEO and lead a team of 5 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 5 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

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