Fractional CFO

Propel Finance Services, Inc.; Indianapolis (IN); Hybrid; USD 180,000 - 320,000; Full time

Job summary

Topo Advisors is a modern advisory firm providing fractional accounting and finance support to growing software and services companies. We seek an experienced Fractional CFO to lead finance for a portfolio of venture-backed clients, partnering with CEOs and boards to craft 12–24 month plans and own budgeting, forecasting, and fundraising.

You will direct Topo's analytics and accounting team, shape scalable finance infrastructure, manage board materials, and drive capital strategy with investors

Qualifications

• 13+ years of accounting and finance experience, including senior finance leadership as a CFO, VP of Finance, or equivalent.
• Significant experience with venture-backed organizations; client service or advisory environment preferred.
• Demonstrated track record leading equity and debt financings and working directly with investors, lenders, and boards.
• Experience implementing accounting and reporting systems, controls, and scalable processes.
• CPA and/or MBA preferred.

Responsibilities

• Serve as the fractional CFO and a trusted member of the leadership team for a portfolio of venture-backed clients.
• Partner with CEOs and boards to establish and execute strategic plans 12-24 months out, balancing near-term performance with long-term investment.
• Own the annual operating plan, budgeting process, and financial forecast; ensure timely and insightful FP&A reporting to the CEO, leadership team, and board.
• Lead the preparation and presentation of monthly, quarterly, and annual board materials.
• Lead fundraising strategy and execution in partnership with senior leadership, ensuring companies are sufficiently capitalized and engaging fully on equity and debt financings.
• Develop and maintain relationships with investors, lenders, and other service providers on behalf of clients.
• Shape and build the finance and accounting infrastructure for clients, ensuring appropriate systems, controls, and processes are in place to support future growth.
• Partner with executive and HR leaders on capacity planning, including headcount, quotas, commissions, and incentive compensation plans.
• Direct the activities of Topo's analysts, finance managers, and accounting team to deliver exceptional client outcomes.
• Manage, coach, and develop team members, including ownership of their performance and growth.
• Oversee monthly close, cash management, and accounting operations in conjunction with Topo's accounting team.
• Drive internal strategic initiatives that strengthen Topo's service model, methods, and processes.
• Answer complex strategic finance questions and serve as a senior resource for colleagues across the firm.

Skills

CFO leadership experience

Venture-backed experience

Equity & Debt Financings

Team management

Systems & controls

Education

CPA certification

MBA

Job description

Topo Advisors is a modern advisory firm that provides fractional, embedded accounting and finance support to growing companies. We combine deep expertise in accounting, finance, and business strategy with a genuine commitment to helping founders, operators, and investors navigate the complexities of building companies.

We are looking for an experienced Fractional CFO to provide world-class strategic finance leadership to growing software and services companies. You'll be a trusted thought partner to CEOs, leadership teams, and boards.

This position can be remote based in the United States. The company is headquartered and based in Indianapolis, Indiana.

About this role: Reporting to Topo's CEO, you will serve as the senior finance leader for a portfolio of Topo's customers, directing Topo's team members to deliver high-quality finance and accounting support. We're looking for a high-agency leader with deep experience in and a genuine passion for helping companies grow and scale, who will also help shape how Topo delivers strategic finance as the firm grows.

What You Will Do

Client Leadership

• Serve as the fractional CFO and a trusted member of the leadership team for a portfolio of venture-backed clients
• Partner with CEOs and boards to establish and execute strategic plans 12-24 months out, balancing near-term performance with long-term investment
• Own the annual operating plan, budgeting process, and financial forecast; ensure timely and insightful FP&A reporting to the CEO, leadership team, and board
• Lead the preparation and presentation of monthly, quarterly, and annual board materials
• Lead fundraising strategy and execution in partnership with senior leadership, ensuring companies are sufficiently capitalized and engaging fully on equity and debt financings
• Develop and maintain relationships with investors, lenders, and other service providers on behalf of clients
• Shape and build the finance and accounting infrastructure for clients, ensuring appropriate systems, controls, and processes are in place to support future growth
• Partner with executive and HR leaders on capacity planning, including headcount, quotas, commissions, and incentive compensation plans

Team Leadership

• Direct the activities of Topo's analysts, finance managers, and accounting team to deliver exceptional client outcomes
• Manage, coach, and develop team members, including ownership of their performance and growth
• Help manage staff capacity and ensure engagements across your portfolio are running smoothly
• Oversee monthly close, cash management, and accounting operations in conjunction with Topo's accounting team

Firm Contribution

• Drive internal strategic initiatives that strengthen Topo's service model, methods, and processes
• Answer complex strategic finance questions and serve as a senior resource for colleagues across the firm
• Contribute to firm-wide business development and brand-building efforts
• Serve as a thought leader, internally and externally, on strategic finance best practices for early-stage companies

What We Are Looking For

Experience & Expertise

• 13+ years of accounting and finance experience, including senior finance leadership as a CFO, VP of Finance, or equivalent
• CPA and/or MBA preferred
• Significant experience with venture-backed organizations; experience in a client service or advisory environment strongly preferred
• Demonstrated track record leading equity and debt financings and working directly with investors, lenders, and boards
• Proven experience managing and developing finance and accounting teams
• Experience implementing accounting and reporting systems, controls, and scalable processes

Leadership & Character

• A strategic leader who thinks 12-24 months ahead and ties business goals to actionable finance strategy
• Excellent communicator who can translate complex financial concepts into clear, concise guidance for founders, executives, and boards
• Client-first mindset with a reputation for responsiveness, integrity, and sound judgment
• Ability to lead effectively in ambiguous and frequently changing situations
• Collaborative by nature — you thrive in a team environment and want to help the whole firm succeed
• Hands-on, entrepreneurial spirit with high standards and a drive for excellence

Our Values:

TRUST

Our team operates in a high-trust role with customers. We look for people who exhibit uncompromising integrity, empathy, attention to detail, and the ability to exceed expectations.

OWNERSHIP

We care about the success of the companies we serve like they're our own. So we embrace real ownership through consistency, responsiveness, and thought partnership.

CURIOSITY

Our customers look to us for guidance on industry standards, best practices, and thought leadership. We’re seeking voracious learners and curious people who are passionate about providing strategic insights to the companies we serve.

Topo Advisors is an equal opportunity employer, and we value diversity at our company. We don’t discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, age, marital status, veteran status, or disability status.

Candidates must be authorized to work in the United States without the need for sponsorship now or in the future.