Fractional CFO

Pantheon; United States; Remote; USD 120,000 - 160,000; Full time

Job summary

Pantheon is seeking a senior finance leader to design and run a scalable finance function across multiple entities and jurisdictions. You will establish the books, select systems, and oversee bookkeeping, payroll, and close processes to deliver audit-ready financials.

You will own subscription billing, revenue recognition, intercompany reporting, and tax filings (GST/HST, SR&ED). Equity planning and investor reporting will be key, with collaboration to external CPA firms as needed.

Qualifications

• Built finance, payroll and reporting in an early-stage company.
• Handled multi-entity structures across North America.
• Experienced with SR&ED claims for software companies.
• Structured equity for international teams across jurisdictions.
• Able to oversee CPA or work closely with one.

Responsibilities

• Set up books for multiple entities and jurisdictions; choose systems.
• Manage or oversee bookkeeping, payroll, and tax filings.
• Own subscription billing operations and revenue recognition.
• Prepare consolidated reporting and audit-ready financials.
• Support financing efforts with board/investor reporting.

Skills

Early-stage finance

Cross-border finance

SR&ED claims

Equity planning

CPA collaboration

Education

CPA certification or close collaboration

Job description

Why this role exists

Pantheon has a live product, subscription revenue, more than one legal entity, and a team that is growing across borders. The structure will keep evolving as we hire.

We are building our finance function from the ground up and want one senior owner to design it, put the right people and systems in place, and run it, rather than assembling it piece by piece.

What you will own

• Accounting from the start. Set up the books for each entity, choose the systems, and either do the bookkeeping and accounting yourself or with your firm, or bring in and manage the providers who will. Get to a reliable monthly close and financials that are ready for audit or review.
• Billing and revenue. Own subscription billing operations and revenue recognition, and reconcile what our payment provider collects against what we book.
• Entity structure. Advise on how our entities should relate, set up any new entity we need as we hire, and handle intercompany arrangements and consolidated reporting.
• Employment and payroll. Set up how we employ and pay people in each jurisdiction, including payroll, benefits administration, and the tax obligations that come with each.
• Tax and credits. Own corporate tax filings for each entity and sales and indirect taxes, including GST/HST, and set up and file our SR&ED and other research and development tax credit claims.
• Equity. Set up an option plan that works for people in more than one country, including valuation and the tax treatment each group needs.
• Planning and reporting. Build a model of revenue, spend, burn and runway, and a monthly view the founder and COO use to make decisions.
• Board and investor reporting. Keep the books, model and records diligence-ready at all times, and support the founder on financing. Financing decisions remain with the founder.

How the engagement works

We expect roughly two weeks a month while the foundation is built: entities, accounting, payroll, tax and SR&ED. After that, the work settles into a monthly rhythm of closing the books, reporting, and handling what comes up, with more time around tax deadlines or a structural change.

The scope can grow with the right person or firm. We are choosing on fit and caliber.

What we would like to hear from you

Whether you are an independent CFO or a firm, please tell us:

• How you would approach a company with no finance setup across more than one entity and jurisdiction, and what your first two months would look like.
• Who would do the work day to day, and who we would speak to when a decision is needed.
• Whether you or your firm cover bookkeeping, accounting, tax filings, GST/HST and SR&ED claims directly, or work with firms that do.
• How you structure fees for this kind of engagement.
• One or two companies you have set up or run finance for, and what changed for them.

What we are looking for

• You have built finance at an early-stage company. You have set up accounting, payroll and reporting where nothing existed, and run it afterwards.
• You work across borders. You have handled multi-entity structures, employment and tax across North American jurisdictions, not only one country's rules.
• You know SR&ED. You have prepared or overseen successful SR&ED claims for a software company, and you are comfortable with GST/HST.
• You have set up equity for a mixed team. You know what changes when options go to people in different countries.
• You are a CPA or work closely with one. You can sign off on the work or direct the people who do.

How we work

We are a small core team with a live product. You will work with and report to both the founder and the COO, mostly in writing and in short, regular check-ins. We value clear recommendations over long reports.

Process

1. An introductory conversation about your practice and the companies you have supported.
2. A working discussion about our setup and what you would do in the first two months.
3. A conversation with the founder and the COO.
4. Agreement on scope, time commitment, fees and expectations.

Has built accounting, payroll and reporting at an early-stage company where none existed. Has handled multi-entity structures, employment and tax across North American jurisdictions. Has prepared or overseen successful SR&ED claims for a software company and is comfortable with GST/HST. Has set up equity for a team spanning more than one country. Is a CPA or works closely with one and can direct accountants and tax advisors.