VP of Finances

Accountabilities: As VP of Finance, you will own the finance function and provide strategic financial leadership across the organization. You will establish the processes, systems, and reporting structures needed to support continued expansion while balancing the financial interests of the franchisor and its franchise owners. Lead the Finance function as a member of the executive leadership team, setting quarterly priorities, defining performance metrics, and overseeing departmental objectives. Develop financial strategies, annual budgets, quarterly forecasts, and investment frameworks to guide resource allocation and business decisions. Partner with senior leadership on operational planning, spending priorities, and investment decisions, providing ROI, payback, and risk assessments. Own the finance technology and AI infrastructure, designing and supervising AI agents for bookkeeping, accounts payable, accounts receivable, reconciliations, and financial planning. Continuously identify opportunities to automate manual finance activities while maintaining accuracy, auditability, and appropriate human oversight. Oversee monthly financial close processes, reconciliations, financial statements, and reporting across corporate boutiques, the franchisor, and franchise operations. Establish and enforce financial controls, approval thresholds, chart-of-accounts standards, and documented accounts payable and receivable procedures. Manage collections, compensation-related financial processes, bonus accruals, and annual merit budgets. Ensure compliance with sales tax, 1099 reporting, state and federal filings, local business taxes, and other regulatory requirements across multiple jurisdictions. Oversee franchisor financial statements, annual audits, and financial documentation required for Franchise Disclosure Document (FDD) renewals. Develop and manage supplier rebate programs, vendor commissions, payment processing revenue-sharing arrangements, and other margin-enhancing initiatives. Ensure vendor agreements are documented, eligible purchases are tracked, and all applicable rebates and commissions are accurately claimed. Maintain accurate royalty and brand fund calculations, franchise owner billing, and financial reconciliations. Build monthly budget-versus-actual reports, quarterly forecasts, and financial dashboards that provide actionable insights to leadership. Develop financial benchmarks and performance dashboards for franchise owners, including profitability targets based on location maturity. Partner with Franchise Success to improve franchise owner financial performance through financial tools, reporting, and early identification of underperforming locations. Evaluate the financial impact of pricing changes, product margins, supplier programs, and operational initiatives across both franchisor and franchise owner businesses. Determine future finance team requirements and define the appropriate balance between internal expertise, external partners, and AI-powered automation. Requirements The ideal candidate is an experienced finance leader with strong accounting expertise, a strategic mindset, and a proven ability to build scalable financial operations. You should combine hands-on financial management with advanced AI capabilities and a deep understanding of multi-location or franchise-based business models. 10+ years of progressive finance experience, including at least 3 years leading the finance function of a company or business unit. Proven experience reporting to a CEO, President, or CFO, with direct ownership of P&L management, budgeting, forecasting, and financial close. Demonstrated hands-on AI expertise in finance, including personally implementing or redesigning workflows for reconciliations, financial reporting, variance analysis, or forecasting. Ability to design, supervise, and evaluate AI agents while ensuring the accuracy, reliability, and integrity of their outputs. Previous franchisor finance experience strongly preferred, including knowledge of royalty structures, brand funds, franchise owner economics, FDD financial statements, audits, and multi-state compliance. Experience in multi-location consumer, retail, or hospitality businesses, particularly those involving inventory, purchasing, and supply chain operations. Proven ability to establish financial controls, reporting processes, and operational infrastructure in growing or early-stage organizations. Experience developing additional revenue and margin opportunities through supplier rebates, vendor partnerships, commissions, or revenue-sharing agreements. Strong accounting knowledge and the ability to review financial closes, identify discrepancies, and resolve underlying issues. Experience managing external accounting firms, service providers, and automated tools rather than relying exclusively on large internal teams. Strong financial modeling, analytical, forecasting, and investment evaluation skills. Excellent communication skills, with the ability to translate complex financial information into clear recommendations for executives and franchise owners. A proactive and commercially minded approach to identifying profitability improvements and creating new financial opportunities. Strong leadership, decision-making, and stakeholder management skills, including the confidence to challenge financial decisions constructively. Ability to balance franchisor profitability with franchise owner financial success. Comfortable operating in ambiguous environments and building structure without slowing business operations. Highly organized, detail-oriented, and committed to maintaining financial accuracy and confidentiality. Strong judgment and discretion when handling sensitive financial, compensation, ownership, and franchise-related information. Benefits Annual base salary of $165,000–$185,000, depending on experience. Quarterly performance-based bonus, with an annual target equivalent to 10% of base salary, tied to Finance department objectives and company performance. Stock option grant through the company's equity incentive plan, with vesting beginning after one year of employment. Comprehensive health insurance, including medical, dental, and vision coverage. Additional voluntary benefits, including disability and critical illness coverage. 401(k) retirement savings program. Full-time remote working opportunity within the United States. Executive leadership position with significant ownership over financial strategy and decision-making. Opportunity to build and shape an AI-enabled finance function within a rapidly expanding franchise network.