Torchora
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Key Responsibilities and Required Skills for Finance Lead

💰 $120,000 - $175,000

FinanceAccountingLeadership

🎯 Role Definition

Are you a seasoned finance professional ready to make a significant impact? This role requires a proactive and analytical Finance Lead to serve as the cornerstone of our financial operations. In this pivotal role, you will blend strategic oversight with hands-on execution, acting as a key business partner to our executive team. You will be responsible for guiding the company’s financial future, ensuring accuracy, profitability, and sustainable growth. This isn't just about crunching numbers; it's about telling the story behind them and shaping our company's next chapter. If you thrive in a dynamic environment and are passionate about using data to drive business decisions, we want to talk to you.

📈 Career Progression

Typical Career Path

Entry Point From:

  • Senior Financial Analyst (FP&A)
  • FP&A Manager
  • Senior Accountant or Accounting Manager with strong FP&A exposure

Advancement To:

  • Director of Finance
  • Head of FP&A
  • Vice President (VP) of Finance

Lateral Moves:

  • Corporate Strategy Manager
  • Business Operations Lead

Core Responsibilities

Primary Functions

  • Lead the comprehensive annual budgeting and quarterly re-forecasting processes, collaborating closely with department heads to ensure alignment with corporate strategic objectives and resource availability.
  • Develop, maintain, and enhance sophisticated financial models to support long-range planning, scenario analysis, M&A activities, and other critical strategic initiatives.
  • Prepare and present comprehensive financial reporting packages for the executive team and Board of Directors, highlighting key performance indicators (KPIs), business trends, variance analysis, and actionable insights.
  • Act as a strategic business partner to senior leadership, providing data-driven recommendations to optimize resource allocation, manage costs, and drive overall profitability.
  • Oversee aspects of the month-end and quarter-end close process in collaboration with the accounting team to ensure the timely and accurate delivery of financial statements.
  • Manage and analyze company-wide cash flow, preparing detailed cash forecasts and implementing strategies to optimize working capital and liquidity.
  • Conduct in-depth analysis of operational and financial performance, identifying risks and opportunities and translating them into clear, concise, and actionable business intelligence.
  • Drive the financial narrative by creating compelling presentations and dashboards that clearly communicate financial results and strategic recommendations to both financial and non-financial audiences.
  • Partner with business unit leaders to develop financial frameworks and ROI analyses for new product launches, capital expenditures, and other significant investments.
  • Analyze complex financial information and reports to provide accurate and timely financial recommendations to management for decision-making purposes.
  • Monitor competitor performance and market trends to provide context for financial results and inform strategic planning.
  • Own the financial planning system/software, ensuring data integrity, model accuracy, and continuous improvement of its functionalities.
  • Develop and implement robust internal controls and financial processes to ensure compliance and mitigate risk.
  • Support fundraising activities, including due diligence, financial modeling, and the preparation of investor materials.
  • Lead the financial analysis of pricing strategies and go-to-market initiatives to ensure they meet profitability targets.
  • Evaluate and advise on the financial impact of long-range planning, introduction of new programs/strategies, and regulatory action.
  • Manage covenant reporting and maintain positive relationships with lenders and other financial partners.
  • Provide mentorship and guidance to junior members of the finance team, fostering a culture of high performance and continuous professional development.
  • Automate and streamline finance processes to improve efficiency, accuracy, and the scalability of the finance function as the company grows.
  • Perform deep-dive analyses on key business drivers, such as customer acquisition cost (CAC), lifetime value (LTV), and churn.

Secondary Functions

  • Support ad-hoc data requests and exploratory financial and data analysis from across the organization.
  • Contribute to the organization's data governance strategy and finance technology roadmap.
  • Collaborate with business units to translate complex data needs into clear financial reporting requirements.
  • Participate in cross-functional projects, representing the finance perspective and ensuring financial rigor is applied.

Required Skills & Competencies

Hard Skills (Technical)

  • Advanced Financial Modeling: Expert-level ability to build and maintain complex, three-statement financial models in Excel or Google Sheets for forecasting, valuation, and scenario analysis.
  • FP&A Expertise: Deep knowledge of financial planning, budgeting, forecasting cycles, and variance analysis in a corporate environment.
  • GAAP/IFRS Knowledge: Strong understanding of core accounting principles to ensure the integrity of financial data and collaborate effectively with the accounting team.
  • Systems Proficiency: Hands-on experience with ERP systems (e.g., NetSuite, SAP, Oracle) and CRM software (e.g., Salesforce).
  • BI & Data Visualization: Proficiency in using business intelligence tools like Tableau, Power BI, or Looker to create insightful dashboards and reports.
  • Presentation Skills: Proven ability to synthesize complex financial data into clear, concise, and compelling presentations for an executive or board-level audience.

Soft Skills

  • Strategic Mindset: Ability to see the bigger picture, understand business drivers, and connect financial details to overarching company strategy.
  • Exceptional Communication: Articulate complex financial concepts clearly and confidently to non-financial stakeholders, fostering cross-departmental collaboration.
  • Leadership & Influence: Skill in partnering with, guiding, and challenging senior business leaders to drive sound financial decisions.
  • Analytical & Problem-Solving: Meticulous attention to detail combined with a strong ability to identify issues, analyze root causes, and develop effective solutions.
  • Proactive & Results-Oriented: A self-starter with a strong sense of ownership, capable of managing multiple priorities and delivering high-quality work in a fast-paced environment.
  • Business Acumen: A keen understanding of business operations and the key levers that drive growth and profitability.

Education & Experience

Educational Background

Minimum Education:

  • Bachelor’s Degree

Preferred Education:

  • Master’s in Business Administration (MBA)
  • Professional Certification (CPA, CFA)

Relevant Fields of Study:

  • Finance
  • Accounting
  • Economics
  • Business Administration

Experience Requirements

Typical Experience Range: 7-10+ years of progressive experience in corporate finance, FP&A, investment banking, or a related field.

Preferred: Experience in a high-growth technology, SaaS, or venture-backed company is highly desirable. A proven track record of acting as a business partner to leadership and successfully scaling finance functions.

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