Chief Financial Officer (Pasadena)

Who We Are

Scratch Financial (“Scratch”) is a late stage venture-backed financial technology business based in Pasadena, California. Everything starts and ends with our mission: being the payment partner of choice for veterinary practices and helping pet parents access the care their animals need without financial barriers. With a partner network of over 15,000 practices across the U.S. and Canada, Scratch has become the fastest growing financing provider in veterinary care.

Position Overview

We are 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 is a seasoned operator role, not a junior learning opportunity. The successful candidate will join the executive team, earn the trust of our board and investors quickly, and build the financial infrastructure to support Scratch’s next chapter of growth.

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 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

What We Are Looking For

Must‑Haves

• Direct, hands‑on experience managing lending facilities and debt capital relationships – negotiated term sheets, managed covenants, and worked through facility amendments
• Experience leading or co‑leading a $100M+ exit process (M&A, acquisition, or recapitalization), with $200M+ strongly preferred
• 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
• 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 strong relationships with all capital providers are established
• 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 drills
• Your team of 5 is stronger, more capable, and better coordinated than when you arrived

This Role Isn't for Everyone

The CFO we’re looking for is a player‑coach, comfortable building a debt facility model or reconciling a borrowing base certificate on a Wednesday afternoon as well as presenting to the board on Thursday morning.

Specifically, This Probably Isn't the Right Role If You

• Prefer to review work rather than do it, and see hands‑on finance tasks as below your level
• Need a fully built‑out team and established processes before you can be productive
• Are more comfortable in large‑company finance environments where specialization is the norm
• Measure your impact primarily by the size of your org chart

Why You'll Love Working Here – Benefits

• Base salary range: $300,000 to $400,000, plus bonus, equity, and benefits
• Meaningful equity participation tied to company growth
• Unlimited PTO, covered healthcare, 401(k) match, cell plan reimbursement, and monthly recognition opportunities
• Learning platforms and resources for career growth
• Equity retention policy to grow financially with the company
• Generous parental leave
• Remote‑first environment with optional office access in Pasadena

EEO Statement

Scratch is committed to diversity in its workforce and is proud to be an equal opportunity employer. Scratch considers qualified applicants without regard to race, color, religion, creed, gender, national origin, age, disability, veteran status, marital status, pregnancy, sex, gender expression or identity, sexual orientation, citizenship, or any other legally protected class.