VP, Finance

VP of Finance

Location: Pacific Time Zone (SF Bay Area preferred; Remote PST)

ValidMind is a fast-growing B2B AI governance and model risk management company helping enterprises and regulators build trust in AI. We serve highly regulated industries - especially Financial Services - and are defining the emerging AI Governance and Risk Management category. As we scale internationally, disciplined financial execution, global compliance, and investor-grade financial leadership are critical to our success.

This role combines strategic finance leadership with hands-on global finance and accounting ownership. The Director/VP of Finance (acting as Head of Finance & Controller) will own ValidMind's finance function end-to-end: from day-to-day accounting execution and global compliance to Board, investor, and fundraising support.

Reporting directly to the CEO, this is a true builder + operator role. You will help shape company strategy, fundraising, and long-term financial planning—while also rolling up your sleeves to ensure clean closes, compliant global operations, and clear financial narratives.

This role is ideal for a senior finance leader with deep startup experience who wants high impact, visibility, and ownership at a category-defining company.

Act as a trusted advisor to the CEO on financial strategy, business model optimization, and growth planning.

Own long-range financial planning, scenario modeling, runway management, and unit economics.

Provide data-driven insights to support company strategy, pricing, and go-to-market decisions.

Play a central role in fundraising (Series A and beyond)

Leverage and expand an existing investor network (VCs, strategics, angels)

Prepare and present investor- and Board-ready financial materials.

Support diligence, strategic initiatives, and ongoing investor communications

Own the global monthly, quarterly, and annual close across all entities and countries.

Manage third-party accounting and bookkeeping partners (e.g., EisnerAmper).

Prepare consolidated financial statements in accordance with US GAAP.

Manage local statutory reporting requirements across jurisdictions.

Maintain rolling forecasts with P&L, balance sheet, and cash flow statements.

Present financial results, trends, risks, and compliance considerations to the Board and investors

Own global finance and accounting operations, including:

Multi-country payroll processing, payroll accounting, and accruals

Employee of Record/systems of record (e.g., Deel)

Accounts receivable, billing, collections, and revenue tracking

Accounts payable, vendor payments, and expense management

General ledger ownership, reconciliations, and journal entries

Accurate accounting for commissions, bonuses, benefits, and employee-related costs

Establish practical finance and accounting policies that scale with the business

Own compliance with local statutory, tax, payroll, and employment-related financial requirements

Manage country-specific nuances (VAT/GST, payroll regulations, statutory filings)

Coordinate with global accounting firms, payroll providers, tax advisors, and legal partners

Proactively identify compliance risks and advise the CEO on mitigation strategies during international expansion

Partner directly with the CEO on:

Global payroll setup and administration

Benefits and employee cost tracking by country

Equity and stock-based compensation accounting across jurisdictions

Headcount planning and workforce cost modeling

Serve as financial owner of people-related processes until a formal HR function is established

Lead technical accounting for:

Revenue recognition (ASC 606)

Equity and stock-based compensation

Leases and cross-border transactions

Manage relationships with external auditors, tax providers, and accounting advisors

Design internal controls that support global operations without unnecessary overhead

Select and implement finance systems supporting multi-entity, multi-currency operations

Build and lead a small, high-impact finance and accounting team over time

Maintain a roll-up-your-sleeves culture with clear standards and accountability

Act as a trusted partner to the executive team on financial, operational, and compliance matters

10+ years of progressive finance and accounting experience

Proven startup experience is critical, ideally scaling B2B SaaS/Cloud-native companies

Experience in FP&A for Financial Services or other highly regulated industries

Deep US GAAP expertise; strong B2B SaaS and ASC 606 experience

Proven experience managing multi-country accounting, payroll, and compliance

Experience partnering directly with a CEO, Board, and investors

Ability to operate independently in a fast-moving, resource-constrained startup

Bachelor's degree in Accounting or Finance

CPA required

Prior experience as Director of Finance, VP of Finance, Head of Finance, or Controller at a startup

Strong, credible investor network and fundraising experience (Series A / B)

Experience supporting international expansion and entity setup

Background in fintech, regtech, AI, risk, or enterprise software

Based in the Pacific Time Zone

SF Bay Area strongly preferred for proximity to the CEO, investors, and partners

Remote acceptable within PST with flexibility for executive and investor meetings

High-ownership, low-ego, startup-first mindset

Clean, timely global closes with no compliance surprises

Clear, trusted financial reporting for the CEO, Board, and investors

Smooth payroll and accounting operations across all countries

Scalable finance systems and controls that grow with the business

Finance is viewed as both a strategic partner and a reliable operator

Work directly with the CEO on shaping the company's strategy and fundraising

Play a key role in defining a new market category (AI Governance and Risk Management)

High-impact leadership role at a critical growth stage

Opportunity to build a world-class finance function from the ground up

Competitive compensation with meaningful equity upside

At ValidMind, we create the most efficient solution for organizations to automate testing, documentation, and risk management for AI and statistical models. Working here means being at the forefront of AI risk management, but it's also more personal than that: we promote an inclusive culture where we value your ideas and creativity. We want you to have a sense of ownership over your work, to build mutual trust with your peers, and to feel supported in everything you do. As a VC-backed company in the early stages of growth, there is ample room to grow.

ValidMind is an equal opportunity employer. We are committed to creating a diverse and inclusive environment and encourage individuals of all backgrounds to apply. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, national origin, disability, age, veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state, or local laws.