At a Glance
- Tasks: Take charge of finances, cash flow, and budgeting for a fast-growing pet brand.
- Company: Join a profitable DTC pet brand scaling from $50M to $100M+.
- Benefits: Flexible remote work, competitive salary, and a chance to shape the company's future.
- Other info: Dynamic, fast-paced environment with a strong culture of creativity and accountability.
- Why this job: Be hands-on in driving financial success and work closely with the founder.
- Qualifications: Must have CFO or VP experience in a DTC ecommerce brand over $30M.
The predicted salary is between 10000 - 10000 £ per month.
A profitable DTC pet brand is looking for a hands-on Fractional CFO to join our team! You will take over our finances end to end: not just projections, but actually running them. That means cash flow, the monthly close, payments, tax, budgets and the credit lines that fund our growth, for about 1-2 days a week. We're doing $50M+ a year and scaling to $100M+, and we want one person who owns the money so we don't run into problems as we double the business.
The mission of this role is to own the company's money: cash, books, payments, projections and financial planning, so the CEO always knows where cash and profit stand today and where they are heading + improving terms, cash conversion cycle etc. Success is clear, accurate projections on cash flow, subscriptions and the cash conversion cycle so there are no surprises, books closed on time every month, and every payment and filing right and on time. You also own the company's credit lines, lender relationships and financial controls, so growth is always funded and every dollar is accounted for.
Who are we? We are a profitable DTC brand selling premium pet products. We sell across Shopify, Amazon and Chewy, and we're one of the fastest-growing brands in the pet space – $50M+ in annual revenue and scaling to $100M+. We recently launched a second brand, expanding into a new customer base. We're a 100% remote, lean, senior team that moves fast, and every person here has a massive impact on the business.
What is our culture like & who is a good fit? Culture-fit is our #1 factor when hiring! We have a genuine will-to-win. No work is beneath us if it moves us towards our goals. We use creativity to do more with less – and quickly. We use data to make decisions and live by four core values:
- Better Everyday: make the close, the cash forecast, payments and tax filing a bit faster and cleaner every month, and fix the root cause of every payment or booking error.
- Speed Is King: have the 13-week cash flow current before our Monday leadership meeting, pay bills and contractors on time, close the books on schedule, and flag a cash risk or overrun the week it shows up.
- Work Smart: automate finance work so a part-time role covers the whole function. Bank feeds and rules handle reconciliations, every tax and payment deadline has a scheduled reminder, Claude drafts the monthly finance summary from the closed books, and the cash flow forecast pulls actuals automatically.
- Overdeliver: bring the CEO the decision the numbers point to, not just the numbers, and find savings and cash-timing wins before being asked.
If you want a stress-free corporate 9-5 job, this isn't it. If you want to challenge yourself and shape a fast-growing company, work directly with the founder, and play a big role in scaling it to $100M+... If you want to drive results with a group of passionate, smart, hardworking people, in an environment without politics or corporate chicanery, being hands-on and active – then you've come to the right place.
Outcomes (what success looks like):
- 90-day targets for each outcome are agreed with you before your start date.
- Cash flow, subscriptions and the cash conversion cycle are projected clearly, so there are no surprises: projections vs actuals; cash never below the minimum balance.
- The books are accurate and closed on time every month: close date each month; no corrections needed after the P&L review with the CEO.
- Everyone is paid right and on time: contractor pay, bills and payouts paid by their due date.
- Fixed costs stay within budget: monthly fixed costs vs budget.
- We have the credit and capital to fund growth: credit available vs the cash needed for the next two quarters of purchase orders.
- Money is controlled and the books are audit-ready: every payment has a second approval; all accounts reconciled monthly.
Key Objectives:
- Keep a 13-week cash flow current every week, know the cash trough, and time supplier and PO payments to the plan.
- Close the books on time every month with our bookkeeper and review the P&L against budget with the CEO.
- Run contractor pay, supplier and freight bills, and affiliate payouts correctly and on time.
- Project subscriptions, subscription cohorts and the cash conversion cycle, and flag anything moving against plan the week it shows up.
- Keep every sales tax and corporate tax filing right and on time with our CPA.
- Grow our credit lines and set up an asset-based lending facility so the next two quarters of POs are always funded.
- Put two-person approvals and monthly reconciliations on every account, and keep the books audit-ready.
Fluent in English. Finance Leadership: CFO or VP of Finance for at least one DTC ecommerce brand doing $30M+ a year is a must. Hands-On: you do the work, not just advise. You have run 13-week cash flows, monthly closes with an outside bookkeeper, and contractor and supplier payments yourself. Ecommerce Finance: you have reconciled Shopify and Amazon payouts and understand nCPA, MER, LTV, COGS and inventory cash cycles. Forecasting: you build cash flow, subscription cohort and cash conversion cycle projections that hold up against actuals. Capital & Lenders: you have set up or managed an inventory- or receivables-backed credit facility and keep lenders confident with clean reporting. Tax & Controls: sales tax experience alongside a CPA, and running one clean payment process with approvals and reconciliations. Attention to Detail: you catch a wrong amount, a duplicate payment or a missed filing before money moves. Discreet and trustworthy with contractor pay, bank access and owner finances. Responsive when a cash or payment issue comes up, even outside your set days. You are passionate about your work. Excellent cultural fit as per our values above. Excited to play a big role in scaling the company and work closely with the founder.
Bonus points: an inventory-heavy brand importing from China, and cross-border experience (e.g. US and Hong Kong).
Accountabilities: What you own. Each one is checked green, yellow or red every week.
- Cash flow and forecast: keep the 13-week cash flow current before the Monday leadership meeting, know the cash trough, and make sure PO, freight and supplier payments fit the plan.
- Contractor pay and payments: run contractor pay twice a month, and pay supplier and freight invoices, software ...
- Books, P&L and budget: close the books monthly with our bookkeeper, review their work, review the P&L against budget with the CEO, and set and track the annual and monthly budget.
- Sales tax and compliance: prepare sales tax filings with our CPA and keep every sales tax and corporate tax filing on time.
- Financial reporting and projections: bring the cash picture to the weekly leadership meeting, project subscriptions and the cash conversion cycle, and send the CEO a monthly finance report.
- Credit, banking and capital: grow credit limits and lines, set up and run an asset-based lending facility, own bank and lender relationships, and manage currency exposure on supplier payments (RMB, USD, CAD).
- Controls, structure and the AI finance stack: two-person approval on every payment, every account reconciled monthly, structure and tax for any new entity with our CPA, and own our AI finance agents and automations.
How Our Hiring Works & How We Operate:
- Application + Screening Interview
- In-Depth Interview with our CEO
- Reference Calls
- Final Interview with our CEO
Salary Expectation: USD $7,000 to $10,000 per month, as a retainer for about 1-2 days a week.
Fractional CFO employer: KittySpout
At KittySpout, we pride ourselves on fostering a dynamic and innovative work culture that empowers our employees to take ownership of their projects. As a fully remote company, we offer flexible working arrangements, competitive compensation, and opportunities for professional growth in the fast-paced world of e-commerce. Join us to make a meaningful impact on our Shopify DTC brands while collaborating with a passionate team dedicated to driving success.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Fractional CFO
✨Show Off Your Expertise Online
In the banking and financial services world, sharing your insights on platforms like LinkedIn can really set you apart. Write articles about market trends or finance tips, and engage in discussions in relevant groups. This not only boosts your visibility but also highlights your knowledge to potential clients.
✨Join Freelance Platforms and Networking Events
Freelancing in finance can be competitive, so make sure you're on platforms like Upwork or Fiverr, specifically targeting finance gigs. Also, look for finance networking events or webinars to connect with small businesses that might need your services. Meeting people face-to-face (or online) can score you those elusive freelance contracts.
✨Build a Stunning Portfolio
Since you're going freelance, having a solid portfolio is a must. Showcase your previous work, such as reports or analyses, and consider using case studies to highlight your approach. The more you can demonstrate your skills, the easier it is for clients to trust you with their finances.
✨Direct Outreach is Key
For freelance gigs, don't wait for opportunities to come to you. Identify companies or startups that align with your skills and reach out directly. A personalised message introducing yourself and proposing how you could add value can go a long way. Plus, keep an eye on KittySpout for freelance opportunities—they might have just what you’re looking for!
We think you need these skills to ace Fractional CFO
Some tips for your application 🫡
Showcase Your Financial Savvy:When applying for a freelance role in banking and financial services, we need to see your expertise front and centre! Mention specific financial regulations or tools you've mastered, and feel free to include your relevant qualifications, like CFA or ACCA, to bolster your credibility.
Build a Stellar Portfolio:Since this is a freelance gig, your portfolio is your ticket to impressing us at KittySpout. Include examples of past projects you've completed—think financial analyses, investment reports, or forecasting models. Be sure to highlight the results you achieved!
Tailor Your Rates and Availability:We want to see that you're flexible and can align with our needs. Clearly outline your freelance rates, availability for projects, and whether you're open to long-term collaborations or just ad-hoc gigs. This makes it easier for us to understand how we can work together!
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter:In your cover letter, express not just your skills, but also why you're excited about joining KittySpout. Share your passion for financial services and how you plan to tackle challenges in this sector. This is your chance to connect on a personal level—make it count!
How to prepare for a job interview at KittySpout
✨Show Off Your Financial Savvy
When you're talking with KittySpout, make sure to highlight your experience with financial modelling, risk assessment, or portfolio management. Freelance work often requires a good level of financial literacy, so prepare to discuss any relevant tools you've used, whether it's Excel or specific financial software.
✨Bring Your Portfolio to Life
A freelance role means you’ll want to showcase your previous work effectively. Put together a portfolio that not only highlights your projects but also demonstrates the outcomes - think case studies or success stories that showcase how your financial skills made a difference for past clients.
✨Know Your Regulations and Compliance
In the banking and financial services world, understanding compliance and regulations is crucial. Make sure you’re up to date with the latest standards as they relate to your expertise. Be prepared for specific questions about how you've navigated these in past roles or how you'd approach potential compliance challenges.
✨Be Ready to Discuss Your Rates and Availability
As a freelancer, the topic of rates and availability can come up early on. Be clear about what you offer and how you charge. It might also help to have a few examples in mind where your expertise saved someone money or improved efficiency to justify your rates to KittySpout.