Finance Associate

**Finance Associate**:
Join our growing AI startup as a Finance Associate and become a strategic leader in driving our next phase of growth. This role is designed for ambitious finance professionals who want to go beyond traditional accounting and make a real impact on business strategy, investor relations, and financial decision-making.

**What You'll Get**:

- Work directly with founders to shape financial strategy and drive key business decisions
- Own relationships with investors, vendors, and key stakeholders that directly impact company growth
- Build the financial foundation of a scaling SaaS company with global ambitions
- Develop expertise across finance, strategy, and business operations in a high-growth environment

We're looking for a finance professional who wants to be more than just a number-cruncher—someone who can influence business outcomes, build strategic relationships, and grow with us as we scale.

**About This Role**:
**Key Challenges You'll Solve**:

- ** Strategic Financial Leadership** - Drive revenue optimization and business growth through data-driven financial insights
- ** Stakeholder Relationship Management** - Build and nurture relationships with investors, key vendors, and strategic partners
- ** Business Scaling** - Design and implement financial frameworks that support rapid growth and operational excellence

This is an opportunity to have significant influence on our financial strategy while developing expertise across finance, strategy, and business development.

**Outcomes Expected**:
**Q2 Objectives**: Optimize revenue collection processes, establish strategic vendor partnerships, and deliver investor-ready financial insights

**Year 1 Objectives**: Drive financial strategy, build investor confidence through exceptional reporting, and establish yourself as a key business partner to leadership

**Responsibilities**:
**Business Strategy & Financial Leadership**:

- ** Strategic Analysis** - Lead P&L analysis and provide actionable insights that drive business decisions and growth
- ** Financial Planning** - Develop and manage budgets, forecasts, and resource allocation to support strategic initiatives
- ** Business Intelligence** - Create financial dashboards and reports that enable data-driven decision making across the organization
- ** Growth Strategy** - Partner with leadership on financial planning for scaling, fundraising, and strategic investments

**Financial Excellence & Compliance**:

- ** Expert Coordination** - Manage relationships with external accounting firms, legal advisors, and regulatory experts
- ** Strategic Compliance** - Ensure seamless regulatory compliance while optimizing for business efficiency and growth
- ** Advisory Management** - Coordinate with external experts to support business objectives and maintain operational excellence

**Investor Relations & Strategic Communication**:

- ** Investor Storytelling** - Craft compelling financial narratives and reports that showcase company growth and potential
- ** Board Engagement** - Support board meetings with strategic financial insights and performance analysis
- ** Strategic Planning** - Collaborate with leadership on financial strategy and investor communication initiatives

**Revenue Management & Growth**:

- ** Revenue Optimization** - Drive customer payment strategies and collection processes to maximize cash flow and minimize DSO
- ** Growth Analysis** - Analyze revenue trends and provide insights to sales and leadership teams for strategic decision-making
- ** Customer Financial Partnership** - Work with sales and customer success to optimize billing processes and customer financial experience

**Strategic Vendor Partnerships**:

- ** Cost Strategy** - Manage vendor expenses and payment optimization to improve company margins and cash flow
- ** Partnership Development** - Build strategic relationships with key suppliers and negotiate win-win agreements
- ** Financial Planning** - Coordinate expense planning and approval processes to support business growth initiatives

**Talent Operations & Growth Support**:

- ** Team Scaling Support** - Facilitate smooth financial onboarding for new talent and ensure seamless integration
- ** People Operations** - Support HR and leadership with employee financial processes and compliance requirements
- ** Organizational Development** - Contribute to creating positive employee experiences through efficient financial processes

**Requirements**:
**Professional Experience**:

- ** 2-4 years** of experience in finance/accounting roles, in VC funded startups or SaaS companies
- ** Demonstrated experience** with accounts receivable/payable management and vendor negotiations

**Education & Certifications**:

- ** Bachelor's degree** in Commerce, Finance, or related field (B.Com, BBA Finance)
- ** CA qualified or CMA/CFA** certification is mandatory

**Core Skills**:

- ** Accounting Software Proficiency** - Experience with Zoho Books, QuickBooks, Xero, or simil