Senior Manager to
Principal, AI-Native
Build what the next generation
of great companies run on.
The fractional CFO firm trusted by
Sequoia, a16z, and Bessemer startups.
CFO Advisors partners directly with VC-backed founders to build the financial and operational foundations essential for scaling — transparency, alignment, accountability, autonomy, and velocity.
| Component | Details | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Base Salary | $150,000 – $180,000 | DOE · W2 |
| OTE (On-Target Earnings) | $250,000+ | Base + performance bonus |
| Equity | 2–3× base at IPO/acquisition | Meaningful upside across portfolio |
| Carry | 20% carry | Rare at this level — real upside |
| Work Model | Hybrid · Austin, TX (preferred) or San Francisco, CA | Based in or willing to relocate |
What you'll build
You'll embed directly into high-growth startups — owning the finance function, driving strategy, and building AI-native workflows that change how companies operate.
Financial Leadership
Own financial modeling, 3-statement models, scenario analysis, and board-ready reporting. Be the strategic thought partner to the CEO.
Fundraising Support
Build investor-ready materials, support Series A/B processes, prep due diligence packages, and craft narratives that win oversubscribed rounds.
AI-Native Finance Stack
Build and deploy AI tools that automate reporting, surface anomalies, and accelerate decision velocity — this is CFO Advisors' new frontier.
Operational Excellence
Implement headcount planning, spend management, KPI dashboards, and live P&L systems across a portfolio of VC-backed clients.
Client Partnership
Manage 2–4 fractional engagements simultaneously. Own the relationships, deliver proactively, and grow accounts over time.
Practice Building
Help build CFO Advisors' AI practice from the ground up — shape methodology, hire talent, and define what AI-native finance looks like.
The candidate they're
trying to find
You bring
- Investment banking or top-tier consulting background (2–5 years) — the financial rigor is non-negotiable
- Startup operating experience post-banking/consulting — you've been inside a high-growth company, not just advised one
- Hands-on with AI tools in a finance context — you're already building, not just curious
- Demonstrated client-facing skill — you can manage CEOs, CFOs, and boards with confidence
- Track record of building financial models that actually influenced decisions
- Comfort juggling multiple engagements simultaneously
Not a fit if
- You've only worked in corporate finance or FP&A — no startup operating experience
- You're a pure consultant who's never been inside a company long-term
- AI is theoretical for you — you haven't actually built or deployed tools yet
- You're not comfortable with ambiguity and building without a playbook
- Client management and travel feel like overhead rather than the job
- You want a single-company career track right now
Why people choose CFO Advisors
Real carry. Real upside.
20% carry is rare at this level. You're not just earning a salary — you're building wealth alongside the founders you serve.
Build the AI practice
This is a ground-floor opportunity to define what AI-native finance looks like at scale. You'll have real ownership — not just execution.
Tier 1 client portfolio
You work with Sequoia, a16z, Bessemer-backed founders — the kind of companies where your work genuinely shapes outcomes.
Speed of learning
Fractional means you're across 3–4 companies simultaneously. The pattern recognition you build in 2 years here rivals a decade elsewhere.
Path to Principal + Partner
Clear progression from Senior Manager to Principal. As the AI practice grows, so does your scope, comp, and equity.
Trusted brand. Strong exits.
CFO Advisors has been brought onto client cap tables. When portfolio companies exit, you're part of that story.
What to expect
from here
Intro call with Shwetha (Inference Search Partners)
30 minutes. We'll cover your background, what you're optimizing for, and whether there's a real fit here — honest, no fluff.
Intro call with CFO Advisors leadership
Meet the team, understand the AI practice vision, and ask the hard questions about the role and expectations.
Case study / technical assessment
A financial modeling and/or AI tool exercise — see how you think through a real problem. Reflects the actual work.
Panel interview with principals
Deep dive on experience, client management style, and how you'd build the AI practice. Meet the people you'd work alongside.
References + offer
We move fast. References are brief, and if it's a yes, the offer reflects everything we've discussed.
Ready to build something
that matters?
CFO Advisors is building the AI-native finance firm of the future. This role is rare — and Shwetha would love to walk you through it.