VP of Finance

About Woolf

Woolf is a pioneering force in university education, backed by leading Silicon Valley investors. Our mission is to reshape the future of learning by expanding access to high-quality education on a global scale. Learn more at Woolf University.

We’re a rapidly growing university startup, already enrolling over 10,000 degree students from around the world. With a globally distributed, primarily remote team, we thrive on collaboration across diverse locations, perspectives, and expertise.

The Opportunity

Woolf is seeking a Vice President of Finance with a CPA or CFA certification to lead and scale our finance operations. As the finance lead in a fast-growing startup, you will play a critical role in shaping Woolf's financial strategy, scaling processes, and preparing the organization for its next stage of growth, including a Series A fundraising round.

This position requires a strategic thinker with deep expertise in global financial operations and a proven ability to build and scale finance teams in dynamic, fast-paced environments. The ideal candidate will thrive on high-stakes challenges, bringing rigor and vision to Woolf's financial function while collaborating with a global, distributed team.

Team

As VP of Finance, you will report directly to the CEO and work closely with other members of the executive team and the New Business team. You will lead the finance team, which will grow under your leadership, to support Woolf’s operations across multiple countries and currencies.

You will step in role with a well-defined process. There is a monthly cycle with weekly cash reporting and booking reporting against monthly targets; you will oversee all AR and AP, the financial close package, and provide regular updates and reporting against the company financial model. You will own FP&A and the company financial model with the CEO.

You will have or hire 1 or more direct reports in 2025 to support AR and AP, and cross-functional support until then.

Working Hours: Must have 6 or more hours of overlap with US Pacific Timezone (PST).

Start Date: Immediate

Responsibilities

1. Customer-Facing Financial Operations (AR)

• Oversee and implement all financial operations related to monthly invoicing, ensuring compliance with complex contractual terms.

• Manage customer relationships by addressing and resolving any billing or financial inquiries in a timely and professional manner.

2. Financial Close (Accounting)

• Lead the monthly financial close process, ensuring accuracy and timely reporting.

3. Financial Modeling (FP&A)

• Update and maintain the financial model to support strategic decision-making and business forecasting.
• Update the customer weekly booking report against monthly projections.
• Oversee staff planning updates and their alignment with financial forecasts.

4. Cash Flow Management

• Produce weekly cash flow reports across multiple currencies and legal entities.
• Monitor bank accounts and ensure adequate cash reserves for operational needs.

5. Vendor & Budget Management (AP)

• Serve as the primary liaison for all vendors, negotiating cost-effective and values-aligned alternatives.
• Prepare and monitor annual budget figures for operating expenses.

6. Financial Reporting

• Generate quarterly financial and cash flow reports for the Board of Directors.
• Reconcile monthly activity and produce financial statements, working closely with other operational stakeholders.

7. Process Excellence

• Design scalable bookkeeping and financial processes to support a rapidly growing organization.
• We may overhaul our invoicing system in 2025, using Stripe Billing or similar.
• Maintain organized, up-to-date, and accessible financial files.
• Collaborate with operations and data teams to build cross-functional efficiency and ensure data accuracy.

Requirements

Certification Required: CFA or CPA.

Education: MBA or management consulting experience (BCG, McKinsey, Bain, or Big Four).

Experience:

• 10+ years in financial management, accounting, or bookkeeping, preferably in a high-growth or startup environment.
• Proven experience in leading Series A or later-stage fundraising efforts, including due diligence and investor relations.
• Proven ability to manage complex financial models and processes, including FP&A.
• Proven ability to oversee AP/AR, financial close, and cash flow processes.
• Proven ability to handle inter-company eliminations with multi-currency and international financial operations is required
• Ability to manage complex booking to amortization schemes with accuracy and GAAP compliance

Skills:

• Advanced proficiency in Excel, Google Sheets, and accounting tools like QBO (QuickBooks Online).
• Strong analytical skills and attention to detail.
• Ability to effectively manage multiple projects and meet tight deadlines.
• Exceptional communication and interpersonal skills.

What Makes You Stand Out:

• Experience in high-growth startups or early-stage organizations.
• Proven ability to design and implement scalable financial processes.
• Highly self-motivated, comfortable working in a remote-first environment, and enthusiastic about tackling challenges head-on.
• Operationally focused with a hands-on approach to problem-solving.

Benefits

• Competitive Compensation
• Work-from-home: Enjoy the flexibility of a fully remote work environment, along with flexible PTO and working hours.
• Tools for Success: We provide you with a company laptop and the resources needed to succeed and grow within your role.