Job Description
Location: Miami Reports to: CEO
Department: Finance & Accounting
About Brightstar.ai Brightstar.ai applies cutting-edge AI, data analytics, and decision science to help organizations unlock value at scale. We partner closely with portfolio companies and strategic clients to embed AI-driven capabilities across operations, product, and growth. As we scale, we are building an elite finance and accounting core that can support multi-entity structures, aggressive growth, and evolving capital dynamics.
As a senior leader, the VP of Finance & Controller will be a strategic enabler — ensuring financial rigor, compliance, scalable systems, and forward-looking insight to drive confident decisions at all levels of the organization.
Role & Impact In this role, you will:
- Own the full accounting function — payroll, personnel utilization, billing time, billing third parties, general ledger, month-end, consolidation, intercompany, fixed assets, accruals, etc.
- Serve as central point of contact by portfolio companies for their bills, budgeting, multi-year plans that encompass the AI interventions, assisting with the build out of stronger finance & accounting teams, evaluation of personnel, policies, controls, systems, etc.
- Be responsible for external and internal financial reporting: prepare audited financial statements, management reporting, KPI dashboards, and transition financial reporting of portfolio companies to company standards and expectations.
- Oversee cash management, treasury, working capital, and banking relationships.
- Lead budgeting, forecasting, and financial modeling to support strategic growth initiatives, capital raises, M&A, and scenario planning.
- Prepare weekly, monthly, and annual reporting, to include fulsome FP&A around sources/causation of variances
- Drive cost, operational, and margin analyses; partner with business leaders to evaluate investments, pricing, and ROI decisions.
- Ensure compliance with appropriate accounting standards (e.g. US GAAP, IFRS as needed), tax filings, and audits (internal and external).
- Implement scalable financial systems, automation, and process improvements (ERP, consolidation tools, reporting tools) to support growth with efficiency.
- Manage relationships with auditors, tax advisors, and external financial partners.
- Provide mentorship, leadership, and development to the finance & accounting team.
- Serve as a strategic thought partner to senior leadership and to the Board (or Board Finance / Audit Committee) on financial strategy, capital structure, scenario planning, risk, and growth.
- Drive financial due diligence in acquisitions or investments and manage post-merger integration of finance processes.
Key Metrics / Goals Your success will be measured by:
- Timeliness and accuracy of monthly, quarterly, and annual financial close
- Quality, usability, and insightfulness of financial reports and dashboards
- Forecast vs actual variance (budget discipline)
- Cash conversion cycle, working capital efficiency
- Scalability / automation of finance processes (reduced manual effort, cycle time)
- Clean audit opinions and compliance metrics
- Contribution to strategic decisions (M&A, capital raises, investment prioritization)
- Team development and retention
Qualifications & Experience Requirement Description Education & Licensing Bachelor’s degree in Accounting, Finance, or related field; CPA strongly preferred
Experience 12+ years of progressive finance / accounting leadership experience in high-growth SaaS, AI/ML, tech, professional services, or data businesses; 3+ years in a CFO, Controller, or VP finance role
Technical & Domain Knowledge Deep understanding of U.S. GAAP / IFRS, financial reporting, consolidation, intercompany accounting, tax, audit processes
Systems & Tools Experience with modern financial systems (e.g. NetSuite, Adaptive Insights, Workday, etc.), BI/reporting tools, automation, and ERP integrations
Strategic Financial Acumen Proven ability to lead financial planning, scenario modeling, capital allocation, M&A diligence, and investor reporting
Leadership & People Strong people manager with ability to recruit, retain, and develop finance talent; collaborative cross-functional partner
Communication Excellent presentation skills, able to translate financial insights to non-financial stakeholders (executives, board, investors)
Integrity & Controls Orientation Rigorous mindset for internal controls, compliance, risk mitigation, audit readiness
Adaptability Comfort operating in fast-paced, ambiguous environments; ability to prioritize, pivot, and scale processes under changing demands
Preferred / Nice-to-Have - Experience as CFO, Controller, or VP Finance with venture / growth equity / private equity-backed companies or as a Senior Consultant in a CFO Advisory firm
- Experience with managing financial operations of a professional services firm, i.e. managing KPIs including: utilization of FTEs, billability & billable rates, allocations, etc.
- Exposure to international operations, multi-currency, or consolidated global reporting
- Familiarity with AI / data businesses, SaaS metrics, or subscription revenue models
- Experience in M&A integration or carve-outs
- MBA or advanced degree in finance / strategy
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