Director of Finance, FP&A

Join to apply for the Director of Finance, FP&A role at Clockwork Systems, Inc.

Clockwork Systems was founded by Stanford researchers and veteran systems engineers who share a vision for redefining the foundations of distributed computing. As AI workloads grow increasingly complex, traditional infrastructure struggles to meet the demands of performance, reliability, and precise coordination. Clockwork is pioneering a software‑driven approach to AI networking, delivering deterministic time, ultra‑low latency, and seamless scalability for modern distributed systems.

To learn more, visit www.clockwork.io
.

We are looking for a hands‑on, strategic, and ambitious Director of Finance to serve as our first dedicated finance leadership hire, reporting to the CEO. This is a unique opportunity for a "player‑coach". Initially, you will operate as a high‑level individual contributor, owning the entire finance stack from the ground up — from closing the books to presenting at board meetings and serving as a strategic business partner to the executive team.

As the company grows, you will be responsible for hiring and grooming a high‑performing finance and accounting team.

• Own the Financial Model:
  Build and maintain the company’s operating model, including long‑term forecasts, cash‑flow analysis, and scenario planning (best case/worst case).
• Budgeting:
  Lead the annual budgeting process and monthly rolling forecasts; partner with department heads to track variance and manage burn rate effectively.
• SaaS Metrics:
  Define, track, and report on key performance indicators (KPIs) such as ARR, NRR, CAC, LTV, and churn to drive decision‑making.

• Close the Books:
  Own the monthly, quarterly, and annual close process. Ensure financial statements are accurate, timely, and compliant with GAAP.
• Operations:
  Manage day‑to‑day financial operations, including accounts payable, accounts receivable, payroll, and treasury management.
• Tech Stack:
  Optimize and manage our financial systems (e.g., Quick Books/Net Suite, , Expensify) and lead future ERP implementations.

• Deal Desk:
  Partner with sales leadership to review and approve sales contracts, ensuring favorable commercial terms and compliance with revenue recognition standards (ASC 606).
• Legal Liaison:
  Serve as the primary interface with outside counsel regarding corporate governance, contract reviews, and IP matters.
• Cap Table Management:
  Administer the company’s equity plan (Carta) and manage stock option grants.

• Board Reporting:
  Prepare comprehensive board decks and financial updates; present financial results and strategic insights during board meetings.
• Fundraising Support:
  Play a key role in future fundraising rounds, including due diligence preparation and data‑room management.
• Executive Partnering:
  Act as a strategic advisor to the CEO and leadership team, providing data‑driven insights to support product pricing, headcount planning, and expansion strategies.

• 7–10+ years of progressive finance experience, ideally with a mix of Big 4 public accounting and high‑growth technology startup experience.
• Previous experience at a startup (Series A to Series C stage) is highly preferred; you must be comfortable working in an unstructured environment where you have to build the processes yourself.
• Hands‑on accounting:
  You must be willing to "roll up your sleeves" and do the work. You are not just overseeing the books; you are closing them until we hire a Controller/Accountant.

• CPA or strong accounting background is strongly preferred, with knowledge of US GAAP and Revenue Recognition (ASC 606).
• Strong modeling skills. You should be able to build a three‑statement financial model from scratch.
• Systems savviness:
  Proficiency with modern financial stacks (Quick Books Online, Net Suite, SaaS Optics, Carta, Salesforce).

• Scalability:
  Demonstrated ability to start as an IC and the leadership potential to build and manage a team as the company grows.
• Communication:
  Ability to…