Interim CFO | AI Scale-Up | New York (remote)| Exit Experience essential
Zanda is an executive search partner working exclusively with ambitious, founder-led businesses as they look to scale with the right talent. We partner with founders, CEOs and leadership teams to deliver senior appointments that make a genuine difference. An AI company is looking for an experienced Interim CFO to lead the finance function through an exit process. This is a role for someone who has been on the sell side before, knows exactly what PE buyers look for, and can drive a business to be genuinely exit-ready rather than just reporting-ready. You will work directly with the founders and leadership team to make and execute the decisions that get this business to the right place at the right time. That means owning the full finance function, building investor-grade models, leading due diligence, and advising on structure and positioning with a clear understanding of how PE acquirers think about valuation and deal dynamics. What they need to see from you: Qualified accountant with direct sell-side M&A experience and a strong working knowledge of how PE buyers assess software and AI businesses, including commercial due diligence, recurring revenue metrics, and valuation multiples. Previous experience as a CFO or senior finance leader supporting a CFO within a software, SaaS, or AI company is essential. Equally important is a track record of partnering with founders, driving internal restructures, and translating board-level direction into finance-led execution.