Chief Financial Officer - BestEx Research

About BestEx Research

BestEx Research is a financial technology and research firm specializing in building sophisticated execution algorithms and transaction cost modeling tools servicing multiple asset classes. The firm provides its services to performance-demanding hedge funds, CTAs, asset managers, and banks through a traditional electronic broker and in a broker-neutral Software as a Service (SaaS) model.

BestEx Research’s mission is to become the leader in automation and measurement of execution across asset classes globally and significantly reduce transaction costs for our clients.

Its cloud-based platform, Algo Management System (AMS), is the first end-to-end algorithmic trading solution for equities, futures, and foreign exchange that delivers an entire ecosystem around execution algorithms, including transaction cost analysis (TCA), an algo customization tool called Strategy Studio, a trading dashboard, and pre-trade analytics in a single platform. The platform is currently live for US equity and global futures trading.

BestEx Research is disrupting a $100 billion industry by challenging the status quo of stale, black-box solutions from banks and offering next-generation execution algorithms that combine performance improvement with transparency and customization. BestEx Research uses leading-edge technology to support its low-latency, highly scalable research and trading systems with its back end in C++, research libraries in C++/Python and R, and web-based technologies for delivering its front-end platforms.

Visit bestexresearch.com for more information about our mission, products, research, and services.

About the role

We are seeking a hands-on Chief Financial Officer to join our team who can build and scale the finance organization of our rapidly growing fintech firm. As CFO, you will play a pivotal role in shaping the financial futures of our organization. You will be responsible for overseeing all aspects of finance and accounting, guiding our financial strategy and ensuring compliance with regulatory requirements

Responsibilities:

• Oversee and manage the monthly billing process for our SaaS and broker-dealer clientele
• Conduct thorough reviews and approvals of all invoices.
• Provide the CEO with consistent updates on the company's financial status.
• Collaborate with the sales team to assess the sales pipeline and develop revenue projection models across different business lines.
• Allocate costs accurately across business lines and clients, and formulate cost projection models.
• Monitor and report on the profitability metrics for each client and business line.
• Assist the CEO in strategic planning, ensuring our financial strategies are in sync with our overarching business goals.
• Maintain regular communication with current investors regarding the company’s financial condition and prepare presentations for potential investors.
• Coordinate external audits, regulatory examinations, and the annual 409A valuations.
• Address all regulatory requirements from FINRA and NFA, including net capital compliance and FOCUS report submissions, while staying updated on new regulations.
• Oversee the preparation and review of journal entries, account reconciliations, and financial statements (P&L, balance sheet).
• Manage the accounting operations for both the parent company and its subsidiaries, including expense sharing agreements

Requirements

• A minimum of 6-10 years of progressive experience in finance or accounting roles.
• Bachelor’s degree in Finance, Accounting, or a related field; CPA certification is highly regarded.
• Mandatory possession of Series 27 certification or the ability to obtain it within 6 months.
• Prior experience in a FINRA broker-dealer environment and a deep understanding of FINRA regulations.
• Experience in a SaaS business environment is beneficial.
• Exceptional interpersonal skills with the capability to engage effectively with stakeholders at all levels.
• A meticulous approach to work, outstanding analytical skills, and the ability to translate complex financial information into clear, actionable insights.
• Proven problem-solving abilities with a focus on professional and timely resolution of issues.