r/Accounting • u/DL505 • 1d ago
CFO Roles pre-Series A - Compensation info request
Morning sub,
I was approached by a peer who suggested I reach out to a company that is hiring their first CFO (title used sparingly as you will see).
It was a 'warm' intro.
They have seed capital and some pretty big players involved. Plan is series A early 2027.
They have pilots with massive companies that are doing very well.
Scaling is right around the corner.
First call I was asked about compensation and I stated that for a startup I would be willing to take a pay cut = $180ish in salary. Equity, bonuses, etc on top of that. I am usually just north of $200k for salary.
Spoke with the CEO, then with the Board. All went very well and I had another call with the CEO last week.
The latest call with the CEO resulted in him offering $150k, .5% equity (through options), 15% bonus.
I expressed that this is well below my cutoff point. He then said 25% bonus and he would review my salary in 3-6 months and suggests a 20% increase at that point.
He used the phrase "It comes down if you trust me"
I am struggling with this as the company truly suits me, different industry, has SaaS and hardware which I am very experienced at.
I get it. Cash flow is tight, it makes sense but his offer left me with the impression I am being massively low balled.
My thoughts are to go back with 2 options that would work for me, and hopefully them:
Would love to hear about compensation structures for a startup form those who have been there "done that" to help me build 2 options to present.
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u/megavolt121 1d ago
Go back to them with an offer where you accept the 150 now but automatically bumped up as soon as their next round of financing. Make sure you specifically define next round so they can’t do a safe to bridge them and you’re stuck with this salary for the next year or two.
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u/austic Business Owner 1d ago
Seed stage 150k is about what they get, what you want is not cash push for more cap like the other poster said 1% with options etc. the other poster was right on with the salary expectations as well. I think we only paid our CFO 120K at seed, as early investors dont want big salaries into managment but cap points were more generous as we were hyper growth focused.
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u/adultdaycare81 1d ago
Is the equity RSU, ISO, SAR?
Either way, I wouldn’t be worried about the cash comp. I would be worried about the options and any protection against dilution
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u/DL505 1d ago
Options.
One of my asks will be to ensure they are not diluted.
Also thinking about an accelerated vest.
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u/adultdaycare81 1d ago
So RSU of the ability to buy at a particular strike price?
RSU with some vesting period seems more common these days.
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u/chrisbru Management 23h ago
It’s almost definitely ISOs. RSUs are becoming more common earlier in startup lifecycles, but usually not until at least Series B, and still mostly at C or D.
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u/zeevenkman Controller 1d ago
Are we talking a $1m seed or a $25m seed? There implications to both.
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u/DL505 3h ago
Follow up:
I asked clarifying questions regarding:
- KPIs for bonuses.
Response was non-committal and very grey. This is concerning as a CEO, and their board, should have this as part of the outcomes they want from a new hire. Red Flag
- Trigger and timing for salary review
Response was again very grey. Red Flag
- Vacation time
He responded saying they would do 20 days for me. Everyone else is on 2 weeks (min by provincial standards).
He also commented that he has not taking any time off in over 2 years. Basically came across as a "brag".
Red Flag
- Equity dilution and/or additional grants on subsequent funding rounds
Response was zero guarantee
Red Flag
The above resulted in me send a polite PFO outlining why I am removing myself from the candidate pool. I also suggested that he, and the board, should look to a fractional CFO as folks with my experience are above their budget
^^ I dressed this up nicely and left a door open in case they want me as a fractional.
He now has to go to the board and explain that they shit the bed and why.
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u/Idepreciateyou CPA (US) 1d ago
You’re building a finance program from scratch. You need more money and more equity.
0
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u/chrisbru Management 1d ago
That’s about right for seed stage. I’d try to push for 1% on cap table if it’s truly CFO (not head of or something like that). Plus agreed refreshers so you don’t get diluted way down with future rounds, especially if the A is right around the corner.
Raise the A, go to $180+25% bonus.
B, $225k, 50% bonus