Job Title: Chief Financial Officer (CFO)
Location: Remote — preference for candidates in the Pennsylvania / Ohio area
Company: Goldfish Swim School (independently owned and operated franchisee)
Industry: Children’s Aquatics & Water Safety | Multi-Unit Franchise | Goldfish Swim School
Employment Type: Full-Time, Exempt
Benefits
• 401(k)
• Bonus based on performance
• Dental insurance
• Employee discounts
• Health insurance
• Paid time off
• Free & discounted swim lessons for your family
• Vision insurance
About Us
Goldfish Swim School is the nation's premier learn-to-swim brand, teaching children ages four months to twelve years the life-saving skill of swimming in a warm, safe and playful environment. Guided by our Golden Rule philosophy and a genuine passion for water safety, we make a difference one swim lesson at a time.
As an independently owned and operated Goldfish Swim School franchisee, we are a fast-growing, multi-unit operator focused on operational excellence, financial discipline and responsible expansion. As we scale, we are seeking a Chief Financial Officer to join our leadership team and serve as the financial architect behind our next phase of growth.
About the Role
We are seeking a hands-on, experienced Chief Financial Officer to lead the finance and accounting function and partner directly with ownership and the executive team. This is a remote role (with a preference for candidates based in the Pennsylvania or Ohio area) responsible for overseeing all accounting operations, owning financial reporting, strengthening cash flow performance, managing lender and capital relationships and shaping our long-term growth strategy across all locations.
Opportunity to Grow
This is a high-visibility seat with real room to grow. As our footprint expands through new unit development and acquisitions, the CFO will help shape the strategic direction of the organization and build the finance team and infrastructure to support it, creating meaningful opportunities for professional advancement and expanded leadership responsibility over time.
Key Responsibilities
- Own the finance and accounting function across all entities and locations, ensuring accuracy, timeliness and compliance in the month-end close
- Deliver timely, high-quality financial statements and reporting to ownership, investors and lenders
- Maintain a disciplined close timeline (target 15-day close) and high standards for reporting quality
- Lead the preparation for audits and ensure a clean audit process annually
- Monitor, forecast and manage cash flow and treasury; maintain 13-week rolling forecasts
- Partner with ownership and executive leadership to analyze unit economics and profitability and drive EBITDA growth initiatives
- Build the financial framework for new unit development, greenfield openings and tuck-in acquisitions
- Oversee debt compliance and covenant tracking and lead strategic refinancing and capital-raising efforts
- Build, manage and mentor the accounting team and external partners
- Ensure compliance with GAAP, franchisor reporting requirements and applicable regulatory standards
Qualifications
- Bachelors Degree in Accounting, Finance or a related field (CPA and/or MBA strongly preferred)
- 10+ years of progressive finance leadership experience, including a senior finance or CFO level role (multi-unit, franchise or consumer services experience strongly preferred)
- Strong knowledge of GAAP, financial reporting and internal controls
- Proven experience with audits, cash flow forecasting, debt management and lender/capital relationships
- M&A and transaction experience - Buy-side diligence, deal execution and post-close integration strongly preferred
- Advanced proficiency in Microsoft Excel and modern accounting/ERP systems
- Hands-on, detail oriented and proactive leadership style
- Strong communicator and collaborative team builder
Compensation
$125,000+ per year depending on experience, plus performance-based bonus
Equal Opportunity Employer
We are an equal opportunity employer and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability status, protected veteran status or any other characteristic protected by law
Franchisee Acknowledgement
I understand that I am applying for a position with an employer that is an independently owned and operated Goldfish Swim School franchisee, not the franchisor, Goldfish Swim School Franchising, LLC or any of its affiliates. Any information I provide in this application will be submitted directly to the independent franchisee, who is solely responsible for all employment-related matters, including hiring, firing, discipline, supervision, staffing and scheduling. The franchisor does not control and is not responsible for the employment policies or practices of independent franchisees. If I am hired, the independent franchisee, not the franchisor, will be my employer.
