Head of Finance

Building the Future of Open Finance

Payward - the parent company behind Kraken, NinjaTrader, Breakout, xStocks, Payward Services and CF Benchmarks - has spent the last 15 years building one of the most modern and globally accessible financial infrastructure platforms in the industry, built to advance an open, global financial system. Before you apply, we encourage you to explore our culture page to understand what drives us and how we work.

The team

Founded in 2011, Kraken is one of the world's longest-standing crypto platforms, trusted by over 10 million individuals and institutions across the globe. It offers spot trading, margin, futures, staking, and OTC services, with products built for both individual investors and institutional clients. This role is based in Cyprus, and will serve as Head of Finance (“HoF”) to its Cyprus-based MiFID firm, Payward Europe Digital Solutions (“PEDSL”). As PEDSL’s HoF, you will be accountable for the business’s financial regulatory obligations, such as financial regulatory reporting. You will partner closely with globally shared service departments, including finance, tax, treasury, compliance, product and operations teams as needed to ensure the entity’s ongoing financial regulatory compliance. You will also drive the ongoing development of PEDSL’s financial reporting and financial compliance capabilities.

The opportunity

• Support the drafting and/or enhancing of the firm’s financial compliance policies, programs, procedures to comply with laws and regulations
• Prepare, track and maintain key financial metrics as required by applicable regulatory requirements.
• Understand PEDSL’s financial condition and be able to speak to its revenues, PnL, balance sheet, etc.
• Compile data and submit financial regulatory reports.
• Assist internal stakeholders and auditors in support or preparation of Audited Annual Financial Statements as needed.
• Oversee execution and adherence to financial policies and internal controls.
• In partnership with Compliance, respond to finance-related regulatory requests.
• Oversee monthly and quarterly financial closings.
• Prepare and track local entity budgets as directed.
• Report periodically to the CCO, CEO and Board of Directors on all financial matters
• Responsible for the oversight of project management in regards to financial projects
• Work with colleagues across functions to help to meet their deliverables (eg providing Finance with information required for financial statement preparation)
• Support defining and approving business requirements for financial systems and any other systems related to the covered functions, and validation that these systems meet such business requirements.
• Oversee effectiveness of EEA-specific internal financial controls and take remedial steps to mitigate residual risks outside of the firm’s risk appetite.
• Coordinate with Treasury and Banking & Payments teams as needed.
• Support Compliance and Regulatory Legal departments in reviewing and researching new and changing laws. Develop and execute appropriate remediation plans.
• Provide financial support for new license applications and renewals.
• Monitor, test and ensure compliance with regulations pertaining to segregation of assets.
• Any other tasks as assigned by PEDSL’s CEO, Board of Directors or global executive leadership teams.

What you bring

• Expert level of financial analysis and reporting tools.
• Strong understanding of financial regulatory requirements and compliance.
• 12-15 years experience with Bachelors/Masters in financial analysis, regulatory reporting, or similar role.
• 3-5 years experience in a fintech/relevant industry.
• Strong understanding of regulatory requirements and financial reporting standards.
• Excellent analytical and problem-solving skills.
• Ability to work independently and manage multiple tasks simultaneously.
• Ownership of all financial & treasury reconciliations for PEDSL, in particular client funding reconciliations for the regulated entity, for approval by senior management
• Develop a robust control environment
• Experience with MiFID II and associated custodial/safeguarding regulatory requirements.
• Passion or growing intrigue for cryptocurrency adoption and personal experience with crypto preferred.
• ACA or other relevant certification.

Nice to haves

• Relevant degree in Finance or Accounting.
• Experience in the cryptocurrency or fintech industry.
• Familiarity with MiFID II regulatory requirements and processes.
• Demonstrable prior experience in relation to the regulation of virtual asset services or money service businesses in Cyprus or a similar regulatory jurisdiction.
• Ability to work cross-functionally and with internal partners in Group Finance and other functions to deliver robust outcomes for the local regulated firm.
• Strong communication and interpersonal skills.

Our commitment

Payward is powered by people from around the world and we celebrate the diverse talents, backgrounds, contributions, and unique perspectives that everyone brings to the table. We hire based on merit, seeking out people with the right abilities, knowledge, and skills for the job. We encourage you to apply for roles where you don't fully meet the listed requirements, especially if you're passionate or knowledgeable about crypto. We may ask candidates to complete job-related skills or work-style assessments as part of our hiring process. These assessments evaluate competencies relevant to the role and are applied consistently across candidates for similar positions. Results are considered alongside experience and interviews, and are not the sole basis for any employment decision. As an equal opportunity employer, we don't tolerate discrimination or harassment of any kind, whether based on race, ethnicity, age, gender identity, citizenship, religion, sexual orientation, disability, pregnancy, veteran status, or any other protected characteristic as outlined by federal, state, or local laws.