Financial Operations Associate

Company Overview:

We are building Protege to solve the biggest unmet need in AI — getting access to the right training data. The process today is time intensive, incredibly expensive, and often ends in failure. The Protege platform facilitates the secure, efficient, and privacy-centric exchange of AI training data.

Solving AI’s data problem is a generational opportunity. We’re backed by world-class investors and already powering partnerships with some of the most ambitious teams in AI. The company that succeeds will be one of the largest in AI — and in tech.

We’re a lean, fast-moving, high-trust team of builders who are obsessed with velocity and impact. Our culture is built for people who thrive on ambiguity, own outcomes, and want to shape the future of data and AI.

We're hiring a Finance Operations Associate to help keep Protege's financial operations running smoothly as we scale.

This person will own core accounts payable and accounts receivable workflows, coordinate vendor payments, support collections, and help maintain accurate cash tracking and reporting. You'll work closely with the Controller and CFO to ensure financial obligations are executed accurately and on time while providing excellent support to both internal stakeholders and external partners.

This is a high-ownership role for someone who is organized, detail-oriented, and excited to build processes in a fast-moving environment.

What You'll Do

Manage accounts payable and vendor payment workflows

Generate customer invoices and support collections efforts

Prepare domestic and international wire transfers for Controller/CFO approval

Serve as a primary point of contact for vendor payment inquiries

Assist with cash tracking and short-term cash flow reporting

Maintain accurate financial records across systems and spreadsheets

Identify opportunities to improve finance processes and controls

What Success Looks Like

30 Days

Successfully assume AP, invoicing, and vendor communication responsibilities

Understand current cash management and payment workflows

Build familiarity with key vendors and financial systems

60 Days

Independently manage payment operations and collections processes

Provide reliable cash tracking and reporting support

Become a trusted resource for vendor and internal finance questions

90 Days

Own day-to-day finance operations with minimal oversight

Improve operational efficiency and reporting processes

Deliver consistent accuracy and reliability across all finance workflows

What You Bring

Strong Excel and Google Sheets skills

Experience working with accounting systems or ERPs

Excellent attention to detail and organizational skills

Strong communication and follow-through

Comfort working in a fast-paced startup environment

Nice to Have

2+ years of accounting, finance operations, AP/AR, or bookkeeping experience OR undergraduate degree in Finance or Accounting

Startup experience

Cash management or treasury exposure

Experience with QuickBooks, Campfire, Ramp, or similar tools

Protege Values

• Pass the Loved Ones’ Test
• We act with integrity and do the right thing — especially when it’s hard and no one is watching.

• Always Find a Way
• We are resourceful, resilient builders who solve hard problems and push through obstacles.

• Go Fast and Grow Fast
• Velocity matters. We move with urgency, learn quickly, and continuously improve as individuals and as a company.

• Practice Kindness and Candor
• We communicate directly and respectfully, building trust through honest feedback and genuine care for one another.

• Deliver Together
• We win as one team. Collaboration, accountability, and shared ownership drive our success.

• Own the Outcome. Hone the Craft.
• We take pride in our work, sweat the details, and continuously raise the bar for excellence.