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Jordi: Welcome back to the Torras AI Podcast — I’m your host, Jordi. Today, I’m joined by someone with extensive experience in finance, strategy, and scaling startups. Sarah is a CPA and seasoned finance leader who has held executive roles in high-growth SaaS companies, including two successful exits. She is currently the VP of Finance at Allure Security, and she also advises early-stage companies as a fractional CFO and serves on multiple advisory boards.

Sarah's Career Journey

Jordi: Sarah, to kick things off, could you share your professional journey—from accounting into becoming a CFO and strategic advisor for startups?

Sarah: I always knew I wanted to be in finance. I started as a staff accountant, working under experienced CPAs, and gradually moved up the ranks. My father is a computer engineer, so I’ve always had an affinity for technology, which drew me into tech-focused finance roles. I’ve worked extensively in SaaS, focusing on areas like SaaS compliance, and eventually became a CFO, leading companies through successful exits. It's been a learning journey—stressful at times, but very rewarding.

Why the Startup World?

Jordi: What draws you to the startup world and keeps you motivated in high-stakes environments?

Sarah: I love small, growing startups because you get to work closely across teams and really make an impact. In larger companies, roles are more segmented, but in startups, you contribute to multiple areas. I enjoy helping others grow and learning from them as well. The dynamic, collaborative environment keeps me energized.

The Value of a Fractional CFO

Jordi: What’s the biggest value a startup gets when bringing on a seasoned finance leader like yourself early on?

Sarah: When you join a startup early, you bring in hindsight from having worked at later-stage companies. That experience helps avoid common pitfalls. For instance, knowing what due diligence processes look like or how to set up financial systems properly from the beginning can save a lot of pain later. I enjoy sharing this knowledge and learning from the teams I work with.

Finance, Cybersecurity, and AI at Allure Security

Jordi: As the VP of Finance at Allure Security, what unique challenges or innovations are you seeing at the intersection of finance, cybersecurity, and AI?

Sarah: AI is helping us automate tasks and react faster to data. It can forecast and highlight strategic considerations you might overlook. But it comes with risks—like bias from training data or concerns about data privacy and accountability. Finance involves sensitive data, so you must manage these risks carefully. I recall a case where an AI-generated CFO impersonated someone on a Zoom call to fraudulently extract $25 million. That’s the kind of sophisticated threat we’re dealing with.

Cybersecurity Threats in Finance

Jordi: Phishing and spoofing attempts are frequent. We've both seen examples where fake emails or text messages nearly led to money transfers.

Sarah: Absolutely. Finance is a common target for phishing scams. At Allure Security, we work on mitigating such risks—detecting fake texts, emails, and impersonations. Scams are getting more sophisticated. Companies need to protect not only themselves but also their brand reputation, as consumers might blame the company for fraud attempts even if they originate elsewhere.

Advice for Founders Planning an Exit

Jordi: What advice would you give to founders who might be looking at an exit in the next couple of years?

Sarah: Prepare at least two years in advance. Download a due diligence checklist and make sure you can answer everything on it. Organize your documentation—job descriptions, contracts, financial statements. Being prepared not only speeds up the process but also projects confidence to potential buyers. It reduces stress later and sets you up for success. Also, know your worth. If the buyer isn’t a good fit, don’t be afraid to walk away. Not all M&A discussions lead to a deal, and that's okay.

The Future of AI in Finance

Jordi: Where do you see AI and technology taking finance in the next five years?

Sarah: AI could make auditing more efficient and help detect fraud faster. It could even evaluate tax filings or financial anomalies. But we have to tackle bias. For example, an AI evaluating loan applications could inadvertently adopt discriminatory practices based on biased training data. That’s a major hurdle. Humans bring interpretation and context that AI still lacks. So, while automation will grow, the challenge is ensuring fairness and accountability.

How to Connect with Sarah

Jordi: For anyone listening who’d love to connect with you or learn more about your work—what’s the best way?

Sarah: I’m very active on LinkedIn. Just search for Sarah Gregor, and you’ll find me. I welcome meaningful connections and enjoy the opportunity to learn and share insights.

Closing

Jordi: Thank you so much, Sarah, for joining me today. That was an enlightening conversation. And for our listeners, stay tuned—we’ll be back soon with another fascinating guest here on the Torras AI Podcast.