Part I — Partner Agreement
This Partner Agreement (“Agreement”) is entered into between Rubric Financial LLC (“Rubric,” “Company,” “we,” or “us”) and the individual or entity enrolling in the Rubric Financial Affiliate Program (“Partner,” “you,” or “your”). By submitting an application to the Program or by participating in any Program activities, you agree to be bound by the terms and conditions set forth in this Agreement and the Program Policies attached hereto.
1. Non-Exclusivity
This Agreement is non-exclusive. You are free to promote, market, or recommend products and services offered by other companies, including those that compete directly with Rubric Financial. Rubric similarly retains the right to engage other partners, affiliates, or marketing channels at its sole discretion. Nothing in this Agreement restricts either party from engaging in any lawful business activity.
2. Partner Acceptance
All applications to the Rubric Financial Affiliate Program are subject to review and approval by Rubric at its sole discretion. Rubric will use commercially reasonable efforts to review each application within thirty (30) days of submission. You will be notified of acceptance or rejection via the email address provided during enrollment. Accepted Partners must complete all enrollment criteria, including account setup and agreement to these terms, within thirty (30) days of acceptance notification. Failure to complete enrollment within this period may result in the cancellation of your acceptance.
3. Customer Transactions
Rubric Financial provides financial operations services to startup founders, including but not limited to bookkeeping, tax compliance, fractional CFO services, and financial reporting at the foundational and growth service tiers. Referrals made through the Program are limited to these services. The specific services delivered to any referred customer will be determined solely by Rubric based on the customer's needs and the service agreement entered into between Rubric and the customer.
4. Eligibility & Requirements
To participate in the Program, you must: (a) be at least eighteen (18) years of age or the age of majority in your jurisdiction; (b) maintain a valid and active partner account in good standing; (c) comply with all applicable federal, state, local, and international laws and regulations, including but not limited to the CAN-SPAM Act, the FTC Endorsement Guides, and any applicable data protection legislation; and (d) not be located in or a resident of any jurisdiction where participation in this type of referral program is prohibited.
5. Authority
Partners are independent promoters and are not agents, employees, or representatives of Rubric Financial. You may not resell, sublicense, or redistribute Rubric Financial services. You shall not make any commitments, representations, warranties, or guarantees on behalf of Rubric, nor shall you enter into any agreements, set pricing, offer discounts, or otherwise bind Rubric in any manner. All customer agreements and service terms are exclusively between Rubric and its customers.
6. Acceptance and Validity
A referral is only valid if the referred party is not a pre-existing Rubric Financial customer or lead. Rubric will perform a sixty (60) day look-back to determine whether the referred party has previously engaged with Rubric, including through consultation requests, email inquiries, or trial account creation. Additionally, a referral link click must result in a customer sign-up within thirty (30) days of the initial click to be attributed to the referring Partner. Clicks that do not convert within this window will not be credited.
7. Engagement with Prospects
Rubric Financial engages directly with all prospective customers regardless of whether the lead originated from a Partner referral or another channel. Once a referral is submitted, Rubric assumes full responsibility for the sales process, customer onboarding, and ongoing relationship management. The determination of whether a referred lead constitutes a valid and qualified referral rests solely with Rubric.
8. License
Subject to your compliance with this Agreement, Rubric grants you a limited, revocable, non-transferable, non-sublicensable, non-exclusive, worldwide license to use Rubric Financial's approved marketing materials, logos, and brand assets solely for the purpose of promoting Rubric Financial services under the Program. This license does not transfer any ownership or intellectual property rights. Rubric may revoke this license at any time, for any reason, upon written notice.
9. Commission and Payment
Partners will earn a commission of three hundred dollars ($300 USD) per Qualified Referral. A “Qualified Referral” is defined as a referral that: (a) signs up for Rubric Financial services through your unique referral link; (b) enters into a paid service agreement; and (c) remains an active, paying customer for a minimum of three (3) consecutive months. Commission rates may be modified by Rubric with thirty (30) days' prior written notice.
10. Requirements for Payment; Forfeiture
Earned commissions become eligible for payment after the referred customer has maintained active, paid status for the required qualifying period. Payments will be processed within forty-five (45) days following the end of the month in which the commission was earned. Any commission that remains outstanding for more than six (6) months due to Partner inactivity, incomplete payment information, or failure to maintain a valid partner account may be forfeited at Rubric's sole discretion. Partners must maintain accurate and current payment information at all times.
11. Third-party Payment Processors
All commission payments are processed through PartnerStack, our designated third-party payment platform. By participating in the Program, you agree to PartnerStack's terms of service and privacy policy. Rubric is not responsible for delays, errors, or issues arising from PartnerStack's payment processing. Any disputes regarding payment processing should be directed to PartnerStack in the first instance.
12. Taxes
You are solely responsible for reporting and paying all applicable federal, state, local, and international taxes arising from commissions received under this Program. Rubric may require you to provide a completed W-9 (for U.S. persons) or W-8BEN (for non-U.S. persons) prior to issuing any payments. Rubric will issue a Form 1099-NEC or equivalent tax reporting document as required by law. Rubric does not provide tax advice, and you are encouraged to consult with a qualified tax professional regarding your obligations.
13. Training and Support
Rubric Financial may, at its discretion, provide Partners with access to training resources, product documentation, partner certifications, and marketing support materials. These resources are provided for informational purposes and to assist Partners in effectively promoting Rubric Financial services. Rubric reserves the right to modify, update, or discontinue training materials and support programs at any time without prior notice.
14. Quality Control
Rubric reserves the right to review, approve, or reject any marketing materials, content, or promotional activities created by Partners in connection with the Program. Partners must submit materials for review upon request and must promptly remove or modify any content that Rubric determines to be inaccurate, misleading, or otherwise inconsistent with Rubric's brand standards. Rubric may conduct periodic audits of Partner marketing activities to ensure compliance with this Agreement.
15. Trademarks
Subject to this Agreement, Partners may use Rubric Financial's trademarks, service marks, logos, and trade names solely in accordance with Rubric's published brand guidelines and exclusively for the purpose of promoting Rubric Financial services under the Program. All use of Rubric marks must be pre-approved in writing. You shall not alter, modify, or create derivative works of Rubric's trademarks. All goodwill arising from your use of Rubric marks inures solely to Rubric's benefit.
16. Proprietary Rights
Rubric Financial retains all right, title, and interest in and to its services, software, technology, content, trademarks, trade secrets, and all associated intellectual property. Nothing in this Agreement grants you any ownership interest or intellectual property rights in any Rubric materials. Any feedback, suggestions, or ideas provided by Partner regarding Rubric services may be used by Rubric without restriction or obligation to Partner.
17. Confidentiality
During the term of this Agreement and for a period of two (2) years following its termination, each party agrees to maintain the confidentiality of all non-public information disclosed by the other party in connection with the Program, including but not limited to business strategies, customer data, commission structures, financial information, and technical details. Confidential information shall not be disclosed to any third party without the prior written consent of the disclosing party, except as required by law or regulation.
18. Term and Termination
This Agreement is effective upon your acceptance into the Program and continues until terminated. Either party may terminate this Agreement without cause by providing fifteen (15) days' written notice to the other party. If Rubric updates or amends the terms of this Agreement, Partners will have five (5) days from the date of notification to accept the updated terms or terminate their participation. In the event of a material breach by either party, the non-breaching party may terminate this Agreement upon ten (10) days' written notice, provided the breaching party fails to cure the breach within such notice period. Upon termination, all rights and licenses granted hereunder shall immediately cease, and Partner must discontinue all use of Rubric materials.
19. Partner Representations and Warranties
You represent and warrant that: (a) you have the legal authority and capacity to enter into this Agreement; (b) your participation in the Program will not violate any agreement, obligation, or law to which you are subject; (c) all information provided during enrollment and throughout your participation is accurate and complete; (d) you will comply with all applicable laws and regulations in the performance of your activities under the Program; and (e) your marketing and promotional activities will not infringe upon the intellectual property rights or other rights of any third party.
20. Indemnification
You agree to indemnify, defend, and hold harmless Rubric Financial LLC, its officers, directors, employees, agents, and affiliates from and against any and all claims, damages, losses, liabilities, costs, and expenses (including reasonable attorneys' fees) arising out of or related to: (a) your breach of this Agreement; (b) your violation of any applicable law or regulation; (c) your marketing or promotional activities; or (d) any claim brought by a third party arising from your participation in the Program.
21. Disclaimers; Limitations of Liability
THE PROGRAM AND ALL RELATED MATERIALS ARE PROVIDED “AS IS” AND “AS AVAILABLE” WITHOUT WARRANTIES OF ANY KIND, WHETHER EXPRESS, IMPLIED, OR STATUTORY, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY, FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE, AND NON-INFRINGEMENT. TO THE MAXIMUM EXTENT PERMITTED BY LAW, RUBRIC FINANCIAL SHALL NOT BE LIABLE FOR ANY INDIRECT, INCIDENTAL, SPECIAL, CONSEQUENTIAL, OR PUNITIVE DAMAGES ARISING OUT OF OR RELATED TO THIS AGREEMENT OR THE PROGRAM, REGARDLESS OF THE THEORY OF LIABILITY. RUBRIC'S TOTAL AGGREGATE LIABILITY UNDER THIS AGREEMENT SHALL NOT EXCEED THE TOTAL COMMISSIONS PAID TO YOU IN THE TWELVE (12) MONTHS PRECEDING THE EVENT GIVING RISE TO THE CLAIM.
22. General
Amendment. Rubric may amend this Agreement at any time by providing written notice to Partners. Continued participation in the Program following notice of amendment constitutes acceptance of the revised terms.
Applicable Law. This Agreement shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the State of California, without regard to its conflict of laws provisions. Any disputes arising under or in connection with this Agreement shall be subject to the exclusive jurisdiction of the state and federal courts located in the State of California.
Severability. If any provision of this Agreement is held to be invalid, illegal, or unenforceable, the remaining provisions shall continue in full force and effect.
Notices. All notices under this Agreement shall be in writing and delivered via email to the addresses provided during enrollment or to info@rubricfinancial.com for notices to Rubric.
Entire Agreement. This Agreement, together with the Program Policies, constitutes the entire agreement between the parties regarding the subject matter hereof and supersedes all prior or contemporaneous agreements, understandings, and communications, whether oral or written.
Assignment. You may not assign or transfer this Agreement or any rights hereunder without Rubric's prior written consent. Rubric may assign this Agreement freely in connection with a merger, acquisition, or sale of substantially all of its assets.
Part II — Program Policies
The following policies supplement the Partner Agreement above and govern the day-to-day operations of the Rubric Financial Affiliate Program.
1. Program Overview
The Rubric Financial Affiliate Program allows approved Partners to earn commissions by referring startup founders to Rubric Financial's services. The Program is managed through PartnerStack, which provides referral tracking, reporting, and commission payment processing. Rubric reserves the right to modify, suspend, or discontinue the Program at any time with reasonable notice to active Partners.
2. Eligibility
To participate in the Program, you must be at least eighteen (18) years old and maintain a valid, active partner account in good standing. Rubric reserves the right to deny or revoke participation at its sole discretion if a Partner fails to meet the eligibility requirements or violates any provision of this Agreement or the Program Policies.
3. Qualified Referrals
A “Qualified Referral” is defined as a referral that meets all of the following criteria:
- The referred party signs up for Rubric Financial services through the Partner's unique referral link.
- The referred party enters into a paid service agreement with Rubric Financial.
- The referred party remains an active, paying customer for a minimum of three (3) consecutive months.
- The referred party was not a pre-existing Rubric Financial customer or lead within the sixty (60) day look-back period.
- The referral was not generated through fraudulent, deceptive, or prohibited means as outlined in Section 5 below.
4. Commissions and Payment
Partners earn a commission of three hundred dollars ($300 USD) for each Qualified Referral. Commissions are calculated after the referred customer completes the qualifying period of three (3) consecutive months of active, paid service. Payments are processed through PartnerStack within forty-five (45) days following the end of the month in which the commission was earned. Rubric reserves the right to adjust commission rates with thirty (30) days' prior written notice.
5. Prohibited Activities
Partners shall not engage in any of the following activities:
- Misrepresentation: Making false, misleading, or exaggerated claims about Rubric Financial's services, pricing, or capabilities.
- Fake Referrals: Submitting fraudulent, fabricated, or self-referral sign-ups to generate commissions.
- Bidding on Brand Terms: Purchasing or bidding on Rubric Financial brand terms, trademarks, or variations thereof in paid search advertising (e.g., Google Ads, Bing Ads).
- Cookie Stuffing: Using any method to artificially set referral cookies without genuine user intent or knowledge.
- Hidden Iframes: Embedding Rubric referral links in hidden iframes, zero-pixel images, or other invisible elements.
- Incentivized Signups: Offering cash, discounts, prizes, or other incentives to individuals in exchange for signing up through your referral link, unless expressly approved in writing by Rubric.
Violation of any prohibited activity may result in immediate termination of your participation in the Program and forfeiture of any unpaid commissions.
6. Marketing Guidelines
Partners are expected to adhere to the following marketing guidelines:
- Always use your unique referral link when promoting Rubric Financial services.
- Use only Rubric-approved messaging, descriptions, and brand assets in your promotional materials.
- Create content that is accurate, honest, and not misleading regarding Rubric Financial's services or pricing.
- Clearly disclose your partnership with Rubric Financial in accordance with FTC Endorsement Guides and any other applicable disclosure requirements (e.g., “I earn a commission if you sign up through my link”).
7. Relationship of Parties
Partners are independent contractors and not employees, agents, or representatives of Rubric Financial. Nothing in this Agreement or the Program Policies creates a partnership, joint venture, employment relationship, or agency between the parties. Partners are solely responsible for their own expenses, taxes, and compliance obligations.
8. Termination
Either party may terminate participation in the Program at any time for any reason by providing written notice to the other party. Rubric may immediately suspend or terminate a Partner's participation upon discovery of a violation of this Agreement, the Program Policies, or any applicable law. Upon termination, the Partner must immediately cease all promotional activities, remove all Rubric marketing materials, and discontinue use of all Rubric trademarks and referral links.
9. Changes to Program and Terms
Rubric reserves the right to modify the Program, including commission rates, policies, and terms, at any time. Material changes will be communicated to Partners via email or through the PartnerStack platform with reasonable advance notice. Continued participation in the Program following notice of changes constitutes acceptance of the revised terms.
10. Limitation of Liability
To the maximum extent permitted by applicable law, Rubric Financial shall not be liable for any indirect, incidental, special, consequential, or punitive damages arising out of or related to the Program, including but not limited to loss of revenue, loss of profits, loss of business, or loss of data, regardless of the theory of liability. Rubric's total liability to any Partner under the Program shall not exceed the total commissions actually paid to that Partner in the twelve (12) months preceding the event giving rise to the claim.
11. Governing Law
These Program Policies shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the State of California, without regard to its conflict of laws provisions. Any disputes arising from or related to the Program shall be subject to the exclusive jurisdiction of the state and federal courts located in the State of California.
12. Contact
For questions about the Rubric Financial Affiliate Program, these Terms of Service, or the Program Policies, please contact us at: