Build Your Startup on a Solid Financial Foundation
From incorporation to Series A and beyond. Get investor-ready financials and strategic CFO guidance without the full-time CFO price tag.
Challenges We Solve
Ensuring books pass VC scrutiny
Our Solution: Clean, audit-ready books with proper revenue recognition, expense tracking, and financial reporting that passes VC scrutiny
Impact: Close funding rounds faster with confidence in your financials
Managing limited runway effectively
Our Solution: Real-time burn rate tracking, runway projections, and scenario modeling to help you make informed spending decisions
Impact: Extend your runway and avoid cash crunches
Minimizing taxes while staying investor-attractive
Our Solution: Maximize R&D tax credits, QSBS planning, expense timing strategies, and proper entity structure
Impact: Save tens of thousands in taxes while maintaining investor attractiveness
Properly tracking complex equity structures
Our Solution: Proper tracking of stock options, SAFEs, convertible notes, and equity compensation with 409A integration
Impact: Avoid costly equity mistakes and stay audit-ready ---
How We Help Startup Accounting Businesses
Investor-Ready Financials
Financial statements and metrics that VCs and angels expect to see
- ✓GAAP-compliant financial statements
- ✓Monthly management reports
- ✓Investor-grade metrics dashboard
- ✓Due diligence data room preparation
Burn Rate & Runway Analysis
Know exactly how much time you have and how to extend it
- ✓Real-time burn rate tracking
- ✓Scenario-based runway projections
- ✓Department-level spending analysis
- ✓Hiring impact modeling
Startup Tax Strategy
Minimize taxes while maintaining investor attractiveness
- ✓R&D tax credit maximization
- ✓QSBS planning and tracking
- ✓State tax optimization
- ✓Entity structure guidance
Fractional CFO Services
Strategic financial guidance without the full-time cost
- ✓Monthly CFO strategy sessions
- ✓Board presentation preparation
- ✓Fundraising financial modeling
- ✓Strategic hiring and spending guidance
How We Helped TechFlow AI
SaaS Startup
The Challenge
Pre-Series A startup with messy books, unclear burn rate, and an investor asking for due diligence. Founders had been using a basic bookkeeper who didn't understand startup accounting.
Our Solution
Rebuilt 18 months of historical books, implemented proper revenue recognition, set up investor reporting dashboards, and provided fractional CFO services.
Results Achieved
"SmartBooks Insight saved our Series A. Our previous bookkeeper had made several critical errors that would have been deal-breakers for investors. The team not only fixed everything but provided the strategic CFO guidance we needed to confidently pitch our financials to VCs."
How It Works
Financial Health Assessment
We audit your current books, identify gaps, and create a roadmap to investor-ready financials.
Foundation Setup
Implement proper accounting systems, revenue recognition, expense categorization, and reporting infrastructure.
Ongoing Management
Monthly closes, financial reporting, tax compliance, and strategic guidance from our fractional CFO team.
Growth Partnership
Scale your financial operations as you grow—from seed to Series A and beyond. ---
Frequently Asked Questions
When should a startup hire a professional accountant?
Ideally from day one, but especially before: (1) raising your first institutional funding, (2) reaching $500K in revenue, (3) hiring your first employees, or (4) when you realize your DIY accounting is consuming too much founder time. Early investment in proper accounting saves massive headaches during due diligence.
What's the difference between a bookkeeper and a fractional CFO?
A bookkeeper records transactions and produces financial statements. A fractional CFO provides strategic financial guidance—helping with fundraising, burn rate management, financial modeling, investor relations, and making data-driven business decisions. We provide both services integrated together.
Can you help us prepare for due diligence?
Absolutely. We've helped 50+ startups successfully pass investor due diligence. We'll organize your financials, create a data room, prepare supporting documentation, and ensure your books are audit-ready. Many investors specifically recommend working with firms that understand their due diligence requirements.
Do you understand startup-specific accounting like SAFEs and stock options?
Yes. We specialize in startup accounting including SAFEs, convertible notes, stock options, RSUs, 409A valuations, equity compensation expense, and cap table management. We integrate with Carta and other cap table tools.
How much does startup accounting cost?
Our startup packages range from $1,500/month (early-stage bookkeeping + tax) to $5,000/month (full fractional CFO services) depending on transaction volume, complexity, and strategic needs. This is typically 70% less than hiring a full-time CFO. ---
Related Services
Bookkeeping Services
Expert bookkeeping services to keep your financial records organized, accurate, and up-to-date.
Tax Preparation & Filing Services
Maximize deductions and minimize taxes with professional tax preparation services. CPA-prepared returns with expert optimization. From $500 for simple returns.
Other Industries We Serve
E-commerce Accounting
Specialized accounting for online retailers managing multi-channel sales, inventory, and complex tax requirements.
Restaurant Accounting
Specialized accounting for restaurants, bars, cafes, and hospitality businesses with complex inventory and cash management needs.
Real Estate Accounting
Specialized accounting for real estate investors, property managers, and real estate professionals managing multiple properties and complex transactions.
Ready to Transform Your Startup Accounting?
Schedule a free consultation to see how our specialized accounting services can help your business thrive.