Automating Manual Accounting Processes: How Early-Stage Startups Can Save Time and Reduce Risk

accounting tools for early-stage startups

CPAs manage the R&D tax claim process, ensuring startups document https://www.theclintoncourier.net/2025/12/19/main-advantages-of-accounting-services-for-startups/ eligible expenses and follow the proper claiming process. Financial health is crucial for startups, and they can use various tax credits and incentives to mitigate tax costs. These benefits support startups in their early stages, providing financial relief and allowing them to reinvest savings into growth.

FreshBooks – The Best for Freelancers & Small Teams

accounting tools for early-stage startups

We worked with Silicon Beach startups, angel-backed, venture-funded, and private equity portfolio companies. The firm has earned its reputation as the “consummate founder’s CPA firm” by handling complex startup tax matters that go way beyond the reach and influence of standard Delaware C-Corporations. The team builds strong connections in the entrepreneurial community by sponsoring incubators, mentoring founders, and joining hackathons. Their AI agent platform manages how borrowers communicate through voice, text, email, and chat channels. The AI-powered compliance monitoring suite watches all lender interactions.

  • If you are running a SaaS startup, and you sell a 12-month contract to a client for $120,000 in January, on a cash basis you record $120,000 and that’s it.
  • While many startup founders choose to hire an accountant, it is possible to do accounting yourself or by using accounting services.
  • The less expensive options mentioned, like Wave, can give you an affordable start while maintaining records that can be exported and moved to a different software as you scale.
  • We’ve compiled a list of 17 of the best startup accounting software for 2025.
  • With its focus on simplicity and collaboration, it’s perfect for small teams working in dynamic environments.

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About 15,000 accountancy graduates join the workforce in the Philippines each year. Their Academy program trains professionals in American and Australian accounting practices. The team’s expertise covers industries of all types, with focus on accounting, real estate, IT, customer service, tourism, construction, and debt collection sectors. The company’s venture capital background shapes its tech-driven financial solutions that cater specifically to funded startups. The cost structure, as with other startup accounting firms, changes based on company size and service needs. Clients need to reach out to Escalon directly to get customized quotes that match their requirements.

QuickBooks Online – $35-$235/month

accounting tools for early-stage startups

Their deep knowledge of startup metrics and venture capital requirements makes them valuable partners for early-stage companies looking for funding. The company serves venture-backed companies in SaaS, eCommerce, HealthTech, and FinTech sectors. Their client base includes hundreds of startups that have raised over $1 billion in funding. They target well-capitalized businesses with products in-market or close to launch. Their venture fund origins have helped them develop expertise to guide founders in understanding unit economics and executing strategic growth plans. The company serves small and mid-sized businesses that need the quickest way to manage operations.

You might get by with spreadsheets and a bank account early on, but as soon as you raise capital, issue equity, or start hiring, things become more complex. They’re massive, logo-heavy directories or Reddit threads full of conflicting advice—great for browsing, but not for making confident decisions. LinkedIn Recruiter gives access to over accounting for startups 900 million professionals and advanced search filters to find the best candidates. It also allows InMail messaging, making it easier to connect with potential hires directly.

  • It ensures financial health, regulation compliance, and strategic decision-making according to reports and analytics.
  • True to its innovative nature, Patriot also owns the patent on toggling between accrual and cash-basis accounting.
  • You can use Todoist’s Karma system to gamify productivity and motivate yourself.
  • Cloud-based accounting solution QuickBooks Online is tailor toward small to medium-sized businesses.

Efficient file sharing and document collaboration ensure your team remains agile, even if they’re spread across multiple time zones. I started The Digital Merchant to test the tools, services, and products I use in my digital business. Now, I’m here with other online business owners buying, testing, and evaluating the best digital tools, services, and software we can find – for every stage of the business. Reliable customer support and accessible training resources are invaluable, especially for startups unfamiliar with accounting practices. The features and functionality of any software are a major factor in whether it will serve the right purpose for your business.

Top 5 accounting softwares for startups of January 2026

This piece will help you choose the right partner for your 2025 accounting needs, whether you need full-service financial management or targeted support. Choosing the right accounting software for your startup can save time, reduce errors, and simplify financial management. Plus, investing in user-friendly software ensures smoother tracking of expenses, revenue, and overall cash flow. Many startups choose cloud-based accounting software like QuickBooks Online to manage their finances from day one. These platforms are popular for their affordability, ease of use, scalability, and real-time access to financial data from anywhere. If you prefer something simpler, a well-organized spreadsheet can work when you’re just starting out.

  • Odoo’s modular structure allows businesses to customize their accounting setup to ensure scalability and adaptability to diverse financial needs.
  • This solution is best for startups that need a fully customizable, no-code website or landing page.
  • This includes sales revenue, office supplies, payroll expenses, and software subscriptions.
  • Since our product specifically serves startups and small businesses, we have firsthand insight into their needs.
  • Leveraging the R&D tax credit helps startups reduce their tax burden and allocate more resources to research and growth initiatives.
  • As mentioned before, as a startup founder, you may not have the time or knowledge to handle it properly.
  • Analytics isn’t one-size-fits-all, which is why we’re featuring four different options here.

R&D Tax Credit

With features like automated bookkeeping, QuickBooks integration, AI-driven financial insights, and seamless tax preparation, Lazo simplifies financial management so founders can focus on growth. Zoho accounting software is part of the suite of products for businesses offered by Zoho. The platform allows users to manage finances, create invoices, make payments, track inventory, manage business banking, monitor time tracking and project expenses, and view in-depth reports. Additionally, Zoho’s accounting software offers a variety of tax features to ensure your business stays tax-compliant. Choosing the right accounting software is not just about simplifying bookkeeping; it’s quite literally one of the core pillars that your business will need to stand on its own. The right software can empower strategic decision-making and pave the way for scalable growth that startups are always desperately chasing.

Choose a Business Structure

accounting tools for early-stage startups

Moreover, good accounting is crucial for startups seeking venture capital funding or planning to go public, as investors and stakeholders require transparent and reliable financial information. Startup CPAs offer essential tax, financial management and compliance services, ensuring your business avoids financial pitfalls and that you stay out of IRS trouble. This article outlines the important accounting services they provide to help your startup thrive.