
What's inside:

Overview
Choosing a corporate structure
Setting up finances
Creating accounting systems
Finding a location
Managing expenses and documents
Understanding KPIs and burn rates
Takeaways & next steps
The Finance and Ops Stack for Early-Stage Startups
Choices that you make early in your startup’s journey will determine how easily you can scale. Even choices that seem simple now, like QuickBooks versus FreshBooks, can either facilitate a smooth transition from 10 to 100 employees—or create hurdles you’ll have to jump over as you grow.
Small companies need to perform all the same financial functions as a large company: pay vendors, manage payroll, invoice customers, produce financial reports, and so on. When you’re setting up your company’s operating systems and processes, you need to:
Look professional
Stay nimble and not overcomplicate things
Avoid getting locked into a system you’ll need to change later
As a small company with ambitions to grow, you need systems that are error-resistant and labor-light. We’ve implemented the systems outlined in this guide at several early-stage companies that have gone on to successfully scale. We believe that following this plan will set you up for future success.
In this guide, we’ll take you through the fundamentals of finance and operations for your early-stage startup:
1
Choosing a corporate structure
2
Setting up finances
3
Creating accounting systems
4
Finding a location
5
Managing expenses and documents
6
Understandng KPIs and burn rates
7
Resources we love
8
Takeaways & next steps
Consider this the ultimate finance and ops stack that can accelerate your growth in the early stage and beyond.

What's inside:

Overview
Choosing a corporate structure
Setting up finances
Creating accounting systems
Finding a location
Managing expenses and documents
Understanding KPIs and burn rates
Takeaways & next steps
Choices that you make early in your startup’s journey will determine how easily you can scale. Even choices that seem simple now, like QuickBooks versus FreshBooks, can either facilitate a smooth transition from 10 to 100 employees—or create hurdles you’ll have to jump over as you grow.
Small companies need to perform all the same financial functions as a large company: pay vendors, manage payroll, invoice customers, produce financial reports, and so on. When you’re setting up your company’s operating systems and processes, you need to:
Look professional
Stay nimble and not overcomplicate things
Avoid getting locked into a system you’ll need to change later
As a small company with ambitions to grow, you need systems that are error-resistant and labor-light. We’ve implemented the systems outlined in this guide at several early-stage companies that have gone on to successfully scale. We believe that following this plan will set you up for future success.
In this guide, we’ll take you through the fundamentals of finance and operations for your early-stage startup:
1
Choosing a corporate structure
2
Setting up finances
3
Creating accounting systems
4
Finding a location
5
Managing expenses and documents
6
Understandng KPIs and burn rates
7
Resources we love
8
Takeaways & next steps
Consider this the ultimate finance and ops stack that can accelerate your growth in the early stage and beyond.