How to Do Bookkeeping for a Start-Up Business
You don’t need a finance department on day one-you need a workflow that won’t collapse when you scale.
Week-1 setup
- Open a business bank account and business credit card.
- Choose your accounting platform and enable bank feeds.
- Create a lean chart of accounts aligned to your model (revenue, COGS, OPEX, runway).
- Turn on receipt capture and bill pay with approvals.
Best Bookkeeping Software For Entrepreneurs
Monthly close checklist
- Reconcile bank/credit card/loan accounts.
- Categorize transactions; attach receipts.
- Record payroll, owner draws, and loan interest.
- Review A/R, A/P, undeposited funds.
- Accrue major expenses (hosting, contractors) if needed.
- Produce P&L, Balance Sheet, and 12-month cash forecast.
Starting a new business? Our bookkeeping services for start-ups help you track expenses, manage invoices, and stay tax-ready-so you can focus on growing your business from day one.
Metrics startups should watch
- Runway & burn (cash / monthly net burn).
- Gross margin and CAC payback (if applicable).
- MRR/ARR and churn (SaaS).
- Unit economics (ecommerce).
When A Startup Should Hire A Bookkeeper
When to bring in help
- You’re missing closes.
- Fundraising is looming.
- Multi-entity, inventory, or payroll gets complex.
- Your CPA spends billable hours fixing books.
We’ll set up your stack, close monthly, and give you investor-ready reports-without hiring full-time.
Related Reading:
- Best bookkeeping software for entrepreneurs
- When a startup should hire a bookkeeper
- Bookkeeping cost expectations
Explore our full range of bookkeeping services designed for small businesses looking for accuracy, simplicity, and CPA-reviewed financials.
