Are you looking for a professional accounting firm for startups to provide strategic financial advice for your growing business? We explored client feedback, startup-related case studies, and industry standings of leading startup accounting services to help businesses like yours discover reputable partners. You can browse our directory and refine your search by location, pricing, minimum budget, team size, and other criteria to find an agency that can effectively help you navigate all accounting and regulatory challenges.
We also meticulously reviewed the services, awards, portfolios, industry reputation, pricing, and client reviews of nearly 100 agencies to bring you a list of the top 10 accounting firms for startups. Check out our featured agencies and their specialties to find the right partner for your accounting needs.
The Number 1 Accounting Firm for Startups as Selected by DesignRush Is...
Pilot
- Best for: Overall
- Average hourly rate: $1
- Minimum budget: Inquire
- Founded: 2017
- Size: 250-499
- Location: San Francisco, CA
- Notable clients: Trash, Lattice, Airtable, Scale AI, Passage AI
Pilot is an accounting firm for startups that provides bookkeeping, fractional chief financial officer (CFO), and tax services to growing businesses. Its skilled accountants use cutting-edge workflows superior to traditional error-prone accounting. So far, Pilot has helped 1,750+ customers save over $35 million in research and development (R&D) tax savings. Some of the services this startup accounting firm is expert in include finance tools integration, tax, R&D tax credit, building budgets, and fundraising preparation.
Pilot Success Story
- Challenge: Trash is a video editing platform that had one of its founders keep company books for two years. Instead of investing time in building the startup's product, Karina Bernacki lost hours manually handling budget reports and other accounting tasks. When the company secured a National Science Foundation (NSF) grant, it needed to provide regular reporting on how the funding was spent. This is when Trash reached out to Pilot.
- Solution: When Pilot took over, it synced all Trash's financial accounts, including payroll and accounting cards. The agency reconciled all books and started creating monthly statements, so all books were up to date. Finally, Pilot built custom reports for NSF to keep track of its funds.
- Results: Thanks to working with Pilot, Trash now leaves a better impression on investors, having the board focus on strategy instead of financial decisions. NSF funding reports will make it easier for Trash to apply for future grants and raise more funds.
Check Out Pilot Agency Profile
Graphite Financial
- Best for: Scaling financial processes
- Average hourly rate: Inquire
- Minimum budget: Inquire
- Founded: 2016
- Size: Under 49
- Location: New York, NY
- Notable clients: Caraway, Confiant, SETTLE, SunScoop, The Muse
Born out of a VC fund, Graphite Financial provides startup accounting services that include bookkeeping, fractional CFO, and tax. The company has helped several hundred startups with industry-specific accounting and bookkeeping, financial modeling, fundraising, long-term strategic plans, corporate tax filings, sales tax, and more. Graphite Financial specializes in working with businesses from SaaS and tech, eCommerce, health tech and healthcare, biotech, and other spheres.
Graphite Financial Success Story
- Challenge: Caraway is a cookware brand that started with a small team and limited funding. As the business began to grow, it became obvious it needed professional assistance with finance and accounting.
- Solution: Graphite Financial provided guidance as Caraway navigated scaling its business, which made financial processes more complex. The accounting firm for startups helped the company establish processes for accounts receivable, bill payment, and other essential financial functions.
- Results: By having Graphite Financial handle all financial aspects of its business, Caraway didn't have to worry about the intricacies of back-end CPG accounting, and its core team was able to focus on building and expanding the business.
Check Out Graphite Financial Profile
airCFO
- Best for: Account receivables
- Average hourly rate: Inquire
- Minimum budget: Inquire
- Founded: 2013
- Size: Under 49
- Location: Cleveland, OH
- Notable clients: Apartment List, Crosschq, 1Konto, Liveflow, Basis
airCFO offers startup accounting services in the fields of accounting, finance, people operations, and tax. Over 300 startups have trusted airCFO with processes like expense management, financial statement preparation, cash flow projections, budgeting, modeling, tax laws, and IRS guidance. With automated tools and tailored advice, airCFO enables startups to easily scale their infrastructure and get a strong hold of their accounting capabilities.
airCFO Success Story
- Challenge: Apartment List is an online rental marketplace that has grown to advertise over 5 million rental units on its platform. To support such rapid growth, the company needed assistance from a professional startup accounting firm.
- Solution: airCFO took over all accounting and financial initiatives, most notably with account receivables. The company helped customize the delivery of products and services to support the quick expansion of Apartment List’s business.
- Results: Apartment List made significant financial savings by outsourcing all finances to airCFO instead of hiring an in-house CFO. Thanks to the accounting firm's flexibility, the startup successfully scaled and eventually hired an internal financial expert to work alongside the airCFO.
Check Out airCFO Agency Profile
Burkland
- Best for: Accounting process automation
- Average hourly rate: Inquire
- Minimum budget: Inquire
- Founded: 2004
- Size: 100-249
- Location: San Francisco, CA
- Notable clients: Aletha Health, GoFormz, Locale, Imubit, Revelstoke
Burkland is a company that provides startup accounting services for over 800 venture-backed startup clients. So far, the accounting firm has helped its clients raise over $14.4 billion in funding by letting them focus on business growth while tackling all accounting and financial tasks. Burkland specializes in tax preparation, tax credit research, financial guidance in strategic scaling, bookkeeping, and financial systems.
Burkland Success Story
- Challenge: Aletha Health is a healthcare startup that started out by manually running all its accounting processes. During its first rapid growth phase, the company faced challenges in maintaining the accuracy and efficiency of its bookkeeping.
- Solution: Burkland set out to automate most of Aletha Health’s processes, including integrating its accounting software with its sales platform. All sales data could be handled in one place, enabling Burkland to reconcile transactions at the end of each month.
- Results: Thanks to Burkland, Aletha Health now has clean accounting books and automated accounting processes that are quicker and more accurate. Reporting accurate sales taxes protects the business during due diligence and with investors.
Check Out Burkland Agency Profile
Early Growth
- Best for: Inventory management
- Average hourly rate: Inquire
- Minimum budget: Inquire
- Founded: 2008
- Size: 50-99
- Location: San Jose, CA
- Notable clients: Enplug, Student Loan Hero, Tonal, Joinesty, Origin Materials
Early Growth is the largest national startup accounting firm in the venture capital space. The company is a one-stop shop for all startup financial activities, including fund accounting, equity management, risk management, and financial operations. Early Growth has helped over 5,000 clients, specifically venture capital backed companies, SaaS, life sciences, eCommerce, and technology hardware companies.
Early Growth Success Story
- Challenge: Enplug is a startup that transitioned to a SaaS-based model early in its growth phase. As the number of subscribed users grew, the company realized its burning need for professional accounting.
- Solution: Early Growth handled transaction categorizations, reviewed and cleaned up line items in the business’ chart of accounts, and streamlined all accounting and financial processes. Besides that, the accounting firm managed monthly close and managing inventory, invoicing, and bill payments.
- Results: With Early Growth handling all financial processes, the company could focus on growing the business and attracting more investors. Enplug successfully raised $3.5 million in seed funding and continued to grow.
Check Out Early Growth Agency Profile
Accountancy Cloud
- Best for: R&D tax
- Average hourly rate: Inquire
- Minimum budget: Inquire
- Founded: 2014
- Size: Under 49
- Location: London, United Kingdom
- Notable clients: Scape Technologies, London Filmed, Homevest, Friday, Manyone
Accountancy Cloud is an accounting firm for startups that provides bookkeeping, CFO, and tax services for startups and scale-ups. This startup accounting company covers a wide range of services, including accounting, R&D tax credits, CFO services, invoices, receipts, expenses, taxes, and tax returns. Accountancy Cloud won numerous accolades, such as Accounting Excellence Medium Firm of the Year, British Accountancy Awards Independent Firm of the Year, and Accounting Excellence Innovative Firm of the Year.
Accountancy Cloud Success Story
- Challenge: Scape Technologies, a computer-vision startup, needed to file its R&D tax credit claim in a reliable, error-free way. With research and development efforts scattered across multiple platforms, it was difficult to handle the complexity of accounting processes.
- Solution: Accountancy Cloud leveraged its expertise to streamline and handle all accounting processes. The firm ensured that R&D credit tracking went flawlessly with a combination of manual and automated work.
- Results: Thanks to Accountancy Cloud's help, Scape Technologies could claim £500,000 of R&D tax cash refund and further grow its business.
Check Out Accountancy Cloud Agency Profile
Learn & Grow Financial
- Best for: Regulations compliance
- Average hourly rate: Inquire
- Minimum budget: Inquire
- Founded: 2018
- Size: Under 49
- Location: Los Angeles, CA
- Notable clients: Honey, Selling Signals, Donut Media, Boulevard Labs, Brex
Learn & Grow Financial is a small team of highly skilled accountants, fractional CFOs, and tax experts focusing on helping startups and growing businesses tackle their financial processes. This startup accounting company uses cutting-edge financial technology to streamline its clients' operations and provide strategic advice and planning as they grow. Learn & Grow Financial specializes in accounts payable, R&D tax credit, revenue growth, and other key performance indicator tracking, as well as accounting automation.
Learn & Grow Financial Success Story
- Challenge: Honey is a tech startup that started out with an internal bookkeeper, but as the company grew, it needed high-level support to manage the financial aspects of the expansion.
- Solution: Learn & Grow Financial helped Honey manage gross margin and profitability by channel, amortizing expenses and transitioning to accrual-based accounting. The accounting firm for startups ensured that Honey's rewards program was compliant with all financial regulations. Finally, Learn & Grow helped Honey automate payroll and accounts payable processes to handle the large volume of transactions.
- Results: Supported by Learn & Grow Financial, Honey managed to scale from 11 to almost 100 employees with the financial infrastructure able to support this growth. Honey gained better insights into its finances, which empowered it to make better financial decisions.
Check Out Learn & Grow Financial Agency Profile
Hiline
- Best for: Financial records
- Average hourly rate: $1
- Minimum budget: Inquire
- Founded: 2016
- Size: 100-249
- Location: Syracuse, NY
- Notable clients: Avidon Health, Ritual, Vetted, Flow Kana, Life Choices Center
Leveraging the power of hi-tech financial solutions, Hiline helps startups and growing businesses manage their accounting. This startup accounting company has provided custom financial solutions to over 300 startups, aiding them with bookkeeping, CFO services, HR and payroll, accounts payable, spending management, and tax. Hiline integrates modern software solutions like QuickBooks Online, Basis FP&A, BILL Accounts Payable, and Spend & Expense software to automate and streamline financial processes.
Hiline Success Story
- Challenge: Avidon Health used an external bookkeeper with limited availability, which created operational gaps. A junior team member ran its accounting and finance, and he struggled to tackle more complex issues. The company also lacked timely financial reporting that would help make better financial decisions.
- Solution: Within the first month, Hiline performed a historical cleanup of Avidon Health's financial records. The accounting team set up and started tracking important metrics to give the business a better insight into its finances. Hiline provided the consistency and availability that Avidon Health was lacking.
- Results: Thanks to Hiline's support, Avidon Health's SVP of Operations could focus on her duties, helping the company scale while making sure the finances were in order.
Check Out Hiline Agency Profile
Milestone
- Best for: Fractional CFO
- Average hourly rate: Inquire
- Minimum budget: Inquire
- Founded: 2020
- Size: Under 49
- Location: Carmel, IN
- Notable clients: DemandJump, Lessonly, Arborgold, Blind Zebra, Innovate Map
Milestone is a startup accounting company that helps nonprofits and high-grow businesses with monthly accounting, fractional CFO, financial system design and implementation, payroll, and other services. The firm offers plans tailored to its clients' size and budget, providing anything from weekly bookkeeping to consultancy in financial review and board meetings. Milestone has extensive expertise working with SaaS, startup, and scaleup companies from different industries.
Milestone Success Story
- Challenge: DemandJump is a SaaS startup that had to quickly find an accounting firm after its CFO resigned, leaving the company without a dedicated expert to help with growth plan execution.
- Solution: Milestone provided startup accounting services, including fractional accounting and CFO services through a combination of the latest financial software and its financial leadership expertise. The accounting firm for startups took over daily bookkeeping and strategic guidance around financial decisions.
- Results: The adoption of financial technology allowed DemandJump to improve operational efficiency and information flow. The day-to-day operations enabled the business to successfully prepare for scaling knowing all back-office operations were streamlined.
Check Out Milestone Agency Profile
Schultz & Associates, CPA
- Best for: Receipt management
- Average hourly rate: Inquire
- Minimum budget: Inquire
- Founded: 1992
- Size: Under 49
- Location: Canton, MI
- Notable clients: Westland CPA, Livonia, Plymouth, Vincent Ricca, Express Payroll Solutions
Schultz & Associates, CPA, provides startup accounting services tailored to industries like dental, veterinary, optometric, construction, and law. The company offers business accounting, tax services, bookkeeping, payroll processing, filing back taxes, and many other startup accounting services. Schultz & Associates has a portfolio of over 200 satisfied clients and specializes in multi-state income tax and multi-state sales tax issues.
Schultz & Associates, CPA Success Story
- Challenge: Westland CPA is a plumbing business that has experienced a rapid growth in demand for its services. With the increased volume of accounting tasks, the company needed an outside firm to handle its accounting and bookkeeping. Also, Westland CPA needed a professional for tax preparation (Form 1120S) and tax planning.
- Solution: Schultz & Associates provided full-service accounting support that included weekly payroll processing, end-of-year accounting, and tax preparation. The firm helped Westland CPA switch from QuickBooks Desktop to QuickBooks Online and choose which processes to handle internally. On top of it, Schultz & Associates simplified the invoicing process for long-term projects, assisted in switching to automated bill payment, and streamlined receipt management.
- Results: After Schultz & Associates took over accounting, the business had more free time to focus on other activities, adding an extra 2-5 service calls per week and growing its revenue.
Check Out Schultz & Associates, CPA Agency Profile
How We Picked the Best Startup Accounting Services
To narrow down the top startup accounting services, we reviewed their clients' testimonials, case studies, industry reputation, team expertise, certifications and accolades, and executive management. Our team of agency experts developed a scoring system to measure their overall performance based on several important factors:
- Accounting expertise: The scope of financial and accounting services the firm specializes in
- Reviews: Quality of work, client satisfaction, timely delivery, and level of trustworthiness
- Portfolio: The accounting company's track record of successful collaboration
- Awards and press: Financial industry reputation and innovation, awards, and recognitions
- Team bios: The agency’s qualifications and team dynamics
- Top accounting services: Areas of expertise and industry-specific knowledge
Visit the DesignRush Agency Ranking Methodology for more information on how we research agencies.
10 Most Popular Accounting Firms for Startups Compared
| Agency name | Location | Hourly rate | Size | Best for |
| Pilot | San Francisco, CA | $1 | 250-499 | Overall |
| Graphite Financial | New York, NY | Inquire | Under 49 | Scaling financial processes |
| airCFO | Cleveland, OH | Inquire | Under 49 | Account receivables |
| Burkland | San Francisco, CA | Inquire | 100-249 | Accounting process automation |
| Early Growth | San Jose, CA | Inquire | 50-99 | Inventory management |
| Accountancy Cloud | London, United Kingdom | Inquire | Under 49 | R&D tax |
| Learn & Grow Financial | Los Angeles, CA | Inquire | Under 49 | Regulations compliance |
| Hiline | Syracuse, NY | $1 | 100-249 | Financial records |
| Milestone | Carmel, IN | Inquire | Under 49 | Fractional CFO |
| Schultz & Associates, CPA | Canton, MI | Inquire | Under 49 | Receipt management |
Best Startup Accounting Services
116 Companies - Rankings updated: April 04, 2026
DesignRush vets all agencies based on professional qualifications and verified customer feedback to help you choose confidently. Some featured agencies maintain paid sponsorships.
United States ×
Be Boundless
Zedtreeo is dedicated to providing high-quality remote staffing services at a low cost. We assist small and medium enterprises (SMEs) across North America, Canada, the UK, Europe, Australia, in providing them with cost-effective solutions. Our domains include virtual assistance, software development & [... view Zedtreeo profile ]- Location
- Cheyenne, Wyoming
- Number of Employees
- 250 - 499
- Average Hourly Rate
- $5/hr
- Minimal Budget
- Under $1,000
Act Locally, Expand Globally.
Acvian is a bridge between the employee and a company. In other words, you do not have to set up a company in a foreign country, but hire your personnel through an EOR agent and run your business as usual but now being completely international. [... view Acvian profile ]- Location
- St. Petersburg, Florida
- Number of Employees
- Under 49
- Minimal Budget
- $10,000 - $25,000
- Money talks. We translate. That’s our superpower at Mason + Rich, Certified Public Accountants. We become trusted advisors and allies for our consulting, audit, and tax clients based on one thing: Results. [... view Mason + Rich, CPAs profile ]
- Location
- Concord, New Hampshire
- Number of Employees
- Under 49
Your partner in coming up with innovative ways to spur your company's growth and mitigate risks
Regardless of where you are in your business growth, Credo partners with you to provide honest and effective ways to spur growth and profitability. [... view Credo Finance profile ]- Location
- Alpharetta, Georgia
- Number of Employees
- Under 49
Real Value Through Information Technology.
Marathon Consulting is a Virginia Beach based, locally-owned Information Technology services company serving businesses of all sizes across the country. Marathon offers a wide range of IT services, including custom application development, data solutions, CMS design and development, and many more. [... view Marathon Consulting profile ]- Location
- Virginia Beach, Virginia
- Number of Employees
- 250 - 499
Our success is a result of your success
Baldwin & Company is committed to providing close, personal attention to our clients. They take pride in giving you the assurance that the personal assistance you receive comes from years of advanced training, technical experience, and financial acumen. [... view Baldwin & Company profile ]- Location
- Edmond, Oklahoma
- Number of Employees
- Under 49
Your Complex Taxes. Simplified.
We are a Bay Area Certified Public Accountant firm that provides bookkeeping, tax, and business consulting services to small businesses and individuals in the Bay Area. Our firm is available and affordable for all potential clients. [... view Thai T. Nguyen profile ]- Location
- San Jose, California
- Number of Employees
- Under 49
Growing Boutique CPA Firm in San Jose.
Curran & Associates ffer tax, accounting and consulting services to all kind of business. [... view Curran & Associates profile ]- Location
- San Jose, California
- Number of Employees
- 50 - 99
Provides excellent accounting services to individual and small business.
Shotkoski & Associates, PC provides accounting services to individual and small business clients and assists with navigating the complex and ever-changing financial and tax environments allowing our clients to maximize their success. [... view Ewerth & Associates profile ]- Location
- Lincoln, Nebraska
- Number of Employees
- 50 - 99
Dedicated to Your Financial Health
H&S Accounting & Tax Services is a small accounting firm with extensive experience in all facets of accounting and taxes. In South Florida, we provide numerous accounting and tax services to individuals, small businesses, and medium-sized organizations. People in Hollywood, Florida, think that H&S Accounting [... view H&S Accounting & Tax Services profile ]- Location
- Hollywood, Florida
- Number of Employees
- Under 49
- Average Hourly Rate
- $140/hr
The World's Top Talent for Remote Teams!
1840 & Company is a global provider of talent and team solutions devoted to empowering businesses with scalable, on-demand workforce solutions. With a stringent verification procedure and a network of professionals in 150 countries, we connect organizations with remote talent of the highest caliber. Our [... view 1840 & Company profile ]- Location
- Overland Park, Kansas
- Number of Employees
- 250 - 499
- Average Hourly Rate
- $12/hr
- Minimal Budget
- $1,000 - $10,000
Expert Business Consulting
At RKL, we are a professional services firm deeply rooted in finance and driven by our commitment to tangible outcomes, trusted advice and measurable results. [... view RKL LLP profile ]- Location
- Lancaster, Pennsylvania
- Number of Employees
- 500 - 999
Finance and Accounting Insights to Plot Your Path to Growth
We take care of everything finance and accounting for small and medium-sized businesses. Anything that would normally fall in the CFO's wheelhouse, we handle. From basic bookkeeping, to month-end close, financial reporting, budgeting, planning and analysis, and strategic CFO guidance. We adapt the scope of [... view PlotPath Finance profile ]- Location
- Austin, Texas
- Number of Employees
- Under 49
- Average Hourly Rate
- $60/hr
- Minimal Budget
- Under $1,000
Large enough to handle your diverse needs. Small enough to care.
We are a top New York City accounting business in the Noho/Greenwich Village neighborhood. We ensure that every customer receives the close scrutiny and attention they deserve by combining our skills, experience, and team mindset. Our clients return year after year because of our commitment to high standards [... view C. York CPA, PC profile ]- Location
- New York City, New York
- Number of Employees
- Under 49
Satisfied Candidates, Happy Customers
Hire Whoever, Wherever, Whenever.Easily Onboard, Insure, Pay and Manage your workforce with our all in one solution. [... view Headcount Management profile ]- Location
- Norwalk, Connecticut
- Number of Employees
- Under 49
Building The Future Proof Accounting Firm Of Tomorrow.
Founders CPA is a boutique accounting firm located in Chicago that focuses on outsourced accounting services for startups and small businesses. We pride ourselves on being trusted advisers for startup founders and small business owners across the country. Our breadth of service offerings leverages technology [... view Founder's CPA profile ]- Location
- Chicago, Illinois
- Number of Employees
- Under 49
- Minimal Budget
- $1,000 - $10,000
Committed to Exceptional Service Achieve Your Business Goals
Twin Oaks LLP provides a comprehensive range of accounting and financial services to businesses across various industries. Our team of experienced professionals is committed to delivering the highest quality financial solutions to our clients, helping them achieve their business goals and thrive in todays [... view Twin Oaks LLP profile ]- Location
- San Diego, California
- Number of Employees
- Under 49
- Minimal Budget
- $10,000 - $25,000
Expert PEO Solutions for Dynamic Business Growth
Aspen HR: Expert PEO Solutions for Dynamic Business Growth. Offering specialized HR services, payroll management, and comprehensive benefits in a white-glove approach, catering to diverse industries including technology and finance. Renowned for personalized client service and a robust national presence. [... view Aspen HR profile ]- Location
- Dallas, Texas
- Number of Employees
- Under 49
- Minimal Budget
- $1,000 - $10,000
Empowering Startups With Financial Clarity & Scalability
airCFO provides comprehensive accounting, finance, people operations, and tax services tailored to startups and businesses, eliminating the need for a hefty back-office investment. Founded in 2012, airCFO has grown its presence from Silicon Valley to serve over 300 startups nationwide, offering experienced [... view AirCFO profile ]- Location
- Cleveland, Ohio
- Number of Employees
- Under 49
Empowering Growth, Ensuring Compliance
BBI Accounting specializes in income tax preparation for individuals, partnerships, and small corporations, offering year-round support to businesses in Downtown Columbus. Beyond tax season, BBI Accounting collaborates with small businesses to solve their financial challenges. With a focus on empowering small [... view BBI Accounting profile ]- Location
- Columbus, Ohio
- Number of Employees
- Under 49
Bmf Lives at the Intersection of Service and Sophistication
Bober Markey Fedorovic (BMF), founded in 1959, is an accounting firm that cultivates enduring client relationships with a blend of insight and integrity. With a focus on blue-chip companies and diverse industries, BMF's dedicated experts provide comprehensive solutions to complex business challenges, driven [... view Bober Markey Fedorovic profile ]- Location
- Akron, Ohio
- Number of Employees
- 100 - 249
Transform your digital landscape with our bespoke Digital Marketing Services & Ecommerce Solutions!
Founded in 2006, Saevah is an ISO 9001 Certified company, and a trusted partner for digital marketing and ecommerce solutions that require the perfect balance of technology and people power. [... view Saevah profile ]- Location
- Brookfield, Connecticut
- Number of Employees
- 50 - 99
Bridging The Gap Between Affordable Talent And Global Opportunities
DivVerse LLC is a technology outsourcing and staff augmentation company located in the US. We specialize in fulfilling software development and AI talent from Africa, for startups and small-medium tech enabled organizations in the US looking to build affordable and highly efficient offshore teams. [... view Divverse profile ]- Location
- Round Rock, Texas
- Number of Employees
- 50 - 99
- Average Hourly Rate
- $25/hr
- Minimal Budget
- $1,000 - $10,000
Tailored Financial Insights, Exceptional Outcomes
Compass CPA, PC, we provide top-notch Virtual Controller, Accountant, and CFO services for a fraction of the cost of in-house hires. Our dedicated team of virtual accountants, CPAs, and tax professionals helps you achieve business goals with comprehensive financial reporting, forecasting, and tax [... view Compass CPA, P.C. profile ]- Location
- San Rafael, California
- Number of Employees
- Under 49
- Minimal Budget
- Under $1,000
The CPA and Advisory Firm Designed to Lead You
At Maxwell Locke & Ritter, we've built our business to address your key milestones. and every moment. Our team provides tax, audit, risk assurance, and transaction advisory services to help achieve your goals. We offer strategic vision and thoughtful advice to navigate today's marketplace. [... view Maxwell Locke & Ritter profile ]- Location
- Austin, Texas
- Number of Employees
- 100 - 249
- Minimal Budget
- $1,000 - $10,000
Trusted Tax and Financial Guidance
With over four decades of experience, Frank J. Kalenda, CPA, offers personalized tax, accounting, and financial advice to individuals and businesses in Houston. Prioritizing genuine growth over temporary gains, the firm provides comprehensive services tailored to clients' business requirements. With a focus [... view Frank J. Kalenda, CPA profile ]- Location
- Houston, Texas
- Number of Employees
- Under 49
Modern Accounting Built To Grow Your Business
Hiline offers bookkeeping, tax, and payroll services for small businesses, providing tailored financial solutions to streamline operations and support growth. [... view Hiline profile ]- Location
- Syracuse, New York
- Number of Employees
- 100 - 249
- Average Hourly Rate
- $1/hr
Your financial clarity.
SLC Bookkeeping provides personalized bookkeeping, tax, and financial consulting services for small businesses, helping them achieve financial clarity and efficiency. [... view SLC Bookkeeping profile ]- Location
- Salt Lake City, Utah
- Number of Employees
- Under 49
- Average Hourly Rate
- $1/hr
Serving clients who need Assistance in Accounting, Tax Preparation & Payroll Processing.
BusAcTa Advisors is a business consulting firm specializing in strategic growth and operational excellence for small to mid-sized enterprises. With a keen focus on tailored solutions, we offer expert guidance in areas such as financial planning, market expansion, and process optimization. [... view BusAcTa Advisors LLP profile ]- Location
- New York City, New York
- Number of Employees
- Under 49
- Average Hourly Rate
- $10/hr
- Minimal Budget
- Under $1,000
Build the Right Foundation Scale With Confidence
Burkland is a full-service finance, accounting and people operations consulting company. We provide CFO, accounting, finance and people operations services across industries and at all stages of growth. [... view Burkland profile ]- Location
- San Francisco, California
- Number of Employees
- 100 - 249
Driving Accounting Excellence
Kreischer Miller stands out as a premier advisory, audit, and accounting firm dedicated to the success of privately-held and family-owned businesses. Located in Philadelphia, the firm provides tailored solutions in advisory, accounting, and tax services focused on responsiveness and forward-thinking [... view Kreischer Miller profile ]- Location
- Horsham, Pennsylvania
- Number of Employees
- 100 - 249
Optimizing Workflows With Valuable Financial Insights
QAsolved delivers expert accounting services leveraging QuickBooks solutions to streamline and optimize financial processes. Its dedicated professional accountants and bookkeepers ensure businesses achieve their goals efficiently. By offering customized QuickBooks consulting, integration, and maintenance [... view QAsolved profile ]- Location
- New York City, New York
- Number of Employees
- Under 49
TFX takes care of your business taxes so that you can focus on what matters most.
With over 20 years of experience, TFX provides expert assistance with tax return preparation, tax planning, IRS correspondence, and entity structuring. TFX serves over 50,000 clients worldwide and ensures accuracy through a rigorous verification process. Their easy-to-use online platform and mobile app [... view TFX profile ]- Location
- New York City, New York
- Number of Employees
- 50 - 99
- Average Hourly Rate
- $30/hr
Expert Immigration & Tax Solutions
Syed Professional Services provides expert assistance in immigration and taxation matters for individuals and businesses. Committed to personalized and client-focused service, Syed Professional Services helps clients navigate complex legal and financial processes. Its experienced team has served over 15,000 [... view Syed Professional Services profile ]- Location
- New York City, New York
- Number of Employees
- Under 49
Your Trusted Financial Strategists
Dannible & McKee provides comprehensive accounting, tax, forensic, and advisory services to help businesses make informed financial decisions. With a blend of deep expertise and global reach through GGI Global Alliance, the firm delivers tailored solutions that inspire confidence and drive success. Clients [... view Dannible And McKee profile ]- Location
- Syracuse, New York
- Number of Employees
- 100 - 249
- Average Hourly Rate
- $49/hr
- Minimal Budget
- $1,000 - $10,000
Scaling Made Effortless.
Whether it's websites, marketing, advertising, contracts, business filing, or software solutions. We have you covered. Everything custom and made to order, according to your needs and specifications. [... view MRBD profile ]- Location
- El Paso, Texas
- Number of Employees
- Under 49
- Average Hourly Rate
- $135/hr
- Minimal Budget
- $1,000 - $10,000
Guiding Your Financial Success
Hood & Strong is a San Francisco Bay Area-based advisory, tax, and assurance firm with over a century of experience. The firm provides tailored accounting services to individuals, private businesses, and mission-driven organizations, helping clients navigate complex financial challenges. The firm is known for [... view Hood & Strong profile ]- Location
- San Francisco, California
- Number of Employees
- 100 - 249
- Average Hourly Rate
- $149/hr
- Minimal Budget
- $1,000 - $10,000
Your Path to Financial Clarity
Ten Key Accounting Solutions offers expert accounting and bookkeeping services tailored for small businesses and startups in Ventura County. With over 60 years of experience, its certified professionals provide reliable financial management, ensuring clients focus on business growth. From QuickBooks setup to [... view Ten Key Accounting Solutions profile ]- Location
- Ventura, California
- Number of Employees
- Under 49
Strategic Guidance for Sustainable Growth
DNA GROWTH specializes in financial consulting for small businesses, offering services that enhance financial planning, analysis, and strategic business planning. Its expert team combines extensive experience to provide tailored solutions, helping clients navigate complex monetary challenges. With a [... view DNA GROWTH profile ]- Location
- San Francisco, California
- Number of Employees
- 100 - 249
- Average Hourly Rate
- $99/hr
- Minimal Budget
- $1,000 - $10,000
Implementing the Future.
Serving small business in coastal communities since 2,000. A one-stop-shop, OurWebmaster does most everything in-house or will have a resource available to supply your need. OurWebmaster utilizes both commercial and open-source software to accomplish customer objectives. [... view OurWebmaster profile ]- Location
- Portland, Oregon
- Number of Employees
- Under 49
- Average Hourly Rate
- $100/hr
- Minimal Budget
- Under $1,000
Spend Less Time Worrying, More Time Growing.
CentsIQ delivers tailored Bookkeeping, Advanced Analytics, Fractional CFO, Quality of Earnings (QoE) solutions to fuel your growth and maximize profitability. [... view CentsIQ profile ]- Location
- Seattle, Washington
- Number of Employees
- Under 49
- Average Hourly Rate
- $100/hr
- Minimal Budget
- Under $1,000
Eliminate Technology Frustrations, Headaches, and Downtime.
Ideal Managed Solutions provides complete business IT and cybersecurity solutions, from network and devices security, to user productivity and management, to business online marketing. We aim to become your technology partner, not just another vendor. [... view Ideal Managed Solutions profile ]- Location
- Richmond, Virginia
- Number of Employees
- Under 49
- Average Hourly Rate
- $120/hr
Your local Denver trusted financial partner who can help you take your business to the next level.
In today's dynamic business landscape, small to medium-sized businesses in Denver, Colorado can thrive without the burden of a full-time accountant. With fractional CFO and accounting services for startups, you gain access to expert financial guidance and management without the costs and commitments [... view Denver CFO Experts profile ]- Location
- Denver, Colorado
- Number of Employees
- Under 49
We Delivering Excellence In Every Aspect Our Their Work
Outsource Work is an Outstaffing Company specializing in Finance Recruitment and Bookkeeping Services. We help businesses hire skilled Ukrainian professionals who deliver accuracy, reliability, and cost savings of up to 70%. [... view Outsource Work profile ]- Location
- Austin, Texas
- Number of Employees
- Under 49
- Average Hourly Rate
- $10/hr
- Minimal Budget
- $1,000 - $10,000
Affordable bookkeeping service with 100% error free reports.
A New York-based firm offering expert bookkeeping and QuickBooks consulting services to businesses of all sizes. [... view Stilz Bookkeeping profile ]- Location
- New York City, New York
- Number of Employees
- Under 49
Leading Offshore Data Entry Services in USA.
Data Entry Export has been established to be the leading offshore data entry services in USA. As we all know, data has become an integral element of every business organization. Hence, it is of utmost to implement systematic data management process. Regardless of your business nature and functioning, our [... view Data Entry Export profile ]- Location
- Bergenfield, New Jersey
- Number of Employees
- 50 - 99
- Average Hourly Rate
- $50/hr
- Minimal Budget
- Under $1,000
We Live And Breathe The Tax Code
At Faith Accounting & Consulting Services, we blend advanced technology with expert human insight to make tax preparation simple and hassle-free. Filing your taxes no longer needs to be confusing or stressful. With recent tax reforms and the added complexity of gig work, rental income, and business ventures [... view Faith Accounting & Consulting Services profile ]- Location
- South Hempstead, New York
- Number of Employees
- Under 49
- Minimal Budget
- Under $1,000
The boring accountants behind your success.
We know what you're thinking: accountants are all the same number crunchers who only show up at tax time. That's not us. Were here year-round, helping you navigate the financial side of your business with advice that's actually useful (and maybe even understandable). Think of us as your partners, not just [... view Adam Traywick, LLC profile ]- Location
- Fort Worth, Texas
- Number of Employees
- Under 49
Getting Your Business Found on the Internet
Merchant Bottom Line mission is to help small businesses get found on the Internet. We believe the business owner should focus on their business while we focus our attention on their Internet presence. We design and create very SEO friendly website pages and provide social medias and or eCommerce if needed [... view Merchant Bottom Line profile ]- Location
- New Boston, Texas
- Number of Employees
- Under 49
- Average Hourly Rate
- $85/hr
- Minimal Budget
- $1,000 - $10,000
Your Trusted Partner For Financial Clarity And Growth
At Tercel we delivers expert accounting, payroll, tax, bookkeeping, and financial consulting services to help businesses achieve financial clarity and growth. Business Process Management: Streamlining workflows, enhancing efficiency, and automating processes to boost productivity and reduce costs. [... view Tercel profile ]- Location
- Houston, Texas
- Number of Employees
- Under 49
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A trusted B2B marketplace connecting businesses with top-tier accounting firms for startups, DesignRush maintains an impressive 4.7 rating on Trustpilot and Google.
Our dedicated team of agency experts built a network of over 30,000 agencies. We simplify the agency selection process, providing value to clients and agencies alike, via the DesignRush Marketplace.
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Accounting Firms for Startups Expertise
Accounting firms for startups on DesignRush are competent in a variety of technical and financial skills. Aside from fundamental bookkeeping and accounting tasks, these firms are also proficient in in-depth financial analysis, taxes, payroll, and other disciplines to help businesses manage their finances.
Agency Credibility Indicators
The top accounting firms for startups on DesignRush have been awarded numerous accolades, such as:
- American Institute of Certified Public Accountants (AICPA) Member Awards
- Accounting Excellence Awards
- Inside Public Accounting (IPA) Best of the Best Firms
- Woodard Top 50 Accounting Services Practice Awards
- ClearlyRated Best of Accounting Awards
- Accounting Today Top 100 Firms
These awards showcase the startup accounting services’ excellence in their work and their sterling reputation in the industry.
-content.jpg "startup-accounting-awards-logos")
Startup accounting services providers are also recipients of the following certifications:
- AICPA Certified Public Accountant (CPA)
- Institute of Management Accountants Certified Management Accountant (CMA)
- Institute of Internal Auditors (IMA) Certified Internal Auditor
- AICPA Chartered Global Management Accountant (CGMA)
- Association of Certified Fraud Examiners (ACFE) Certified Fraud Examiner
- Certified Financial Planner Board of Standards Certified Financial Planner (CFB)
These internationally recognized credentials reflect the firm’s competencies across various disciplines within the accounting industry.
Agencies’ Supported Technologies
Accounting firms for startups are proficient in various software and tools designed to streamline operations, improve efficiency, and improve the quality of service to their clients. Some of the key technologies include:
- Accounting software
- QuickBooks
- Xero
- FreshBooks
- Tax preparation software
- Lacerte
- TaxWise
- ProSeries Tax
- Auditing software
- SAP Audit Management
- AuditBoard
- DataSnipper
-content.jpg "startup-accounting-technologies-logos")
Agency Reviews
For deeper insight into these agencies, DesignRush features client testimonials that share project challenges, results, and overall feedback. Each review undergoes verification, ensuring that the insights we present are both current and accurate.
Using the Bayesian Statistical Method, our algorithm calculates the most probable success rate for each agency. This reduces bias and promotes equity in the rating system, aligning our agency rankings more closely with the genuine quality of the services they offer.
Content Relevance & Accuracy
We make sure our content stays up to date, incorporating the latest listing data, industry trends, emerging technologies, and real-time insights supplied by agencies. It is reviewed by seasoned industry professionals who also provide their invaluable expertise – ensuring accurate and in-depth information.
Accounting Firms For Startups Hiring Guide
What is an accounting firm for startups?
An accounting firm for startups is a company that helps new businesses handle their financial tasks, such as bookkeeping, cash flow management, taxation, etc. By hiring an accounting company, startups can ensure that all financial transactions are made and booked in compliance with the laws and regulations. This helps keep track of the company's finances and avoid risking any irregularities that can result in high money penalties or startup shutdowns.
One example of a successful project is the collaboration between a health and wellness startup and Mercurius Advisory Services accounting firm. The client had an issue with inaccurately maintained books and lacked staff with adequate accounting knowledge to handle the problem. Mercurius Advisory Services provided proper categorization of credit card transactions and bank statements and matched all accounts receivables with Zoho Inventory, Amazon, Shopify, and Stripe accounts. Thanks to this, the startup was relieved of all accounting concerns and free to focus on core areas of its business.
What services do accounting firms provide for startups?
Accounting firms provide everything from basic bookkeeping to financial advising for their startup clients.
Their responsibilities are typically:
- Bookkeeping services: Keeping a record of all financial transactions and organizing them
- Tax compliance: Maximizing tax benefits, decreasing tax liability, and providing another kind of tax guidance
- Financial management: Cash flow management, budgeting, and similar services
- Financial modeling: Creating a model to attract potential investors
- Financial reporting: Creating comprehensive reports for startup stakeholders and investors
- Business planning: Strategic organization of financial goals
- Risk management: Mitigating financial risks to safeguard against potential issues
- Advisory services: Help with financial business decisions such as investments or succession planning
An example of a successful collaboration that included accounting services delivery is the one between Mercurius Advisory Services and a USA-based landscaping business. The landscaping firm had trouble recording invoices and payments with the QuickBooks Desktop software. Therefore, the startup accounting company provided the following services:
- Reconciling merchant account deposits with bank deposits
- Creating invoices and recording payments
- Categorizing and reconciling accounts
- Un-deposited fund balance rectification
- Financial reporting
The client was happy with the services received that it decided to continue working with Mercurius Advisory Services and even hired the firm to help migrate accounts to another bookkeeping software.
What is the difference between startup accounting services and bookkeeping?
The difference between startup accounting services and bookkeeping is in the scope of work delivered to the client. Bookkeeping is just one part of accounting services that entails tracking and organizing a startup's financial transactions. In contrast, startup accounting services usually include bookkeeping and other supporting tasks that can range from tax compliance to financial advising.
For instance, common startup bookkeeping services include:
- Keeping records of customers' payments and invoices
- Maintaining accounts receivable
- Reconciling bank and credit card accounts
- Payroll management
Accounting services for startups typically include:
- Bookkeeping
- Taxing
- Financial management and reporting
- Risk management
- Financial advising
How much do startup accounting services cost?
Startup accounting services costs start from around $600 per month for basic bookkeeping. Several factors affect the price of accounting services for startups:
- The volume of transactions: Accounting price goes up for a large number of monthly transactions
- The complexity of transactions: Some transactions, like prepaid Facebook advertising, require monthly updates and take more time
- The client doing some bookkeeping: Some startups take on basic payment tasks, which can lower the accounting price
- Using accounting software: Investing in an accounting software tool will save money and costs
The top 50 startup accounting agencies on DesignRush charge an average of $98/hour. Roughly 32% of the startup accounting companies on DesignRush accept projects with a minimum budget of less than $1,000, while 4% require a $50,000+ minimum budget.
Why should I hire a startup accounting service?
You should hire a startup accounting service to keep track of your finances, eliminate bookkeeping errors, and ensure compliance with financial laws and regulations. Hiring a startup accounting service can provide specialized expertise, cost savings, scalability, and strategic insights, all of which are essential for the growth and success of a new business.
Some of the benefits of hiring a startup accounting firm include:
- Avoid common startup pitfalls: According to a survey, running out of money or failing to raise capital is the number one reason startups fail. An accounting firm can help minimize these risks.
- Reduce the risk of errors: An accounting professional has the necessary expertise to ensure all tasks are done according to financial laws.
- Provide financial advice: When considering important business decisions around investments, startup founders can consult an accounting company and get guidance.
- Cost optimization: If your startup has good revenue but a stagnant profit, an accounting firm can find the source of problems like unnecessary expenses or overpriced investments.
- Time saving: Startups have few employees and can benefit from delegating all financial tasks to an accounting company so they can focus on other responsibilities.
An example of a successful collaboration is a healthcare billing startup that hired an accounting firm called Invensis to help overcome billing and payment process challenges in receiving payments from patients. Invensis identified an outdated approach to invoicing as one of the problems and established different payment options. As a result, the client saw an improvement of almost 80% in recovering outstanding payments and a nearly 90% reduction in bad debt.
How do I choose the best accounting firm for my startup business?
Choosing the best accounting firm for your startup involves several key considerations. You want to ensure that the firm meets your specific needs and can support your business effectively as it grows. To choose the right accounting firm for your startup business, consider the company’s experience in your industry, its portfolio of services, pricing plans, and client reviews.
Based on your company's needs, you should focus on these steps:
- Identify your goals: Define which financial processes you want to take care of internally and which you want to outsource. Make a list of all the areas where you need expert help.
- Find the right expertise: Look for a startup accounting company with experience in the services you need. Browse through DesignRush’s Agency Directory to find ideal candidates for the job. Some companies provide only bookkeeping and taxing services while others offer financial advising for startups.
- Set a budget: Determine the monthly amount you can invest in accounting.
- Evaluate their pricing structure: Understand the firm’s pricing model. Some agencies charge hourly rates, while others offer fixed-fee packages. Make sure the pricing is transparent and aligns with your budget. Ask about any additional fees that might arise.
- Review agency experience: Ask for a portfolio of relevant work, case studies, reviews, and clients you can contact for feedback. Ideally, the agency should have tangible results with companies from your industry.
- Evaluate communication and responsiveness: Good communication is vital. Confirm the firm is responsive, easy to communicate with, and willing to explain complex financial concepts in understandable terms. Quick and clear communication can save time and prevent misunderstandings.
- Ask about the processes: Find out how the accounting firm handles all finances, what inputs and documents it needs from you, etc.
- Inquire about analytics and reporting: Ask the agency how it tracks finances and if it uses any kind of accounting software for reporting.
- Ask for proposals: Send a request for a proposal (RFP) to the shortlisted startup accounting firms.
- Interview: Set up interviews with prospective startup accounting companies to discuss the project in detail and determine if they fit your team well.
- Make a decision: After reviewing the RFPs, choose the best-suited agency and establish all project development processes.
If you need a custom-made list of accounting firms for startups, contact us. Our team will match you with the most suitable agencies based on your list of requirements. You can browse our Marketplace for more details.
How do I find the best startup accounting service on DesignRush that fits my budget?
To find the best startup accounting service on DesignRush that fits your budget, use the filtering feature to sort agencies by minimal budgets in ascending order or by hourly rate from lowest to highest.
If you have a limited budget, look for agencies that accept projects under $1,000. Accounting firms like Remofirst, Upcloud Accounting, BOMCAS, Treewalk Consulting Inc., and CCC Capital CPA require a minimal budget below $1,000. The average hourly rate changes from country to country, so you may consider hiring an agency outside the US that offers more affordable rates.
What are the key success metrics in accounting firms for startups?
The key success metrics in accounting firms for startups are related mostly to the volume of processed invoices, error rates, processing costs, and time needed to complete certain tasks.
Common startup accounting metrics include:
- Days Payable Outstanding (DPO): The average number of days it takes for a startup to pay its bills
- Cost per invoice: The average cost of processing a single invoice
- Invoice exception rate: The percentage of invoices that have incorrect information and require manual intervention
- Invoice cycle time: The average time it takes to complete an invoice from receipt to payment
- Payment error rate: The rate of payments that have issues such as duplicate payments, incorrect amounts, etc.
- Error resolution time: Total time spent resolving errors divided by the number of errors
- Accounts Payable Expense as a Percentage of Revenue: Total costs of accounting compared to startup revenue
- Electronic invoices rate: The number of electronic invoices divided by the total of electronic and paper invoices
- Client profitability: Total revenue coming from a single client subtracted by job-related costs
- Job profitability: The difference between job-related costs and revenue from a single job
- Client retention rate: The difference between the total number of clients at the beginning and the end of a set timeframe, which excludes any new customers acquired, calculated in percentages
- New client growth rate: The difference between the total number of clients at the end and at the beginning of a set timeframe, calculated in percentages
- Employee productivity: Total startup revenue divided by the number of employees
What questions should I ask before hiring accounting services for startups?
You should ask accounting services for startups about their experience with startups and your industry, the accounting software and tools they use, the services they provide, and the approach they will take to managing your finances.
These include the following:
Its Relevant Background
- How many years of experience do you have in accounting for startups?
- Do you have a portfolio with startup clients?
- What certifications and licenses do your team members have?
- Do you have experience working with startups from my industry? Are you familiar with its specifics?
Its Services and Processes
- How do you plan to handle my finances?
- What strategies will you use to optimize costs?
- What records should I keep? Which documents will you require from me monthly?
- Do you offer financial advising for startups?
- Can you help me handle investments and improve my business decisions?
- What are my tax obligations?
- Will I get a dedicated accountant or a team of people?
- Do you have experience with fundraising and M&A?
- What is your accounting plan for when the startup grows?
Related to Your Project
- How do we define monthly deliverables? What happens if they still need to be met?
- Who are the key team members in charge of my accounting?
- What metrics will you use to optimize accounting processes?
- How often will you provide us with status reports and relevant metrics?
- What is the planned budget? Are there any additional costs we can expect?
- What kind of additional support and financial advising can you provide?
What are the best accounting firms for startups in the US?
The best 5 accounting firms for startups in the US are:
- Invensis
- 4.6 stars on DesignRush (3 reviews)
- 4.0 stars on Google (168 reviews)
- Top clients: Philips, GRM, Trend West, Diakrit
- Burks Bookkeeping
- 4.3 stars on DesignRush (1 review)
- 4.0 stars on Google (4 reviews)
- Top clients: E. Valls, Paro, M.Rivera
- Dimov Tax
- 4.3 stars on DesignRush (1 review)
- 4.9 stars on Google (335 reviews)
- Top clients: eBay, Uber, PayPal, Google
- Remofirst
- 4.8 stars on DesignRush (6 reviews)
- Top clients: Mastercard, University of Cambridge, Microsoft, Lobster
- Whiz Consulting
- 4.0 stars on Google (13 reviews)
- Top clients: The Co-Group, Home Caring, Flow, MH London
Discover more about these and other startup accounting firms by scrolling through our list of agencies. All the companies were carefully selected based on successful projects, industry reputation, customer reviews, and team expertise. Personalize your search and sort companies by location, budget size, hourly rates, and reviews.
About The Author and Expert Reviewer
Bojana Trajcheva is a seasoned content editor and innovation researcher with extensive experience in the tech and marketing industries. Formerly Editor-in-Chief at Studentsko Eho, she developed a strong foundation in content creation and editorial leadership. Bojana further honed her skills in senior innovation research roles and now brings this combined expertise to her work as an editor at DesignRush.
Dušan Milutinović is a finance expert with an MBA from Purdue University in the U.S. He has gained over 15 years of experience from his roles as the CFO of Serbia Broadband, Board Member of Hemofarm AD, General Manager of STADA, and Consultant at IFC (Member of The World Bank), as well as KPMG (BearingPoint). He is currently the Senior Finance Manager at DesignRush, overseeing the company's finance, administration, and reporting processes.
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