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

Pilot homepage-screenshot
[Source: 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

Graphite Financial homepage-screenshot
[Source: 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

airCFO homepage-screenshot
[Source: 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

Burkland homepage-screenshot
[Source: 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

Early Growth homepage-screenshot
[Source: 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

Accountancy Cloud homepage-screenshot
[Source: 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

Learn & Grow Financial homepage-screenshot
[Source: 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

Hiline homepage-screenshot
[Source: 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

Milestone homepage-screenshot
[Source: 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

Schultz & Associates, CPA homepage-screenshot
[Source: 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
PilotSan Francisco, CA$1250-499Overall
Graphite FinancialNew York, NYInquireUnder 49Scaling financial processes
airCFOCleveland, OHInquireUnder 49Account receivables
BurklandSan Francisco, CAInquire100-249Accounting process automation
Early GrowthSan Jose, CAInquire50-99Inventory management
Accountancy CloudLondon, United KingdomInquireUnder 49R&D tax
Learn & Grow FinancialLos Angeles, CAInquireUnder 49Regulations compliance
HilineSyracuse, NY$1100-249Financial records
MilestoneCarmel, INInquireUnder 49Fractional CFO
Schultz & Associates, CPACanton, MIInquireUnder 49Receipt management

Best Startup Accounting Services

225 Companies - Rankings updated: April 04, 2026

Every agency on DesignRush meets evaluation criteria around expertise and client feedback to empower informed choices. Some listings include paid partnerships.

  • Clear Finance Strong Governance Greater Impact

    Clear Finance Strong Governance Greater Impact

    Bowdon Accounting supports UK charities and not-for-profit organizations with specialist financial reporting, compliance, and outsourced finance services. We work alongside trustees and leadership teams to simplify complex accounting requirements, strengthen financial oversight, and ensure Charity Commission  [... view Bowdon Accounting Services profile ]
    Location
    Manchester, United Kingdom
    Number of Employees
    Under 49
    Average Hourly Rate
    $10/hr
    Minimal Budget
    Under $1,000
  • Build Your Team In Egypt Without the Complexity

    Build Your Team In Egypt Without the Complexity

    Staffona HR Solutions is an Egypt-based HR outsourcing and Employer of Record (EOR) provider helping startups and international companies hire, manage payroll, and ensure labor law compliance without establishing a local entity.  [... view Staffona profile ]
    Location
    Alexandria, Egypt
    Number of Employees
    Under 49
    Average Hourly Rate
    $20/hr
    Minimal Budget
    Under $1,000
  • Your Trusted Outsourced Staffing Agency & Recruitment Partner

    Your Trusted Outsourced Staffing Agency & Recruitment Partner

    Global Staff Network is an Australian-owned offshore staffing partner that helps businesses build reliable remote teams in the Philippines. They support growth with tailored recruitment, payroll, IT support, and managed offshore staffing across construction, admin, finance, marketing, tech, and real estate.  [... view Global Staff Network profile ]
    Location
    Davao City, Philippines
    Number of Employees
    100 - 249
    Average Hourly Rate
    $9/hr
  • Partner in Growth.

    Partner in Growth.

    Regtec Consulting delivers world-class accounting outsourcing solutions, combining precision, efficiency, and global expertise. Our high-quality services include bookkeeping, financial reporting, payroll management, tax compliance, and CFO supportdesigned for startups, SMEs, and multinational enterprises.  [... view Regtec Consulting profile ]
    Location
    Ghaziabad, India
    Number of Employees
    Under 49
    Average Hourly Rate
    $20/hr
    Minimal Budget
    Under $1,000
    Portfolios Count
    1 Project Listed
  • We provide High Quality D365 Training and Software Implementation services

    We provide High Quality D365 Training and Software Implementation services

    We are one of the leading Microsoft Technology consulting firms, Training institutes where bold thinking, inspired people and a passion for results come together for extraordinary impact.  [... see all D365 Training reviews ]
    Location
    Hyderabad, India
    Number of Employees
    Under 49
    Average Hourly Rate
    $20/hr
    Minimal Budget
    $1,000 - $10,000
  • Keeping Things Simple

    Keeping Things Simple

    Infuse your everyday tasks with a real-time, virtual acuity.Task Virtual's team of experts has the timing and expertise to deliver your business needs—from daily duties to big projects requiring quality completion.Empower yourself in this new age digital world where our highly skilled professionals  [... view Task Virtual profile ]
    Location
    Kolkata, India
    Number of Employees
    100 - 249
    Average Hourly Rate
    $6/hr
  • Professional Service Firm

    Professional Service Firm

    VCH offers Transfer Pricing Services in India and Globally, FEMA, Entity Setup in India & V-CFO. Trusted partner for compliance, growth & success.  [... view VCH & Associates LLP profile ]
    Location
    Hyderabad, India
    Number of Employees
    Under 49
    Minimal Budget
    Under $1,000
  • Break Barriers, Scale Smarter, & Lead with Innovation.

    Break Barriers, Scale Smarter, & Lead with Innovation.

    PaceXgrowth is a forward-thinking technology solutions provider, dedicated to transforming businesses with cutting-edge software, AI-driven innovations, cloud solutions, healthcare software solutions, fitness app development solutions, Game development, and fintech software solutions. Our expertise lies in  [... view PaceXgrowth Pvt Ltd profile ]
    Location
    Indore, India
    Number of Employees
    50 - 99
    Average Hourly Rate
    $5/hr
    Minimal Budget
    $1,000 - $10,000
    Portfolios Count
    1 Project Listed
  • AGT Services International aspires to be the best manpower recruitment agency in Pakistan.

    AGT Services International aspires to be the best manpower recruitment agency in Pakistan.

    AGT Services International is committed to becoming the leading manpower recruitment agency in Pakistan, specializing in connecting top-tier talent with opportunities in Malaysia. With a focus on excellence and efficiency, we strive to provide unparalleled recruitment solutions, serving as the premier bridge  [... view AGTSI profile ]
    Location
    Rawalpindi, Pakistan
    Number of Employees
    Under 49
    Average Hourly Rate
    $100/hr
    Minimal Budget
    Under $1,000
    Portfolios Count
    2 Projects Listed
  • Your Trusted Partner for Complete Outsourcing Solutions.

    Your Trusted Partner for Complete Outsourcing Solutions.

    ProcessVenue is a one-stop destination for Secure Data Management, Financial & Accounting Services, Customer Support, and Data Annotation & Labeling. We serve clients globally with a commitment to data security, accuracy, and operational excellence.  [... view ProcessVenue profile ]
    Location
    Jaipur, India
    Number of Employees
    100 - 249
    Portfolios Count
    1 Project Listed
  • Accounting>>Taxation>>Consulting

    Accounting>>Taxation>>Consulting

    Global FPO is one of the leading Bookkeeping Accounting Outsourcing firms in USA, UK, Canada & Australia. Our firm has provided services in this industry for 7+years with 500+ Happy clients  [... view Global FPO profile ]
    Location
    New Delhi, India
    Number of Employees
    500 - 999
    Average Hourly Rate
    $150/hr
    Minimal Budget
    $1,000 - $10,000
  • Outsourcing Professional Bookkeeping and Accounting Services

    Outsourcing Professional Bookkeeping and Accounting Services

    GRO IT Solutions Pvt Ltd is a Pune based Accounting and Bookkeeping solution provider for all kind of businesses across globally. We are happily serving Singapore based client since last 9 years. Since GRO IT's inception in 2014, our team of experts have fulfilled clients' business needs with agility and  [... view GRO IT Solutions profile ]
    Location
    Pune, India
    Number of Employees
    Under 49
    Average Hourly Rate
    $25/hr
  • Helping Good Businesses Become Even Better

    Helping Good Businesses Become Even Better

    IMC is a leading cross-border advisory firm, and it serves large companies, multinational corporations, small and medium-sized enterprises, high-net-worth individuals, family-owned businesses and start-ups. It is a Member Firm of Andersen Global in the United Arab Emirates, Singapore and India.  [... view IMC Group profile ]
    Location
    Chennai, India
    Number of Employees
    50 - 99
    Average Hourly Rate
    $500/hr
  • Transforming Financial Excellence With CountZee.

    Transforming Financial Excellence With CountZee.

    At CountZee, we're passionate about empowering businesses with the financial clarity and control they deserve. We're a full-service accounting firm offering a comprehensive suite of services designed to streamline your operations and boost your bottom line.  [... view CountZee profile ]
    Location
    Ahmedabad, India
    Number of Employees
    Under 49
    Average Hourly Rate
    $25/hr
    Minimal Budget
    Under $1,000
  • Facilitating your Financial needs accurately.

    Facilitating your Financial needs accurately.

    ZIS Consultants is a premier business consultancy firm based in the USA, dedicated to empowering businesses with innovative strategies and expert guidance. Specializing in a wide range of services, from financial management to market analysis, ZIS Consultants leverages extensive industry knowledge to help  [... view Zis Consultants profile ]
    Location
    Rawalpindi, Pakistan
    Number of Employees
    50 - 99
    Average Hourly Rate
    $50/hr
    Minimal Budget
    Under $1,000
  • Your Accounting Outsourcing BestMate.

    Your Accounting Outsourcing BestMate.

    Your trusted accounting outsourcing partner. We provide end-to-end accounting services to accounting firms in the UK, ensuring efficiency, accuracy, and cost-effectiveness.  [... view MeticMinds profile ]
    Location
    Ahmedabad, India
    Number of Employees
    Under 49
  • Empowering Customer Experience with AI and Human Expertise-Customized Care Solutions by D3Mynds.

    Empowering Customer Experience with AI and Human Expertise-Customized Care Solutions by D3Mynds.

    Empowering Customer Experience with AI and Human Expertise-Customized Care Solutions by D3Mynds. Where AI Meets Human Touch D3Mynds Delivers Customized Customer Care Solutions for a New Era  [... view D3Mynds profile ]
    Location
    Delhi, India
    Number of Employees
    Under 49
    Average Hourly Rate
    $10/hr
    Minimal Budget
    Under $1,000
  • Top Accounting Firms In New York

    Top Accounting Firms In New York

    Meru Accounting is a global accounting and bookkeeping firm specializing in cloud-based solutions for small to mid-sized businesses. With expertise in platforms like QuickBooks, Xero, and BillQuick, we help businesses streamline finances, stay compliant, and make smarter financial decisionsefficiently and  [... view Meru Accounting profile ]
    Location
    Ahmedabad, India
    Number of Employees
    100 - 249
    Average Hourly Rate
    $100/hr
  • Transparency, Service and Commitment.

    Transparency, Service and Commitment.

    Based out of New Delhi India, We provide Customer Support and interface solutions along with Accounts, Sales and Marketing, ecommerce solutions Small and Medium enterprise Solutions.  [... view Genesis International Process profile ]
    Location
    Delhi, India
    Number of Employees
    Under 49
    Average Hourly Rate
    $25/hr
    Minimal Budget
    $1,000 - $10,000
  • Konnect Books and Taxes

    Konnect Books and Taxes

    We are a Bookkeeping, Taxation & Advisory firm, that has catered to companies globally. We work with various industries including Real Estate, Health-care, Technology, Hospitality, e-Commerce & the Retail sector, with best in class Functional Consultants, Subject Matter Experts & Technologies. We believe that  [... view Konnect Books And Taxes profile ]
    Location
    Pune, India
    Number of Employees
    100 - 249
    Average Hourly Rate
    $12/hr
  • Your Nexus To Success

    Your Nexus To Success

    Navya Nexus Pvt Ltd is a modern HR and digital solutions company offering resume writing, LinkedIn branding, recruitment support, HR consulting, and AI-driven business automation for global clients.  [... view Navya Nexus Pvt Ltd profile ]
    Location
    Pune, India
    Number of Employees
    50 - 99
    Average Hourly Rate
    $50/hr
  • Trusted CA Services for Individuals & Businesses

    Trusted CA Services for Individuals & Businesses

    CAK & ASSOCIATES LLP is a chartered accountants firm established in year 1971 we serve globally and we have our offices in pune as well as in mumbai  [... view CAK & Associates LLP profile ]
    Location
    Pune, India
    Number of Employees
    Under 49
  • Business Consulting In Nepal

    Business Consulting In Nepal

    Your trusted partner for financial clarity and business success in Nepal. We offer expert guidance in budgeting, cash flow management, financial planning, and growth strategy. Schedule a free consultation and take the next step toward sustainable growth.  [... view Dream Business profile ]
    Location
    Kathmandu, Nepal
    Number of Employees
    Under 49
    Average Hourly Rate
    $2/hr
    Minimal Budget
    Under $1,000
  • Your Full-Stack Digital Growth Partner

    Your Full-Stack Digital Growth Partner

    SolutionBowl is a Gurgaon-based digital solutions company founded in 2017, helping startups, SMEs, and enterprises across NCR and India grow smarter through technology and marketing. We specialize in mobile app development, custom ERP systems, web development, branding, and performance marketing, online  [... view Solution Bowl profile ]
    Location
    Gurgaon, India
    Number of Employees
    50 - 99
    Average Hourly Rate
    $1/hr
    Minimal Budget
    Under $1,000
  • We Simplify The Way To Find And Manage Workforce

    We Simplify The Way To Find And Manage Workforce

    FindQ provides recruitment, payroll, RPO, and offshore hiring solutions. Build scalable teams faster with expert staffing and talent acquisition services.  [... view FindQ profile ]
    Location
    Tiruppur, India
    Number of Employees
    Under 49
    Average Hourly Rate
    $1/hr

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:

  1. 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.
  2. 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.
  3. Set a budget: Determine the monthly amount you can invest in accounting.
  4. 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.
  5. 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.
  6. 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.
  7. Ask about the processes: Find out how the accounting firm handles all finances, what inputs and documents it needs from you, etc.
  8. Inquire about analytics and reporting: Ask the agency how it tracks finances and if it uses any kind of accounting software for reporting.
  9. Ask for proposals: Send a request for a proposal (RFP) to the shortlisted startup accounting firms.
  10. Interview: Set up interviews with prospective startup accounting companies to discuss the project in detail and determine if they fit your team well.
  11. 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

  1. How many years of experience do you have in accounting for startups?
  2. Do you have a portfolio with startup clients?
  3. What certifications and licenses do your team members have?
  4. Do you have experience working with startups from my industry? Are you familiar with its specifics?

Its Services and Processes

  1. How do you plan to handle my finances?
  2. What strategies will you use to optimize costs?
  3. What records should I keep? Which documents will you require from me monthly?
  4. Do you offer financial advising for startups?
  5. Can you help me handle investments and improve my business decisions?
  6. What are my tax obligations?
  7. Will I get a dedicated accountant or a team of people?
  8. Do you have experience with fundraising and M&A?
  9. What is your accounting plan for when the startup grows?

Related to Your Project

  1. How do we define monthly deliverables? What happens if they still need to be met?
  2. Who are the key team members in charge of my accounting?
  3. What metrics will you use to optimize accounting processes?
  4. How often will you provide us with status reports and relevant metrics?
  5. What is the planned budget? Are there any additional costs we can expect?
  6. 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.