Notes on running a business.
Practical guidance on cash flow, accounting, and the decisions that come with running a business.
Articles — Page 5
Startup Bookkeeper vs Controller vs CFO: Who to Hire When
Bookkeeper, controller, CFO — three distinct finance roles that serve very different purposes at different stages of startup growth. Here's exactly who does what, and when to hire each.
When Should an Agency Move from Bookkeeper to Accounting Firm?
Most agencies outgrow a bookkeeper before they realize it. Here are the clear signals that it's time to move to a full accounting firm — and how to make the transition without disrupting your close.
Bookkeeper vs Finance Operations Partner: Agency Guide (2026)
A bookkeeper records transactions. A finance operations partner turns those numbers into decisions. Here's how to know which one your agency actually needs — and when you've outgrown the first.
Finance Operations Partner vs Fractional CFO: Agency Guide
Not sure whether your agency needs a finance operations partner or a fractional CFO? This guide breaks down the real differences, costs, and when each role makes sense for marketing and service agencies.
Accounting Firm for Marketing Agencies vs. Generalist CPA: How to Choose
A generalist CPA can handle compliance, but marketing agencies have finance problems that require industry-specific expertise. Here's how to decide which type of accounting firm is right for your agency.
Cash Runway Scenarios: A Founder's Guide to Hiring Decisions
Cash runway scenarios show you exactly how hiring and growth decisions affect your survival window — before you make them. Learn how to model base, upside, and downside cases to make confident decisions without running out of cash.
Startup Finance Stack: QuickBooks, Gusto & Ramp (2026 Guide)
The right startup finance stack — QuickBooks Online, Gusto, and Ramp — gives founders clean books, controlled spend, and reporting they can actually act on. Here's how to set it up and what to watch for.
When Should a Startup Hire Its First Finance Lead?
Most startups wait too long to make their first finance hire — and pay for it in messy books, missed signals, and expensive cleanup. Here's how to know exactly when the time is right.
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