The 5 best accounting software & tools for startups in 2026

accounting system for startups

First and foremost, hiring a professional accountant who knows how to prepare a budget and forecast for a company can unlock significant benefits for your startup. When performing startup accounting services, a good accountant doesn’t merely crunch numbers; they provide strategic insights that can drive business growth. This includes financial forecasting, budgeting, and even advising on funding strategies. Having an expert handle your finances lets you focus on what you do best—innovate and scale your business. FreshBooks is considered one of the best accounting software for service-based startups that intend to stay small. This software offers a range of features designed to streamline invoicing and expense tracking.

accounting system for startups

Startup Accounting: Recordkeeping

  • You will learn how to set up your accounting system, choose the right software, and maintain accurate financial records.
  • Note that even if you’re not turning a profit, you must still file your annual tax return (state and federal).
  • We like Wave Accounting because it’s free while letting you track your income and expenses and because it lets you do other very basic finance functions.
  • If you’re pre-seed to Series A, and your financials are relatively simple, an accounting platform is all you need.
  • Zeni Inc is not licensed, nor exempt to provide any payment services in the US.

We recommend QuickBooks Online (“QBO”) as the right bookkeeping software for startups and high-growth small businesses. It’s the leading small business accounting software in the US for small businesses, and interfaces nicely with other automated systems like payroll. So, start small by tracking your income and expenses, setting up a chart of accounts, and implementing a system that works for your business. As your startup grows, this will help you manage cash flow and attract investors. The accounting software also integrates with over 1,000 apps like HubSpot and Square, making it ideal for accounting for startups that already use business tools and need to sync financial data. Plus, its multi-user access feature is perfect if you have small teams managing accounts together.

accounting system for startups

Choosing Accounting Software

You need to get the information you need to make decisions and to ensure the utmost of financial health. Kruze’s team of professional bookkeepers will work with you to find the financial delivery date that meets your needs. https://jt.org/accounting-services-for-startups-enhance-your-financial-operations/ Startups need more than a robot to reconcile the accounts, they need a trusted advisor who is in tune with their unique growth path. Available to answer questions, available to update numbers as new data is produced, available to set up the right systems for a high growth company. Accounts payable (AP) is the money your business owes to its vendors for providing goods or services to you on credit. Different vendors have different payment terms, so you should use this to your advantage.

When should a company upgrade from QuickBooks to Netsuite?

  • Startups often face challenges when it comes to payroll and benefits management due to limited resources and expertise.
  • Kristen Slavin is a CPA with 16 years of experience, specializing in accounting, bookkeeping, and tax services for small businesses.
  • When comparing NetSuite and QuickBooks, it’s essential to consider the features, pricing, and scalability of each software, especially in the context of a startup’s growth and funding stages.
  • We’re still a QuickBooks oriented firm ourselves because we just think it’s the best.
  • But you still get all the benefits of working with an accountant, including their expertise in tax planning and financial forecasting.

Do your homework on each solution and carefully assess its unique features to determine which option would work best for you. What’s nice about Xero is that it comes with a free 30-day trial to help you determine if it’s the right solution for your startup. We provide you with clear insights, practical tips, and expert guidance to help you with your financial decisions. Whether you’re securing your next round of funding or planning for future growth, our expert financial forecasting ensures that you’re always prepared for what’s next. We can help you create detailed financial models to give you Accounting Services for Startups: Enhance Your Financial Operations a clear roadmap for success. Impress VCs with meticulously prepared financial statements that showcase your startup’s true potential and burn rate efficiency.

accounting system for startups

What is accounting software?

accounting system for startups

Evaluating your startup’s accounting needs is a critical step in ensuring the financial health and scalability of your business. As a startup, you’re not just keeping track of numbers; you’re setting the foundation for informed decision-making and strategic planning. The complexity of your accounting requirements can vary widely depending on the nature of your business, the industry you’re in, and the stage of growth you’re currently experiencing. From bootstrapped solo ventures to venture-backed tech startups, the spectrum of accounting needs is vast.

accounting system for startups

The Accounting Automation Guide For Accounting Professionals

It’s wise to hire a person or invest in a system to help manage the accounting in your business. FreshBooks can help with resources for small businesses and free trials of software. If you need an easy-to-understand accounting software package with great customer service and tech support, FreshBooks can help. Feel confident as you go into fundraising by knowing your numbers and understanding the key drivers of your business. We give you real-time access to the financial statements and metrics needed for due diligence, with a network of on-demand experts available anytime. Then, you can match all of the transactions in your bank account against what’s in the accountant software.

  • Limited budgets often force startups to prioritize immediate needs over long-term scalability.
  • Accounting software with automation features such as bank feed synchronization, automatic categorization, and recurring invoice creation can reduce manual data entry and free up time for more strategic projects.
  • We evaluated each one on a variety of factors, including ease of use, integration capabilities, pricing, and customer support.
  • Forward thinking accounting firms like Kruze have development teams, and our development team has built proprietary software that integrates directly with QuickBooks via their API.
  • There are a lot of different accounting software options in the marketplace.
  • AccountEdge is a desktop accounting software designed for startups and small to medium-sized businesses.

Now you can either do your own accounting, or you can bring in an outsourced startup accounting firm to help you out and take this burden of bookkeeping off your shoulders. Conversely, you’ll also need a system for paying your bills — think payroll and vendor invoices. This process gets pretty tedious, so automating it with AI will save you hours per month and make sure you pay invoices on time. A chart of accounts (COA) lists all the financial accounts in your startup’s general ledger. AI-powered bookkeeping automatically classifies transactions, so your books are always in order. Plus, if you ever do decide to bring on an accountant, you can invite them to work inside your Digits dashboard.

Leave a Comment

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Scroll to Top