You build a documented month-end close for a startup, with a checklist, reconciliations and a reporting package, so the founder gets reliable numbers within 10 business days.
Many startups take 15 days or more to close, often on a cash basis, with a bookkeeper who records transactions without reconciling accruals, deferred revenue or prepaid expenses. APQC benchmarks put the median close near 6 calendar days, so a slow close leaves founders sending investors stale or incorrect numbers.
Founders put off the fix because the books look fine until a fundraise, a first audit or a board meeting exposes the gaps. A full-time controller costs $180,000 or more a year, which feels like too large a step for a company under $5M in revenue.
You review the last 3 closes, the chart of accounts and the tools, then list what breaks and why.
You write the checklist, set up reconciliations and accrual schedules, and run the first close with the team.
You train the bookkeeper and offer a monthly review retainer to keep the process on schedule.
They sign investor updates and feel the pain when numbers change after they send them.
Investors and auditors ask for accrual-basis statements, which gives the founder a deadline and a reason to spend.
What buyers pay: $100 to $250 per hour; ongoing controller support runs $1,500 to $8,000 per month
Common triggers include closes longer than 10 to 15 days, a first audit, ASC 606 revenue questions and approaching $5M in ARR.
There are 4 places to start, in the order most people find their first buyers.
Tell founders, CFOs and former teammates that you set up month-end closes for early-stage companies.
Bookkeepers without controller skills and tax CPAs who see messy books can refer clients to you.
Offer a close workshop to accelerator cohorts or to VC portfolio finance programs.
Share a free close checklist or reconciliation template on LinkedIn and invite founders to ask questions about it.
Every idea has weak spots. These are the ones to test before you spend money.
Quote cleanup as a separate phase so the setup scope stays fixed.
List deliverables and an end date in the proposal and price monthly help separately.
Confirm the accounting stack before the build and document settings as you go.
Use a clear engagement letter and carry professional liability insurance.
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Start-up cost and time to first offer are our estimates. Prices come from the sources above and change over time, so check them before you set yours.
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