🧱 Accounting Department Blueprint

What to Build, When to Build It

From startup scrappiness to scalable systems, here’s how your accounting function should evolve as your business grows.

💡 Stage 1: Foundation (Pre-revenue to $500K Annual Recurring Revenue)

Build:

• Basic Chart of Accounts

• Cash-basis Bookkeeping (Monthly)

• QuickBooks Online Setup

• Simple AP/AR Tracking

• Business Bank Reconciliation

  • Tools: QuickBooks, Gusto, Excel/Sheets

  • People: Founder + Bookkeeper (fractional)

    
    

📎 Download: [Starter Finance Checklist (PDF)]

🧠 Goal: Keep clean records, separate personal/business, and avoid early tax mistakes.

🚀 Stage 2: Momentum ($500K–$2M ARR)

Build:

• Accrual Accounting

• Payroll Compliance

• Month-End Close Checklist

• KPI Tracking (Gross Margin, Burn)

• Basic Financial Reporting Package

  • Tools: QBO, Bill, Gusto, Fathom

  • People: Bookkeeper + Controller Oversight

    
    

📎 Download: [Month-End Close Template]

📊 See: [Client Dashboard Snapshot]

🧠 Goal: Establish reliable monthly processes and visibility into cash & cost.

📈 Stage 3: Scale ($2M–$10M ARR)

Build:

• Multi-Entity Consolidation (if needed)

• Cash Flow Forecasting Model

• Revenue Recognition Schedule

• Budgeting & Strategic Planning Process

• Internal Controls & Audit Readiness

  • Tools: QBO Advanced, NetSuite (optional), Dext, Fathom, Notion

  • People: Bookkeeper, Controller, Fractional CFO

    
    

📎 Download: [Annual Budget Template (Excel)]

📊 View: [Revenue Recognition Tracker (Notion)]

🧠 Goal: Turn finance into a decision-driving function.

📌 Add-on: How to Use This Blueprint

• 📽️ Watch: 5-min walkthrough of each phase

• 🔁 Customize: Book a consult to tailor this to your team

• 🧩 Stack It: See how this fits into our Financial Clarity Stack™

Book a complimentary call with lll ledger.