Vanessa Kruze, CPA, is a leading expert in startup taxes and tax compliance. Her team at Kruze Consulting has filed thousands of tax returns for companies that have raised billions in VC funding, and her work has been diligenced by leading VCs, attorneys, and M&A teams at the largest technology companies.
Vanessa Kruze, a highly-experienced CPA, brings valuable tax expertise to startups, drawing from her rich background at Deloitte Tax and as a financial controller for a $20 million startup. As the leader of Kruze Consulting, recognized multiple times in the Inc 5000 list, she specializes in navigating the complex tax landscape for startups. Her firm is known for delivering precise and strategic tax solutions, delivering tax credits utilizing advanced tools to ensure compliance and optimize tax benefits for startups throughout the United States.
I’m a CPA/interim CFO and my team assists over 800+ startups in SF, Austin, Chicago, & NYC. A reasonable monthly cost for Accounting & HR depends on:
The volume of your transactions: do you have 300 transactions hitting your bank account and credit cards every month, or 10,000 transactions? More transactions = more time = more money.
The complexity of your transactions: even if you have relatively few transactions, they may be complex. For example, you may have prepaid Facebook $100,000 for advertising for the next year. You or your bookkeeper will then need to reconcile that account every month against what advertising amount you’ve actually used.
Doing the work yourself: if you can train yourself to do some of the bookkeeping, you can definitely save money. Two caveats though, 1) your time is truly better spent growing and managing your startup and 2) if you get it wrong it will very likely be expensive to clean up the books.
How you’ve leveraged technology: I can’t stress this enough… using technology will greatly reduce the amount of time (aka money) you have to spend on Accounting and HR. Here are my absolute essentials: QuickBooks, Gusto or Rippling, Ramp or Brex just to name a few.
You’ve also got to think about your taxes, which should run low thousands of dollars to be done well, annually (visit our tax return cost calculator to get a better estimate on the cost). Even unprofitable startups need to file tax returns, and they often are looked at during due diligence. We strongly recommend going with a unified accounting and tax provider, since this can not only decrease the cost of getting your accounting done (bundle!) it can also save you time because you’ll have less to coordinate.
In sum, what you spend on Accounting & HR for your startup depends on your unique situation. But just to give you an idea… If you are a Seed Stage DE CCorp startup based in SF, NYC, or Chicago, have 10 FTEs, ~400 transactions a month and no accruals… I’d say ~$800 per month.
As a profitable company, Kruze’s team provides strategic financial advice, produces monthly books and produces tax returns for high-growth startups.
How Much Does a Startup Tax Return Cost?
We’ve put together this calculator to help you estimate the cost of preparing your startup’s tax return.
Our experts can help you find the right solution for your budget and business needs.
Get in touch with us today to learn more about our monthly bookkeeping options.
Ready to connect on plan?
Startups are more successful when they can accurately budget and plan for growth.
Our entry-level package gives early-stage founders the accounting expertise they need.
Ready to connect on plan?
You’ve got enough on your plate.
Our timesaver package will provide you with a proactive partner who will handle your accounting needs while you focus on business.
Ready to connect on plan?
As your startup scales, you’ll need more extensive accounting services.
Our premium package offers access to strategic expertise from professionals that understand your startup’s needs.
$250M+ VC Funding Raised
"I had
a great experience working with Kruze Consulting when we raised Series A. They know what VCs
need to see, and how to present a startup’s books and finances. If you are going to raise
venture capital, you need experts like Kruze."
Chris Mansi
CEO
"We’re huge fans of Vanessa and the folks at Kruze Consulting. They set up our books, finances, and other operations, and are constantly organized and on top of things."
Vivek Sodera
Co-Founder @ Superhuman
"Avochato has been growing rapidly in the last year – in fact, too quickly for us to keep up with books, taxes, and budgeting for growth. Partnering with Kruze Consulting has been fantastic."
Alex De Simone
CEO
We’ve got the experience you need.
Kruze is trusted by hundreds of companies, and we understand the unique challenges startups face. We’ll help you reach your goals.
Vanessa Kruze, CPA
Founder & CEO
You’re busy. We get it.
Kruze provides startups with specialized accounting, tax advisory, and financial reporting services you need so you can focus on the big picture. Talk to an experienced accountant.
Alex Janeck
Edith Silva
Randy Hall
Startup Venture Capital Assistance
With former venture capitalists on staff, our team is here to help you navigate the
fundraising process and manage your board of directors
Scott Orn
COO | Former VC
Healy Jones
VP FP&A | Former VC
Scale Remote Operations & Team
"Kruze
has supported us above and beyond basic accounting needs by ensuring we have everything we need
to expand and support our team wherever they may be located"
Zack Fisch
Head of Operations & Legal
Clients who have worked with Kruze have collectively raised over $15
billion in VC funding.
We set startups up for fundrising success, and know how to work with the top VCs.
Vanessa Kruze, CPA
Founder & CEO
Experienced team helping you
Our account management team is staffed by CPAs and accountants who have, on average, 11
years of experience.
Bill Hollowsky, CPA
VP of Accounting Services
Claudine Vantomme, CPA
Controller
Morgan Avery
SUT/R&D Sr. Tax Accountant
Beth Bassler
Controller, CPA
Grew from a 2-person startup to a NASDAQ listed public company.
"The
Kruze team helped us grow from a 2-person startup to a NASDAQ listed public company in 2 years.
We wouldn’t have gotten public without Kruze’s support. Anyone thinking of launching a startup
should make Vanessa their first call!"
Please note, this is just our Q&A and we cannot answer every question. If your inquiry is highly specific, please submit a New Client Inquiry at kruzeconsulting.com
Thanks for reaching out!Please note that January - April is our busiest time of year. Please excuse any delay in response times!
Spread the word!
Share this Q&A
Kruze is a leader in accounting services for startups
With over $10 billion in funding raised by our clients, Kruze is a leader in helping funded startups with accounting, tax, finance and HR strategies.
Thank you!
✅ Your request has been submitted. We will contact you shortly.
READY TO CONNECT FOR A FREE CONSULTATION?
We are the experts at helping seed/VC-backed Delaware C-Corps with their accounting and finances!
Talk to an experienced accountant, not a generic sales person
Alex Janeck
Edith Silva
Randy Hall
$250M+ VC Funding Raised
"I had a great experience working with Kruze Consulting when we raised Series A. They know what VCs need to see, and how to present a startup’s books and finances. If you are going to raise venture capital, you need experts like Kruze."
Chris Mansi
CEO
Startup Venture Capital Assistance
With former venture capitalists on staff, our team is here to help you navigate the fundraising process and manage your board of directors
Scott Orn
COO | Former VC
Healy Jones
VP FP&A | Former VC
Scale Remote Operations & Team
"Kruze has supported us above and beyond basic accounting needs by ensuring we have everything we need to expand and support our team wherever they may be located"
Zack Fisch
Head of Operations & Legal
Clients who have worked with Kruze have collectively raised over $15 billion in VC funding.
We set startups up for fundrising success, and know how to work with the top VCs.
Vanessa Kruze, CPA
Founder & CEO
Experienced team helping you
Our account management team is staffed by CPAs and accountants who have, on average, 11 years of experience.
Bill Hollowsky, CPA
VP of Accounting Services
Claudine Vantomme, CPA
Controller
Morgan Avery
SUT/R&D Sr. Tax Accountant
Beth Bassler
Controller, CPA
Grew from a 2-person startup to a NASDAQ listed public company.
"The Kruze team helped us grow from a 2-person startup to a NASDAQ listed public company in 2 years. We wouldn’t have gotten public without Kruze’s support. Anyone thinking of launching a startup should make Vanessa their first call!"
We are the experts at helping seed/VC-backed Delaware C-Corps with their accounting and finances!
Talk to an experienced accountant, not a generic sales person
Alex Janeck
Edith Silva
Randy Hall
$250M+ VC Funding Raised
"I had a great experience working with Kruze Consulting when we raised Series A. They know what VCs need to see, and how to present a startup’s books and finances. If you are going to raise venture capital, you need experts like Kruze."
Chris Mansi
CEO
Startup Venture Capital Assistance
With former venture capitalists on staff, our team is here to help you navigate the fundraising process and manage your board of directors
Scott Orn
COO | Former VC
Healy Jones
VP FP&A | Former VC
Scale Remote Operations & Team
"Kruze has supported us above and beyond basic accounting needs by ensuring we have everything we need to expand and support our team wherever they may be located"
Zack Fisch
Head of Operations & Legal
Clients who have worked with Kruze have collectively raised over $15 billion in VC funding.
We set startups up for fundrising success, and know how to work with the top VCs.
Vanessa Kruze, CPA
Founder & CEO
Experienced team helping you
Our account management team is staffed by CPAs and accountants who have, on average, 11 years of experience.
Bill Hollowsky, CPA
VP of Accounting Services
Claudine Vantomme, CPA
Controller
Morgan Avery
SUT/R&D Sr. Tax Accountant
Beth Bassler
Controller, CPA
Grew from a 2-person startup to a NASDAQ listed public company.
"The Kruze team helped us grow from a 2-person startup to a NASDAQ listed public company in 2 years. We wouldn’t have gotten public without Kruze’s support. Anyone thinking of launching a startup should make Vanessa their first call!"
