Who are the best startup accountants in the New York area?

If you’re looking for a startup accountant in NYC, I’d be happy to help. I’m a CPA and the founder of Kruze Consulting, where we provide Accounting, Tax, Finance, and HR for over 800+ startups. In the past I’ve worked at Deloitte Tax and I was the Controller of a 120+ employee startup. Our COO Scott Orn is a Kellogg MBA, former VC Partner at Lighthouse Capital Partners, and before that was an investment banker at JPMorgan. Together we’ve created an all-in-one back office solution for VC backed startups. Most importantly, we love what we do and look to form lasting partnerships with our clients.

We specialize in serving VC-backed startups, from the initial pre-seed phase to Series C. Our comprehensive services include bookkeeping, financial advisory, tax preparation, securing tax credits, preparing clients for due diligence, and setting up sophisticated accounting and fintech systems. We also build financial models for startups that have been used to (successfully!) pitch premier VC firms. With a deep-rooted experience in assisting startups that have raised billions in VC funding, we are your go-to experts for CPA-level advisory.

New York Accounting Offices and Beyond

We have offices in NYC, San Francisco, Austin, San Jose and a few other startup hubs. It turns out that post-COVID, New York startups tend to have employees all over the US - and world!

Why Early-Stage NYC Startups Should Prioritize Professional Accounting

For early-stage startups that have secured between $250,000 and $500,000 in external funding, it’s crucial to prioritize professional accounting services. Offloading the accounting responsibilities allows founders to concentrate on core business activities like product development, team building, and further fundraising. At Kruze, we offer a monthly billing model for our bookkeeping services, enabling founders to effectively manage their burn rate without the pitfalls of large upfront payments and binding annual contracts. We’ll work with you until it makes sense for you to bring your finance and accountant team in house - and then we’ll even help interview candidates if you’d like! We hate to lose a client, but a “graduation” to an in- house team is part of the journey of a successful startup, and we’ll celebrate it with you.

However, even after you have an in-house CFO and accountant team, you’ll still need accounting services. Here are some of the best providers to work with if your startup is in New York and you are later stage:

Accounting Needs of Mid to Later Stage Startups in New York

As startups evolve, their accounting needs distinctly change. Mid to later-stage startups often handle bookkeeping internally but continue to require specialized tax services and audits. In New York City, reputable firms like Armino, EisnerAmper, and Withum are known for their robust startup audit and tax practices. As your startup approaches public offering, transitioning to a Big 4 firm—such as E&Y, PWC, Deloitte, or KPMG—becomes essential for comprehensive audit and tax advisory. Thankfully, all of these firms have big NYC offices.

Selecting the Right Accounting Firm: Key Considerations for Startups

Ok, so what should a New York startup look for in an accountant?

• Experience with Market and Company Size: Choose a CPA firm with a proven track record in your market segment and company size. This expertise minimizes the risks of costly learning curves at your expense.
• VC Due Diligence Expertise: Engage with a firm familiar with frequent VC diligence processes, capable of swift and effective response, ensuring you are always ready for the next funding round.
• M&A Expertise: Considering the high rate of acquisitions before Series B, partner with an accountant well-versed in tax, bookkeeping, and financial M&A processes. Our experience includes handling acquisitions by major corporations like Apple, JP Morgan, and Workday.
• In-house Tax Capabilities: Opt for a firm that handles most of their accounting work, especially tax-related, internally. This reduces the need for extensive coordination during crucial tax periods or due diligence processes.
• Fixed Fee Pricing: A fixed monthly fee for bookkeeping avoids unexpected charges and helps in financial planning. Also - most New York based founders are smart enough to know this - don’t pre-pay for a year’s worth of bookkeeping services. Firms that do that often “get you” by moving up your costs after a few months, and there is nothing that you can do about it.
• Rigorous Review Process: Our structured approach at Kruze Consulting involves multiple layers of review by Staff Accountants, Controllers, and CFOs to ensure accuracy and reliability in financial reporting.
• Advanced Cloud Accounting Tools: We advocate for the use of top-tier cloud accounting software, streamlining complex tasks like payroll and expense management, and providing scalable solutions tailored to growing startups.

Conclusion: Partner with Kruze Consulting for your New York Startup’s Accounting

If you are a very early stage startup actively raising professional funding, consider partnering with Kruze Consulting.

Feel free to reach out to me: vanessa@kruzeconsulting.com.