Starting a new business is an exciting and challenging time for any entrepreneur. While in the initial stages of building and hiring staff and acquiring customers, accounting and finance operations often take a backseat. However, making accounting mistakes can negatively affect startups in the long run.
According to a study, running out of cash is the second most common reason for startup failure, cited by 29% of failed founders. Proper accounting principles and financial planning are essential to avoiding cash burnout. Additionally, accounting mistakes and lack of financial visibility can lead to incorrect decision making, further exacerbating problems.
In this article, we will explore the most common accounting mistakes startups make and provide actionable solutions on how Certified Accountants can help.
Common Accounting Mistakes by Startups
The most common accounting mistakes startups make are:
Not Separating Personal and Business Expenses
Most startups begin with founders using personal credit cards and bank accounts for business activities. However, continuing to mingle personal and business finances can obscure unit economics. Commingling funds also increases the chances of using business finances for personal goals.
CAs can help startups open business bank accounts right from the start. They can also set up accounting software to track personal and business spending separately. Clear financial separation provides clarity on where funds are being spent and simplifies tax filing.
Avoiding Accounting Tasks
Early on, founders tend to avoid accounting work as it pulls time away from ‘core’ startup activities. However, this leads to procrastination that can result in disorganised finances lacking key documents like receipts and invoices. Such negligence makes preparing taxes complicated and can lead to incorrectly filed or missed tax deadlines.
CAs provide bookkeeping and accounting services customised to startups’ needs. They can manage tasks like tracking income and expenses, producing financial statements and preparing taxes. This lifts the accounting mistakes burden off founders’ shoulders and saves startups from costly compliance errors.
Incorrect Revenue Recognition
With limited customers initially, startups may record sales too aggressively instead of following revenue recognition principles. However, prematurely logging sales as revenue inflated financial statements. This distorts performance metrics and even risks non-compliance with accounting standards.
CAs advise startups on mechanisms like milestone-based billing and deferred revenue accounting mistakes to ensure revenues are recorded after delivery. They also conduct periodic audits to confirm revenues are recognised appropriately. This prevents misstated accounts that obscure actual financial health.
Ignoring Owner/Shareholder Pay
Startups often forgo formal pay for founders and shareholders while channelling profits back into the business. However, not accounting for their contributions and labour as an expense underestimates costs.
CAs can establish appropriate compensation for involved owners based on roles, equity and market rates. Including these costs provides a complete picture of startup finances and also offers tax benefits for owner pay.
Poor Record Keeping
Maintaining receipts, contracts, invoices, bank statements and other financial records is tedious but essential. However, startups are often disorganised in keeping financial documentation or rely solely on memory. Such behaviour can make filing taxes extremely difficult.
CAs implement document management procedures for startups to track every transaction. With the help of accounting software, they digitise and tag records so information can be accessed instantly. Organisation and completeness of financial data is greatly improved.
Not Budgeting or Forecasting
Startups tend to avoid financial planning and operate hand-to-mouth without budgets or cash flow projections. But without forecasts, expenses and operational costs can grow and rapidly consume capital.
CAs prepare customised budgets and projections for startups. Analysing past expenditures and estimating future assumptions creates visibility into upcoming costs and cash requirements. It also helps startups modify plans early to prevent potential overruns.
Not Tracking KPIs
Key performance indicators like customer acquisition cost, burn rate, revenue growth and gross margins provide vital insights into a startup’s financial mechanics. However, startups often do not track KPIs rigorously or analyse why they change over time.
CAs implement performance tracking dashboards and conduct analysis to derive actionable insights from KPI trends. This helps startups continuously improve their business model, optimise spending and enhance margins.
Not Preparing for Audits
Startups often maintain less financial records and lack audit trails thinking they are too small for scrutiny. However, fundraises, credit applications and rapid growth can all trigger external financial audits. Without proper documentation, audits can turn agonising and lead to unfavourable rulings.
CAs ensure startups have exhaustive financial records needed to survive audits with minimal disruption. They also enhance compliance by advising on procedures and internal controls to prevent issues like fraud.
How CAs Can Help in Dealing with Accounting Mistakes
Certified Accountants are invaluable partners for startups navigating the treacherous waters of accounting and financial management. Here are some specific ways CAs collaborate with and support entrepreneurs:
Financial Advisory Services
- Guide founders on establishing separate business accounts and credit cards
- Advise on optimal corporate structure and registration for tax benefits
- Provide guidance on equity, shares and owner’s draw to align stakeholder payouts
- Recommend loans, financing plans and investment structures aligned with financial needs and goals
Accounting & Bookkeeping
- Set up accounting software and provide training for staff
- Directly perform tasks like recording transactions, processing bills and reconciling accounts
- Ensure accounts follow GAAP standards and best practices
- Conduct audits to identify errors, anomalies and system weaknesses
Compliance
- Stay updated on regulatory and compliance requirements
- File and process annual tax returns for various taxes
- Support documentation and processes needed to survive IRS audits
- Provide guidance on payroll processing, sales tax collection, contractors and more
Planning & Analysis
- Create budgets and forecasts to manage cash flow and identify blind spots
- Analyse financial KPIs and drivers to spot problems and improvement areas
- Model business scenarios and create projections to aid decision making
- Recommend optimisations and strategies based on financial insights
Final Thoughts
With CAs overseeing accounting mistakes, finance and compliance, startups can avoid common errors and focus energy on business growth. Their expertise and diligent management establishes strong fiscal practices for long-term viability. While the cost of engagement may seem high initially, CAs ultimately save startups from extremely expensive pitfalls down the line. Equipped with sound financial footing, startups can turn accounting errors into a strategic advantage powering their entrepreneurial dreams.
