Kruze Consulting

Maintain accurate, investor-ready financials and coordinated tax support while scaling financial operations and planning for growth.

Get experienced CFO guidance, investor-ready financial support, and cash-flow planning without the cost of hiring a full-time executive.

Establish defensible common-stock fair market value and support compliant option grants with an independent, audit-ready report.

Prepare for funding rounds with investor-ready financials, tailored models, fundraising guidance, and coordinated due diligence support.

Prepare for acquisition scrutiny, support informed deal discussions, pursue favorable tax outcomes, and transition financial reporting after close.

Establish and manage payroll while addressing payroll tax obligations as your startup grows.

Recurring accounting operations that ensure accurate, GAAP-compliant books, payroll, tax preparation, weekly close, and working capital visibility for audit readiness and cash management.

Products: Startup accounting and bookkeeping, Startup payroll services

Part-time or interim CFO services providing financial planning, FP&A, fundraising support, investor readiness, and financial modeling for scaling startups.

Products: Fractional CFO Services, Startup accounting and bookkeeping, Startup fundraising support

Independent, audit‑ready fair market value reports and valuation workflows (409A) with fast turnaround and integrated cap table data for financial and tax compliance.

Products: 409A Valuation Services

Services focused on preparing companies for capital raising, including data room development, pitch deck coaching, round structuring, investor relations, and facilitated investor introductions.

Products: Startup fundraising support, Fractional CFO Services, Startup accounting and bookkeeping

Accounting and financial support for mergers, acquisitions, dispositions, and exits including due diligence, deal structuring, and post‑transaction integration.

Products: Startup M&A Accounting Services

Startup accounting and bookkeeping

Kruze Consulting provides outsourced accounting and bookkeeping for venture-backed startups from pre-seed through Series C. Services include transaction recording and reconciliation, monthly close, financial statements, investor reporting, tax preparation and compliance, tax planning, R&D tax credit support, and financial planning and forecasting. A dedicated Controller-level Account Manager coordinates the work, supported by in-house tax teams and accounting professionals. The service helps startups maintain accurate, audit-ready and investor-ready financials as they grow.

• Maintain Accurate Monthly Books
  Keep financial records current and organized through regular transaction recording, reconciliation, and monthly close processes.
• Present Investor-Ready Financials
  Provide clear financial statements that help communicate company performance and prepare for investor scrutiny, audits, and diligence.
• Prepare For Investor Diligence
  Keep financial information organized and ready to share during a raise, exit, or other diligence process.
• Handle Complex Startup Transactions
  Record startup-specific financial instruments and industry-related accounting matters accurately for financial statements and investor review.
• Meet Tax Filing Requirements
  Get startup-focused support preparing required returns and managing applicable tax obligations, including payroll, sales, state and local, and Delaware franchise taxes.
• Plan Taxes And Claim R&D Credits
  Identify applicable tax strategies, deductions, and R&D credits. Support includes eligibility and expense review, credit calculations, required forms, payroll tax offset filings for eligible startups, and documentation for reviews.
• Support Tax Claims During Reviews
  Maintain detailed documentation to substantiate R&D credit claims and support the startup during an IRS audit or acquisition-related diligence.
• Streamline Transaction Processing
  Combine automated categorization and staff review to process transactions efficiently while maintaining oversight of the books.
• Get Consistent Accounting Guidance
  Work with a dedicated accounting contact who coordinates the books and meets regularly with the company to provide support.
• Plan Burn And Runway
  Use forward-looking models to understand cash needs, hiring plans, and runway as the company prepares for its next funding milestone.
• Stay Ready For Audits
  Maintain organized, reviewed records that support audit preparation and reduce last-minute cleanup ahead of investor diligence.
• Scale Financial Operations
  Access coordinated accounting support as transaction volumes and financial needs grow, without building a full in-house finance team.

Fractional CFO Services

Kruze Consulting provides part-time CFO leadership and strategic financial guidance for VC-backed startups. Services include financial models, budgets and forecasts; cash flow and burn-rate management to help extend runway; fundraising preparation, including financial projections, pitch deck reviews and VC due diligence support; and operational advice on financial reporting, monthly book close and contract negotiations. The service provides high-level financial expertise without the cost of a full-time executive, complements an existing accounting team, and includes regular monthly or quarterly meetings with availability for urgent questions.

• Access Strategic CFO Guidance
  Receive experienced financial leadership for your startup without the expense of hiring a full-time CFO.
• Build Growth Plans And Forecasts
  Use financial models, budgets, and forecasts tailored to your startup to plan growth and inform decisions.
• Manage Burn And Extend Runway
  Get guidance on cash management and burn-rate strategies intended to help your startup extend its runway.
• Prepare For Funding Rounds
  Prepare for funding rounds with support for financial projections, pitch deck reviews, and investor due diligence.
• Improve Financial Operations
  Get advice on financial reporting, monthly book closure, and contract negotiations as part of operational financial support.
• Access Flexible CFO Expertise
  Receive CFO expertise through regular meetings and support for urgent questions, without the cost of a full-time executive.
• Add Oversight To Your Existing Team
  Work with a fractional CFO alongside your accounting team, with the CFO providing strategic oversight and the team handling day-to-day operations.

409A Valuation Services

Kruze Consulting manages startup 409A valuation engagements end to end, pairing companies with independent, qualified appraisers. The service establishes a defensible fair market value for common stock to support compliant option pricing. Appraisers analyze the company’s financial history, financial model, and intangible value, tailoring their approach to its circumstances. Reports follow AICPA and USPAP guidelines and include a detailed analysis for review by investors, the board, auditors, or acquirers.

• Support Audit-Ready Compliance
  Receive a report prepared in accordance with AICPA and USPAP guidelines to support compliance and withstand audit or diligence review.
• Reflect Your Company's Circumstances
  Use an analysis based on your financial information and intangible value, with valuation methods and assumptions adapted to your startup.
• Obtain An Independent Appraisal
  Work with qualified independent appraisers whose startup valuation experience and credentials support a defensible report.
• Share A Detailed Valuation Report
  Give investors and board members a comprehensive report with supporting information that makes the valuation reviewable and auditable.
• Receive Your Valuation In 10 Business Days
  Plan around a stated completion timeline of 10 business days after submitting all required company information.
• Navigate Option Pricing And Approval
  Get engagement management and guidance on equity-compensation questions surrounding the valuation, from pricing options to board approval.
• Know Your Fee Up Front
  See a flat valuation fee based on funding stage, without recurring software charges or monthly fees.

Startup fundraising support

Kruze Consulting supports startups through venture capital fundraising with strategic guidance, investor-ready financial statements and financial models, and due diligence preparation. Its team can create, review, and update tailored financial models; analyze scenarios, cash flow, and financial risks; organize investor-requested materials and data rooms; review pitch decks and diligence materials; and advise on valuation, deal terms, and investor relations. The service helps founders prepare financial projections and materials for investor review and navigate funding rounds with startup-focused financial support.

• Navigate Funding Rounds With Guidance
  Get support through fundraising conversations and strategy meetings from a team experienced with venture-backed startups and the VC ecosystem.
• Present Financials For Investor Review
  Provide investors with financial statements and tailored projections designed to communicate company performance and support funding discussions.
• Organize Investor Documents
  Bring key financial materials together for investor review and use a checklist to guide preparation for common diligence requests.
• Build And Refine Financial Models
  Receive a model structured around your startup’s plans, or get expert review and adjustments to an existing model.
• Highlight Relevant Financial Metrics
  Help founders understand and present the financial performance indicators and trends investors may review during a funding round.
• Prepare Cross-Functional Diligence Materials
  Organize relevant financial, tax, and HR information ahead of investor review.
• Keep Financial Projections Current
  Adapt models and forecasts over time to reflect changing business needs and growth.
• Evaluate Scenarios And Financial Risks
  Compare alternative assumptions and outcomes to support planning and identify potential financial risks.
• Plan Cash Flow And Runway
  Use forecasts of cash flows, burn, and runway to inform planning and prepare for future funding needs.
• Support Investor Review
  Draw on experienced startup finance professionals to help address diligence questions and keep investor review progressing.
• Review Pitch Decks And Diligence Materials
  Get support reviewing pitch decks and diligence materials as part of preparation for fundraising conversations.
• Assess Valuation And Deal Terms
  Receive guidance on valuation, capital structure, term sheets, and deal terms during venture fundraising.
• Manage Investor And Board Processes
  Get support with investor relations and the processes involved in managing a startup’s board of directors.

Startup M&A Accounting Services

Kruze Consulting provides accounting and financial support to venture-backed startups preparing for or completing an acquisition. Services include preparing GAAP-compliant, acquisition-ready financials; organizing due diligence materials and answering questions during negotiations; assembling financial documentation for valuation and financing; advising on tax structures with the startup’s legal counsel; and assisting with post-merger financial consolidation and reporting.

• Prepare Acquisition-Ready Financials
  Present GAAP-compliant books and financials that are ready for review by M&A teams.
• Organize Diligence Materials
  Keep requested financial documentation organized and help acquirers receive timely answers about the company’s financials.
• Pursue Favorable Tax Outcomes
  Coordinate with the company’s legal counsel on transaction structure and tax implications for founders and investors.
• Document Financial Performance
  Assemble information about financial performance, assets, cash flows, metrics, and ratios for valuation and financing discussions.
• Support Post-Deal Reporting
  Assist with financial consolidation and reporting after close to support the transition of financial systems.

Startup payroll services

Kruze Consulting helps startups set up and manage payroll processing, determine state and local payroll tax obligations, and handle payroll tax filings and payments. Its support includes establishing essential payroll systems and helping companies scale as they add employees.

• Establish Scalable Payroll Systems
  Set up payroll processing and essential payroll systems to support a startup as it grows and adds employees.
• Handle Payroll Tax Requirements
  Receive support with payroll tax calculations, withholdings, filings, and payments to help meet applicable tax requirements.
• Manage Payroll As You Grow
  Get support managing payroll as the startup grows and its employee count increases.
• Identify State And Local Obligations
  Get help determining state and local payroll tax obligations as the company grows and hires employees.