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The Helm

Insights from
the bridge.

Thoughts on finance, accounting, and building startups — from the Crew team.

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Kyle Keeran • January 10, 2025

Preparing for Due Diligence: The Financial Checklist Before Your Next Raise

Due diligence doesn't have to be a fire drill. Here's the complete financial checklist that startup founders should work through 3-6 months before raising their next round.

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Kyle Keeran • November 22, 2024

Cash Flow Forecasting for CPG Brands: Why Inventory Makes It Different

A profitable P&L doesn't mean you have cash in the bank. For CPG brands, inventory creates a cash flow gap that can sink an otherwise healthy business. Here's how to forecast around it.

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Kyle Keeran • October 18, 2024

The Hidden Cost of Bad Bookkeeping: Why Startups Outgrow QuickBooks DIY

Doing your own books saves money until it doesn't. Here's how to recognize when DIY bookkeeping is costing you more than a professional would, and what 'good' actually looks like.

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Kyle Keeran • September 12, 2024

What Your Investors Actually Want to See in Your Monthly Financials

Sending investors a QuickBooks export is not a financial update. Here's what board-ready financials actually look like and which metrics matter most for CPG brands.

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Kyle Keeran • August 5, 2024

Multi-Channel Revenue Recognition for CPG Brands: DTC, Wholesale, and Amazon

Each sales channel has its own revenue recognition rules, fee structures, and accounting quirks. Getting this wrong means your margins by channel are fiction, and you can't make real decisions with fictional data.

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Kyle Keeran • June 20, 2024

When to Hire a Fractional Accounting Team vs. a Full-Time Controller

Hiring a full-time controller too early can drain cash and limit flexibility. Here's how to think through the real cost math and figure out when a fractional accounting team makes more sense for your CPG brand.

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Kyle Keeran • May 10, 2024

What Startup Founders Get Wrong About Inventory Accounting

Inventory accounting is where CPG startups make their most expensive financial mistakes. From mishandled landed costs to ignored write-downs, these errors distort your margins and raise red flags with investors.

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Kyle Keeran • March 15, 2024

Why Your Startup Needs Accrual Accounting (Not Cash Basis)

Cash basis accounting can paint a dangerously misleading picture of your startup's financial health. Here's why accrual accounting isn't just an investor requirement. It's the only way to actually understand your business.

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Kyle Keeran • November 29, 2023

The Crucial Role of a 3 Statement Financial Model for Startups

Startups don't fail because of bad ideas. They fail because nobody forced the truth into the numbers early enough. The 3-Financial Statement Model gives founders a connected view of their financial health.

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