Accounting Package for Startups
Launch by District Advisory
Who it’s for: Early-stage companies setting up their financial operations for the first time. You’ve formed the entity, you’re starting to spend money and maybe hire, and you need someone who knows what they’re doing to help you build it right.
The idea: At this stage you don’t need a heavy monthly close. You need your systems set up correctly and a CPA you can ask questions. Launch is a setup engagement built for exactly that, and it ends with you ready for a steady monthly process.
How pricing works
Launch is billed hourly at $160, so you only pay for what you use. Most clients run 10–15 hours a month during setup, roughly $1,600 to $2,400. That’s front-loaded: the first months carry most of the build, and quieter months come in lower. We estimate before any substantial piece of work and tell you in advance if something will cost more than you expect.
What’s next
Launch is complete when your systems are running on their own: payroll processing, bill pay and invoicing in place, and books reconciled for two consecutive months. At that point you move to Orbit at a fixed monthly fee. Because your books are already set up, there’s no Orbit onboarding fee.
What's included
QuickBooks Online setup
A chart of accounts designed around how you actually run the business and how you’ll want to report to investors. Bank and credit card feeds connected, accounting method and fiscal year set, user permissions configured, coding conventions established from day one.
Payroll setup
Payroll running and integrated cleanly with your accounting system: company and employee onboarding, pay schedules, benefit and deduction mapping. Plus the questions that come with it, like employee vs. contractor, multi-state payroll registration, and how to handle reimbursements.
Vendor payments and AP
The right bill pay tool for your size, approval workflows, vendor records and terms, and W-9 collection habits that make 1099 season a non-event.
Customer invoicing and AR
Invoice design, billing terms, payment methods and what each one actually costs you, and a practical way to track and follow up on what you’re owed.
Ongoing accounting support
Reconciliations, transaction review, journal entries and financial statements, scaled to your actual activity while your systems are being built.
Investor-ready reporting
A monthly cash and runway summary you can drop into investor updates. Coordination with your valuation provider on 409A valuations, and with our affiliated tax firm or yours on entity structure, tax elections and R&D credits.
Answers to your questions
Most of an early-stage engagement is answering “how do I handle this?” Ask early. It’s almost always cheaper than fixing it later.
Fractional CFO work, such as budgeting, fundraising models and cash runway planning, is available alongside Launch. See our CFO and advisory services.
Which package is right for you?
New companies start with Launch to build their finance function the right way. Once setup is complete, they move to Orbit for ongoing monthly accounting at a fixed fee.
| Feature | Launch | Orbit |
|---|---|---|
| Best for | Early-stage companies setting up for the first time | Established businesses with real transaction volume |
| Your situation | Entity formed, starting to spend and hire | Revenue coming in, vendors to pay, team on payroll |
| Main need | Build it right, and have someone to ask | Books closed accurately every month |
| How it works | A setup engagement that ends when your systems are running | Ongoing monthly accounting department |
| Accounting work | Setup, plus support scaled to your activity | Full monthly close |
| Financial statements | As needed, plus a monthly cash and runway summary | Monthly, delivered by an agreed-upon date |
| CFO and advisory | Available, billed hourly or as a fixed-price project | Available, billed hourly or as a fixed-price project |
| Pricing | $160/hour during setup | Starting at $1,500/month, set by your size and scope |
| Onboarding | Part of the setup engagement | From $850 one-time, waived for Launch graduates |
Startup Accounting Package FAQs
How much does the Launch package cost?
Launch is billed hourly at $160, so you only pay for what you use. Most clients run 10 to 15 hours a month during setup, roughly $1,600 to $2,400. The work is front-loaded, so the first months carry most of the build and quieter months come in lower. We estimate before any substantial piece of work.
What does Launch include?
Launch covers QuickBooks Online setup, payroll setup, vendor payments and accounts payable, customer invoicing and accounts receivable, ongoing accounting support, investor-ready reporting, and answers to the day-to-day financial questions that come up as you build.
Who is the Launch package for?
Launch is built for early-stage companies setting up their financial operations for the first time. You have formed the entity, you are starting to spend money and maybe hire, and you want your systems built correctly from day one.
When does Launch end?
Launch is complete when your systems run on their own: payroll processing, bill pay and invoicing in place, and books reconciled for two consecutive months. You then move to our Orbit package at a fixed monthly fee, with no Orbit onboarding fee.
Can you help with investor reporting, 409A valuations and R&D credits?
Yes. Launch includes a monthly cash and runway summary for investor updates, coordination with your valuation provider on 409A valuations, and coordination with our affiliated tax firm or yours on entity structure, tax elections and R&D credits.
Can I get fractional CFO help while on Launch?
Yes. Fractional CFO work such as budgeting, fundraising models and cash runway planning is available alongside Launch.
Zachary Giegel
Zach is the Managing Partner at District Advisory. In addition to overseeing the firm, he provides CFO Services for both high-growth venture backed companies, as well as later stage companies. Some industries he works with are technology, food and beverage, real estate, private equity and high growth venture companies.
