⬤ Finance & Accounting
Finance & Accounting is a Capital-phase founder capability in the SKILLOS registry (category: original). Cross-references: 4 frameworks, 4 key metrics, 5 templates, 2 case studies, 3 mastery signals. Substrate applicability: 197 countries × 60 verticals × 99 SKILLOS sectors.
🔧 Frameworks
- Burn Rate & Runway Model
- Cash Flow Forecasting (13-week rolling)
- Monthly Close Process
- SaaS Financial Metrics Stack
📊 Key Metrics
- Runway ≥18 months post-raise
- Net burn vs. gross burn delta
- MRR/ARR accuracy (±5%)
- EBITDA-adjusted margin trajectory
📋 Templates
- P&L template (startup-stage)
- Cash flow forecast model
- Monthly close checklist
- Investor financial report format
- Budget vs. actuals dashboard
💡 Case Studies
Bootstrapped to $100M ARR before raising any venture capital; Microsoft acquired GitHub for $7.5B in 2018
Jason Fried and DHH have publicly stated that Basecamp/37signals has been profitable every year since 2004 and generates over $100M annually — built entirely without external investment
Track gross burn and net burn separately. Gross burn = total spend. Net burn = gross burn minus revenue. VCs care about both — it reveals your unit economics maturity.
🎯 You've mastered this when…
- CFO/bookkeeper hire triggered by $2M ARR or series A
- Monthly close completed in <5 business days
- Rolling 13-week cash forecast updated weekly
Related skills in the Capital phase
Frequently asked about Finance & Accounting
What phase of the founder journey does Finance & Accounting belong to?
It is a Capital-phase skill in the SKILLOS registry. The seven phases are Foundation, Discovery, Capital, Build, Growth, Revenue, and Scale.
What are the most useful frameworks for Finance & Accounting?
The four canonical frameworks are: Burn Rate & Runway Model; Cash Flow Forecasting (13-week rolling); Monthly Close Process; SaaS Financial Metrics Stack.
How do I know when I have mastered Finance & Accounting?
Mastery signals include: CFO/bookkeeper hire triggered by $2M ARR or series A; Monthly close completed in <5 business days; Rolling 13-week cash forecast updated weekly.
Which sectors does this skill apply to?
All 99 SKILLOS sectors — from AI & Machine Learning to Emerging Consumer Technology. The skill applies across every vertical in AJG's substrate of 197 countries and 60 commerce verticals.