Building Your First Finance Stack

Founders often ask: "When do I need NetSuite?" The answer is: probably not for a long time. Over-investing in complex tools too early slows you down.

Stage 1: The Basics (Seed)

You need a bank account (Mercury/Brex), an accounting system (QuickBooks Online/Xero), and a payroll provider (Gusto). Total cost: ~$150/month. Keep it simple.

Stage 2: Control (Series A)

Now you have volume. You need AP automation (Bill.com) to approve invoices. You need a spend management card (Ramp) to control employee expenses. You might need a basic revenue recognition tool if you are SaaS.

Stage 3: Scale (Series B+)

This is when you look at an ERP like NetSuite or Sage Intacct. You also implement dedicated FP&A planning tools (Cube, Pigment) to replace the giant Excel model that crashes your computer.