Industries We Serve

Online CPA Services for Startups

Online startup CPA services should connect the records behind tax filings, payroll, founder equity, R&D credits, investor reporting, and audit readiness. KAS CPA supports founders from first equity and payroll events through financing, diligence, and exit nationwide / all 50 states where permitted.

Founder equity and 83(b) records organized before deadlines.
R&D credit support coordinated with income-tax and payroll filings.
Investor-ready books and diligence schedules aligned to the same source records.

Request a Startup CPA Scope Review Book a Startup Consultation

Online Startup CPA Services, R&D Credits, and Emerging Growth Advisory

Start with the next decision your startup must make: issuing founder equity, running first payroll, claiming an R&D credit, or preparing a financing package. Your CPA scope should connect that milestone to the books, tax filings, and records needed to support it.

What Happens in Your First Startup CPA Review?

Identify the deadline and records: Share your current books, entity documents, payroll status, equity history, and investor reporting request. Flag approaching dates before cleanup work begins.
Set the scope: Identify accounting and tax gaps, separate urgent filings from ongoing work, and agree on deliverables and responsibilities. Legal counsel remains responsible for formation and equity documents.
Build the working calendar: Connect the agreed work to close dates, tax filings, payroll, and reporting milestones, with a list of missing records and who supplies them.

Before first payroll, focus on payroll setup and the R&D payroll tax credit requirements. Before an equity deadline, organize grant and 83(b) election records. Before financing, reconcile the books and cap table and clarify the financial statements investors require. See when to involve a startup CPA.

Stage-Appropriate Services

Early Stage

Entity-tax structure and accounting setup, coordinated with legal counsel for formation documents
Founder equity and 83(b) elections
Initial accounting system setup
R&D tax credit identification and payroll tax election review

Growth Stage

GAAP financial statement preparation
Stock compensation accounting (ASC 718)
Investor and board reporting
Audit and review engagements

Scaling and Exit

Management-side IPO readiness and SEC reporting support
M&A transaction support
Due diligence preparation
Complex accounting advisory

Equity Compensation Expertise

Stock options, RSUs, and other equity awards are central to startup compensation — and create significant accounting and tax complexity. We help companies and recipients navigate these programs effectively.

Decision Support

Startup CPA support should make equity, books, payroll, and tax timing investor-ready

Founder decisions create durable records. The service model should connect accounting hygiene, equity events, R&D credits, payroll, investor reporting, and audit readiness before diligence pressure arrives.

Who This Is For

Founders before or after formation, first payroll, financing, or diligence.
Startups with equity grants, 83(b) questions, R&D activity, or messy books.
Emerging companies preparing investor-ready reporting and tax compliance.

Documents Usually Needed

Formation documents, cap table, equity grants, and 83(b) records.
Books, bank feeds, payroll, contractor records, and revenue contracts.
R&D project support, financing documents, and investor reporting needs.

What You Receive

Startup tax and accounting setup priorities by stage.
Compliance calendar for equity, payroll, income tax, and credits.
Investor-ready reporting and audit-readiness cleanup checklist.

When Timing Matters

Before restricted equity is issued and 83(b) deadlines start.
Before first payroll, R&D payroll tax credit elections, or fundraising.
Before diligence, lender reporting, or audit requirements appear.

Common Mistakes

Missing 83(b) deadlines or keeping weak proof of filing.
Running payroll, contractors, and founder reimbursements informally.
Waiting to clean books until investor or audit diligence starts.

Engagement Fit

Best fit for founders who want durable records and disciplined reporting.
Tax and accounting scope is tied to stage, runway, and reporting users.
Legal documents remain counsel-owned; CPA work supports tax and records.

What CPA support do startups need?

Short answer: An emerging growth CPA advisor helps startups keep accounting, tax planning, equity and founder transactions, R&D payroll tax credits, investor-ready reporting, revenue recognition, runway visibility, and transaction planning aligned from formation through exit nationwide / all 50 states where permitted.

Formation, entity, 83(b), QSBS, and founder-equity planning.
Bookkeeping, financial reporting, revenue recognition, and KPI support.
Tax strategy and transaction readiness for fundraising, growth, and exits.