Accounting & finance for Australian founders
Hands-on financial support for startups & scale-ups.
From pre-seed to Series A and beyond.
From bookkeeping and tax to fractional CFO, we handle your entire finance function so you can focus on building.
Start to Scale, We’ve Got You
Traditional accounting doesn’t fit the startup model. We do. Our expertise is tailored for high-growth ventures navigating funding rounds, team expansion and market entry.
Your Finance, Built to Scale
From essential bookkeeping and BAS to strategic CFO advice, we provide a full suite of services that scale in step with your business, letting you concentrate on your vision.
Smart. Simple. No Surprises
Leveraging smart, cloud-based platforms like Xero, we deliver streamlined financial management. Our clear, fixed-fee structure means no billing surprises, just predictable costs.
Who we are
A finance team that knows how startups work.
For over a decade we've worked with Australian founders through R&D claims, capital raises and expansion overseas. We know what investors ask to see, what the ATO expects and what changes as the team grows.
As well as keeping you compliant, we help you make the calls that shape the business: when to hire, how much to raise and how long your cash will last.
Our services
Find the support that fits where you are.
Most founders start with one or two of these and add more as the business grows. Here's what we do, grouped by what you need it for.
Day-to-day finance
The books, payroll and tax that keep the business running and compliant.
- Bookkeeping & accountingReconciliations, BAS and management reports, kept clean and investor-ready.
- PayrollPay runs, super and STP lodgements, from your first hire onwards.
- TaxTax returns, ATO compliance and tax structuring, from day one to exit.
- Company & trust set-upASIC registration, trust set-up, and director and shareholder changes as you grow.
Raising and scaling
Senior finance support for raises, boards and the decisions that come with growth.
- Fractional CFOCash flow forecasting, board reporting and raise preparation, without a full-time hire.
- Financial modellingInvestor-ready models for your raise, your hiring plan and your cash flow.
- ValuationsFor a raise or an employee share scheme, built to hold up with investors and the ATO.
- Cap table managementYour shares, options and notes reconciled and kept investor-ready.
- ESIC eligibilityConfirm you qualify before you issue shares, so your investors get their tax offset.
Funding and expansion
Government funding you don't give equity for, and advice for the bigger moves.
Not sure which you need? Book a free consultation and we'll point you in the right direction.
Startup founders ♥ Standard Ledger
Don’t just take our word for it. Here’s what our clients have to say about working with us.
“Closing our £2.5m round with Octopus Ventures was a huge milestone for HealsGood AI. Standard Ledger were instrumental throughout the process – helping us stay investor-ready, manage due diligence and present a clear financial story. They brought real structure and focus, which made a complex raise feel controlled and achievable. Having that level of financial leadership on our side gave us the confidence to move fast and negotiate from a position of strength.”
Jack Henderson
“The grant application for the Australian Government’s Boosting Female Founders Initiative is an absolute beast of a process. I’ve really enjoyed working with John to secure it.”
Jeanette Cheah
“Standard Ledger’s fractional CFO services identified KPIs driving operational improvements, making us an attractive acquisition target. Strategic exit planning structured our finances to maximise returns, and negotiating the complexities of the sale process secured us a deal that recognised our full value.”
Peter Neal
“Standard Ledger saved us from trouble during our UK setup. They turned around crucial work in 48 hours, preventing fines. Having the support you can trust, who knows what they’re doing, means less stress and frees up a lot of mental space.”
Peter Cole
“Standard Ledger was incredibly helpful in reviewing and modelling our finances. Thanks to their support, we reshaped our strategy and identified areas for growth. We are now ready for expansion into new sports and markets.”
Iggy Jovanovic
“John and the team have really understood our R&D story from day one, and have always had a plan for it. We’re in the third year of working together now, and it’s been really great.”
Nadun Hennayaka
Next step
Start with a free consultation.
Tell us where the business is now and what's coming up - a raise, your first hires, a board to report to, or books that need sorting. We'll tell you which of our services fit, what they'd cost and what we'd do first.
Fixed fees, no lock-ins.
Startup Tips & Insights: Take a Read
