You’ve launched, revenue is starting to come in, and it’s getting harder to run everything on spreadsheets and gut feel. You know finance matters, but hiring a full team feels miles away. You need someone who can bring clarity and structure without the overhead.
For early-stage and founder-led businesses
Getting your finances right from the start.
“At this stage, you don’t need a finance department. You need one senior person who can look at your numbers, tell you what’s real, and help you build from there. That’s exactly what we do.”
— David, Founder & Ignition CFO
Spreadsheets, gut feel, and hoping for the best. Sound familiar?
Ignition works with early-stage founders to put the basics in place: reliable reporting, a working forecast, KPI visibility, and a finance structure that grows with you. Whether it’s a one-off engagement or ongoing monthly support, we adapt to what you actually need right now.
Common Finance Challenges
- No cash flow visibility or forecast
- No finance resource beyond a bookkeeper
- Unclear on margins, KPIs, or break-even
- Investor conversations without financial preparation
- Tax and compliance worries building up
- No idea what “good” looks like for your stage
At this stage, you don’t need a full finance department. You need a senior CFO who can cut through the noise, set up the right foundations, and give you a clear picture of where you stand — financially and strategically.
How early-stage and founder-led businesses experience Ignition
Get investor-ready
Investor-ready financial model. R&D tax credit review and submission. Whether a raise is imminent or 12 months away, we make sure your numbers tell a credible, compelling story when it matters.
See where you stand
Cash flow forecasting and runway visibility. Monthly management reporting. KPI framework and margin analysis. We give you a clear, honest picture of your financial position — so you stop guessing and start deciding.
Build the right foundations
Finance function diagnostic and improvement plan. We assess what you have, identify the gaps, and put a structure in place that grows with you — so finance never becomes the bottleneck.
Subscription & Pricing
At this stage, clarity and compliance matter more than complexity. The focus is building clean foundations before growth accelerates.
Core Finance
You need clean books, reliable compliance and proper financial control — without building an internal team. If revenue is steady and operations are relatively simple, Core Finance provides the essential structure.
From
£600 – £1,100
/month
Subscription Includes:
- Weekly or fortnightly bookkeeping
- Monthly payroll (RTI + pensions)
- Quarterly or monthly VAT returns
- Annual statutory accounts + Corporation Tax
- Structured month-end reconciliations
- Basic financial controls
- Email support + ad hoc calls
Additional Strategic Support
Alongside your core finance function, we provide targeted advisory and technical support — from equity structuring and R&D claims to fundraising models and exit preparation — delivered within the same disciplined framework.
Cashflow Forecasting (light version)
Short-term 6–9 month runway view.
EIS / EMI Advisory (where relevant)
If raising early capital or planning equity incentives.
R&D Tax (if innovation-led)
Early claims improve runway.
Founder Personal Tax Planning
Especially if drawing dividends or structuring pay.
Looking for an experienced finance partner?
Ignition was built for leaders operating in complexity, where decisions matter and clarity cannot be compromised. If you value structure, judgement, and thoughtful execution, we should talk.