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Who we serve

Startups and Small to Midsize Businesses

Racing to grow before the business is properly set up.

Startups & SMBs

Why your work matters

Growing businesses create jobs and opportunity.

Startups and small to midsize businesses create most new jobs, bring new products to market and keep local economies moving. A business that is set up properly can grow without breaking.

  • Most of the new jobs in the economy
  • New products and services
  • Stronger local economies

Where delivery falls short

Yet many growing businesses race ahead before the basics are in place: no written processes, founders approving everything and books that are months behind. The result is cash surprises, costly hiring mistakes and growth that stalls.

The 6 most crippling issues for Startups and Small to Midsize Businesses

Select an issue to see the internal control breakdown behind it, the usual solution, and The BKG solution.

01

Growing faster than the business is set up

Systems built for a smaller company

The issue

Growing faster than the business is set up

Sales and headcount grow while processes, roles and systems stay the same.

Where the control breaks: No written processes or clear roles, so work depends on who remembers how it was done last time.

  • Errors
  • Missed deadlines

The usual fix

Hire more people and hope they figure it out.Costs rise, mistakes multiply and the founders stay the bottleneck.

The BKG solution

First, we fix the internal control tools. We test what exists, repair what is broken and put in place what is missing:

  • Process maps
  • Roles and responsibilities matrix
  • Standard operating procedures
  • ConsultingAn operational assessment and a structure sized to your stage of growth.
  • TrainingShort practical trainings so each person owns their part of the process.
  • StaffingTrained operations or admin staff placed as you scale.

A business that runs the same way every day, even as it grows.

02

Founders approving everything

Every decision waits for one person

The issue

Founders approving everything

All spending, hiring and customer decisions go through the founders.

Where the control breaks: There is no delegation of authority, so nothing moves without the founder’s sign-off.

  • Slow decisions
  • Burnout

The usual fix

Founders work longer hours.Decisions still bottleneck and strategy gets no time.

The BKG solution

First, we fix the internal control tools. We test what exists, repair what is broken and put in place what is missing:

  • Delegation of authority matrix
  • Spending limits
  • Approval workflow
  • ConsultingA delegation of authority that sets who decides what, and up to which amount.
  • TrainingManagers trained to make and document decisions within their limits.
  • StaffingAn experienced operations lead placed to take day-to-day decisions off the founders.

Founders free to lead, with decisions made at the right level.

03

Books and cash flow behind

Numbers you can’t rely on

The issue

Books and cash flow behind

Bookkeeping is months behind and cash flow is managed from the bank balance.

Where the control breaks: No monthly close, no reconciliations and no budget to compare against.

  • Cash surprises
  • Tax penalties

The usual fix

Catch up once a year for the tax return.Problems are found too late to fix, and decisions are made blind.

The BKG solution

First, we fix the internal control tools. We test what exists, repair what is broken and put in place what is missing:

  • Chart of accounts
  • Monthly close checklist
  • Bank reconciliation
  • Cash flow forecast
  • ConsultingA finance setup with a monthly close, reconciliations and a 13-week cash forecast.
  • TrainingYour team trained to run the close and read the numbers.
  • StaffingA trained bookkeeper or finance officer placed to keep the books current.

Current books and a cash forecast you can plan with.

04

No HR foundations

Hiring on instinct

The issue

No HR foundations

No job descriptions, contracts or onboarding, and policies written only when a problem appears.

Where the control breaks: Without clear roles and HR policies, hiring, pay and performance are handled case by case.

  • Bad hires
  • Legal risk

The usual fix

Download an employee handbook template.It does not fit your business and no one reads it.

The BKG solution

First, we fix the internal control tools. We test what exists, repair what is broken and put in place what is missing:

  • Job descriptions
  • Employee handbook
  • Onboarding checklist
  • Compliance calendar
  • ConsultingHR policies, job descriptions and an onboarding process written for your business.
  • TrainingManagers trained on hiring, onboarding and performance conversations.
  • StaffingCandidates screened and prepared for the role before day one.

The right people, hired well and set up to succeed.

05

Weak controls over spending

Money leaving without checks

The issue

Weak controls over spending

Company cards, reimbursements and vendor payments are not reviewed.

Where the control breaks: One person can request, approve and pay the same expense, and no one reviews it afterwards.

  • Fraud risk
  • Overspending

The usual fix

Trust the team.Small leaks become large losses before anyone notices.

The BKG solution

First, we fix the internal control tools. We test what exists, repair what is broken and put in place what is missing:

  • Expense policy
  • Segregation of duties
  • Vendor approval
  • Monthly spend review
  • ConsultingSimple spending controls sized for a small team, without slowing the business down.
  • TrainingStaff trained on the expense policy and how to document purchases.
  • StaffingA finance officer placed to run reviews and keep duties separate.

Spending you can see, approve and explain.

06

Not ready for investors, lenders or audits

Due diligence exposes the gaps

The issue

Not ready for investors, lenders or audits

Records, policies and reports fall short when investors, banks or clients ask for them.

Where the control breaks: Documents are scattered, financial statements are unreviewed and key policies are missing.

  • Lost funding
  • Delayed deals

The usual fix

Scramble to pull documents together when a deal is on the table.Deals slow down or fall through, and valuations suffer.

The BKG solution

First, we fix the internal control tools. We test what exists, repair what is broken and put in place what is missing:

  • Data room checklist
  • Financial statement review
  • Policy library
  • ConsultingA readiness review and a plan to close the gaps before due diligence starts.
  • TrainingYour team trained to maintain records and reports to investor standard.
  • StaffingExperienced finance and admin staff placed to prepare and maintain the documentation.

A business that is ready when the opportunity comes.

How it works for you

A growing business preparing to raise funding

One engagement, all three services working together on the issues above.

What changes: Founders step back from daily approvals, the books are current, and the business is ready for due diligence.

Schedule an Assessment

Illustrative example. Timelines depend on the service level chosen.

  • Week 1 to 2AssessReview of finance, HR and operations against what investors and lenders will ask for.
  • Week 3 to 6RedesignDelegation of authority, monthly close, spending controls and core HR policies.
  • Week 5 to 8Build skillsTraining for managers and the finance team on the new processes.
  • Week 6 to 10Fill the gapsA trained finance officer placed to run the monthly close.
  • Month 4SustainFollow-up review before due diligence begins.

Other sectors we serve

Different sector.
Same commitment.

NGOsHigher EducationMedical ResearchGovernment

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