Aleksandar Stojanović, MSc.'s Linkedin Analytics

Finance leaders talk about numbers. But not all numbers tell the same story. That’s why I see so many SaaS founders misusing FP&A and Accounting. Here’s the difference: Accounting → What happened? (Records the past) FP&A → What will happen? (Plans the future) Too many companies focus only on accounting— And then wonder why they struggle with cash flow, profitability, and growth. The truth? ➠ Accounting keeps you compliant. ➠ FP&A keeps you competitive. ➠ Without FP&A, you’re just recording history. ➠ With FP&A, you’re writing the future. FP&A is your financial GPS...helping you: ↳ budget, ↳ forecast, ↳ and make data-driven decisions. ➠ Accounting tells you where you’ve been. ➠ FP&A tells you where you’re going. Want to future-proof your finance function? Make sure you have both. (Repost for those who need this clarity.)

Most startups don’t need a full-time CFO. But they do need: ✅ Financial clarity ✅ Cash flow visibility ✅ A scalable financial strategy ➠ Enter: The Fractional CFO. The old playbook? → Hiring a full-time CFO at $300K+ per year → Waiting until Series B to invest in finance → Struggling with financial blind spots The new reality? → Fractional CFOs are replacing full-time hires → Tech makes strategic FP&A more accessible. → Startups get CFO-level strategy minus the full-time cost. Why now? 1️⃣ Cash efficiency is king. ↳ Startups need lean, flexible finance leadership that scales with them. 2️⃣ More expertise, less overhead. ↳ Fractional CFOs bring deep industry knowledge for a fraction of the cost. 3️⃣ The finance tech stack is evolving. ↳ Automated tools + strategic CFOs = optimized decision-making. The future of financial leadership isn’t full-time. It’s fractional, strategic, and scalable. Are you still following the old CFO playbook? Or are you adapting to this shift? Let’s discuss. ⬇️

What’s Next for Power BI? The Future of Financial Analytics. The way finance teams use Power BI is evolving fast. Here’s where the biggest shifts are happening: AI-Powered Insights → Predictive analytics will redefine forecasting. Natural Language Queries → Ask questions in plain English, get instant insights. Real-Time Data Integration → Up-to-the-minute financial reporting at your fingertips. Enhanced Data Security → Compliance-first analytics for sensitive financial data. Custom Visualizations → Tailored dashboards for complex financial modeling. Mobile-First Analytics → Finance insights, anytime, anywhere. Why should finance pros care? ✅ Make data-driven decisions faster. ✅ Enhance collaboration across teams. ✅ Optimize financial performance with real-time insights. How to stay ahead? Learn & Adapt → Keep up with Power BI’s latest features. Invest in Training → Equip your team with the right skills. Collaborate with Experts → Stay ahead of trends. Power BI isn’t just a reporting tool anymore. It’s a financial strategy powerhouse. Which trend are you most excited about? PS. ♻️ Repost to share with your network!

A properly structured SaaS P&L? But why? I used to cringe at finance deep dives. Are investors really looking at my COGS this closely? Do I really need to track bookings separately? How much should I actually spend on CAC? If YOU ever thought the same, listen... Your P&L isn’t just for accountants. Your P&L isn’t just for tax season. Your P&L isn’t just for your board. It’s the heartbeat of your SaaS business. And if you structure it wrong? You could be churning profit without even realizing it. My advice for any SaaS founder feeling overwhelmed by financials: Embrace the process. It’s okay. Getting your SaaS P&L right can mean the difference between growth and collapse. And I guarantee you...your investors are already looking at it. Embrace the structure → Welcome the scalability. Deal? I can’t hear you... DEAL?! (Repost this for every SaaS founder who needs to hear it)

Most startup finance advice is dangerously bad.  Why?  It’s based on flawed thinking that leads founders to completely wrong conclusions.  I see three major traps when SaaS founders approach financial strategy:  1️⃣ The Revenue-Only Trap   ↳ They look only at growth, never at burn.   ↳ It’s like driving at full speed without checking if you have enough fuel. 2️⃣ The Funding Myth   ↳ They think raising capital = success.   ↳ But the reality? Most VC-backed startups still fail due to poor financial planning.  3️⃣ The "Profit Comes Later" Lie   ↳ Many founders ignore profitability, assuming they’ll figure it out later.   ↳ But if your unit economics don’t make sense now, they won’t magically fix themselves later.  And here’s another hard truth:  ➠ Subscription revenue is predictable...until it isn’t.  Even the best SaaS businesses struggle with cash flow gaps from: ❌ Churn eating into MRR   ❌ Delayed payments impacting liquidity   ❌ Billing cycle misalignment causing revenue dips  If you don’t have a financial system built to absorb these shocks, you’re at risk...no matter how high your ARR looks.  At SaaStanak 2025, I’ll be breaking down exactly how to: → Mitigate cash flow gaps from churn and late payments → Structure your SaaS P&L to keep your business liquid → Optimize billing cycles for revenue stability I’ll be covering this LIVE in Šibenik, Croatia, this May.  Want a sneak peek before the event? Drop a "SaaS" in the comments, and I’ll send you the core takeaways.  PS. See you in Croatia.

Learning how to build a three-statement model is a game-changer. And more and more finance professionals are recognizing this. Because think about it— If you’re trying to excel in finance, and I offered you a choice between… 1. Mastering a crucial financial skill   2. Wasting time on tasks that don't drive results     …you’d pick the first option every time. Why? Because mastering the three-statement model equips you to: → Make informed decisions → Forecast future performance → Impress those who matter most But focusing on trivial tasks? I mean 𝘮𝘢𝘺𝘣𝘦 you’ll stay busy, but much less consistently than the sure bet of mastering a skill that’s central to financial success. So, if you’re spending time on… 1. Basic financial concepts that don’t challenge you 2. Basic spreadsheet formatting 3. Simple data entry tasks …you can definitely stay occupied. But you might also miss out on opportunities to elevate your career and truly stand out. So, if you want my advice: Focus on mastering the skills that will move the needle— Not just tasks that keep you busy (but don’t advance your expertise). PS. Join 5,000 founders and finance pro's at: thestartupfinance.com

Startups don’t fail because of bad products. They fail because of bad financial planning. Too many founders get stuck in their story: 💬 “We just need more revenue.” 💬 “We’ll raise funding soon.” 💬 “We’ll fix cash flow later.” But the smartest founders? They don’t hope for financial clarity. They build financial resilience before they need it. That’s where real success begins: ✅ Planning cash flow, not just tracking it ✅ Turning financial data into smart decisions ✅ Building funding strategies before it's urgent How you handle financial risk says more about your startup than the risk itself. The best SaaS startups I work with? They turned cash flow struggles into financial strength. They turned burn rate panic into controlled scaling. They turned uncertainty into confidence. That’s what strategic finance does. Want to learn how? Start here: thestartupfinance.com Give it a shot...your startup’s future depends on it. PS. Repost ♻️ if you want me to audit your startup’s financial model (5 spots only)

Fraud is the silent killer of financial health. One email can cost you six figures. One fake invoice can drain your accounts. One missed red flag can destroy a business. The solution? A finance team that knows what to look for. → Invoice fraud is slipping through weak approval processes. → AI-powered phishing scams are fooling even the best teams. → Cybercriminals are using human psychology to bypass security. The result? 78% of organizations experience payment fraud. The finance leaders who stop it? They invest in fraud prevention before disaster strikes. Rillion is hosting a free webinar on February 26 covering: ✅ How to build a bulletproof fraud prevention process ✅ What every company should be doing right now ✅ The latest fraud tactics targeting finance teams Your business is a target. Don’t wait until it’s too late. Register here: https://lnkd.in/gphnn_cr P.S. Have you ever seen a fraudulent invoice get approved?

Every year, I write a post about SaaS finance. 💰 (Even if you're not in SaaS, keep reading) The biggest mistake SaaS founders make isn't bad pricing or poor retention. It's bad financial planning. This post is for every startup founder, CFO, or operator looking to scale profitably. So here’s 1 post you can save and share: 1. Revenue isn’t the same as cash flow. 2. CAC is rising, and if you’re not tracking payback periods and LTV:CAC, you're flying blind. (Remind yourself: Profitable growth > Growth at all costs) 3. Founders underestimate gross margins. SaaS isn't "high-margin" if you're overspending on COGS. 4. Most startups don’t forecast properly. They build optimistic models but ignore worst-case scenarios. (Don’t just forecast ARR, model cash runway) 5. The best SaaS companies have automated finance & reporting. If you’re doing it manually, you’re wasting time. 6. If you're not tracking key SaaS metrics like churn, MRR growth, and expansion revenue, your board will question your numbers. 7. Read No. 6 above again, and if you can, do it before investors ask. Because they will. In a nutshell… A great product isn’t enough. The best SaaS companies win with financial discipline. Why? Because SaaS is a marathon, not a sprint. And the ones that survive? They don’t just chase growth. They fund it wisely. Good luck! 🚀 (Repost further ♻️)

99% of CFOs manage numbers. 1% drive strategy. Here’s how the best Fractional CFOs are winning: AI-Powered CFOs → Automating forecasts & risk analysis → Focusing on strategy, not spreadsheets. On-Demand CFO Services → Companies prefer flexible CFOs vs. full-time hires → Saving costs while accessing top talent. Niche Specialization → SaaS, e-commerce, fintech → Deep expertise beats general finance. Data-Driven Decision Making → Real-time dashboards & AI insights → Redefining financial leadership. Global & Remote CFO Services → Top CFOs will work worldwide → Breaking geographical barriers. This shift is happening fast. The question is: Will you adapt or get left behind? The best investment you can make? Mastering the skills that make you future-proof. I’ve documented the playbook CFOs are using to stay ahead & scale smarter. Subscribe here: thestartupfinance.com

Are you controlling burn rate or just chasing revenue? Because there are two types of startups: Strategic founders optimizing financial health. Reckless founders chasing growth at all costs. The first founder gets… → Extended cash runway and reduced risk. → Investors who trust their financial discipline. → Sustainable growth without constant fundraising. → Strong unit economics that fuel long-term success. → The ability to scale without burning out cash reserves. But the second founder? They just get… → A business that looks strong but is one bad month from disaster. → Investors who walk away due to financial instability. → A funding treadmill that never stops. → High burn rates with little control. → Constant panic about runway. It’s easy to get distracted by vanity metrics, but they won’t keep you in business. The best founders play the long game...because they know that controlling burn rate is how you win. And in this guide, I break down exactly how to manage burn rate before it manages you. Subscribe here’s to take control: thestartupfinance.com

Every investor wants one thing: Clarity. Before they even think about funding you, they need answers to: ✅ How much cash do you need? ✅ How long will it last? ✅ What milestones will it help you hit? And here’s the truth: ❌ “We’ll figure it out later” is a red flag. ❌ “We’re growing fast” is not an answer. ❌ “We’ll be profitable next year” without numbers = no funding. Investors don’t fund ideas— They fund businesses with a plan. That’s why financial modeling is a non-negotiable. Your model should tell a story— Not just about today, but about where your company will be in 12-24 months. If you were an investor, would you fund your business based on your financial model today? Let’s discuss. ⬇️ PS. (Repost further ♻️)

Finance teams spend 10+ days closing the books. It doesn’t have to be this way. The best teams close in 5 days or less—without late nights, last-minute scrambling, or errors. I’m giving away the exact Month-End Close Playbook that: 👉 Cuts close time in half 👉 Reduces errors and rework 👉 Eliminates bottlenecks before they happen Inside, you’ll get: ✅ The 4-step system that speeds up close ✅ The exact checklist finance teams use every month ✅ The pre-close process that prevents delays ✅ The reporting framework that keeps leadership happy This isn’t a theory. It’s the same system used by finance teams closing millions in revenue—fast. Want a copy? Comment “CLOSE” and I’ll send it over. (Must be following or connected.) 🔥 Repost and I’ll share an invite to an exclusive month-end close Q&A session.

I’ve trained 500+ finance teams on Excel automation. Now, I’m giving away 99 advanced Excel shortcuts that will transform the way you work. These aren’t your basic Ctrl+C / Ctrl+V shortcuts. These are power moves that: ✅ Automate data selection and navigation ✅ Save HOURS on repetitive Excel tasks ✅ Instantly format financial reports ✅ Audit spreadsheets in seconds Perfect for: • CFOs who need faster insights • Accountants tired of manual data entry • Financial analysts drowning in spreadsheets No fluff. No outdated tips. Just real tactics. Normally, I charge for this in my workshops. But today, it’s free. Comment "SPEED" below and I’ll send it to you. (Only available for 24 hours before I take it down.)

In the last 12 months, I’ve helped fractional CFOs land 6-figure clients without chasing leads. Now, I’m showing you exactly how to do it, for free. This playbook covers: → The step-by-step discovery call framework that converts at 80%+. → How to position yourself so clients see you as essential. → The pricing formula that lets you charge premium rates. → The outreach system that lands high-value clients. → The retention model that keeps clients for years. But this isn’t just a playbook…it’s a customized growth roadmap. Answer a few questions (under 5 minutes) about your current practice, and you’ll get: ✅ A clear pricing strategy based on your experience. ✅ A step-by-step roadmap to scale from $10k to $50k+ months. ✅ Tactical scripts & outreach templates to start landing clients immediately. Over 500 CFOs have gotten this already. Comment “FRACTIONAL” (and send me a connection request), and I’ll send it to you via DM.

6 years ago, closing the books was a nightmare. It took weeks, data was incomplete, and finance teams scrambled last-minute. But today? I’ve helped SaaS companies cut their closing time in half...without losing accuracy. Here’s how: 1️⃣ Automated Reconciliation ↳ Manual reconciliation was slowing us down. ↳ By implementing automation tools, we eliminated errors and saved hours. 2️⃣ Standardized Processes ↳ We created structured checklists and templates to remove inefficiencies and stop the constant back-and-forth. 3️⃣ Real-Time Data Entry ↳ Instead of waiting until month-end, we started logging transactions daily...no last-minute fire drills. 4️⃣ Integrated Systems ↳ Disconnected tools were killing efficiency. ↳ We linked accounting, ERP, and reporting to eliminate redundant work. 5️⃣ Pre-Close Reviews ↳ We started reviewing mid-month to catch discrepancies early...before they became month-end headaches. 6️⃣ Clear Role Assignments ↳ Instead of last-minute scrambling, each team member owned a piece of the process. The result? ✔️ Fewer errors ✔️ Faster closes ✔️ More time for strategic finance If your month-end close feels like chaos, try these. ➠ Because the best finance teams don’t just close books fast...they do it right. (Repost further ♻️)

Most founders & operators think they need better financial reports. Wrong. What they actually need? Better financial models. Here’s the difference: A report tells you what happened last month. A model tells you what’s going to happen next. That’s why I built a financial modeling system to help companies: → Update forecasts in real-time (not once a quarter) → Model multiple scenarios before making big decisions → Justify every dollar spent (instead of bloated budgets) → Track customer retention & lifetime value (critical for SaaS & DTC) → See the full financial picture across P&L, balance sheet, and cash flow Financial models are not just for CFOs. They’re for any founder, operator, or finance team that wants clarity. I’m giving away my next-gen financial modeling framework - for free. Comment "NEXT" and I’ll send it over. PS. Make sure we're connected. PPS. (Save and repost this one for others ♻️)

I’ve built over 100 financial models. Now, I’m giving away my 5 go-to templates—for FREE. — Comment "TEMPLATES" to get access — This 5-model resource includes: 👉 A three-statement model to structure financials 👉 A DCF template to calculate company valuation 👉 A SaaS model to track MRR, ARR & churn 👉 A budget vs. actuals tracker for variance analysis 👉 An LBO model for private equity deals And here’s the best part? These models aren’t just spreadsheets. They are investor-ready frameworks designed to help you: ✔️ Impress investors with clear financials ✔️ Forecast future cash flow with confidence ✔️ Align your business model with scalable growth I don’t usually release these publicly… But today, I’m giving them to the first 50 people who comment "TEMPLATES" below. Get access here: 🔗 Link - https://lnkd.in/dKsPr3yh

The biggest mistake Fractional CFOs make? Doing everything manually.  The best CFOs leverage technology to: → Automate financial processes → Streamline operations → Scale faster Here are 7 tools every top-performing Fractional CFO uses:  Domo → Centralizes business intelligence and dashboards Power BI → Advanced reporting for better decision-making Xero → Cloud-based accounting for total accessibility Fathom → Delivers deep financial analysis and KPIs QuickBooks Online → Simplifies bookkeeping and accounting Float → Makes cash flow forecasting effortless Gusto → Handles payroll and HR with ease The best CFOs don’t just report numbers. They create financial strategy.  Want to scale your practice? Use the right tools.  Which tool has made the biggest impact on your workflow? PS. (♻️ Repost this for your network)

Recently, I worked with a company struggling with financial visibility. They had: ❌ Over-budget spending with no tracking ❌ Scattered financial data across spreadsheets ❌ Last-minute decision-making vs. proactive planning ❌ No real-time forecasting...relied on outdated reports Sound familiar? Here’s what happened when we revamped their FP&A process: ✅ 20% fewer budget overruns by improving forecasting accuracy ✅ $500K in cost savings from eliminating wasted vendor spend ✅ Faster decision-making with real-time financial dashboards ✅ Increased transparency across teams, reducing confusion The takeaway? If your finance team is still stuck in spreadsheets, you’re leaving money on the table. FP&A isn’t about crunching numbers...it’s about turning insights into action. Want to see the full breakdown? Join 5,000 people at: thestartupfinance.com